Gobble, Gobble

Although we all enjoy our turkey and stuffing, Thanksgiving week is definitely about family. And we were fortunate that the week brought us visitors from Connecticut and Denver. It was a great week.

We start off with a picture that will surely be appreciated in the homes of at least two families in Connecticut. The Balestraccis will surely enjoy seeing their two boys, Michael and Brendan, with their new cousin. And Grandpa Jay and Nana Taffy might tear up a bit seeing a picture of all three of their grandchildren. We could be wrong, but we don't think so.



It was great seeing how good both Michael and Brendan were with Callie. She loved being held by them and can't wait until she's old enough to play Balestracci rules rugby in the backyard. Although the boys are getting older by the minute, they did not travel alone. Their mom, John's sister Katie, came to Lexington as well.

Here is Aunt Katie spending some quality time with Callie. Because Michael and Brendan are 10 and 7 respectively, it has been a while since Katie has had a baby in the house. But here we see her perfectly demonstrating the football hold, one of the few holds that effectively calms Callie...most of the time.





During the three days they were in town, Katie and the boys got to see some of the sights in the area. They visited the Southern Lights display at the Kentucky Horse Park where we all were introduced to a holiday lights display that included an homage to Star Wars. Michael and Brendan also took Callie to the moon. Unfortunately the trip wore her out.



All good things must come to an end...at least that is what some people say. And so after a brief visit the Balestraccis boarded their plane and headed back to Connecticut. Can't wait to see you at Christmas!

But good fortune smiled upon us and our home was soon brightened by yet another visitor. John's sister Suzy arrived in Lexington two days before Thanksgiving, ready and eager to spend the holiday with her niece.

Here are Suzy and Callie hanging out together on the couch. Perhaps it is because she deals with 25 fourth graders on a daily basis, but Suzy showed us up in the soothing department. We should have her number on speed dial. She also gave us our first outing and babysat while we ventured down the road to Rupp Arena and took in the University of Kentucky Wildcats game against Liberty. Next time John promises the outing will have a better dinner than nachos.

In a blog like this, how does one best capture the day, the food, the company? We took pictures of our plates and pictures of Suzy and Sarah preparing the turkey. But while they are good pictures, they don't truly capture the spirit of it all. Nothing says Thanksgiving like a comparison picture of your 7 week old daughter and an eleven pound turkey.



So that was Thanksgiving in Lexington. Not pictured as well - John and Suzy running a 5K on Thanksgiving morning in rainy 50 degree weather. Amazing that Suzy traveled over a thousand miles for an experience like that.


As we all know, the eating does not end once Thanksgiving day has come and gone. Suzy also got to meet and hang out with our friends Fiona and Charles. Good food and good times really capped off a fine Thanksgiving week.





All told, we have been fortunate that Callie has met so many friends and family in the first weeks of life. As we sit here writing this she is now eight and a half weeks old. And she has met her family on both coasts! It is not easily done, and we thank all of you who made the effort to personally welcome her into the world. Stay tuned for more pictures - and yes, some will most likely include props.