Early one morning, when most of California was sleeping, our kids were waiting in line at the airport to leave for the Thanksgiving week to North Carolina.  Meanwhile, their cousins, Ian and Colin had just woken up and were also waving hello from the other side of the country with both coasts giddy with anticipation.

Saturday night we stayed in Charlotte with Uncle Jon, Aunt Cha, and cousin Charlie.  Heath and Ashlyn really enjoyed their piano and Reghan had a lot of fun getting to know her distant cousin Haley but I got the real treat when I got to see my cousin Lisa after far too many years.

The next morning the kids woke up to lots of toys and tried to show Charlie how to use them while Reghan gave Jack some love.  After we had breakfast, they opened their Panthers swag bags (thank you Jared , Uncle Jon, & Aunt Cha) and off we went to the Carolina Panthers game looking like super fans.

They got to give the drum a big bang then into the stadium for a great blowout game.

After the game, up the mountain we went to Grana and Grandpa's.  First thing the next morning the kids got their first peek of the week at deer running through the backyard.

They discovered their treadmill and decided they needed to excercise each morning to start the day.

Reghan reviewed her various turkey traps with Grandpa.  We had made them a deal that if the were to catch one, we would figure out how to cook it.  While they did see wild turkeys, unfortunatley the trap didn't yield one...well, at least not a live one...it did catch a singing toy turkey though...they were not amused at the joke.

We visited Great Grandma Janie and Ashlyn was thrilled to paint her nails.

We tried to overload Grandpa's Mule but it wouldn't give in.

The boys started creating right away.

And Grana had plenty of cleaning elves.

There's always room for s'mores.

Ian and Colin's tree swings were a hit throughout the week for kids and adults alike.  If  you can't see the video below, click on the following link.  Swinging at the cousins

Reghan soaked up the sun while Heath buried her.

 Then off to Pearson's Falls for a hike.

They worked extra hard on the Turkey Trap with many adjustments over the course of a few days.

Meanwhile, Ashlyn helped brine one turkey and mix the marinade for the other.  Both back ups in case we didn't catch one in the trap.

Dessert cookie hats were made by the younger ones.

Trees were climbed, leaves were blown, and teepees were erected.

Dinner at Uncle Chris's and Aunt Joy's along the hearth watching a movie before their first sleepover of the week then assuming the same position the following morning for breakfast.

Further refinement of the turkey trap.

Then Thanksgiving day prep.

The brothers keeping an eye on the bird.

The kids table was fully obliterated before most of the adults even sat down.

Followed by cookie decorating compliments of Sue.

Night time Wyoming Fight Song Lullabies by Grandpa.  (pay no attention to the dark room, the video was taken in the light of the cowboy nightlight)  If you can't see the video below, click on the following link.  Grandpa sings the Wyoming Fight Song Lullaby - Nov '15

And a very happy Great Grandma, Son, and Grandson and Erica and Brad's surprise celebration the day after.

That night we went for a "night time adventure" and got a tour of the teepee they'd all been working on.  If you can't see the video below, click on the following link.  The Thanksgiving teepee

This is one to pull out in about 12 years for maximum embarrassment.

Since it was after Thanksgiving and the Christmas season could officially begin, it was time to do some pumpkin chunking.  With all the pumpkins and gourds loaded into the mule, Grandpa drove the kids down to the garden area to decimate them.

And just when we thought they were pretty much destroyed, he took it a step further and had the kids line them up under the wheels so he could run them over with a pop.

It was such an enjoyable week with many more memories than can be put here.  We certainly are blessed to have so many things to be thank full for.