A special guest for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was extra special this year because we had a unique guest.  Well, actually he's a return visitor, but it's been awhile.  Just like for Thanksgiving 2013, Brown Bear came to visit again! Brown Bear is the mascot for the Toddler 1 classroom at the boys' school.  Every year he gets to visit each child's family for a week and participate in various activities.  He is quite the traveler and connoisseur of children's activities.

This year to start off the Thanksgiving holiday we decided to institute a new tradition for the 4 of us--the Issaquah Turkey Trot 5K.  James ran the 5K and I did the walk with the boys in the stroller.  It was a gorgeous sunny morning although it was insanely cold.  I think the thermometer said 30 degrees when we started out.  The boys were troopers despite how cold it was.  And it felt great to be active before stuffing ourselves the rest of the day.  Brown Bear was lazy though and decided to sleep in so he missed the Turkey Trot.  After the race we huddled under warm blankets to thaw out and watch the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade--another favorite holiday tradition.

Then it was on to Gramma and Grampa's for the Thanksgiving meal.  We were lucky to have Uncle Jerry and Aunt Joyce and Aunt Jill and Uncle Mike and his mom join us for the feast.  Cameron got to enjoy his first official Thanksgiving meal (since he can now eat solids) and he even shared a few bites with Brown Bear.  It was a delicious meal and a great time with family.  

The incredible chefs!

Such a cute couple :)

Excited to pig out!

Yum!

So much to be thankful for

So glad we captured this great family pic.  It's a miracle that everyone is looking and smiling!

 After the meal and a few hours relaxing watching football, we went on to Nana and Pops' house for dessert.  Unfortunately I didn't capture many photos there.  But we had a fantastic french silk pie and enjoyed wonderful conversation and playing with toys.

The second Thanksgiving was over, we were unintentionally full blown into Christmas.  Despite the freezing cold temps that weekend the weather was so beautiful and sunny so we thought we would take advantage.  On Friday we got our tree from our favorite Keith and Scott Tree Farm in North Bend and decorated the house.  Again Brown Bear was being a wimp with the cold so he stayed home.

Saturday was our annual trek downtown for shopping deals and fun holiday activities including the merry go round and the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton.  Brown Bear loved riding the merry go round!

And then we ended the weekend with a visit to Santa!  The past couple of years we have found that it works well to go see Santa late in the afternoon on the Sunday after Thanksgiving because there are no lines!  No kid meltdowns this year, but Cameron was very confused of who the big man in red was and why we were taking pictures with him.  But he went along for the ride.  Then we enjoyed a yummy pizza dinner with the grandparents.

Such a fun and memorable weekend.  Christmas is officially in full swing.  Thanks for visiting Brown Bear!  We miss you already!