Happy Thanksgiving



Kelly and Hope (4 months old)

Thanksgiving brought two new milestones to our homes. First it was Hope's first Thanksgiving. Second Kelly went back to back to work the day before Thanksgiving after being on maternity leave since July.  Knowing that this would be the last Mertz baby brought lots of emotion. This would be the last extended leave for the foreseeable future for Kelly to be home with the kids. It also brought some anxiety with it for me because not only would I be watching the new baby but Thomas is no longer spending the weekends with his Dad. So I'm going from three kids during the week and two on the weekend to four kids during the week and the weekend. Kelly has worked hard the last few preparing the kids for the change as well as making sure I have everything I need at my house to make it work.

We always celebrate Thanksgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving with my Dad because Kelly and Dave always work Thanksgiving. This year instead of doing it at Dad's house we did it at Kelly's. The guys watched football while Kelly and I did the cooking. The kids had a great time doing some Thanksgiving projects and watching some Thanksgiving shows. 

 

Auntie and Hope

 

Thomas and Noelle really do love each other

A few of my favorite girls.

 

One of the very few pictures that we have with all of the kids. 

 

Dad is always a good sport about taking care of the turkey. As long as Kelly and I take care of the sides he will always take care of getting the turkey ready.

Noelle helped to get the sweet potatoes made and snuck in a few extra marshmallows.

               

This is what Hope did during family dinner…….

 

Hope takes after her big sister, Noelle, and never takes the opportunity to miss a meal. She woke up from her nap just in time to enjoy a turkey leg. Well, she wished she got to have a turkey leg...