Thanksgiving Week in Texas

Tuesday, November 22 - Monday, November 28, 2016

The Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving we were up super early to finish packing and then head for the airport in Tampa in going to work traffic.  We allowed a little more time than necessary as we'd never been there before and weren't sure just what the parking situation was and how far we'd have to then go to get to the check-in and gates.  As it was, it went quite smoothly.  There is a huge parking garage on the grounds with a monorail that then takes you to the terminals. Once you check your luggage you go directly to security and the lines were very short there so we were through very quickly.  It was then just a short walk to our gate.  By 1:00 pm Dallas time we were in Janet's car and heading out of the airport.

Since all of the children were at activities we actually had an hour or so to spend with Janet over a huge salad purchased at a local restaurant.  It was so nice to have that little bit of transition time as well as get some one on one time with Janet before the kids arrived home.  From that moment on we were constantly busy doing things with one, two or all three of them.  The weather was excellent so we could be outside and enjoying physical activities.  All three of them enjoyed playing "hockey" in the garage with a small ball,

riding their bikes, scooters and rip-stick up and down the drive around cars and following patterns they drew on the drive way; or bouncing on the trampoline in the backyard.  They really played well together taking real care to include Karsten in all that they did even though he is only 3 years old.

While Karsten was taking a nap, Anders, Dagny and I walked to the local park which is across the main street at the entrance to their sub.  Along the way we watched for acorns and pretty leaves lying on the ground.  Those we talked about using to make a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving Day meal.

At the park they had a great time playing on the equipment often looking like little spiders dashing up and down equipment like this that challenged their skills.

On Wednesday they insisted we had to go to the Timberlake Parks that they said were real close by.  HA!! Not so but they were happy and eager to share their favorite play spots so just pushed and managed to walk all the way there and back.  One park was near the entrance to the sub and the other was way back in to a path that took us through the woods to the play area.

They had fun on the equipment

Finally deciding the stones under the equipment were lots more fun for doing things like burying their legs.

Mom had to work all day in her office at the house so we spent a good deal of time out doors and then on this walk while Karsten napped.  Again we watched for pretty leaves and acorns for our centerpiece.

Thursday morning we worked on the centerpieces.  This is the one that Anders and I created.

Then Karsten and Dagny helped make this one.  Each of them had made a hand turkey the day before, and Dagny had helped draw and cut out leaves using construction paper to make more leaves. In the morning, the three of us hunted for yet more acorns to help build a base in the box to put the leaves and hand turkeys in to. 

Football games, more outdoor hockey, bike riding and trampoline kept the kids busy then as Janet and I worked on the food for the day.  She brined the turkey the night before as we made apple crisp and a coconut merenige pie the night before too.  But we fixed mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans almondine, dressing, cranberry sauce, and mac and cheese per the request of the two younger children.  Jack carved as we finished the last little bit of cooking 

then we could all sit down and enjoy the feast together

Unfortunately as the day progressed I went from feeling great to a scratchy throat and ultimately to sneezing and runny nose.  Darn, I'd caught a cold while on the plane.  So the energy level dropped quite a bit but we still had fun together.  

Karsten loved playing with the little kitchen they have in the playroom as well as putting together some of his newest puzzles that we had sent for his 3rd birthday.  He really is quite good at fitting the pieces together.

Friday, Jorn and Juliett came for a visit with their two children.  We enjoyed pizza together and the kids had a ball playing together.  After they left, we had plenty more play time. but also an opportunity for me to guide Dagny through the process of making Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes - gluten free.  That meant first creating the gluten free flour for the recipe, then mixing the rest of the ingredients after dividing the recipe down by 2/3s thus doing a bit of math.  Once the cupcakes were finished, we had to make the pudding to stuff into them and then the chocolate frosting to put over them.  It kept us busy a good part of the afternoon and into the evening but when were done we had 8 cupcakes we could share with the family for dessert.

On Saturday we all drove over to the Gaylord Hotel to see the ice sculptures that were on display.  Each of us was given a heavy coat to wear in the 9 degree area where they were on display.  The sculptures told the story of Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

The sculptures were amazing.

At the end they had ice slides for the kids to enjoy - even Ken traveled down one of them.

At the very end they had a nativity scene all done in clear ice as well as a huge angel. Awesome!

After Karsten's nap and some more play time, we were off to see a movie at the local theater that includes a grill so you sit in the theater at long table tops, order food, and then enjoy it while watching the movie.  What a neat way to do a meal!!!  

Sunday the family walked to the church, Ken and I drove over.  We had a leisurely day just enjoying playing games (I played Life several times with the kids during our time there), reading books, listening to Anders practice on his trumpet, and so forth.  While Karsten was napping Janet and I even got out to do a bit of shopping at Barnes and Nobel and Target.  By the time we were done I had all the gifts for the children for Christmas.  What a relief to have that done while there so I didn't have to mail them.  I even found time to get them all wrapped so when we left they were ready to go under the tree.

Dagny has been in a "band" playing the keyboard but didn't know how to translate that to the piano so I got stickers at Target and marked all of the basic keys with their names and then printed out a couple of songs for her to practice.

Before we knew it our time was up and we had to quickly pack bags and make a run to the airport on Monday morning right after the kids left for school.  We spent a good deal of time in the airport as the plane was late, then there were no flight attendants as they were stuck on a plane that was diverted to Austin.  We changed gates and waited some more but finally got on a plane about 4 hours later than originally planned.  Still we were on and heading home getting into the airport around  6 pm.  By the time we drove back to Zephyrhills all we wanted was a bite to eat and then bed.  Panera proved to be a good spot to stop before completing the trip home, unpacking and then crawling in. 

It as a great week but it felt good to be back in our own bed!