Thankful

We had a special Thanksgiving this year.  One of those moments when you step back and think to yourself, "Will I ever get this opportunity again?"  Casey's parents arrived the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Casey took the whole week off from work so he could spend time with them.  It was a crazy time for me - end of Open Enrollment at work and prepping for the Arvada Center show - but I was so excited to meet my youngest nephew, Christopher, and hang out with 5 of the coolest kids I know.  So.  Much.  Fun.

The Thanksgiving meal is my all-time favorite.  I love everything about it.  The only thing that could make it better is a new kitchen:) 

 One way to brown your turkey...

                                               and I was impressed that all the sides actually fit into our "easy bake oven!"

 Our Motley Crew (sans Taylor, he was at the adult table until he realized how lame we were;))

Best Buds (they are sharing a cardboard box!)

Black Friday - a HUGE day for Monica and I.  Our business, It's the Little Things, debuted at the Arvada Center Holiday Craft Fair.  We had so much fun!  Meeting new people, selling our wares, hobnobbing with other local artisans, and moat importantly...getting our name out there.  Thanks to everyone who has supported us!  Especially our families, for holding down the fort while we did our thing.  I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!  Follow along here.

Casey's parents headed back to Wisconsin on Saturday and I wrapped up Day 2 of the show.  It was a good time, but I was ready for some down time come Sunday.  Milo and I hung at home while Casey and the family went to Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a gorgeous day to be in the mountains. 

Auntie Megan and Christopher

 Taylor - 8 years old.  Full of spunk, but softspoken and sweet.  He is a cool kid and did a great job being the oldest of 5 boys.  He enjoyed playing video games with Uncle Casey and even joined Ian and I for a mini viewing of the Wizard of Oz.  It is hard to believe that Taylor was born 6 months after I met Casey. 

Ethan - 6 years old.  Silly, with a great smile and a laugh you can't help but join in on.  He and Ian were close, gave Casey and I a vision for where we are headed.  And I love it!  Poor Ethan woke up sick on Friday and by that evening was in the ER.  Fortunately, he was fine just needed some fluids to get him back up and running. 

 Ian - 3 years old.  Bringing up the rear on this brat pack.  He sure loves his cousins and wanted nothing more than to be with them every minute.  my sweet baby.  I can't believe he is almost 4 years old.  Where has the time gone? 

              Taylor, Ethan, and Ian all have one thing in common - they are all awesome big brothers!

 To these little cuties:  Milo is 15 months old and Christopher is 12 months old.  They both mastered the art of walking while they were together.  It was pretty cool to see.  They took baths together, kind of played together (usually when one or the other had food - ha!), and did their very best to keep up with the older ones. 

 Sunday was our last night with the Martinez clan.  We ventured out for dinner instead of spending our last night together cooking and cleaning up after ourselves.  We were 'that' table at the restaurant, but all in all everyone behaved themselves and had a good time.  It was so great to have our family visiting for the holiday.  We are truly blessed. 

One last bit of exciting news - Milo is forward facing now!  We had to move the car seat for Christopher and figured we should just leave it that way for Milo.  I enjoy having him face forward.  I think he likes it too because he hasn't stopped talking in the car.  There is so much new stuff for him to see and he loves to tell us all about it.  Neat.