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19 Comments

  1. Amber Kramer says:

    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)

  2. 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!!!

    1. 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 —

  3. Sandie Wingard says:

    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

    1. 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!

  4. 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!

  5. Teresa Eskew says:

    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.

  6. So happy you are getting snow,Happy Thanksgiving From Gíg Harbor Wash

    1. 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–

  7. 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

    1. 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

  8. 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 🙏🏻✨

    1. Thank you Caroline! So sweet. 🙂 Hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well. Sending Aloha from freezing Idaho!

  9. Love the pics! Thankful I got to meet you and your amazing kids a few weeks ago. Hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving! 🙂

    1. Thank you Kim! It was awesome meeting you and your sweet (and talented!) son. Look forward to many more connections! Aloha and Happy Thanksgiving!

  10. Anne Henderson says:

    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!) 🙂

    1. 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!

  11. 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. 🙂

    1. 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-