Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Week.  Caroline made a pumpkin cheesecake to start off the festivities.  It was a no-bake recipe, which logically that meant it was easier.  'Twas not.  She had to dump a cup and a half of pumpkin puree on paper towels and blot out all the excess liquid to get it down to 3/4 of a cup.  The number of pumpkin-juice paper towels was steep.  She was looking forward to eating it that evening, but was unwilling to wake up at midnight when it was properly cooled.  We tried it the next day with homemade whip cream that Josiah wanted to pipe.  We enjoyed it after our traditional Thanksgiving Tacos on Tuesday.  The pie was good, but Caroline would not do a ginger snap crust again.  Too 'spicy.'

Late Wednesday morning we were on the road for Virginia.  I knew driving the day before Thanksgiving could get a little hairy.  The first half of our drive was met with many an accident and slowdowns.  We stopped midway for gas and the second half of the trip was smooth sailing.  It was only 6:30 pm when we arrived, but because it was pitch black in the mountains, it felt like 10 pm.  We visited with Grandma and Grandpa for a bit before retiring to bed. 

Thanksgiving morning, the boys jumped at the opportunity to walk Aunt Claire's big dogs.  We were unaware of the leisurely pace of Mr Moose, so Caroline joined up with us for the second half of our walk.  Later the cousins walked Maggie, so all the dogs were taken care of.  

We enjoyed a truly traditional Thanksgiving meal with family.  It is good to all be on the east coast again so we can have these get togethers.  We are truly thankful for our family.

The following morning we headed out early for Hampton.  We stopped at the first lookout point to get a picture of the kids and the mountains.  The sun was bright and right at their backs, so we did our best.  This lookout is always a favorite.  Henry and Caroline lingered at the wall taking in the view, while Josiah and I high-tailed it to the car because it was 21° out. The kids would love a house that looks out on that scene.  

We made it to Hampton late morning and spent the day visiting with Grandad and Nana.  The kids played frisbee in the frigid weather.  I was surprised how long they stayed outside.  We watched from the window and thought, Aww, look at them playing together.  And then Henry pushed Caroline.  And then she pushed him back.  And all was normal again.

Josiah checked my tires before we hit the road.  Every time we wake up in Staunton, my tire light comes on.  That cold mountain air.  

Saturday morning we were back on the road again.  We left early to hopefully avoid the holiday traffic and it worked for the most part.  

The kids wanted to get the Christmas tree up before our break was over, so Sunday afternoon we got it accomplished.  Josiah opened the box with the tree and saw some bugs.  He originally reported a lot of roaches.  Caroline, who was not in the room, nor near the box, reported five roaches.  Josiah later said it was two.  We never did find any, but Henry was ready with the shoe as the tree was put in place.  This was a big step up because, until this year, he had refused to kill any bugs - not because he was a bleeding heart, but because it was gross and he didn't want his shoe to get dirty.  

No one is ready for school to start tomorrow.  No one.  We have three very full weeks ahead before our Christmas break.