Happy birthday!

It was sweet 16 this year.  I am not sure boys usually have the sweet 16 reference, but he is a pretty sweet kid, so it works for me.  It was the last day of school before break and he had a lot of tests, so maybe not the most celebratory day.  But we tried to add a little joy.  He didn't have a party yet, but may have a sleepover at a later time when friends are not so busy.

Grandma got to watch him open his gift from her.  some airpods.  He has enjoyed cancelling me out with the sound cancelling feature!

He got an updated phone as a main gift, so just a few other gifts from mom and dad.

Dinner was take out from Freddie's.  We watched some Mr. Beast videos together during dinner.  Then he played some video games with friends for the rest of the evening.

We did sing for him and make him blow out his candles--all 16!  I am so thankful for this kind, funny, smart young man.  Happy Birthday!

 

Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving was a nice time to be with family again after being gone last year.  We gathered at my mom's house first.  We went up on Wednesday and arrived late in the afternoon. Fiona joined Teresa later in the evening for the first of two sleepovers.

I was up early on Thursday to help prepare the turkey for roasting.  I now have a very strong opinion that the neck and bag of innards should not be placed in the turkey--no one wants them!  That was not my favorite part of the day!  Mom and got the turkey and peeled potatoes and got a lot of the prep work done before my brothers arrived.  Once everyone arrived, we all worked together to get the feast ready.  It was great food and good time together.  

Some highlights were Merlin, Dan's puppy getting to visit.  (We will forgive him for peeing on a backpack after 5 minutes in the house.) The annual football game even in the cold.  Getting to talk with my brothers and their wives, and Krista's mom.  And I think that French silk pies are becoming the new trend for Thanksgiving!

On Friday morning, my mom, Troy, Teresa, Fiona and I went shopping.  We went to a few stores and none of them were very busy.  I bought a gift for a friend and Troy got some new clothes.  After shopping we helped my mom set up her tree.  We eventually made our way to Susie's with a stop at Best Buy for a TV Timothy bought for his room.

At Susie's we enjoyed time with Trish and Vyrn and their family.  We watched Christmas movies, played games and tried our hand at Christmas trivia.  It was more good food and time to catch up with family. 

We went to the Mall of America on Saturday afternoon, just for something to do.  The boys played pokemon go and the girls just window shopped.  We left on Sunday morning for home.  Of course it had to snow!  Thankfully it was light flurries that cleared when we got to Iowa.  Thankful for another great Thanksgiving!