11/28/08

Thanksgiving chéz nous

...a few photos from our wild, wonderful and chaotic Thanksgiving dinner at M's parents house. We were in Vail for the preceding days, which was a lovely break...although there was none of the snow I'd been hoping for. Sigh. Well...we're planning another trip closer to Christmas, and by then hopefully it will be a bit more wintry.
I haven't had as much time to write lately - I've been busy with other things. But, that happens sometimes. Life takes over. In any case...I have plenty of photos!
QQ bonding with cousin Victoria.
Being reintroduced to cousin Abigail (who was a tad more on the wary side this time around)
QQ definitely wanted to be a part of the action, and though she was occasionally bowled over by the chaos of the bigger kids, she is a tough cookie and was undeterred. The kid can hold her own.
A hug from Victoria.
Safe in daddy's embrace.
Susan and Rebecca cutting the turkeys.
Mommy and Q.

The whole fam-damily.
Q was a little wary of grandpa at first...she's had plenty of facetime with grandma since her first surgery, but has missed out on her grandpa time. All it took was a good dinner-bottle in grandpa's lap to jog her memory, however. After that it was all smiles and giggles.
M playing piano with the twins. He's definitely the popular uncle with the kiddos...though I think I noticed a bit of jealousy on QQ's face every time there was another child in daddy's lap.

Warming up to grandpa all over again. Look at that smile!
More piano practice with Abigail
...and QQ wants in on the action.
I don't think grandpa is going to have any trouble convincing QQ to take piano lessons. She's all about the pianos.

Some one-on-one with grandma.
It's good to share the holidays with such a thundering heard of little ones. That's kind of what the holidays is all about, isn't it? It was a delight to hear the twins talking in their twin language - I've heard of it before, but never heard it in person until now. It's a little like whalesong...fascinating and kind of beautiful! And to see Victoria and QQ really bonding for the first time. And it was really good to see QQ holding her own and nosing in on the action. I guess I shouldn't be surprised - in the orphanage, she would have had to make herself heard amid all those babies, defend herself and her toys against arms and feet reaching through the crib bars, communicate with her many roommates. It's only natural that she would be able to hold her own even in a roomful of bigger kids. But it's good to see. It was a delightful first thanksgiving with our wonderful daughter.

7 comments:

Vivian M said...

Happy 1st Thanksgiving with QQ! I noticed that in the picture with Grandma, QQ is standing perfectly straight! She has such great posture!
And just who gave Victoria permission to grow? She looks way taller and older! Sigh.
The pictures are lovely, it looks like a fun time was had by all! Hope you get snow next time - we have plenty if you want some.

Yoli said...

Maia, what a beautiful Thanksgiving with QQ, I can just imagine how Christmas will be like. My own family is tiny that is why I always high jack my best friend's family for the holidays. I love being around a large gathering during the holidays. QQ looked so happy and it heartwarming to see all the kids playing together. Word of caution, when she is older she will do like Sally does: "Daddy is MINE, get away."

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

You know.. I can understand how life takes over and no time for blogging... normal and understandable but it is nice seeing photos of your first Thanksgiving together as a family... I love how she just goes on over to the other kids and joins in and yes, you are right... it is all about family... take care

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

PS... I forget... Happy Belated Thanksgiving

chrissie said...

It looks loud and wild and way fun...can you imagine 5 more:)! I can't wait to see everyone! It is going to be wonderful!!!
I can not wait to play with Flynn and see her in action!

monica said...

Beautiful family! What a cherished holiday to finally have QQ with you. We enjoyed our first Thanksgiving as well. What a lucky lot we are. Monica

Anonymous said...

Hello Mike & Maia & Flynn,
First time I have commented but have been readuing your Blog and watching your precious baby girl grow since Susan sent me the site. What a wounderful journey.
Looking at the thanksgiving photos were special for me to see the house and the family. We will be forever grateful to the Larkin family for looking after us so generously & lovingly when Dan had his accident. How lucky for us that he met Mike. Flynn is now part of a very special family.
Love to you all for what I know will be a wonderful Christmas.
Helen Pelosi(Dan's Mum)