Thanksgiving: Part Two...the Foothills!

It felt like we literally went from the beach to the mountains. As soon as we got to Hickory, Mimi led us on a adventure through the woods near her house to the park. The girls were like, "where are you taking us?!?". They are not used to mountain hiking, but finally we came to a clearing and they saw their happy place...

Collins enjoys taking candid photos with my phone these days...since most of her shots involve her socks, I was impressed with this one!

Thanksgiving lunch at Mom's was really fun this year. It was a smaller crowd than normal, and we kept busy with seasonal activities like leaf jumping...

leaf-crown-making (Instagram inspiration) and Mimi's Thanksgiving wreath (Pinterest inspiration)....

looking forward to Christmas...

LOTS of eating and gabbing...

and a walk that was not only refreshing but functional (digestion aid!). Mom and Baba put out a very impressive spread this year, and multiple plates were necessary.

Thanksgiving always involves lots of photo attempts...some more successful than others when my children are involved! Thank goodness for Photoshop. :)

Thanksgiving at Pat and Paul's was also smaller than normal, but we had a really good time. Addie put on a display that night doing her new "balance move", showing off her tunes ("Let it Go") and putting us in hysterics with "the face" (shown below). Between her antics, Dad's fancy deviled eggs, Mark's chocolate pie, and a Panthers win (11-0!), it was an entertaining evening.

Collins got creative with sidewalk chalk at Poppy and Nana's house...

and Addie enjoyed pulled every single toy out of the toy cabinet. At one point I didn't know where she went, and I literally followed a path of toys down the hallway and found her hanging out with Poppy in the office. 

Last year, we headed downtown the day after Thanksgiving to make Christmas ornaments. It was really fun so we decided to do it again this year. Brian and Dad are pretty pumped about this new tradition. Lucky for them, lunch at the Tap Room afterwards is also normally involved.

I loved Thanksgiving this year. It seemed very relaxed, and there was lots of laughing and eating. I will remember 2015 as a particularly good one!