We had an unexpected and fairly eventful Thanksgiving this year.... we'd planned to have a houseful of guests, but it didn't quite turn out that way. There was a hospitalization in the family, so we drove down to Aberdeen and spent the day visiting at the hospital, and had Thanksgiving dinner at Denny's (which was the only thing open!!!). It really made us remember how thankful we are for our family, and how it's not about the turkey or pie, but time spent together. Ron's oldest daughter has also moved in over the weekend and will be living with us for a few months as she gets back on her feet. We're thankful to get to spend some time with her that we wouldn't otherwise have, and Gabe's excited to have his "sissy" around! Although the whole holiday hasn't gone according to our "plan" we know that HIS plan is ALWAYS better! And we made our turkey yesterday (holy cow- we're going to have leftovers for a LONG time- an almost 20 lb turkey for 4 people!) and really reflected on the things that are important to us and that we're incredibly blessed and thankful for- our family, our friends, and most of all our Savior!
Gabe running the bases on the field- wow!
Jacob, Juliana and Gabe in the dugout
Matt, Jacob and Juliana met to moose!!!
Gabe also met the moose, but was a little less sure about him... :)
Gabe meeting Santa- he was not shy at all this year- gave him a big hug at the end!
Gabe and mommy getting our faces painted at Daddy's work Christmas party 
Gabe decorating the tree
Gabe had fun opening presents on Christmas morning, but I almost think he had more fun getting cookies and milk ready for Santa on Christmas Eve, and learning more through books and activities this year about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Also, as usual, he had a million "why" questions like "Why did they have to use hay in the manger- they didn't remember a blanket?" "Why is the name of the angel Gabriel- that's MY name" "Why does Santa have to go to all the houses, isn't there anyone who could help him?" "Doesn't Santa get full if everyone leaves him cookies?"
We had to make Gabe come in every time he went out to play in the snow- I think he'd have played out there all day long every day, and declared each and every day we got snow the BEST SNOW DAY EVER!!!!
This was the first bit of snow we got- little did we know how much more was to come!!!
We got the opportunity to babysit for Mackenzie over the Christmas season, and I'm telling you, I think the poor girl may have been a bit traumatized by all the lovin' Gabe heaped on her!! He REALLY loves his cousin!!! 
