Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving from the Kingstons, Luceks, and Morrisons. Gavin woke up very early on Thanksgiving day and literally about 10 minutes before our early supper, around 3 PM, he fell fast asleep on the couch - missing the feast and the family photo.

Bristol set the table. She was very helpful and did such a great job. We kept the feast pretty basic this year. My sister brought the rolls and pies, my mom brought the southern-style green beans, and Casey and I were responsible for the turkey and mashed potatoes. 

Sleeping through supper

Earlier in the day my sister and I had a couple of crafty activities planned for the kids. Courtney brought ice cream cones, frosting, sprinkles, and M&Ms for Christmas tree making. Gavin enjoyed dying the frosting and eating the leftover M&Ms, which I thought I had sort of hidden on the other side of the room, behind the easel.

Later in the day, our neighbor Lucy came over and I helped the kids make pine cone bird feeders. The pine cones were a gift from our Nana Cathy all the way in Tennessee! Again, Gavin enjoyed eating the leftover materials.

While the turkey roasted the kids painted and played outside.

Bristol especially loved climbing our trees and being silly with Uncle Casey. Though our visit with the Luceks was brief, we really enjoyed their company and look forward to future family fun.

When we weren't all outside with the kids, the men watched football and sampled home brew. 

The family

Our cherished grandmother (and mother) Mimi passed away Tuesday night before Thanksgiving. About seven years after the death of our Papa, Mimi went to sleep for the last time and joined her beloved husband, daughter, sister, and grandson in heaven. We know they were looking down on those of us still living and smiled as we enjoyed each others company, loved each other genuinely, and shared a meal in their memory and tradition. We miss them dearly and yet are grateful they are together in heaven, as we are together on earth.

Martha Faye Kingston

December 1, 1925 - November 20, 2012

Many blessings to each of you and your families this Thanksgiving weekend. May the holidays be a time of happiness and peace for all of us.

Conversations with my son

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Dragons look like birds."

"You're right, they do look like birds."

"But they are not birds. They are dragons."

I love the way he ponders.

A Holiday Preview...

Christmas cards ordered, check. Now back to writing my Thanksgiving Day menu grocery list. Turkey and pie, oh my! Also, just an FYI, if you order your holiday cards from Shutterfly and then shamelessly promote it on your blog, you receive a $10 discount code for your next purchase. Its a sweet deal.

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Camping in 2012: Lost Maples

Last week we ventured west to Lost Maples, a natural area in south central Texas. I have lots of memories of camping in nearby Garner State Park with my parents. The fall wildflowers were blooming, and the prickly pears were ripe for the picking. We missed the fall show of changing maple leaves by a few weeks, but we were there as a cold front blew in, which made for a perfectly chilly fall camping experience. The first night the wind blew and the temps dropped down into the high 30s and low 40s. We hiked into the primitive campsite, which meant fires are not allowed. Our friends the Woods, Enders, and Jaskulas met us out there. It was a great trip and we look forward to future adventures. 

Prickly pear - Casey's photo

Purple verbena and butterfly - Casey's photo

Agave - one of the many native varieties

Lost Maples, TX hill country

Gavin Mann - 3.5 years old

We camped on the banks of this pond. The ponds and creeks run into the Sabinal River.

Dad and lad on the trail. 

Our campsite

Waiting for our friends to arrive. 

Almost taking a nap. He eventually succumbed to nap time the following day, after a long day hike up the ridge.

Mother and son on the trail.

Playing golf with sticks and seed pods.

Us in 2012.

There were several injuries on this trip. Mom was there with plenty of hugs and kisses to make it all better.

Fall wildflowers.

Mother and Zorro studying the North American reptile and amphibian field guide.

Hamming it up.

The Woods

Denny

Buddies scoping out the dead fish.

Buddies 

Day hiking.

Gavin in a tree.

The Enders 

A lot of our outdoor destinations look the same. The flora and fauna are similar. Texas is quite large and we haven't had the opportunity to travel outside of Central TX very often, aside from our trip to the coast. We do hope to make it out to West Texas, Big Bend and even as far north as Caprock or Palo Duro Canyon. The landscape will be somewhat different, but still very much Texas. 

Halloween 2012

Now that I have a child to share Halloween with it has definitely become even more fun than before, if that's possible. I have so many fond memories of my own mom making Halloween special - the decorations, the homemade costumes, the festivals and trick-or-treating through an elaborately decorated neighborhood, and the annual viewing of the animated Sleepy Hollow.

Gavin is finally old enough to enjoy the festivities and make his own happy memories to recreate for his children. This year we crafted a bit and hosted our second Halloween party. Last year Gavin was sadly the only child at our Halloween Party, but this year we have FRIENDS! Its been so fun to nurture our new friendships.