This year we retreated to Williamsburg to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. The trip usually takes four and a half hours, but somehow I managed to get lost in conversation and missed my exit. I ended up taking a detour to Williamsburg, following my Garmin's commands. Somewhere along the way, Jarrett gestured to the dark screen and asked, "Is that a boat?" We were in stitches when we discovered that our alternate route involved boarding a ferry!! The surprise turned out to be quite pleasant and we hopped out of the car to stretch our legs and enjoy the cool breeze off the water. At last we arrived at my parent's home to officially kick off of the holiday season. Our excursion was the perfect blend of activity and relaxation with these favorite moments:
10. Daddy the Soldier: I haven’t seen my Dad since July and was shocked to see his grown out beard! Naturally, his favorite perk of his new look is the authenticity it provides for his Civil War look. After dinner Wednesday evening, he dressed up in his reenactment uniform to share the full effect. Good times J.
9. Turkey Trot and Pumpkin Milkshakes: Our favorite place to start Thanksgiving day is in Colonial Williamsburg. We rallied together with over 2,000 runners and walkers to complete the 3.1 mile course. Jarrett and I walked with my parents all throughout Colonial and around the William and Mary campus. As tradition would hold, we treated ourselves to pumpkin milkshakes while watching the Macy’s Day Parade. Kaitlyn and Austin arrived in time to see Santa and were especially excited by the spirited moment.
8. 2 Eagles and a Turkey: I must admit that I was a tiny bit nervous that the boys would be using an outdoor turkey fryer. Jarrett always cooks his turkey in an indoor fryer and the horror stories of the outdoor fryers left me skeptical. Like two Eagle Scouts would do, Jarrett and Mike read the manual, cleared the leaves, and effortlessly cooked up a darn good turkey. I think more than anything they loved drinking beer and being outdoors on a beautiful November day.
7. Mom’s cooking: There’s nothing better than my mom’s cooking. I know I’m biased, but my mom cooks the best traditional dishes. I couldn’t get enough of the corn pudding and love her stuffing. Every single bite on my plate was savored and left me both stuffed and excited for leftovers. As we shared conversation, I reflected on how thankful I am for each individual at that table. My niece and nephew, sister and brother-in-law, parents, and husband have enriched my life beyond words.
6. New Town Cinemas: Thursday evening we ventured out to the movies where the boys opted for Hugo and the girls chose to see The Muppetts. As you know, I am not the biggest movie lover, but I could not peel my eyes away from the screen. The Muppetts was hilarious and had an excellent plot. The guys enjoyed their movie and referenced it on several occasions throughout the weekend. It was fun to get out and enjoy the evening.
5. Long Walks: Friday morning I slept in and then joined my mom on a neighborhood walk to the river and back. I grew up going on long walks with my mom and enjoy this time we spend together. Essentially this gives us a solid hour to talk. It’s amazing to think of the many conversations we’ve shared over the years. There are certain unofficial landmarks in the course of our path that remind us of specific times in our lives. For example, one street we pass automatically triggers the memory of preparing for my interview at Wake Forest. This time is so special to me.
4. Black Friday: I want nothing to do with long lines, large crowds, or rowdy behavior. I do, however, enjoy getting out on Black Friday later on in the day. I managed to convince Jarrett that a trip to the outlets would be a fun experience. Fortunately, this proved to be true and we to kicked off our Christmas shopping in the process!
3. Christmas Towne: Since this Christmas will be spent in Winston, we decided to go to Christmas Towne while we were in the Burg. This is one of my favorite holiday traditions, and somehow always seems to top the previous year. Jarrett and Mom got Gluhwein, which brought back memories of Christmas in Germany. While they sipped their warm beverages, Dad and I got on the Mach Tower which hoisted us 240 feet into the air and gave us an aerial view of the Christmas-lit park before dropping us at a thrilling speed. After strolling through each uniquely decorated country, we settled in Germany for the last showing of the Christmas production. An evening in the park was all it took to officially get me in the Christmas spirit.
2. The Kingsmill Resort: A trip back home would not be complete without stopping by the resort. I did a heavy leg workout followed by some crazy treadmill intervals. The change in scenery was appreciated, especially given the beautiful view of the river. After a great self-inflicted sweat, I laid in the sauna and then jumped into the whirlpool. A little bit of pampering sure does go a long way.
1. Game Day: The UVA/Virginia Tech game always occurs the Saturday after Thanksgiving and is always highly anticipated. Unfortunately, the outcome is usually the same and my Wahoos just don’t seem to pull through. The upside is that it makes for one happy brother-in-law, who has a crazy love for all things Tech. This family rivalry is of the friendlier sort and game day usually involves some awesome appetizers and a little bit of talking smack. In light of the disappointing game, I opted to play with Kaitlyn and Austin and painted my nails with Andrea. At least the game always gives us a good excuse to get together!
All in all, Thanksgiving 2011 was just perfect.
No comments:
Post a Comment