Our First Thanksgiving

As a family that is. Let's reminisce and see where we've been through the years:
2002: We started dating in June of that year and I think we spent Thanksgiving with Scott's brother and wife, John and Nicole.

2003: I think (I say think because I can't really remember) we spent that with my parents.

2004: With Jacke, Scott's mom in Arizona. We also zipped off to Las Vegas for a day and met up with our friends Damon and Danielle.

2005: We got married that year. Scott was in Belgium and I was at John and Nicole's.

2006: Our first year out in Belgium. Damon and Danielle came out to visit and we were in Paris!

2007: In Belgium and we spent it with our friends Bob and Robin Difrancisco.

2008: Still in Belgium and now as a family.

I've never really made a Thanksgiving meal but I gave it my best shot. We were stuffed afterwards so I guess it was a success!

My tiny/one rack European oven. I shoved as much as I could in there.

Our little turkey!

Playing away waiting for Daddy to come home from work so we could eat. Scott had to work since Thanksgiving isn't a holiday in Europe!

Gobble, Gobble

I'm just sayin'....

I don't understand how things can be so different from country to country. There are too many things to count but here's the one that's frustrating me today. BABY FOOD! Everything I know about baby food I know from reading....U.S. books that is. I decided from the beginning of my pregnancy that I would make my own baby food. No particular reason...just because.

Rule number 1 with starting your baby on solids is to introduce one food at a time and don't introduce another new food for 3 to 4 days just to make sure there are no allergic reactions. Well, all jar baby food in Belgium is a mix of 3 to 4 different foods: apple, banana, peaches or potato, broccoli, cauliflower. I guess they aren't too worried about reactions.

Rule number 2 watch out for certain food that you aren't suppose to introduce to a baby until a year or two. Take honey for instance, the U.S. suggests you don't introduce it until after two years of age for fear of botulism. I was walking down the baby food aisle at our grocery store at there was an entire row of baby food with honey. WHAT???? Again, are they not worried about this. Your not suppose to give a baby chocolate until after 1 year and today at the Belgian store I saw a Chocolate cream dessert for baby. WHAT????

The health care is superb in Europe and I have been nothing but pleased but, this is such a huge difference in recommendations/standards. Crazy I say.

Below are some photos of our first day with sweet potatoes.

Ready to be defrosted and warmed

Voila!

I'm sure she's thinking: Ummmm, excuse me...this doesn't taste like my yummy pears!

We're still working on sweet potatoes. That's ok though....momma and daddy just started liking them last year. LAUGH!

Hello Georgia....Atlanta and Albany!

Scott worked in ATL for a week and I spent too much time shopping.

Shannon met me at Phipps Plaza one day for lunch.

Alexis giving Aunt Shannon a "kiss"

Momma and Alexis

Alexis got to see her Uncle John, Aunt Nicole, Cousin Max and Cousin Alli while

we were in town. We only had a few hours together but not to worry....we'll have a full week

together at Christmas when we all meet in Colorado!

Max playing with Alexis!

Their subdivision had a Christmas festival with Santa while we were there.

We thought it was kind of early for Santa but at least Alexis got to sit in Santa's lap!

We also met up with our friends Damon, Danielle and Elliana. Elli is 2 1/2 months younger than

Alexis. Needless to say they'll be BFF's! We can't wait to move back so we can have play dates!

Alexis giving Elliana "kisses"

Alexis touching her first cat! Tamale was a good sport.

Next, we headed to Albany to spend a week with my family! Grandpa and Mommom were so excited to spend time with Alexis!

Everyone took turns feeding Miss Alexis!

She's got us all wrapped around her little finger and from this smirk she knows it!

Mommom getting her turn!

We had a little party for Alexis so everyone could stop by and see her! She was quite a doll in her little dress!

Mrs. Beck and Alexis

Alexis' Great Aunt Pam gave her an octopus that she loves to laugh at.

Thanks to all of the family and friends who stopped by to see Alexis!

Alexis playing with one of her gifts!

The next day Shannon picked me up to take me to the salon for a much needed hair cut and highlights. Scott and the grandparents took care of Alexis. The 6 hours I was gone (not all at the salon) was the longest I'd ever been away from Alexis. Above Mommom is feeding Alexis a pumped bottle.

We made time to see Ms. Judy (Shannon's mom) who is a dedicated blog reader. We saw Uncle Josh too. He was in the kitchen serving up some yummy pumpkin dish. Josh, I still want the recipe!

Alexis terrorizing Bucky, Shannon's cat!

Alexis got to spend some time with her Great Grandparents too.

Here she is sitting in her Great Papa Spurlin's lap.

Great Grandma Spurlin just loved Alexis up!

Grandpa playing with Alexis.

Alexis LOVED taking a bath in her ducky tub!

It's never to early to learn right?

Alexis got to meet her Great Grandpa James and her Great Aunt Audrey too!

What a great family photo. Thanks Mom for taking it.

We survived the flight back to Belgium and now we get to do it all over again in two weeks when we head back to the U.S. for Christmas.

Hello Minnesota!

I hope you don't mind that the re-cap of our trip back to the U.S. will be in pictures. It may take me a few days but I'll have it all up eventually.

Here's the Minnesota leg of our journey!

Alexis was PERFECT on the 11 hour plane ride to ATL. Everything was pure enjoyment once that stress was out of the way.

Looking good on the airplane. Thanks Ashley Greene for the adorable outfit!

This is jet-lag: it's 3 am Minnesota time and Alexis is wide awake playing. It was 9am Belgium time. Scott and I were up for over 30 hours at this point. It only took her one night to get used to the time change. It took 3 days when we got back to Belgium!

HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY SCOTT! Yes, Scott had the privilege of celebrating his birthday on the 11 hour plane ride. We also celebrated the next day when his mom came into town.

Scott's Mom came in from Colorado to babysit. THANKS NANA! Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Mike also stopped in to see us.

Just a guess but Alexis will probably hate us later on in life for her 1st costume. Thanks Joe, Libby and Clara for letting us spend Halloween with you guys!

It was the University of Minnesota's Homecoming! Go Gophers!

Our little gopher!

We went back to where Scott lived in college - the EVANS HOUSE. It was their 50th anniversary as well!

Thanks Tasha and Noah for joining us. I know Noah has his eyes shut in this photo but his grin is just too cute!

Grandpa Dan and Nanny Pam had their house all decorated for Fall!

Alexis enjoyed Nanny's horses!

She even wanted to eat her hair!

And touch her nose!

Alexis just couldn't get enough of the horses!

Alexis even liked the dogs too. It was very sweet watching her pet a dog for the first time!

Thanks to everyone who came to see us in Minnesota. We had a great time!

Off to Atlanta next!

Good Intentions

We just got back from 3 weeks in the USA and my intentions were to blog about our trip right away. As my luck would have it I've caught some sort of cold/sinus infection/flu type virus and can't find the energy to type. All of my energy is dedicated to Miss Alexis who is working her way through jet lag.

Keep checking back!