Thanksgiving in CT

This year we had a different Thanksgiving celebration than ever before, and a very special one at that! Late in the summer we talked about going to Mark and Meredith's house, and once we found out Jimmy got the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off, it was official! The weekend before the holiday the weather was warm and very nice, and that Monday afternoon the boys and I spent a couple hours at a nearby park (jacket-less). I was therefore pretty surprised to find out on Monday night that a snowstorm was coming through the northeast early Wednesday morning. Thankfully Jimmy was able to get off around lunchtime on Tuesday, and we headed out by 3 PM. The boys did really well, Charlie stayed dry and waited to use the restroom (despite the fact that he had on a diaper!), and the traffic on 95 was (mostly) tolerable. Unfortunately we didn't pull in until 3:45 AM, but fortunately we beat the snow by a couple of hours. The next day we took it easy (except for Mark, who had to go to work...), let the kids play, and stayed in our jammies ALL day. I can't remember the last time I did that!

The kids playing play doh.

In the fun playroom, sitting on the tool bench.

Henry and Cal getting their nebulizer treatments together, ha! You can see the snow through the break in the curtains!!

Sweet cousins!

Tickling!

The giant pillow pile- great indoor activity to get some preschooler energy out!!

Wii dancing (or in Henry's case, trying too... Darla and Cal had some moves, though!)

Relaxing!

Cal had warmed up to me by this time and let me snuggle with him!

With all the kids!

The next morning the kids went out in the snow while the big lunch was being finished. The boys had never really played in snow before, since, well.... we live in NC. We all know it basically just gets slushy and gross and in my opinion isn't really worth the work to go outside. But it was fun to try it out in CT, and Charlie fulfilled a childhood wish of wanting to make a snowman.

Pretty house! It was my second time to CT, but my first time to see this home. I love how it feels like it's in the country when you're there but is just a couple minutes from town.

Henry was not impressed with the snow. He didn't even want to kick a ball around in it...

I liked the snow, though!

Lookin' like a puffy marshmallow!

Charlie bringing the fedora hat for the snowman.

Cal and Mark working hard!

Still disinterested. He cracked me up! (and also ended up going in early)

Putting his face on!

Meredith took a break from all her preparations and came out to take some pictures. I loved the apron look! :)

Finishing touches.

Group picture! I can't believe every child's face is turned in the direction of the camera.

Charlie doing his thing a while later.

The beautiful Thanksgiving table! The Adamses' friends Val and Armel came for lunch, and it was fun to meet them and their daughters.

Carving the turkey. Jimmy is still talking about how good it was...

The kids' table!

The after-lunch craft that allowed the adults more time to talk during lunch!

What do you do when the girls dress up in their dance and princess costumes? Dress up like Pooh, of course!

Skyping with Sallie, Dennis, Mom, Dad, and Daniel in VA. The sang some songs for them!

The girls!

Sister-cousins : )

Daddy and Charlie

Mommy and Henry

The day after Thanksgiving we traded dates with Mark and Meredith... we both went to see a movie while the other couple watched the kids. It was fun! Jimmy and I also checked out a local Mom & Pop pizza place that was really good. On Saturday Meredith worked half a day, and I went into Rye with her to the library while the guys sledded with the kids and entertained them at the house. I enjoyed seeing where Merph works, read in the sitting area, had some hot chocolate, walked around downtown Rye (and bought an insanely delicious petit four at the general store!), and then went with her afterwards for dinner at Le Pain Quotidien. We left on Sunday morning and had a pretty uneventful and smooth trip back, getting back this time around 1 instead of nearly 4 AM! We were very thankful for the time we got to spend with family and for a safe trip!