Thanksgiving

We began our Thanksgiving with our very own feast, complete with Rice Krispie turkeys:

Seth was learning about Thanksgiving for school and this feast was the last day of school. He helped plan the feast and even helped write the grocery list. My favorite Seth additions? Lohr's Apple Cider and a pomegranate. He'd never had one before, but wanted to try it. It's now his favorite fruit. In related news, I am incapable of opening a pomegranate without shooting little pieces all over my kitchen. 

It really was an all-out feast: turkey with homemade gravy from the drippings, stuffing, corn, potatoes, rolls, and pumpkin pie for dessert (with whipped cream, of course! Another Seth request). 

We debated for several weeks about whether we would be making the trip to West Virginia for Thanksgiving. But since Aaron ended up being a pretty easy-going baby, we figured we could survive a few nights sleeping all together in one room. 

Our plan was to drive out Wednesday, but a Tuesday-morning weather report prompted Jon to change our plans. He called at 8:00 am to tell me to get everything packed. We were on the road before 11:00. Pretty darn impressive, if I do say so myself. I even had time to do the dishes in the sink!

It was a very long drive, with rain pouring down on us the entire 7+ hours. So grateful we left when we did--by the next day the rain had turned into this:

Seth and his cousins were thrilled with the snow.

Catherine went out for a brief moment before deciding it was too cold.

She spent most of her time playing with various relatives in the playroom: 

(playing cars with Uncle Daniel & Evan)

We had a lovely couple of days with the Bloods. Everyone managed to make the trip with the exception of Scott & Mary, who would have had to fly across the country with three kids. 

Aaron meeting Aaron

(Obviously I need a better picture--my Aaron was being a punk)

Aaron's First Thanksgiving: 

(forgotten in the chaos of packing: the cute "First Thanksgiving" outfit Grandma Cathy sent)

Aaron & Eowyn: 

This picture really doesn't do justice to the size difference between the two.

They're only a month apart, but Aaron looks like he eats a few Eowyns for breakfast every morning.

And, of course, the Bloods: 

It was so nice to get to spend time with our family! I just hope Mom Blood is glad we came (even if Jon did eat too many mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving, leaving none for the people at the other end of the table).