Hi friends! Have you recovered from Thanksgiving? I’m not sure that I have yet. Once a year we get together with my husband’s family. The cousins get to reconnect as do the adults. Such good times! This time, we (adults) hit the karaoke bar and walked away with a blackmail video or two – yikes! Nothing says closeness like singing Paradise By the Dashboard Light with some of your favorite people. Anyway, we don’t get to see each other often enough, but when we do we have the best time together!
If we are connected on instagram, (cottageandvine) forgive me for repeating myself, but I thought I would share a few pictures that I posted over the weekend.
Each year over Thanksgiving, I beg a family member to take pictures of us. I still need to go through them all and make a selection for our Christmas cards, but this was one of my favorites.
After eating a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner made mostly by my mother-in-law (who by the way did not sit down until Friday), I vowed never to eat again. The food was delicious as always – thanks Kathy!
If you are looking for a crowd pleasing appetizer I highly recommend this one. Can you see how many hands are reaching for it? It was that good!
I always, always enjoy these girls!
One of the best parts of our visit is seeing how the cousins interact. I love to see how our boys handle themselves too – setting a good example for the young ones. Sometimes I hear myself in them – not sure if that is good or bad ;).
We returned home to much cooler weather and enjoyed our first fire of the season.
My head is reeling with client work, the holiday to-do list, etc. I say this every year and this time is no different. When it comes to decorating, I’m going to keep it simple. I already feel overwhelmed with all the decorating I see going on everywhere. Do you?
Looks like the perfect weekend, what a cute picture, your boys look SO grown up! Keeping Christmas decor simple here too, I take it out and put it all back ~ not sure if that's progress or not!
That house is gorgeous!! So picture-perfect.
I've seen that appetizer before on pinterest, but I just pinned it so that I'll remember to make it! I looove brie. And really any cheese for that matter…
Completely overwhelmed – driving out of our neighborhood seeing all the trees ALREADY up in the windows of my neighbors homes! I am committed to waiting until December to decorate, am I the only one?
Looks like you had a fabulous time enjoying family and making memories.
xo~Jill
Same here Jill. We aren't getting our tree until weekend after next. Trying to enjoy the moments and not the "stuff".
René
Such a fun recap. Beautiful family, Rene. Yes. . .will keep it simple as always. I am all about whatever I can get done in a couple of days and that's it!!
I feel the same! Keeping things simple and sweet this year…we will see!! Your pics are lovely and that fire looks wonderful!!!
What sweet pictures — I love the one of you and your family, and the house is gorgeous! I'm glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I loved seeing your updates on Instagram…they made me smile! xo
Thank you for the sweet notes everybody!
René
I really love keeping things simple. I hope you can find time to slow down. I know I need to remind myself as this time of year has a way of getting out of control.
pve
Looks like a great Thanksgiving. You said it…simple. And yes, I do get overwhelmed with all the Christmas decorating that I am seeing.
Rene…I have said this before but what a beautiful family you have. Your boys and husband are so handsome and you are so dang cute 🙂