Evolving Traditions

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons. The obvious reason, all the amazing food. The corny reason, watching the Thanksgiving Day parade (because I secretly still want to be a rockette). The sporty reason, football.  And of course all the thanks that is given all day long! But what I love the most are the non traditional traditions that have developed over the years. When you get older you get to pick and choose how you want your holidays to go and of course they never go as planned but that's part of the fun and it is the chance for new traditions to develop.

Thanksgiving Eve is my favorite tradition I have choose to continue. Ever since I lived in Birmingham I can remember going out with friends and just having such a memorable time. I'm not really sure how it all started, I think it was when I was in high school my mom and I would always go out to dinner and do something fun the night before. As I got older it evolved into cocktails and appiez at a local restaurant with friends. It was great because such a unique mix of people would come out, you would have a few laughs, you could sleep in the next morning and you knew at some point there would be an amazing feast the next day.

Now that I have a Everly we will have to create a new Thanksgiving Eve tradition that will be more suitable for a little one.  That's the best part about the holidays you can create whatever memorable moment you want, it's all about being surround by the people that make you smile and laugh!

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving Eve followed by a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Let the Magic Begin

This past weekend we headed to the happiest place on earth, Disney World! We had very mixed feelings about if we should take her when she was this young or wait till she was older, but since some of Justin's family was in town to enjoy a little magic Disney style, we thought we would join in the fun too. Justin and I agreed that this was all about Everly and we were in no rush. What ever she was in the mood to do we would do and that is what we did. It was a little overwhelming for all of us at first,  since this is the "Happiest Place on Earth" there is a lot of expectation to make sure every one is happy! 

I felt like we accomplished a lot for our first trip to the Magic Kingdom, we went on five rides: Small World, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride and we ended with some Pirates of the Caribbean. We also watched two parades and saw a few of our favorite characters. I was very thankful for all the short lines as Everly has not mastered the art of patients just yet. She just wanted to keep walking right on to the ride, but who doesn't. She also wanted the ride to start immediately, she is still in that instant gratification stage of her life. 

Here is my Disney Tip: For anyone who is thinking about taking their family to any Disney theme park, pack snacks, lunch and water. It may be a magical, happy place but I did not taste any of that magic in the food. And after walking around and chasing a little one you might want something yummy to snack on and your wallet will thank you later. 

All in all the day was great, the weather was perfect and everyone had such a fantastic time. I am so glad we took Everly and got to hang out with Justin's family. We will always remember the fun time we had and all the firsts we enjoyed with our family.

I say it was a very successful first trip to Disney! 

Here we go

Daddy and Everly

On our first ride, It's a Small World

Cinderella's Castle

High Five 

Waiting for the Parade

A little snuggle with Cousin Collin

Daddy higher! 

Headed home

Smile