Ramblings & Thanksgiving & 25 weeks

I'm falling down on my blogging. Actually, I feel like I'm falling down on a lot of things these days. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, being a wife. The list goes on and on. There are just too many things I "need" to do and just as many I want to do. I'm struggling again with how to balance everything. I keep thinking, "Once X is done, then it will be better." But it never is. There's always that X that just keeps coming back. In some ways, I feel like I've lost me. I know I'm not the first new mom to experience this. I guess I keep trying to get over it instead of through it.  I guess there's always something in my life I'll be working on or through and this is just one of them.

Okay, I know you didn't come to hear me complain. I'm sure you'd much rather hear about our Thanksgiving!

This year, for the first time in, I think, six years, all of my mom's family was together for Thanksgiving. It was a little more interesting this year because we had 4 munchkins age 4 and under. There was lots of activity the whole time we were all together, but we did manage to continue one Thanksgiving tradition...taking a family photo. (I love how Emily & Andrew are looking at each other!)

Emily got to try out the "new" old high chair. This high chair has been in my dad's family for, well, I'm not sure how long. My parents had it repainted for Emily so she will have a place to eat at their house.

Friday, my dad started a new tradition (I think). When Jenni and I were growing up, he would occasionally make bread--a 10 loaf recipe--using his grandmother's recipe. I've pared down the recipe to a 2 loaf recipe and have made it several times. He decided that he and Emily would make bread on Friday. She missed out on the first part of the mixing, but she got into the kneading!

On Saturday, we went to Phillip's parents' house to enjoy our traditional Thanksgiving meal...steaks & baked potatoes! Emily enjoyed playing with her cousins Kaily & Baily. (Grandma's in the background.)

Sunday morning, we were blessed to have a baby blessing at Highland. Emily brought her aunt, all her grandparents and three of her four great-grandparents with her to share the blessed event. Afterward, we got a great picture with Phillip's family, although I think Emily was more interested in Grandma Palma's hair!

As I close today's long post (happy to see that you're still reading!), here is today's weekly picture. Emily seems to be dealing well with her runny nose.