The Halman Life: Thankful

There is so much to be thankful for. I’m pretty sure you all know just how grateful I am for everything we have as a family. Every day we get to spend together is another day I give thanks. Words can’t express how much gratitude I have and so tonight I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking…

Thanksgiving morning we woke up and let the usual traditions commence. Hot chocolate, pancakes, Macy’s Day Parade, log in the fireplace, lounging in our pajamas until naptime, and it was wonderful.

Our Thanksgiving feast was served to us at Coach and Gigi’s house. We sat down, answered the question card that was handed to each one of us, stuffed our faces and bellies, laughed, drank wine, and made memories. And like all other years before we walked down to the bridge after dinner in hopes of settling our tummies to make room for dessert.

Thanksgiving 2011, you were awesome!

The day after Thanksgiving meant tree picking and decorating time. Every year we swear we aren’t going to go back to Coach’s tree lot because the trees are just so darn expensive but no one can actually walk away from that tradition. I’ve been going with my mom, dad, and brother for as long as I can remember and we all met up again on Friday.

We spent Friday and Saturday decorating our Frazier Fir. Each year Isla loves going through the ornaments and talking about the story behind them. Which makes me so glad that I get them a new Hallmark keepsake ornament each year. Leo liked throwing the round ones around and even broke a few. Boys will be boys. Palmer loved the bright lights and used them as teething toys. Probably not that safe, but hey, he’s our third, anything goes.

And the “Stockings were hung by the chimney with care.” Everyone fits perfectly!

We gave thanks on Thursday, we decorated for Christmas on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday we got to celebrate Palmer’s Baptism.

Baptisms are so touching. To know God will forever have his hand on my children to guide them and love them through their lives warms my heart. I literally feel all warm and fuzzy inside the moment they are Baptized. Just as I did myself when I was Baptized at 13 years old. After the final handful of water was placed on Palmer’s head, he lifted his head up with a shocked look on his face like he felt it too. Such a special moment. He was an angel the entire service which was no surprise…

(Pastor Tom Walker has Baptized all of our babies)

Afterwards we had a brunch at our home and enjoyed time with family by the fireside. Palmer got snuggles from Coach, Granny, Paw Paw, Aunt Linda, Papa, Gigi, and B.B and Heather. Such a lucky boy he is.

Isla and Leo knew it was a special day too. They helped Pastor Tom introduce Palmer to the congregation, they were well behaved during the service (aside from Isla playing in the holy water), and were all smiles back at home. They especially liked the cupcakes.