Thanksgiving with the Obregons

Thanksgiving is always a special holiday that brings our family together for two simple goals 1) eating lots of food, and 2) appreciating our blessings. 

We flew direct to San Francisco from London, on a too-small plane packed tight with American ex-pats anxious to get home for the holiday week. We were in good spirits though, because we were together.  

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is the Sacramento Food Bank's Run to Feed the Hungry, a charity 10k run through some of the most gorgeous tree-lined streets in midtown Sacramento. I've done this run every Thanksgiving morning for the last 12 years (except 2008 when we got married and did the Santa Barbara version instead). The feeling of community is awesome. Everyone gathered for a common purpose (running) with a common mindset (thankfulness). Plus the turkey costumes are great. 

The Run to Feed the Hungry starts at Sacramento State University

We took off at 6:30am- we ate Chinese food the night before so I could hardly see

Thanksgiving dinner is the best. My favorite dishes this year were my mom's (Grandma Annie's recipe) cranberry fluff, and my cousin Angela's sweet potatoes. Olaf really enjoyed the Whole Food's turkey and the brussels sprouts. Actually, just the turkey. 

Serving up dinner

For the last few years our family has used Thanksgiving as a warm-up for Christmas. After dinner we decorates mini gingerbread houses with Skittles, candy canes, M&M's, and frosting. The houses were built by my dad, but judged by little Abigail who said "everyone is a winner" but nonetheless was very upset when Olaf's soccer-themed house was accidentally toppled.

Matt-O and Jamie getting started on their gingerbread houses

Dad mixing up some more frosting

Mom put on her pj's immediately after dinner, as usual. Oh the perks of being a hostess :)

Olaf hard at work

Olaf's fan house

My house, complete with fishing pond for Olaf

My mom does the seasons. The house gets completely transformed in commemoration of every major holiday. Everyone loves coming over because my mom makes the house so warm and welcoming with twinkle lights, extra throw pillows, cozy blankets, and glittering candles. It's a lot of work, but my mom has a talent and 164 Costello court always looks awesome and feels homey. 


For Thanksgiving my mom has a (couple) Autumn trees decked with special ornaments. 

Pumpkin pie ornament

Thanksgiving tree

The three sisters