The Holidays: Part 1

It's two days after Christmas and I'm posting Thanksgiving. In my mind, celebrating Thanksgiving without tying it to a spiritual meaning seems strange, so I'll generalize the season as two months of general gratitude, family and fun and then feel better about myself! We hope each of you had as blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving as we did. 

Here are the details:

We rolled into Ithaca, NY just as the most beautiful snow began to fall. It actually felt more like Christmas since the entire town had slowed down and was blanketed in a white sheet of fluff.

We left at 4am. Made it into Ithaca in 8.5 hours with time to check-in, swim and then meet Nana at Ciao's for an amazing dinner and birthday celebration for Ryan. The pics above show the kids the morning after playing with the art supplies and crafts she got them. (And the newest addition to Elise's pound: Harper...a replica of Uncle Billy's dog.)

We spent hours in the pool just about each day. Elise even took to the water, though I think it's only because she got to wear this sweet get-up. Last year, Ry could not touch at the deep end of the tiny pool. Not so much this year :)

The next Phelps = Intensity.

This entire set was too cute not to publish. Please indulge.

Thanksgiving Day was spent with Max's Dad and Patti's side of the family. We had a blast with everyone. 

The highlight of the entire trip for the kids was getting to be around "Baby Trevor"! The three cousin's play together really well and love each other so much. Seeing this little guy grow up from a far is one of the heart-breaking aspects of living in Michigan. Thankfully we've had three visits to Ithaca this year, so as he gets older, hopefully he'll remember us!

Billy, Trev and his uncles having some guy time.

On Friday, Billy and Emily hosted us for a Thanksgiving feast with Max's mom. We had a great time playing, eating and watching football...because that's what Kerry's do on holidays. Ok, that's what Kerry's do just about every day.

Check out those blue eyes!

Elise refers to Trevor as "My Baby." She loves him so much and is really maternal with him (even though she only out weighs him by three pounds.)

We wrapped up our Trip with a Saturday n dinner of homemade everything back at Bill and Patti's. It is so nice to visit and just have a normal dinner like we live there all the time.

Patti and Emily enjoying bath-time in the kitchen sink with the little man.

How many Kerry's does it take to make Homemade Ice Cream? You'd be shocked if I told you. This picture does not tell the entire truth.

Before leaving we had to get a trip to the Ithaca Bakery in. No trip is complete without our favorite sandwiches and a meal with Nana!

"To Ithaca with love." - Elise