Valley Girl Views: Thankful

In trying to list the things I am thankful for, I can't help but feel so very lucky for everything I have. I am thankful for two healthy children who are full of personality and bring me great joy every day. I am thankful for a wonderful husband who has put up with me for nearly 9 years of marriage and whom I never tire of spending time with. I am thankful for my parents who will travel out here from Colorado at the drop of the hat and will do anything for us and the kids. I am thankful for my brother who I got to Skype with today and is one of the coolest uncles around. I am thankful for my in-laws that have welcomed me into their family and have helped make Seattle a home away from home. I am thankful for all of my friends both near and far from Andrea in Denver to Stacy in San Francisco to Brooke, Megan & countless others here in Seattle. I am thankful to REI for a job I absolutely love and coworkers I love even more. I am thankful for the roof above our heads, the food upon our table and the furry dog & cat at my feet!

This year, we spent Thanksgiving at my in-laws' house for a magnificent feast prepared by my mother-in-law, Cecile. My parents flew in from Colorado to join us for the holiday weekend. And Dave's cousin Jon, his wife Susan, and their kids, Abby, Ethan & Isabella also drove up from Kelso to spend the day. This was an extra special treat as Kate & Jack have no first cousins and rarely get to see any of their second cousins. They finally had some other kids to play with!

Jack wearing his Indian headband he made at daycare