What we're thankful for

Looking back on an extended Thanksgiving weekend and Elise's first real road trip to Chicago (Sorry, Duluth, you're soooo last month), we're thankful that:
-- Elise fell asleep as we pulled out of the driveway Wednesday night. In just over 6 hours of highway time, she was awake long enough to down a bottle and chat for a bit.
-- There was plenty of tasty turkey and sides on Thanksgiving. Oh, and that there were cranberries. I think you might as well cancel the holiday if you don't serve cranberries.
-- The child, who is eating with her fingers, sampled turkey, potatoes and cranberries -- and continued her streak of displaying no apparent food allergies.
-- We got to spend some time with George, who shared a few more classic stories that I'm still chuckling about.
-- She slept soundly that first night at my Aunt Renee and Uncle Fritz's place because, quite frankly, we were beat when we pulled into town about 12:45 a.m. (We've learned that as new parents we have trouble staying awake past midnight. Make that 11 p.m.)
-- Elise only was awake and irritable for about three hours of each of the subsequent three nights because of the pain of a growth spurt. Why are we thankful for that? Well, it could have been four hours a night. In reality, it was a rough few nights only when you compare them to recent months, when she has slept through the night.
-- We woke up at 6 a.m. Black Friday because of a baby and not because we were in pursuit of a Zhu Zhu.
-- We had a great day with some relatives we see just once a year. For me, the post-Thanksgiving soiree marks the beginning of the holiday season.
-- The annual jaunt across Chicago to visit our friends Mike and Anne and their kids continued this year. Good pals, good times. (And yes, you two, we promise to crash at your place next year.)
-- The Wentes traveled in caravan to Chicago -- we in one vehicle, my parents in another -- because as much as we enjoy time with my folks, we do not need to spend six hours down and six hours back pretending we're in a Shanghai subway at rush hour.
-- We drove instead of hopped a flight. Why, you ask? Well, you can't lob poo-filled diapers at the "Pay Toll Ahead" sign from an airplane.
-- We were able to share (show off?) a very happy baby with family and friends.
-- Aunt Renee pulled it off once again, making it an enjoyable stay.
-- Elise sometimes is all about the simple experience, like sitting in a rest area lobby for 10 minutes with Dad while Mom waited in the car. That gave the parents a much-needed break from each other during the drive home.
-- We only needed a short break from each other on the way home, because Wisconsin rest areas are only interesting for 10 minutes -- kind of like Wisconsinites.
-- We pulled into the driveway Sunday afternoon thinking, "Hey, that wasn't so bad. Actually, it was a good trip."

The family on Thanksgiving.

The ladies.

All eyes on the newest member of the family.

Huh. I wonder where Elise gets it.

The Royal Family may have the throne, but we learned recently that the Winters have the "formal bib," a familial relic worn by Anni and her two sisters at holidays when they were young. It was given to Elise this year and, judging by how snug it was around her neck, only this year.
I kept thinking the frilly collar was mashed potato that missed the target.

She got a kick out of riding in a swing at a park near Mike and Anne's house.
We got a kick out of her hair whispies.