I know this was a while back but our Thanksgiving Break was an absolute blast! Ryan was between semesters so there was no pressure to study anything and his girls took full advantage of his time. We spent the first few days with the James' where we shopped, watched the food network (ok maybe that was just me), enjoyed lots of laughs and great conversation. Ryan and I got to sneak out and see the much anticipated James Bond Quantum of Solace. (thanks Mandy, Trav and Mel!) Best of all Bel got some extra cuddle and play time with her sweet dad.
From there we made our way to the Olsons' where my parents had made the 20 hour drive to join us. With this crew we got to go see Twilight (wahoo!) even the men came and enjoyed themselves (I think). I have to admit I was a little worried about letting Ryan come along since I'm too embarassed to read those books aloud, but none (or not too many) of the heinous teen infatuation lines made it to the big screen. Here we also enjoyed good food and good company and were able to experience geocaching for the first time - what a treat. I esecially enjoyed walking Snake Alley - the road with the most curves in the world. (I really get a thrill out of quirky sites like this - so cool)
It is such a blessing to have great family on both sides - we had such a great time with everyone and I genuinely love all the people we were with.
In other news it's begining to look a lot like Christmas...
One of the things I am unmovingly opinionated about is having a real tree at Christmas, so here is our evergreen house guest. It is the driest tree with the sharpest needles that we've ever had, but it is a thing of beauty nevertheless. We put it on a table so Bel can't get to it, but now she just crawls under the table and tries to play with the string of lights - the temptation is just too great.
I love this time of year!!! I probably had the best morning ever today. Ryan took me and Bel to Pancake Day - a fundraiser for the local college choir where they sang Christmas carols and fed us all you can eat pancakes and sausage. I know, I know I am the luckiest girl in the world - pancakes and live, talented christmas carols in one venue - it was like I had died and gone to heaven!!!
I like to brag about my honey so for the record... this buck was shot with a bow, through thick trees, from 37 1/2 yards away, while standing on two 2x4's nailed in a tree 20 feet up. I guess he could provide food for the family in a crisis afterall.
Don't be fooled - even though Bel doesn't look as bright eyed and bushy tailed at the prospect of this outdoor refreshment, she was still excited to be out. (I can't resist the resmemblance she has to the little boy in A Christmas Story in this coat - nope those arms don't go down)
cousins...
