• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Thanksgiving Traditions

November 23, 2011 | Uncategorized

 

Happy Thanksgiving eve! It’s almost turkey time, yummy! This year is going to be a little different for us. What am I saying, every year is a little different for us! We typically do the traditions and seeing lots of family over Christmas, so the past few years Thanksgiving has been much more low key. I used to go with Bobby and his family to see their extended family, but due to some…family issues surrounding his father’s death, we don’t speak to that side of the family anymore. We since have seen Bobby’s mom and her side of the family, and last year, were with my parents.

Once again this year will be different. My parents are going to Houston to visit my sister and her husband. Unfortunately for us, they have two enormous dogs, so we cannot take ours, and I refuse to board my babies. Someone please tell me I am not crazy for not wanting to board them…I would be miserable and worrying about them the whole time. They have never been boarded and are used to having free reign of the house, and are used to be being home with them all day.

Anyway, the girl who dog sits for me when my parents cannot is not returning my calls or texts so I assume she is out of town. Bobby’s mom and her husband have a playoff football game (her husband coaches a high school team) on Friday so they can’t come see us like we thought would happen.

So for the first time ever it will be just me and Bobby and the girls.

It will still be a lot of fun as long as you give us some turkey, mom!

But, no worries, we have laid out some fun plans so we won’t be bored and lonely! So, here is our tentative schedule:

Thursday morning we plan to run a turkey trot 5k (don’t worry, I WILL be DVRing the Thanksgiving Day parade, I CANNOT miss it!) We ordered turkey from honey baked ham, and I will be cooking some sides and a pumpkin pie to go with it, so we will of course, eat, nap, and watch football. Then, we may hit up some stores for black Friday sales that night (our outlet mall opens at 10 pm) and then sleep in on Friday, maybe go see Breaking Dawn (eeekkk! Scream like a little girl!)

Friday we will hang outdoor Christmas lights and the LSU game comes on after lunch. Then Saturday afternoon we will drive to my parents and see them once they get back from Texas. There will be more eating and football watching.  I am kind of excited about doing something new and different, and at least I will get to see family on Saturday. I will be sure to take pictures though to post about our first “family Thanksgiving” with just our little family.

My hair was so short a year ago!

QOTD: Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions with family? What will you be doing?

*Enter my Gymboss interval timer giveaway!

Like this:

Like Loading…

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    November 23, 2011 at 2:53 am

    Have you considered boarding your dogs at a doggie daycare? I never wanted to board my dog somewhere where he’s locked in a crate all day and you have to pay extra for playtime. I started sending mine just to daycare when he was little so he could get socialized during the day (and give me a night off from a hyper dog). I never had to board him overnight before I moved here to Coloradp. I found a daycare/boarding facility that he loves and I am happy leaving him there because I know he is free to play all day and has a crate to go to at night. He goes to daycare about once a week there to keep him comfortable about wanting to go and so he doesn’t associate it with me leaving him there for a long period of time.

    • Heather says

      November 23, 2011 at 3:25 pm

      yeah i actually looked into that but for both doggies (to be in the same room) it would be about 50 bucks a day for 4 days and I just can’t justify 200 dollars on it 🙁 and even then they only get out twice a day so they would be lonely 🙁

  2. The Linz (Beyond Destination 26.2) says

    November 23, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Hope your Thanksgiving with just the two of you is a great one! My husband and I are doing our own Thanksgiving this year too. And it’s our first one as a married couple!

  3. Suzanne says

    November 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    Have a great time at home with your husband and fur babies! I really like the idea of doing something new and different for the holidays. Enjoy your family on Saturday and have fun shopping and watching Breaking Dawn!

