Thanksgiving week began bright and early on the way to North Carolina. The kids are super travelers at this point and sleepily made their way through the airport.
By the time we got to our connection their energy had fully awoken. Steven and Heath listened to part of the Auburn game until Heath lost interest and got loopy with his sister but Steven muscled through and tuned them out like only a true dad can.
At one point we glanced over and witnessed an Elf from the North Pole traveling south.
After landing in Charlotte we had a quick dinner with our cousins then off to their house for a cozy sofa sleepover.
The next morning Ashlyn and Charlie worked on Breakfast for us.
A little outdoor painting.
Some play time, then off to mountains we went.
The first joke of the day was, how many L men does it take to move a crib into a bedroom?
On Monday we found a new waterfall to hike to.
Some silly selfies behind the falls.
And some of the freshest water to drink ever.
Ashlyn, as always, was very helpful in the kitchen.
Just in time for the cousins to round the table for one of many meals.
Grandpa came through with his and the kids favorite lullaby.
Grandpa and Grana just renovated their front yard but even with that, all the kids remembered clearly the path through the bushes into the woods to their cousins house.
Grana got us tickets to the Biltmore house so we could see the holiday decorations and bring the kids to see it for the first time and it didn't disappoint.
What is one of the things grandparents are good for? Spoiling their grandchildren and feeding them way too much sugar. Grana couldn't resist buying each of them a piece of their choosing at the candy shop.
Can you find the girls in the rose garden maze?
With a dance in the courtyard. If you don't see the video below, click on the following link. The Lady is home - Nov 17
Grandpa pulled out the materials needed for Ashlyn and Charlie's birthday banner for Parker who would be turning one later in the week.
Mayhem began in their cousins bedroom.
Wednesday morning, while we waited for our amazing Biscuit Head breakfast deliciousness, the kids took over Uncle Jon's car for an impromptu party.
After breakfast we went to Ian's school. They were having a Thanksgiving celebration and made Stone Soup, like from the book. As soon as the kids saw each other, Ian pulled them together to begin the grand tour of his school.
A quick tour of the chicken coupe, classrooms, and bunny's, we made our way up to where the bomb fire was to boil the cauldron full of the stone soup.
Afterwards we invaded Skyzone to run off some energy.
Then the construction commenced.
And destruction.
A valiant effort in the photo booth.
Later in the day we pulled up to Aunt Linda's to see all the kids running down only to turn around and run all the way back up the hill to Grana and Grandpas.
About 5 minutes of calm before another burst of energy.
The big kids table.
Just before dessert of s'mores. But first they had to go out to find their sticks and Brad was quite the trooper to help them.
Mmmm.
And then out they went again to go woodchuck hunting with their plastic bags. (Basically snipe hunting only for woodchucks.) They were out for quite a while with Aunt Linda walking around outside making sounds. Too bad no one caught one.
The night ended with them cuddled up to watch part of Mary Poppins.
A little flight simulator practice with Ian.
And Thanksgiving breakfast games with Aunt Joy.
While the boys were outside playing dodgeball.
Back up at Grana's, Reghan helped prepare the turkey.
Her and grandpa started on the fruit salad.
While Ashlyn took pride in her table settings.
As well as her and Charlies birthday banner for Parker.
Then both her and Reghan got down and dirty working in the kitchen.
Later in the day they got a big game of tug of war. After many rounds, it came to a tie.
Although they did beat the grownups.
Oh, and let's not forget the Nerf gun threat to keep pulling.
Muscled through it.
In the house we all witnessed what happens when sisters get together. They all go down pretty smooth.
With a little bad aunt influence early on.
He may not be old enough to drink yet but he's old enough to turn one and smash that cake up.
Someone else has a birthday coming up. After Parker got his 1 year birthday cake, Reghan got her 10 year birthday cake and her and her cousins destroyed it also.
The happy couple.
Wrapping the day up with streaking kids.
In the end, this is what it's all about. We so very thankful to have such a wonderful family to be surrounded by.
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