Thanksgiving in the Mountains!

We all headed up to North Carolina for Thanksgiving this year. Megan got a new toy for the trip. She is really a great traveler. She loves driving! We were happy to see the traffic wasn't so bad. Just one of the many things we were thankful for this holiday.

We got up early Thanksgiving morning... and took one of many golf cart rides. Megan loves getting outside... and Livy loves the "swampy crompy"... the creek that runs through the golf course.

The boys headed out for a Thankgiving day golf game... while us girls played inside... cooked... and watched a princess movie.

Oh... we played a ton of rounds of speed. My favorite card game!

Megan enjoyed spinning with her cousins! You should have seen her walk when she got up... it was hilarious.

She had the most fun going through the "purse". She begged for it constantly... she is pretty good at doing her make-up now... its tough getting it away from her.

Sis-in-law Kristin...and cutie patootie niece Lyric!

Grandma Parrish came too!

Emma is getting so tall! She is only 10... and past my chin now... but I guess I'm not the best hight to judge by.

I pretty much stayed out of the kitchen this year. Steph had things way under control. It was awesome!

Doug and Gregg were eager to taste test the mashed potatoes and gravy. Mmmm.... our favorite part. There aren't many meals I like better.

B-pa did the honors of cutting the bird... and really had his work cut out for himself too. We were eating bites faster than he could get it to the platter.

The best way to rate a good Thanksgiving plate... is keep loading it on till your plate starts to buckle. Then you know you've got enough! It was so YUMMY!

Just some of our many deserts! I made my great grandmother's traditional cold oven pound cake. Steph helped the girls out with a little pre-desert topping! She's always up for teaching good eating habits.

While all of the excitement was going on... I found Megan and B-pa in the corner... once again going through the "purse"! She loves going through the make-up!

Friday morning... we decided to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. I was a great day for a hike. This place is just a short drive from the villas. It's a great place to hike.

Literally... "over the river and through the woods"

My little nieces are too cool!

We finally made it! The waterfall was really pretty.

Kev decided to hike all the way to the top. The rest of us hung out down below... playing with ice... resting... and taking pictures.

Gregg's icicle was the coolest!

Lyric made herself at home on a rock by the waterfall. She really knows how to pick a good spot!

End of the road... it was a refreshing way to spend the afternoon. Getting outdoors was a good idea.

Nana and B-pa were tickled pink to have Megan stay up there. They loved taking her for golf cart rides.

Nana and B-pa have a mountain view from their porch... and my Mom's view is of the golf course... picked out by my Dad of coarse.

Megan loved playing with the bubbles! She hung out on the back porch with Nana and B-pa... while they blew tons of bubbles.

Samuel's Big 1 year birthday party!!!!! Man was that a fast year or what!

We got him the "Boy" equivalent to Megan's little mermaid car. It has been one of her favorites... so we thought Samuel would appreciate the truck!

The boys grilled us up some hamburgers and hot dogs!

Gammie got a clean hug in... before his birthday cake!

He tore it up!!!! The boy went after it like nobody's business. He loved it... much different than Megan's cake experience!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

We enjoyed some relaxation... before the BIG game!

... hangin' out on the back porch!

Lyric and Olivia were connected at the hip the whole weekend!

The rain stopped long enough for us to pop out for a quick walk before the football game. It was chilly... but nice to get out! I loved hangin' out with my little nieces! Megan was up the mountain... taking a nap!

The girls really had a good time!

... headed back in for the game!

Florida VS FSU... (we creamed um)

Golf ball hunting for POP... a family tradition. Megan got all bundled up... and came out to the course with us to find golf balls. She was a cutie in her new cap and gloves!

Kevin planted one for her to find... she was so excited! She ran over and tried to pick it up... but her mittens wouldn't let her!

... I had to pick it up for her!

The ones in the creek were tough to spot!

Kev always finds the most... bakers dozen this time!

WOW! "It's snowing"

We woke up to a nice surprise this morning! It was snowing really good. The snowflakes were pretty big... too bad we had to pack up and leave! Better late than never!

... Steph and I thought the snowflakes were yummy!

Mom didn't want to leave. It was a lot of chaos... noise... tight quarters... but then peaceful... and relaxing too. It was a great family weekend for all of us! We hope to get back up there soon.