Happy Thanksgiving {and Brrrrr!}
Happy Thanksgiving Friends!
I’m just checking in from the half-way point of our #swansonthanksgivingtravels. (you can follow that hashtag on instagram, of course. :))
It’s been an amazing trip so far. And cold too, which I faintly remember is just what we were hoping for. 😳
We spent the first few days in my hometown of Gig Harbor, Washington ^^ in a whirlwind of visiting, and shopping, and packing, and visiting, shopping and re-packing and…Well, we had a lot to cover getting these thin-skinned Hawaiians ready for the snow!
Yesterday we finally made it to our final destination: Sun Valley, Idaho. Yay! We are all so excited! Dave and the last few family members will arrive late tonight (God willing and flights don’t get canceled). Snow is falling and the slopes open tomorrow! It’s gonna be so much fun. (even if really, really cold.😬)
Meanwhile, I thought I would hop on and share some of the photos Josiah took during our first few days…
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Mt. Rainer from the plane as we landed in Seattle. (with Levi yelling “I found Washington!! I found Washington!!”)
My parents house sits in the heart of the Gig Harbor, and I’m in love with their house. No I didn’t grow up in this house, of course they waited for the kids to be grown and gone to build it. (At least I get to visit!)
The view from their front porch is pretty amazing. With boats coming and going, and people strolling by, there is always something to watch. And as much as I enjoy our country life in Hawaii, I think this I’d like to live in a town like this some day.
I did get to squeeze in time with my childhood BFF, Tina.
And yes, she makes me look short. 😉 She also could tell you all kinds of embarrassing things about me as a kid, so please don’t ever ask her.
Also: speaking of Gig Harbor…I’m thinking I want to write a post to share a bit about my family’s roots there. The older I get, the more I realize how special this place is, and I think it will be fun to share some harbor history.
Of course, while he was out with the camera, Josiah kindly followed his mom’s directions of, “Make sure to get lots of pictures of fall leaves!!”
And he did. I was so happy there were still some leaves left for me to enjoy!
Traveling during the holidays is never easy (especially with four kids!) but considering everything, things have gone amazingly well. (and my parents are absolutely crazy wonderful to have signed up for all of this!) The boys have been good travelers too. And we all can’t wait to get Dave here!
Now we are just excited to finally be in Sun Valley.
Last I heard it was supposed to dip into the single digits this week. 😱 (I’m beginning to wonder who it was that wanted the cold weather…?)
However, watching Levi see snow for the first time this morning pretty much made my trip.
(and yes, he is wearing shorts and a t-shirt. We’re working on that.)
Thanksgiving thoughts: This is a uniquely special Thanksgiving for us, but I also look back and see God’s faithfulness through so many years, and seasons, and Thanksgivings in my life. This is only the second time in fourteen years that I’ve been with my parents and my brothers for Thanksgiving. I remember some lonely Thanksgivings. Many years Dave has had to work on Thanksgiving. Yet always, always, there is plenty to be thankful for!
I hope that wherever this finds you, you too see God’s blessings in your life. Stay safe and healthy and hug the ones you love tight!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Stay warm!
I’d love to hear from you in comments below. Share something you are thankful for. Or tell me what you’re doing to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Maybe it’s an extra special celebration, or this year may be a more lonely one. I hope you know that I count YOU as one of my blessings this year!
With Aloha,
Monica
PS Thanks to Josiah for the majority of these pictures, and for being a stellar travel companion/Father-figure to his younger brothers while his dad was not with us. 🙂
PPS Last year I wrote a blog thankful list. I echo every bit of it again this year!
Monica- OMG…I LOVE the picture of Levi looking at the snow! Absolutely priceless! My entire family heads to Hilton Head Island, SC every Thanksgiving and I make it a personal policy to not check email while we are away! So…my response to your blog is a little delayed, but here it is!
I have three boys, ages 16, 13, and 12. My biggest concern I have right now (and what keeps me up at night) is how to deal with my oldest not being completely forthcoming about what he and his friends are out doing. We’d like to be able to trust him (because he really is a very good kid), but sometimes he makes it difficult to do so. My husband and I are struggling with how strong of a punishment to give, but also realizing that it is all “typical” teen behavior (we know from experience!), but also not wanting to promote it. Does that make sense?! 🙂
If you’d like to chat, my number is 330.858.4139 (East Coast time)
Wow. The pictures of Gig Harbor are beautiful. I’m always mesmerized by marinas and boats on the water and sails flapping in the wind. Even after living in Florida all of these years, I never get tired of it. Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!
I know what you mean Susi! I always say that if you put me by the water I will never be bored — there is always movement and change. Much Aloha to you —
Our boat is in the first picture from the back porch of your folks home. I can’t really see it but I know its there.
We hosted Thanksgiving on the boat this year which is a first. My Mom (almost 95), my sister and Deanne (our second daughter) were there. Small but special group.
Do you see a resemblance of Lance in Josiah? I do in the picture from the airport. He does a great job of taking pictures.
Hope this trip stays special for you and yours.