  4. Tara Burner says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    I wont board my daughters dog and besides have a turtle too so I hire a dog/pet sitter to come in usually to take care of both when we go on vacay…
    this year though I’m home alone (well w/the dog and turtle)…my daughter went w/her oldest brother (ex’s son) to see his wife’s family in SC so I’m here….alone….
    Oh and I actually just canceled 2 trips because of disagreement on dog/turtle care..ex wanted to take care of dog…I didn’t want him to so yes I actually cancelled a pre-christmas and my bday trips because of this 5 lb goober! so you’re not alone in the boarding thing 🙂

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  5. Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    Boo on missing the pups! 🙁

    I bet it will still be a great one though. And we always do up our decorations on Friday after Thanksgiving as well. Love that tradition.

  6. Amanda @ Let Me Be Whats Underneath says

    November 23, 2011 at 9:45 pm

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

  7. Caitlin says

    November 25, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    There’s a place we take our dog called camp bow wow. He loves it so much we never feel bad. He plays all day, and there are “camper cams” so I can watch him play!!! They even send our “little one” home with a report card.

    • Heather says

      November 26, 2011 at 10:53 am

      that sounds so fun! unfortunately having two dogs makes everything double the price and those places aren’t cheap. 🙁

      • Caitlin says

        November 26, 2011 at 6:48 pm

        Too bad 🙁 Where do they go when you go on vacation? Isn’t a house sitter more expensive? I had tried to get one!

        • Heather says

          November 26, 2011 at 9:45 pm

          When we go on vacation my parents watch them.unless they are going with us like for thanksgiving. We have a teen-ager from our church who watches them at her house for us for ten dollars a day total but she couldn’t this time. 🙁

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 11-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Free Travel Planning with Best Day Ever Vacations (Yes, It’s Completely FREE!)
  • Mom Must-Haves for a Basketball Tournament: The Ultimate Survival Guide
  • Why Spring Is the Sweet Spot for Family Vacation on Alabama’s Beaches
  • You’ll Get It When You Get Here: A Spring Break on Alabama’s Beaches That Actually Feels Like a Break
  • A Word for 2026

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
If you’re planning a trip to Florida’s Forgotten C If you’re planning a trip to Florida’s Forgotten Coast, save this one. 🌊 #RentingTheCoastPartner

We stayed at Singing Waves in Cape San Blas, and it was everything we wanted in a beach getaway: beautiful views, plenty of space, and the kind of place that makes you slow down and actually enjoy vacation.

What really stood out, though, was Renting the Coast. They’re a locally owned, family run company that manages vacation homes throughout Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach, and the surrounding Forgotten Coast communities. 

Instead of managing hundreds of properties, they intentionally keep their inventory smaller so they can provide a more personal experience for both guests and homeowners. They’re known for being accessible, responsive, and focused on making sure every stay goes smoothly.

If Cape San Blas has been on your travel list, Singing Waves is absolutely worth checking out, and so is Renting the Coast’s collection of homes along Florida’s most underrated stretch of coastline. ☀️

Ready to start planning your own Forgotten Coast getaway? Click the link in my bio to explore available homes and find the perfect spot for your next beach vacation.

Have you ever visited Cape San Blas?

#beachhousegoals #capesanblas #portstjoe #rentingthecoast @rentingthecoast
Being an adult is basically realizing every month Being an adult is basically realizing every month comes with a new expense you weren’t expecting. 🙃 (ad)

We’re always looking for ways to be intentional with our family’s decisions, which is why we’ve been learning more about Liberty HealthShare and the healthcare sharing community they’ve built.

Have you ever looked into healthcare sharing before? If you are curious like me, check out the link in my bio or stories for info!

#libertyhealthshare #healthshare #healthyfamilies #parentingchallenges #momlifeunfiltered @libertyhealthshare
Thinking about staying at Loews Royal Pacific Reso Thinking about staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort? #hosted

A few things we loved:

🌴 Tropical island atmosphere that actually feels like an escape from the parks

🚤 Water taxi access to Universal CityWalk and the parks

🚶 Easy walking path if you’d rather skip the boat

🎢 Unlimited Express Pass included for registered guests

🏊 Beautiful pool area with plenty of space to relax between park days

For us, it was the perfect balance of resort time and theme park time.
Have you stayed at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, or is it on your Universal wish list?

