It's been over 9 years since we have lived in the states, and had a real "authentic" Thanksgiving. Of course every year we were abroad we celebrated, and celebrated big! However, finding and buying the traditional Thanksgiving bird and ingredients weren't always the easiest to obtain!! Even the smallest turkey was major bucks, had to be ordered or purchased way in advance, or in Paris for instance, small turkeys didn't even fit in our small oven!! Being back in the states meant access to Costco or Target, and any other grocery store that we dreamed of getting the perfect Thanksgiving spread. It also meant family was close, and we hadn't celebrated with any relatives on this particular holiday for the entire time we were away. All these factors together, we decided this year was going to be the most AUTHENTIC Thanksgiving at our home, with everything that it's made to be.......first and foremost gratittude for all we have, combined with family, feasting, and fun!
We were more than thrilled Bracken could make it home from college to spend the holiday with us. It was wonderful to have our little family back together again! It's definitely not the same at our house without Bracken. We have missed him soooo much!! Other special guests included: Grandma and Grandpa Wilde, Connor Copeland (who earned his ticket here not only because of his amazing report card, but also his incredible state winning golf performance!), Bracken's friend Lynette joined us from USC where she is attending school, Carrie and Tyler came from Salt Lake City with Lizzie, Kate and Mollie, and Bethany and Chad brought their adorable family, Caleb, Collin, Brooklyn and brand new baby Owen from Santa Monica, California. Yes, we had a house full, but Thanksgiving was EVERYTHING we dreamed it should be and more!
Minutes after we had all completely stuffed ourselves, and engaged in fabulous and fun conversation at our new dining room table, not surprising at all...... out pop every electronic gadget imaginable to catch up on all the sports scores that were missed during our relatively short feast!! Grateful for modern technology, and even more grateful the men could leave them for even just a few minutes to enjoy the Thanksgiving fixin's :)
The men were definitely being entertained with their electronics, but an even greater entertainment was just begininng. Last summer the "Wilde cousin concert series" began at the cabin with some top hits that even the littlest of cousins were involved with performing. Thanks to Caleb for sending out letters to the cousins a few weeks before Thanksgiving reminding them that the "Wilde cousin family band" would again be performing together at Thanksgiving. He even gave a list of possible songs to perfect before the concert, and asked for feedback to be sent back via snailmail from each cousin!! Just like in the summer, Caleb took the main lead singing part with Preston as back up, and Lizzie, Brooklyn, Kate, and Mollie as the back up dancers. Collin enjoyed his "manager" position from the sidelines. It was impossible not to smile and cheer as these cousins gave it their all, and definitely entertained us all to say the least!! Our favorite song was dedicated to Aunt Carrie with lyrics made up personally by Caleb titled "I'm going to Rock Your World" a saying that apparently Carrie is known to say quite a bit at her house.......American Idol watch out!
Rosco and Roxy were in awe of all the action and all the new visitors. Tyson took his dog owner responsibilities very seriously to make sure the excitement stayed where it should be, and the two little "angels" stayed innocent of any mischievious behaviors :)
Bring it on! Somehow a few people still had some energy to burn...... Tyson reigns as our "Just Dance" King. Carrie challenges, but Tyson still claims title!
The day after Thanksgiving was spent as a family in downtown San Francisco. The weather was perfect, so we made the most of it, and MOST it really was! Alcatraz, a lunch on the Pier, a visit to the sea lions, and treats on the streets were what our day was filled with. On the way home from the city, we stopped at the Oakland temple to see the Christmas lights, but unfortunately we were ONE day early. Lucky for us, we caught two minutes of Christmas light sightings as they turned them on to "test" them out. It was just enough for us, and we were thrilled for the preview. Our day was beautiful, eventful, and we enjoyed every minute with our family in our new home city.
One last activity before our Thanksgiving weekend was over....our traditional gingerbread house
competition. The only rule was that every family member would have to participate in part of the decorating. And yes, everyone was the winner! We could have partied for the next week if the Thanksgiving weekend had not now come to an end. Sooo much fun, and we hated to say goodbye. Big hugs to everyone that came and made our first Thanksgiving back in the states the BEST! We are truly grateful!
