Aunt Sandi's BIRTHDAy + school vaCATIOn + cousin Shayna's baby NAMIng + ThanksGIVING + over 20 family members coming to Austin = a whole lot of exhaustion, a whole lot of togetherness, a whole lot of deliciousness, and a whole lot of fun Getting into the holiday spirit early:
Apparently, we've done this before...
new hat from Grandma
I squeezed in some Shayna snuggles
early in the week, knowing there'd be
too much competition later on.
proud puzzle participants with Zayde
We're thankful to spend Thanksgiving with Nana and Zayde every year and grateful for the quality time together:
By Thursday, our Houston cousins had showed up. Aunt Sandi had a bunch of extra special birthday love! (even if 2 of my children were temporarily moody)
Our tradition is to spread the holiday love and food over multiple meals and days all weekend. But being that Thursday was the real world Thanksgiving, we stayed at Chez Gilden and played and played and played. (Well, those who weren't glued to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV played...)
According to my picture summary, I ignored my older 2 playing all day and paid some attention to Spencer trying to navigate his world through all these "strangers."
Aunt Sandi worked very hard on her birthday to get some baby love from the clingy momma's boy.
Baby's FIRST Thanksgiving!
By Friday morning, all family had arrived, and we dressed up nice and purty for a beautiful baby naming ceremony for beautiful baby Shayna. Ethan thought the ceremony was about him. Gabi was happy taking unlimited pictures on Aunt Sandi's camera. Wins all around.
Each of Shayna's aunts and uncles were honored with a reading during the ceremony.
Uncle Jon sadly had to work that morning, so my aunt hands were pretty full.
Mira and Gabi, the sole girl cousins, led kiddush.
Then, boy cousins, minus baby Spencer, tackled Hamotzei.
As with most Jewish gatherings, the real party started when the food came out.
For a baby who really didn't want to go to other people (most clingy moments not documented), Spencer surely loved the magic touch of Uncle Mitch.
Tummies were filled. Weather was gorgeous. Outside these cousins went!
Before everyone's nice clothes got terribly messy, we grabbed a picture of all NINE nutsos.
Aunt Sandi, Mira, and Jacob surprised the cousins with early Channukah presents!
That afternoon, Mira and I took Spencer for his very first fro yo experience. Get used to it, kid.
We were so grateful that Gigi once again joined the simcha in Austin! We enjoyed her company at our house and loved listening to her read to us!
We also enjoyed hosting our family from Boston, and Gabi loved the cousins sleepover party with Noah and Sammy. Granted, she kept them up most nights. And she slept in funky positions. But she loved it!
Over the course of the weekend together, we went to an indoor swimming pool, played at many playgrounds, ate way too much delicious food, and had a ton of family togetherness.
bedtime stories with Uncle Mitch
Aunt Debbie/Joey love!
coolest cat ever
spreading the Cohen/Gilden love
Cool Whip Taste Test, 2017 version
Aunt Debbie and Jacob do their thing, with special guest cameo appearances.
For the classic 2013 version, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment