Thanksgiving, New York City

I’ve just come to the realization that magic is normal in New York City. Why it’s taken me a year to figure this out, I don’t know. I’m utterly gobsmacked that this is my new normal.

Last year during this time was also one of the most magical of my life. As much as I despise redundancy, I can’t stop using that word. It encompasses all that I feel in its cliched glory.

Justin’s family traveled to see us from the Bay Area this year, and we made the most of it. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, we visited FAO Schwartz, peered into the frozen windows at the gorgeous holiday windows at Bergdorf’s, and ate dinner at our favorite local haunt, the Belgian Petite Abielle. I baked my little heart out while they took the kids to Books of Wonder and then for pretzel croissants and home made marshmallows at City Bakery.

Apple, Pumpkin, and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

The morning of Thanksgiving, we headed out bright and early to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live for the first time ever. I grew up watching this parade nearly every year on television, either from my California or Ohio living rooms. I honestly never thought I would sit in the grandstands and watch it in front of my own eyes and the eyes of my children. It was spectacular.

Sunrise over the East River and Brooklyn

Headed to the grandstands on 74th and Central Park West

Justin and family

Jack was in absolute awe.

One of my favorite parts of the parade was watching it through the eyes of babes, children, teens, and even adults.

Jimmy Fallon and The Roots

Kanye West

These girls were gaga for Kanye and Jessica Simpson

The Jimmy Dean float

It was a perfect day. The crowds weren’t overwhelming- that is, until we hopped on the subway and people were cramming those trains SO tight it felt like a mosh pit. The weather was a little cold, but honestly we were far to excited to be phased by the weather. Fortunately for everyone, it didn’t rain. Last year we went the night before to watch the balloons being inflated, and I don’t know if the kids remembered that at all but it was really cool to see the balloons floating down the street this year.

We made it home and settled in for a day of football, family and cooking. My first Thanksgiving feast turned out well enough that I was proud of it and everyone seemed to enjoy. Homemade stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce (that never solidified, sigh), gravy, mashed potatoes and turkey. It felt like home.

I certainly missed my mom and sister, as this was the first Thanksgiving I’ve ever spent with out them, but we were fortunate to have Justin’s family in town for the holiday. It’s easy to get caught up in the craze of life and not realize how wonderful and necessary it is to have people around that love you.

I hope you all had the very same.

A very big thank you to Jimmy Dean for sponsoring our seats in the grandstands for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We even noshed on Jimmy Dean breakfasts that both Hugh and Justin are still raving about.