Looking Back...Thanksgiving

So, I've decided that I have way too many pictures not to be posting them and documenting "life in Italy" in a more detailed way.  So, I'm going to try to look back and fill you in on all the other things that have kept us busy and filled our time here....

Let's start with Thanksgiving!

By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, we had been in Italy for about three months and the reality of "missing American things" had set in.  So you better believe we were homesick for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner!!!  Now, I would have gladly cooked a Thanksgiving dinner -- if I could have found the ingredients for all of the favorites!  But no, you can't find turkey or stuffing or sweet potatoes around here (at least not easily!), so it just wasn't going to happen.  But, fortunately, it was brought to our attention that Zoey's school hosts a Thanksgiving dinner every year for families and staff!  We definitely had to get our names on that attendance list!

We didn't know what to expect...which is pretty much how we've felt from day 1!...but it was a lovely evening!

The cafeteria was packed with families and staff members!  Tables were lovingly set and it felt like IST really wanted to make it special for all of us.

The younger kids sat at "kid tables" just like they do at lunch.  Zoey and Kirsten quickly got down to business...coloring!

I've learned to ALWAYS have paper and markers on hand!  It kept these girls busy while they waited for their food...and it kept them out of our hair for a bit!

Just like lunchtime at IST, the kids were served by the wonderful IST cafeteria staff.

Kaia sat with us -- and we conveniently chose a table right near the tv that was airing the Detroit Lion's game!

Supporting his home team...

There was plenty of wine at dinner!  And, yes, this Mama had a little taste.

Food...paper...markers...stickers...busy, busy, busy.

So dinner left a little to be desired - it was no homecooked, family meal like we were used to - but the desserts made up for it!  A whole dessert table with plenty to choose from!

A long (HOT!) evening celebrating our American holiday with family and new friends.  We surely missed our family back home, but were thankful to have a place to go in Italy where we felt cared about.  As long as the four of us could be together, we were happy.