Life With Our Little Ladies: Thanksgiving 2015

With two kids, an infant and a dog, packing for Thanksgiving felt like an Olympic event this year! It was our first time traveling to Grammy and G-Diddy's since Juliet was born. I was especially thankful for the girls' suitcases that they love to help me pack up. Abby and Ella insisted on bringing their kids and packing up their bags as well. This was our load for only five days! At one point, our car and our living room looked like someone was leaving for college.

Glitter and Hearts were ready for their first trip to Grammy's house. Abby made sure she documented their excitement on video! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hyC6tso-jw

We picked up Abby from school and hit the road!

Long car ride, sleeping baby, warm puppy in my lap and Beth Moore's new book made for a pretty sweet ride.

Look at these pups hanging with their Cassel men.

It was Juliet's first Thanksgiving and she dressed for the occasion!

Ella helped Grammy whip up her famous Thanksgiving Ambrosia Salad.

Both girls love playing on their Daddy's organ. Abby was eager to show everyone what she has been learning in her piano lessons.

The girls worked on personalized turkey placemats all morning!

While most of the crew went to the park for part of the afternoon, Juliet and I opted to rest in one of my favorite spots in the house. It was peaceful, quiet and relaxing!

Our three girls!

I couldn't be more thankful for these beauties!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO97t3pZjU0

Story time and snacks with Sarah before turkey!

Ella hung out and watched some football with the guys.

Juliet loves her Uncle Tommy.

The girls loved crazy bed times and stories with Uncle Tommy and Uncle Brad.

Abby loved sneaking into our room to spend early morning sister time with Juliet.

On the day after Thanksgiving, we visited the Philadelphia Zoo for the first time. The weather was perfect.

On the way, Uncle Brad talked to the girls about the kinds of animals they were going to see. He got Ella pumped up about the peacocks. Before going in, Ella and I walked over to the gift store windows to look at all of the different stuffed animals while we waited. She saw the peacock and got really excited. She kept saying, "It's a peacock! I'm so excited to see a peacock!" At that moment, a real peacock came running out from the side of the building. It was pretty magical! Ella's eyes lit up. She thought for sure the peacock heard her and came for a visit! :)

Just Abby, Glitter and a peacock at the zoo.

This girl LOVES her G-Diddy. She was either hand in hand with him or hugging and kissing him the whole time.

my favorite with my favorite

Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex surprised the girls and took them into the souvenir shop to each pick out their own stuffed animal. Abby chose a pink zebra and Ella chose a purple giraffe! :)

After some rest, we all headed out for Hibachi! The girls remembered how much fun we all had last year and couldn't wait to watch the man "put on a show for us while he cooked dinner".

I love this father/son shot!

Juliet slept soundly in the front pack the whole time. I tried really hard not to drop too much rice on her head as I ate my dinner. :)

The girls did great with their baby chopsticks.

On Saturday, the grownup ladies (Aunt Cyncy, Grammy, Aunt Alex, Juliet and I) went out for our annual afternoon lunch and Christmas shopping trip, while the guys took the littles to Chick-Fil-A for lunch and some playtime. It's always a good time browsing in stores, getting ideas and kicking off the Christmas season together.

We enjoyed a nice lunch and then popped into Carlo's bakery to pick up some cupcakes. The girls really LOVE cooking and baking shows on the Food Network. Their current favorites are Cupcake Wars, Chopped and the Baking Championship series. So, I had to bring them home some cupcakes from the Cake Boss' bakery. Ella's eyes got really big when I told her who owned the bakery. When we got home, the girls and I cut our cupcakes into fours, taste tested the different flavors and cast our votes. I think the Peanut Butter Chocolate was the winner!

Ella wants to open her own bakery when she grows up. In the meantime, she insists on being in the kitchen baking and practicing with anyone who is willing. She also surveys everyone she loves to find out their favorite dessert, so she can be sure to add it to her bakery menu. G-Diddy's favorite is angel food cake! So, Ella asked him if he would bake it with her. G-Diddy made a point to go out and buy all of the ingredients. He insisted on not taking the easy way out (buying a box mix), but instead doing it from scratch with her. It was such a sweet memory they made together and she loved every minute of it.

Meanwhile, Joe and Abby made some music! Abby asked her daddy to play for her while she practiced a song that she is preparing for her school musical. I love her sweet voice.