Thanksgiving, 9 months old, and heart stuff

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving this year. For my family (and many others, I'm sure), it has always been our big get together day. People drive and fly in from all around to eat and eat and eat with family. Matt and I are very lucky that we both have lots of close family close by. We got to eat two turkey dinners on Thanksgiving plus a couple more days of pigging out. I actually made a couple of casseroles and a dessert this year which is my official first contribution to a Thanksgiving dinner. Yea me. Joanna was absolutely fabulous as we carted her around town and made her eat in her carseat (not in the car) and sleep in strange places. Here are some Thanksgiving fun pictures:

Yes, Joanna watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And she liked it.Joanna with Mamma and cousin Kurt playing at Uncle Mark's house.

My Uncle John, Matt, and Joanna at my Grandma's house.Family picture in front of Great Grandma's treeWe also put up our Christmas trees and other holiday stuff this weekend. I got to thinking that this is really the first Christmas I've gotten to decorate. The past two years we've moved days before Christmas, and before that I've lived in a bedroom or a dorm room. It was very fun to get out ALL our ornaments, put lights on a tree, and set up the train. I love Christmas!
Getting Christmas decorations out: Joanna is so helpful!

Not my idea, but pretty cute: Joanna got one of her Christmas presents early so she can play with it in the season. I saw this Little People Nativity set, and I couldn't resist! So far she has enjoyed chewing on the animals and waving baby Jesus around.

My sister and her boyfriend drove down from Oklahoma late Wednesday night and headed back today. Here they are after church with sweet Joanna.
Here are some other cute pictures from recently:
Joanna's first school picture! Eating Cheerios and puffs -- yum! Helping "fold" laundry. Tomorrow we will head back to Texas Children's for an Echocardiogram and a check-up for her little murmur. She also has her 9 month check up on Tuesday, so I'll update here in the next couple of days with all her stats. Keep us in your prayers tomorrow. I'm eager to hear from her heart doctor, but anxious because it will be a hectic morning, I'm sure!