Here’s a recap of our holidaze: Thanksgiving 2022 and Christmas tree hunting!
Mom & Dad’s Visit
Mom and dad came up for Thanksgiving this year. Mom, per usual, brought Gussie a gift: a stuffed campfire.
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Within minutes it was in puffs….. This happens every single time yet mom always acts surprised!
She forgave him <3
The boys got a few gifts too!
Date Night at Cafe Frank
When my parents come they shoo us out the door on their first night so we get a date night and they get quality time with the boys while everyone is fresh. We never refuse this plan – haha! We set them up with some pizzas and desserts and headed downtown to Cafe Frank for our first visit.
We had wine, fried mushrooms, and amazing perfectly cooked sirloin.
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And a chocolate bomb for dessert!
Family Night Out at Passiflora
After a day full of Thanksgiving casserole cooking, toy playing, gym sessions, and playground time, we headed out again, this time as a group, to Passiflora!
Mazen loved his nachos
I have had this house salad twice and it’s so good and refreshing. And we all devoured the chips and queso!
Afterwards we went by Kilwins for ice cream.
Thanksgiving 2022
We started the date with donuts and Great Harvest muffins plus eggs and fruit. And a nice chill Peloton ride.
Mid-day we stuffed ourselves in the car. Dad volunteered to get in the back with the casseroles!
North Garden
Our destination was North Garden to Thomas’s parents’ house where a gorgeous table was set.
And naturally, a kids table too!
Aunt Layton prepared a diverse cheese board which served as our “lunch”
And we had roasted oysters!
Grandpa grilled the turkey – it smelled so good!
Family Photo Shoot by Layton!
We ate just as the sun was setting around 5:00
I made my mom’s old fashioned brandied sweet potatoes – marshmallows and all! Just the way I like ’em.
We had a little bit of everything classic: broccoli casserole, dressing, mac and cheese, corn pudding, cranberry sauce, and turkey.
Turkey indeed!
And for dessert: 3 kinds of pie from The Pie Chest. The pecan was my fav!
Black Friday
Thomas and got up and went to ACAC where they were having a Fitsgiving celebration. I did a short-but-sweet workout and spent time relaxing in the sauna. Mom said “don’t rush back” so we went to The Juice Laundry for green smoothies after!
Lunch on a roll
Early afternoon I dug into our leftovers to make a turkey roll-wich with a few sides.
I watched the World Cup game with an Athletic Brewing beer. This style is by far my favorite NA beer and is still on sale for Cyber Monday!
I had another plate of leftovers before we left for the UVA men’s basketball game! Our first of the season with the boys along. Birch showing off his tongue rolling skills!
Tree Shopping Saturday
On Saturday we did some workouts, had smoothies for breakfast, and then went Christmas tree shopping! I normally don’t love getting my tree soooo early, but we’ll be gone next weekend and Mazen is traveling the next, so it was now or never!
We drove out to the Market at Grelen (where we went in 2020) to cut down our own tree.
2020:
2022!
Afterwards we went to visit with Santa.
2020:
Birch was terrified.
2022:
STILL TERRIFIED!
After we had some snacks, the boys wanted to go to Santa’s sleigh since he had gone home for the day. I love the many faces of Birch!
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Once home, Birch won the prize for “Most Enthusiastic About The Christmas Tree!”
Eventually Mazen joined in to hang a few ornaments too : )
We finished off our leftovers, opened some wine, and turned on Christmas music for the first time.
