Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we drove up to Tennessee. I can't believe that we actually did it after we swore that we would never do that drive again. We went up there two years ago and decided that we would drive at night so the kids would sleep and Aaron and I would take turns sleeping in the very back seat in the van. When we took that trip I took the first turn driving. This kids finally fell asleep around 10pm and then I had to pull into a gas station at around midnight to get gas. The lights were soooo bright that the kids were instantly awake and since they had had themselves a little nap they were wide awake. I was exhausted of course and wanted to sleep, but couldn't because the kids needed to be entertained. I think they ended up sleeping again from about 3:30am-7am. We swore we would NEVER do that again.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you choose to look at it) that trip was kind of like child birth. As time goes by you start to forget the horrible pain and anguish that you went through and think, "Hmmm, maybe, just maybe, I could do it again". Combine that with outrageous airfare and you find yourself driving 16 hours to Tennessee again and doing it at night! So I know you are all wondering how it went??? It actually went really well. The kids slept from 10:30-ish to about 5:30. We were much smarter this time though, and pulled over to fill the tank just before the kids fell asleep. Then any time that we needed gas after that I held a blanket over Nathan's head so that the bright lights of the gas station did not wake him up. I think it was helpful that the kids were older, too.

It was very cold up there. As usual we had to go out and buy a hole new wardrobe with pants and long-sleeved shirts before we took the trip. Grandma was able to borrow a jacket for Lexy and we had a hand-me-down for Nathan. I am so grateful for my nice warm winters down here in sunny Florida. I was not enjoying the cold weather at all. I did, however, really enjoy sitting around and having nothing on my mind - no cleaning, no groceries, no work, no laundry - nothing. Aaron's mom taught me how to crochet a pot holder. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but I was really excited and I was able to do it in a day!

The kids got to play with some of their cousins (pictured above holding the gingerbread men they made at Grandma's house). We were able to spend Aaron's birthday up there with two of his brothers and his best friend from his youth. We took a trip to the Apple Barn in Gatlinburg (which has really yummy food). It is one of our favorite places to go. They have neat Christmas shops open all year. In the picture below this kids are sitting on a wooden Santa. Overall it was a great trip.