Thanksgiving in Illinois

Posted byAlison Allen

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Illinois. Alex has such a big family, and our only living grandparent, so we figured it would be a good time to introduce Ben to his extended family in Illinois.

{Nana meeting Ben for the first time!}
{Nana meeting Ben for the first time!}

We spent the week of Thanksgiving with Alex’s parents at their home in Illinois and had the opportunity to introduce a ton of family and friends to Ben.

{Aunt Karen stopped over to meet Ben.}
{Aunt Karen stopped over to meet Ben.}
{Meeting his Great Aunt Chris.}
{Meeting his Great Aunt Chris.}
{Nora, a very good family friend, and her family came over to meet Ben.}
{Nora, a very good family friend, and her family came over to meet Ben.}
{Not only did Ben go to his first townie bar, but he met Cousin Tara and her son Brody (and her other son Braden). Brody and Ben were due a day apart!}
{Not only did Ben go to his first townie bar, but he met Cousin Tara and her son Brody (and her other son Braden). Brody and Ben were due a day apart!}
{Brunch with Cousin Katie and her husband Stefano, as well as Cousin Bryan and his wife Sarah.}
{Brunch with Cousin Katie and her husband Stefano, as well as Cousin Bryan and his wife Sarah.}
{Baby in a bar! AK, Alex's best man, and Dane, a lifelong friend, got to meet Ben too.}
{Baby in a bar! AK, Alex’s best man, and Dane, a lifelong friend, got to meet Ben too.}

When there wasn’t family or friends over, Ben’s grammy and Grandpa Stan, along with Aunt Alina and Uncle Alberto, got a chance to play with him.

{Donna did such a nice job setting up a room all for Ben! It made it so much easier for us to travel knowing that there would be a pack 'n play, changing table, car seat and stroller waiting for us in Illinois. It helped that Alina will soon be using all of that gear, too!}
{Donna did such a nice job setting up a room all for Ben! It made it so much easier for us to travel knowing that there would be a pack ‘n play, changing table, car seat and stroller waiting for us in Illinois. It helped that Alina will soon be using all of that gear, too!}

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{Aunt Alina is less than a month away from her due date! Ben is about to have a little cousin!! We can't wait!}
{Aunt Alina is less than a month away from her due date! Ben is about to have a little cousin!! We can’t wait!}

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Santa surprised us on Thanksgiving morning by coming to grammy and grandpa’s house with gifts for Ben.

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Our Thanksgiving Day was very low-key. Alex and I snuck out to take a run together while Ben was napping {of course there were several able bodied adults there in case he woke up} and spent the rest of the day around the house. Alina and Alberto had some friends over for the evening and Alex’s uncle came by as well, but otherwise, that day was really nice to get some quality time with Alex’s immediate family. The Thanksgiving meal was terrific as well! 🙂

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As it always does, the trip flew by and before we knew it we were back in Seattle!