Marissa: Back and Thankful

Posted: November 27th, 2008 | Author: Marissa K. | Filed under: | 1 Comment »

My husband has been awfully busy writing blogposts as of late. I kinda fell away from posting, since I got mad at Nate for his “predictions” post … I’m still thinking about posting my rebuttal. I have a draft on my laptop, but maybe drafting it is enough to get my thoughts off my chest. No need to cause any more marital strife

Instead I’m taking a few minutes away from the Thanksgiving day festivities to tell the blogosphere about how cool our day has been. The Kaiser family currently is gathered around Eryn and Brian’s living room and kitchen. Keith just finished carving both 13 lb. turkeys, and we’re sipping an assortment of alcoholic beverages. Speaking of alcohol, Susie is preparing her world-famous lemon drop martini’s, of which I’m going to try to obstain given I’m supposed to stay hydrated for the pending half-marathon. (But I am drinking a Jubilale and pumpkin ice cream float, which is delicious.)

For most of us, this morning began at the crazy, insane hour of 6 a.m. The kids got up to run the Oregon Zoo’s Turkey Trot, along with 2,500 other people.

Hazel was bundled and we piled into the Suburban. The four-mile run was less a run than a jog/walk/wait behind other crazy people–some dressed in various animal costumes.

Eryn, Hazel, Nate and I stopped at one point when a dad pushing a running stroller tripped and fell over his stroller. The poor baby was scared and crying, the mom was freaking out and holding the baby, but the dad couldn’t even walk. Oy. Thank goodness for Eryn’s EMT skills.

Despite the setback, we finished the fun run and even took in a viewing of the elephants. Baby elephant Samudra was incredibly cute and entertaining.  Hazel wasn’t interested (sleep seemed much more appealing to her) but the rest of us enjoyed the show.

I’ll admit that the best part of the holiday has been doting over our niece. Hazel hasn’t been set down much today… every time she’s set in her baby chair, one of us will go and pick her up. At four-months old, she’s awfully cute:

So this season, I’m extremely thankful for family, for the chance to relax, for great food and the fact that most everyone I know is healthy, happy and comfortable this holiday.

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