Sandie
Oh fun Sandie! Sounds like such a cozy, wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂 Yes, I have seen a resemblance of Lance in Josiah for sure. And personality-wise I often see him in each of my boys. Thanks for stopping in to say hello!
Thank you for sharing! The pics, your family and parents home are just lovely. I always enjoy my visits, few as they are, to family and friends in WA. Not so sure about Idaho, lol. We have a bit of snow here in North East Cali, just a dusting so far. The kids and I (ages 16 mos and 19 yrs) spent a quiet Thanksgiving (as will Christmas be) without their dad-he is working (in the oil field industry). Although we just moved and have few friends or family here, I am thankful we have our health, food in our belly and a roof over our heads. I sure have enjoyed the fall leaves. If we are lucky, it will be a white Christmas. Cheers!
I am thankful for God and his amazing Grace he gives me each and every day.
I am so thankful to Kendall for taking so he good care of me while I’m recovering from surgery.Of course my loud lovable big family even though we couldn’t be with them. …. Finally I’m Tha kful for pre-made Thanksgiving dinner. Without it we wouldn’t have had a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year since I cannot stand up cook.Even though it wasn’t all made from scratch like normal it made for a very nice family meal. Makes me realize it’s the who, not the what that is important. I think I will remember this in the future when making the “perfect” meal. My list can keep going but I will end here with a Happy Thanksgiving to all.
So happy you are getting snow,Happy Thanksgiving From Gíg Harbor Wash
Yes! And wearing your pants too! 🙂 Thank you Bidda. Thankful that I got to see you, and continuing to pray for you to be healthier and stronger every day. Much love–
Happy Thanksgiving Monica and Dave and boys! Your photos look beautiful (and cold!) and I’m so glad you get to spend the holiday with your family and friends. We’re actually here on the North Shore this year, with the whole family. (We wanted to make sure to keep the population balanced after you guys left 😉 ….. Ethan has invited like 20+ college kids to share today with us as they aren’t able to fly home to be with their families. This is the kid who would always bring home the ‘strays’ so I’m not surprised he felt compassionately compelled to make an inviting place for his classmates to land for the day. The more the merrier, right?!?! 🙂
Hope your day is beautiful and surrounded by lots and lots of love and blessings.
Xoxo
Rhonda
Oh so much fun Rhonda! I guess I don’t need to ask if Ethan has made any friends at school this year then! haha. How awesome!! Hope it dries up on the North Shore and you get some beautiful beach days. Much love to you. Always love hearing from you! xo
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Monica & your beautiful family !!! Love your blog, it warms my heart & you’ve given me some great advice & ideas, as I have 3 children, 2 of whom are boys also 💙 Enjoy the snow as we start a most magical time of the year 🙏🏻✨
Thank you Caroline! So sweet. 🙂 Hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well. Sending Aloha from freezing Idaho!
Love the pics! Thankful I got to meet you and your amazing kids a few weeks ago. Hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving! 🙂
Thank you Kim! It was awesome meeting you and your sweet (and talented!) son. Look forward to many more connections! Aloha and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey Monica!
Happy Thankgiving! I love your work…I love following you! I take your advice and I have made a few of your recipes too. 🙂 I have tons to be thankful this year and every year. One of the biggest things this year is the possibility to grow our little family from 4 to 5. I have 2 boys. We want one more little love…boy or girl, I will take whatever…I just want healthy! We start IVF today as a matter of fact. Having babies doesn’t come easy to me. So my question to you is what are the ages of your boys? They are so handsome, I love the picture of them you posted above. I really am most curious about the difference in age between your oldest and youngest and if they are close?! There are 8 years difference between my first and second (they are 12 and 4) and we are trying for one more (yes, I am crazy!) 🙂
Thank you Anne! I am excited for your…Three is so much fun. If I could go back I’d just have more and more because as they get bigger I just enjoy my kids more and more!
My boys’ ages are: 16, 14, 11 (almost 12) and 5. They are all super close. The oldest has helped me tremendously with the youngest, and they get along so good. Of course because we homeschool they are together a lot, so that helps with their relationship. I don’t think there is a perfect age or difference in ages — it all works out! XO Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! There are many things I am thankful for this year. I could make the list endless but truthfully the priority would be God and His grace. My sister went through two major surgeries this year and is still healing but doing well. My father in law is taking radiation quite well. My mother in law is showing no signs of cancer after being diagnosed and treated two years ago. My Mom lives down the street which has been truly a blessing. Like you I spent some Thanksgivings lonely when my husband was military. But my “family of friends” always stepped in. I am thankful for my boys wanting to watch the Macy’s Day Parade and eat impossible pie for breakfast. I am thankful for my family. Your pictures are a nice reminder that leaves and snow do Fall. 🙂 This Florida girl in the meantime will be happy to just have the windows open. Happy Thanksgiving Monica and thanks for your blog and your sense of humor. 🙂
Thank you Laura! Wow, you’ve been through a lot, but love your attitude of thankfulness! I hope your Holidays are all full of health and happy times! I love being somewhere cold but I won’t lie: I will be ready to be back in the sun very soon! Much Aloha to you-