Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 - Coming Home

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Steph got Mom and me to the airport this afternoon. Pretty skies for takeoff. 

We were seated over the wing and an engine and had a great view of the nearly full moon. 

We got in around 7 pm. So good to see Dale who met us at baggage clain. Can't believe we're a month away from Christmas. 

Thanksgiving 2023 - The Dinner

 Thursday, November 23, 2023

While Pete contemplates cooking the big dinner. . . 

I opened up a Fresca and sat down in front of the tv. 

Mom enjoyed the sunshine out on the porch. 

I joined Mom outside for a bit and it was particularly pleasant in the direct sun. 

After a bit Mom came back inside and took a little nap. 

Pete had the turkey on the smoker.

I took a little walk before dinner. 

And peeked at the turkey as it was nearing completion. It looked like Pete had it seasoned nicely. 

Turned out the turkey was gonna take a little longer than expected so I poured myself a little whiskey. 

The table was set...

...and I couldn't wait to dig in. 

Family photo.

Dinner was all very delicious.

After dinner we played games, including Pictionary, and had pumpkin pie.

All in all it was a lovely Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving Weekend 2021 - Brewery Hopping

Friday, November 26, 2021

Pete wanted to go on a brewery tour today so we went to a whole bunch of them. Leo met us at the first one for lunch. It was nice to catch up and he taught us a card game called 99 which the kids really liked. 

We went to at least 6 different places. Some were wineries and one was a distillery. 

My favorite drink of the day was a whiskey-bourbon cream drink. 

Pete and Xander played a golf video game at one of the places.

Steph and I got cider slushies at one place. Here Abby pretends to drink Stephanie's slushie so Stephanie and take our picture together. 

The final stop had you pay up front for 32 ounces of booze and then put it on a card you could use to to scan a tap and pour your own drinks.

I started with a strawberry mojito and then tried a beer they carry from Pete's brewery. 

Pete had a friend of his meet us there. Pete and Xander continued to play their golf video game and Pete's friend joined in. Emma and I played darts. 

Thanksgiving 2021 - Dinner Time

Thursday, November 25, 2021

So good to be able to spend some time with the nieces and nephew especially after 2 years (due to the pandemic). Here I am with Emma. 

After a brief phone conversation with Sam we all sat down to dinner. 

So good to have everyone together but I miss Dale. Cherish those around you.

Dinner included turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, bread and more! Of course there was pumpkin pie for dessert. 

Loki sat patiently beside my chair. 

After dinner Xander and Abby played against me, Stephanie, and Mom in a game of Beat the Parents.

Above photo from audubonsociety@instagram. 

Thanksgiving Travel 2021 - Off to See Pete

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Dale dropped Mom and me off at the airport this morning at around 11:00 for our 1:30 flight out to Washington D.C. to visit Pete and family in suburban Virginny. Uneventful flight but that's just fine. 

The plan was for Pete to pick us up but when his car pulled up he was in the passenger seat and Abby was driving (ABBY was driving!). Had corned beef casserole for dinner and then played with the dogs for a bit. Loki (on the left) is about a year and a half old but I'd never met her as this is the first time I've been out to see them since the pandemic began. Thora Peaches (on the right) is sweet as ever. I'm missing Athena intensely so it was nice to have dogs around. 

Stephanie made the kids peach daiquiris (with Sprite instead of vodka). She made one for me too (with cherry brandy instead of Sprite). The were good. The kids used the tiki glasses I bought them a couple years ago and I got the purple pineapple sippy cup. 

Abby and Xander played darts and Mom, Emma, and I played Bananagrams. Quiet, relaxing, laid back evening. Good to be here. 

Holiday Season 2019 - Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving! It was a lovely and wonderful day of rest, food, & family. 

Mom, the kids, and I turned on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this morning and had a fun time with that. 

The winds in New York City were probably the strongest they've ever been on the day of the parade. 

For this reason the balloons had to stay quite close to the ground. 

The ended up being a big advantage because it was easier to see them. 

During commercials I had some holiday magazines to look through. 

Eighties pop queen Debbie Gibson performed.

As did Billy Porter and, of course, many others. 

The kids love Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

And I'm a fan of Sponge Bob Squarepants. 

The kids were tickled to see Santa Claus.

So, I guess we can safely say the holiday season has begun!

Dinner was fantastic. Pete and Steph always do such a great job. 

The only thing that would have made the day better would have been to have Dale with us!