Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Post-Thanksgiving in pictures and words.

We drove to Orlando and stayed at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort right next to Downtown Disney.  The kids are still too small to enjoy road trips the way Lisa and I do; looking for funny sights along the way.  Our latest is a bunch of billboards throughout Florida for a doctor who does vasectomies.  The ad isn't funny, but the picture of doctor - with one big, bushy unibrow is.  In fact its hysterical to think that the last thing you might see before you go under the knife is his eyebrow poking out over the top of his mask.  When you are driving for seven or eight hours you need to make it fun or you can really jeopardize the entire trip.  I am thankful that they boys travel so well and Lisa and I still enjoy the time in the car with them and one another.




The resort had two great pools with slides for the big kids; Lisa, Sam, TJ, and me and a great water play area for Grant.  Since we deliberately decided not to go into any parks (Disney, Universal, or Sea World) making the most out of the resort was key.  In true Disney form, we were able to have a great time with what we were provided.  The pools took up most of our time, Samantha, TJ and I went to the outdoor movie by the pool, and we all walked through Downtown Disney to get dessert at the ever crowded Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop.  In fact, Lisa and I got a nice morning run through Downtown Disney and  Grant even got in his first slide ever and it was a water slide!  I am thankful that we have our timeshare with Disney and the memories it brings.

We came across the Christmas decoration where Samantha had her picture taken in 2005.  It's hard to believe that the little kid from six years ago is this grown, young woman now.  She is TJ favorite and vice-verse.   Whatever bond those two have in their later years will be much stronger than between Sam and Grant.  By the time Grant is TJ's age his big sister will be in college and really turn into a mystery and an enigma who only visits once a year or so.  I am glad the boys have one another but I am even more thankful that Sam has TJ.

TJ got to visit Once Upon A Toy with just his dad as a reward for having dry pull-ups over night for five nights.  This is a big milestone for a child and he deserved something special for working on his "star chart".  He knew just what he wanted and didn't waste too much time locating the Star Wars toys. I see a lot of a young me in TJ; he's happy, funny, aloof at times, a bit of charmer, and 100% kid.  I am so thankful that he is turning into a good boy and great big brother.
 
That was the end of Orlando and we drove out to Homosassa for the rest of the week with Betty. 

Betty is in the process of moving out of her big house and into something more manageable - most likely here in North Carolina.  Lisa and I had our list of chores waiting for us once we unloaded the kids on grandma.   I really don't mind, and actually enjoy being a useful son-in-law, now that my parents have passed.   I thought I might have to take of my mom in her old age but she never got there.  Helping Betty is a close second.

We spent Thanksgiving dinner at Lisa's cousin's house in Clearwater, Florida.  The last I saw many of these people was in 2005 at Christmas time.  Although we are not all particularly close to any of them, we had a really nice time, too much wine, and plenty of food.  Grant entertained everyone with his new clapping trick and big grin.  The magic that boy's smile is how his whole face manages to smile.  His mouth opens, his eyes twinkle and squint, and his nose scrunches up.  It is wonderfully infectious and makes everyone around him happy because Grant will smile at everyone and anyone.

We had some "lasts" on this trip.  The last time we would see manatee from grandma's dock, the last time as a family at grandma's big house, the last time we'd go to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, and probably the last time we'd see some of the family gathered around the dinner table.  Yet, you have to rejoice in all that you have and this year was no different.

There was a lot to be thankful for this year.  In fact - Grant is one year old now!  A blog entry in it own right after his party on Saturday.