The Salvateenies: Thanksgiving!

This year, we did Thanksgiving in Livermore with Joe's family. The boys had nice new collared shirt outfits in their haul from their birthday party, but Caroline didn't really have anything "dressy" - she probably still fit into some of her dresses from the summer, but they were all too "summery" looking. So, I took what was left from her GAP gift card and headed to the mall at lunch on Tuesday. And I went insane. There was a big sale, so she ended up with a dress, three cardigan sweaters, a pair of tights, and a little fake fur shrug (in case she gets invited to a New Years Eve party, of course). She's never worn tights before, so this would be a first for her.

The mandatory pre-Thanksgiving picture - Daniel was very excited to get to wear his reindeer boots

But he wondered why another picture needed to be taken

Max is working on his smile

Daniel's getting excited to go (and here's a close-up showing that Caroline's tights are only sparkly up to the knee)

You can't tell when she stands up

She thought the spoon was a perfect accessory!

Grandma and Grandpa have TOYS at their house!

But Max was more interested in the potato chips

And Triscuits!

Daniel was cool eating off of Grandpa's plate

Grandpa is a good sharer!

Max is still working on that smile!

And working

The 'teenies LOVE playing with coasters

Especially the kitty cat one!

Caroline is not happy to be sharing focus

But she can be bought off with a cracker

Grandma told her this was how she used to dress "back in the day"

Everyone enjoyed the appetizers - especially Caroline, who seemed to be grazing the whole time she was at Grandma and Grandpa's. But by one o'clock it was time to sit down for dinner. We put the babies in their fancy long-sleeved bibs (which they'd never worn before) so they could really have-at the food. We also got to try out our new portable booster chairs - they're like little collapsable camp chairs, but they latch onto kitchen chairs for a sturdy booster!

Max decided he really liked the mashed potatoes

And he was keeping an eye on anyone who might try to take them

Caroline started fussing, and Daddy thought the camera might cheer her up

But she just wanted some water

And some mashed potatoes

And some more mashed potatoes

Daniel really liked the dinner conversation

He's such a good listener!

Max, what is in that bottle?

Caroline was playing a game of three-plate monte

"Did I put the prize under here?" (note the chunk of stuffing on the bib by her hip - one of the few pieces of food she kept off the floor!)

Auntie Lee Ann looks a little suspicious of Max

Daniel was ready for a post-dinner nap

So he and Grandpa excused themselves from the table

But Max still wanted a little something to drink

Caroline fussed and wanted to be released from her chair, so I thought she was done eating. I took her bib off and put her in my lap. But she proceeded to grab sopa off my plate and chomp away.

Here we begin the "Caroline and the huge piece of ham" series:

Meanwhile, the boys were experiencing the Thanksgiving tradition of falling asleep watching football:

Every week when the Salvateenies visit their grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa remind them there is NO climbing on the stairs. But Auntie Lee Ann knows her job is to be the "fun aunt" and help them break all the rules, and Caroline took advantage of this to explore!

Here's Grandma, reminder her this is a MAJOR NO-NO

And Caroline pretending to be in jail

Max is saying, "It's about time you started paying attention to me again!"

Daniel is just laughing at his sister's naughty behavior!

As you can imagine, the babies made QUITE the mess under the table. Auntie Lee Ann noticed that they'd gone back under the table to collect (and eat) some of the discarded bits of food, so she grabbed a bowl and crawled under the table to clean up.