The Minneapolis McCues: Meri's First Thanksgiving

Well we experienced one of our very many firsts over the past weekend, Meredith's first Thanksgiving! We headed there on Wednesday and were back home by Friday afternoon, so a pretty quick trip. But we had a great time, as always, seeing my family!

Wednesday we got all packed up and were out the door after her 11am feeding and were in Blue Earth by 2pm. We basically went right over to my sister's to see her and her two kids as they were getting ready for a family photo. That evening I had dinner with my mom and step-dad and then convinced them to give Meri a bottle and babysit for a few hours while I headed over to my sister's to hang out with her and some of her friends. As it ended up we never ended up leaving her house (we were going to go to "downtown" Blue Earth, but decided it would be way too busy and full of a much younger crowd, which we found out was a correct assumption). So I could've just brought Meredith with me, but I do have to say it was nice to have a little break and hang out with just adults, well and my niece and nephew!

The next day was Thankgiving. We weren't having our family dinner until 5pm that evening. So, I ended up hanging out with my mom and watching a movie, then headed over to see my sis and her kids before heading over to my Gma Wickersham's. We were over there by 5pm, along with everyone from that side of the family (except Jon....). We had a great time as usual - good food, good family, good fun. And of course there was drama. It involved theft of cigarettes and keys, my Gma's neighbor and eventually the cops! Great entertainment. Before heading back to my mom's we made a quick stop at my bestest girlfriend, Sheila's, parent's house. It was nice to chat with both Sheila and her mom, Donna. Even though it was a brief visit, it was great seeing both of them!

By Friday, we had to pack up and leave already. Unfortunately, Jon hadn't been able to join us for the holiday in Blue Earth because it just wouldn't have made any sense. He ended up working late on Wednesday, had to round on Thursday morning and then had to be up by 5am Friday. It was kind of a bummer that he missed Meri's first holiday, but I think it will mean more next year when Meredith can actually experience some of the food (I can't believe that in one year Meri will be eating solid food, just weird to think that!). So, anyway - we wanted to get back home so Meri (and I) could see her daddy!

We were back home by 2pm and Jon was home by 4pm. We even had plans that night, we were heading over to my Aunt Mary's to see the other side of my family. We got an appetizer and a bottle of wine and all three of us headed to North St. Paul. There we saw my Gma Pfaffinger, Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim, Aunt Kate, Uncle Mike, cousin Mike and Cousin Owen. We had apps, wine and great conversation. It's amazing how much outings like this mean to me these days. My Aunts Kate and Mary also got a little preview of what they were going to have to deal with this Saturday (the two of them are coming over to babysit Meredith so Jon and I can go to my company Christmas party, I can't wait...THANK YOU TWO!!!)

Saturday our big project was getting our Christmas tree. Every year we go and buy a fresh cut Christmas tree. And every year I threaten that it will be the last year we get a live Christmas tree. I do love the tradition, the smell and the idea, but I hate, hate, hate the mess! But Jon absolutely loves real trees and it would be devastating to him if we got a fake one, so we headed to a church parking lot on Hwy 100, where they have fresh cut trees and the three of us picked out a real beaut! We got it set up in the tree stand, fed Meredith and then the three of us headed out to dinner. We went to a restaurant just a few block away called "First Course", which doesn't look like much from the outside. But it actually was a very cute, cozy place on the inside with a very sophisticated menu. Probably one of the nicest places we've brought Meredith to. Luckily she was well behaved and Jon and I had an awesome dinner and night out together - got to do it while we can, right!

Then Sunday we got ready for Christmas. Jon finished the outside lights, while I decorated the inside of the house. Then we both decorated the tree. I have to say, a few weeks ago I was ready to just kind of ignore this Christmas season, use the baby as an excuse to not do much. But now I'm definitely getting in to it. Our tree is beautiful, it smells great in our house and I'm totally excited about the Christmas season, our baby's first Christmas. Too bad I have to go back to work just 4 days before Christmas. Oh well, gives me something to look forward too!