Thanksgiving in the Mountains

What a wonderful Thanksgiving! Aaron and I usually celebrate close to home but this year we were able to get together with my parents and brother's family for the first time in a long time.

We rented an amazing cabin the Great Smokies and cooked the big, yummy dinner. We spent time in the jacuzzi and playing wii tournaments (thanks for the comic relief, mom!), cooking, taking hikes, relaxing, etc. The deck was fantastic - see view above of our first morning.

The best part was watching Gus have an amazing time. Who knew toddlers needed vacations, too? He could not have had more fun with his cousin Jake. He cracked up at Jake's every move. He followed him around, delighted in holding his hand, and playing with his toys. Jake was so patient and shared his toys with little protest.

We were able to take a long ride on the Polar Express through the mountains one evening. The kids got to wear their pj's just like in the movie and get served cocoa and treats by the "chefs" and sing carols. We even got a visit from Santa Claus - although Gus enjoyed his chocolate marshmallow Santa more than the real thing! His favorite part, however, was when Jake pressed his nose. Every time he would do it Gus would erupt into hearty belly laughs until his face turned red and tears sprung from his eyes. It was hilarious. He didn't care if the rest of us pressed his nose but when his cousin did it, it was pure comedy.

Plenty

I feel grateful for every day but this time of year it really is nice to take count of every blessing and since we will be in the mountains in a couple of days (very grateful for that!) I thought I'd post this early. There are also work issues stressing me out right now so this will be good therapy for me to remember how blessed we are.

The Top 10:

1.) To be born in the United States - people die every day trying to get here and have it as good as we do.

2.) To be employed - many are without work and worrying about how to support their families. Even if this is a trying time, I can still earn a living.

3.) For the good health of my whole family

4.) I found my soul mate (see his birthday post for all of the reasons I am blessed!)

5.) For a sweet, funny, healthy, adorable little boy that has improved an already blessed life beyond what we could have ever hoped.

6.) For our home in a beautiful state. We feel so lucky to live here and have such a great little place in a great neighborhood with great friends and a great school for Gus.

7.) For Paid Time Off!!!

8.) For ham (not a big turkey family), dressing, green bean casserole, Sharon's stuffed mushrooms, Aaron's sweet potato casserole (this year it is sweet potato empanadas), rolls, you get the idea.

9.) For GPS to get us around rock slides.

10.) For McDonald's breakfast sandwiches - the way we start every road trip. Hey, its a treat.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

This Weekend I Loved.......(A Week Late)

(Thought I'd share......Words I try to remember)

The taste of.........homemade french onion soup. Okay, I didn't love it because French onion is not my favorite but I did enjoy making it for my sweetie. Man, carmelizing an entire pot of onions requires some time and attention!

The smell of........cooking apples. Saturday was the "day of the sautee". Aaron and I have been roasting apples for several weeks now. We can do a big pot with very little sugar and cinnamon and have them throughout the week. Gus loves them.

The sight of........(1) our little boy being completely entertained by the wii. My mom had us buy one for our trip to Bryson City for Thanksgiving so we could all play it and we had to break it out early. Gus cackled as we smashed tennis balls and clapped when the audience clapped and looked at us as if it was the coolest thing he'd seen in all his 16 months.

Another sight.....we are having the most extraordinary fall. It has lasted longer than any I can remember probably due to our rotating warmth and cool days. The colors are spectacular. We have hiked every day of each weekend for several weeks. So cool to feel like you really took advantage of the season. Aaron gives Gus a branch to wave in each hand while he rides on his back.

The sound of.......Aaron humored me and played "Don't Shoot Me Santa Claus" by the Killers - the closest thing he wants to get to Christmas carols until Dec 1.

The thought of.....the mountains!!!! Cannot get there quickly enough. We need this trip in a major way and we can't wait to see Gus with his cousin Jake.

Gathering Gus

Gus and I went wandering in Wake Forest today in search of mature magnolias to collect seed cones. Gus especially enjoyed picking the cones and dropping them into our seed sack.

That's my little man.. magnolia leaf in hand!

Gone Gathering

We had the best time wandering about the old Wake Forest campus...

Seed collecting success.. Thanks for the help Gus!

Family Photo

So we finally had some professional family photos done and we are thrilled with how it all turned out. Our photographer was a spunky little chick with a style I loved. Fortunately Gus loved her as well. We took them at the Raleigh Rose Garden and by the end of it all we were exhausted.

These were 3 of the 100 or so she took and we got copies of. Sweet family, no? Of course the cameras didn't catch me running around waving my arms like a crazy person to get Gus to laugh or distract him from his goldfish crackers. the wedding party we shared the space with might have thought me odd. I was sweaty and spent by the end of it. Glad to see they turned out despite the crazy.

Grrr.. Gus

Gus Plus

Many Faces

Many Faces.. 2

Many Faces..3

Many More Faces

Totally Toddler

I had my back turned for a minute......


then the penne started flying

next came the mohawk with tomato sauce "product".