Happy Thanksgiving 2024

Happy Thanksgiving 2024! This year, we're headed to Michigan! 
We parked the RV in storage and headed to the airport!

Taking the airport monorail to our gate. It's just not quite as fun as Disney. 

After getting moved around from one gate, to another, to another, and then back to the original gate (thanks Frontier) we were on the plane and ready to fly! 

There was a beautiful sunset burning through the clouds on the horizon. 

We made it to chilly Michigan! 

Where Donald was ready to pick us up. 

Hi Grammy and Grandpa! 

And it wasn't long before they were at their cousins playing games. 

All the family is coming together this year, and Abby and Carson (and their new puppy) are getting in late. After going to bed at 10pm, Ian came back upstairs around 1:15am asking if they'd arrived yet. He was too excited to sleep. They were just a couple minutes away at that point. 

So why not stay up a little longer to say hi. 

The next day, they had a fun afternoon outing with Aunt Amy and Uncle Don. 

Having lots of treats and going shopping for Christmas presents. 

Speaking of treats, as a special treat for the house, we ordered a lot of pure maple sugar candies for all the maple lovers here, from our friends the Coutures and their Vermont Maple Farm. 

On Wednesday night, Donald and Amy treated everyone who wanted to a showing of Wicked! 

Who wants popcorn? 

I've watched the play twice and listened to the soundtrack dozens of times. 

I had high hopes for a good movie adaptation. 

I thought they did such an awesome job! And I loved seeing those special cameos too! I was singing along in my head to all the songs.

It's Thanksgiving morning! This Pikachu lover liked seeing the Pikachu balloon in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Everyone had a job in the morning to get ready for the big meal. There were lots of kitchens coming together to make the meal happen. 

And both of these guys ended up bringing a smoked turkey. 

We're happy to have Austin and his football teammate Dae Dae here! They had practice this morning (preparing for a game on Saturday), and as soon as it was over, they hopped in the car and made the 3:30 drive to get here. 

We've got quite the spread here today! 

It's great having everyone in one place for Thanksgiving. 

Lots of food. 

So many deviled eggs, but they were all gone by the end of the day. 

So many casseroles. 

That's quite the plate Richard! 

Seems like you were able to get a little bit of every single item! 

My plate. 

Cleaned up. 

Seconds was full of carbs! 

Aunt Rita just got new carpet and food and drink are not allowed. Ian is getting as close as he dares. 

The next morning. Carson is serious about his coffee. He brought his full-sized espresso and latte maker in the car from Tennessee to here. He grinds the beans right before brewing too. It's good stuff. 

On the flight from Orlando, Ian was telling our seat mate that he was really hoping it would snow. She told him she didn’t think anything was in the forecast. 

Ian got his wish this morning! We've got snow! 

Enough to build a snowman! I would see Ian building up a ball of snow saying "I'm making a snowman head." But then when I turn my back on him, it becomes a projectile and I become the snowball's target! 

Looks great! And he's even holding a snowball! 

It's getting pretty chilly out here. In the low 30s, but the wind chill makes it feel like 20s. We got a few snowgies too before running out of snow and wanting to head back inside. 

Luckily Theresa has my grandma's spiced tea for us! 

The kids love being around family. Lots of games. 

Time to head home for Carson, Abby, and the puppy. 

Theresa loves this beautiful tree. It's got a rainbow of colors on it still, including bright greens and deep reds. 

Loving our time here!