*Valid on both arrival and checkout day. Please see the Universal Orlando website for rules and regulations for the unlimited express pass. Not valid at Epic Universe or Volcano Bay. Park tickets purchased separately. 

#loewsroyalpacific #universalorlandoresort #universalorlandohotels #universalhotels @universalorlando
There should be a support group for millennials wh There should be a support group for millennials who still think we’re the “young adults” in the room… until a casual conversation reminds us otherwise. 😭

Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s been personally victimized by the passage of time and a perky Gen Z girlie. 😂

Drop your most humbling “wait… I’m HOW old?” moment below.

#millennialmom #millennialparenting #millennialmemes #millennialwomen #millennialwomen
#ad #BraunPartner Less time shaving. More time liv #ad #BraunPartner Less time shaving. More time living thanks to @BraunBeautyUS Smart IPL. ✨ 

I didn’t realize how much mental space hair removal was taking up until it just… wasn’t anymore. Between games, trips, and everything in between, having something I can do at home in minutes has been a total game changer. The app-guided treatments keep me consistent without having to think about it, and I’m already noticing smoother skin that actually lasts. And yes — the full-body, 10-minute-at-home situation still feels a little unreal. 

If you’ve been on the fence, Prime Day (June 14–27) is definitely the moment to check it out with $120 off. #BraunSmartIPL
Reasons our family loved Henderson Beach Resort: # Reasons our family loved Henderson Beach Resort: #HendersonPartner

💦 Multiple pools + lazy river

🍽️ Great dining options right on property

🌅 Gorgeous Gulf views and sunsets

🏖️ Beach chair rentals available right on the beach

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly while still feeling like a luxury getaway

✨ The kind of place that makes you immediately start planning your next trip

Current offer:Book a minimum 2-night stay and receive a $100 resort credit for your stay! (check with the resort for current availability and details).

Would you choose the beach or the lazy river?

#DestinFlorida #HendersonBeachResort #DestinFWB #FloridaVacation @thehendersonfl
We didn’t set out looking for a “perfect” trip… we We didn’t set out looking for a “perfect” trip… we just needed a break from the noise.
What we found in Florida was something better than that. #ad

Our first stop in Auburndale was all about slowing down in the best way. We stayed in a cozy tiny home at Camp Margaritaville (you can also stay in an RV!). We enjoyed coffee on the porch, our daughter loved the pool and waterslide (there is even a splash zone for the littles!), and at night we slowed things down with s’mores instead of screens. It felt like nature + comfort + family time all finally in the same place. They have so many other amenities like mini golf, golf cart rentals, pickleball, a playground, cornhole, and more. Nearby, we explored the Florida Children’s Museum and had incredible food and drinks at Smith’s American Tavern and Black & Brew Coffee. 

Then, we headed over to Fort Myers to experience a completely different side of the state. Shelling walks at sunrise, beach volleyball, pool cabanas, and the kind of Gulf sunsets that make everyone go quiet for a minute. Direct beach access at the Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers made it effortless to go from “let’s check it out” to toes in the sand in minutes. There were several restaurants on property, so we never even got in our car. That plus live music, fire pits, the spa, and lawn games made it easy to want to stay put and relax.

What stood out most wasn’t just the scenery… it was how easy it was to actually be together here. No rushing or overplanning. That’s the true Floridays feeling for me. Laid-back, a little unexpected, and exactly what we didn’t know we needed. 🌴☀️

@VISITFLORIDA @visitfortmyers, @visitcentralfl 
#VISITFLORIDA #LoveFL #MyFortMyers #MargaritavilleResorts FamilyTravel FloridaTravel TravelWithKids

Copyright © 2026 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

%d