I had so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. For invaluable time and memories with my family, for amazing vacation home rentals in Seaside, Florida courtesy of my generous sisters, for the beautiful weather, for Margo travelling like a true dream and so much more!
Thanksgiving at the beach has been a slowly evolving tradition in my family. We all love the beach and I must say that the white sandy beaches of the emerald coast are hard to match. Cary and I last spent Thanksgiving in Carillion Beach in 2007, so it had been four years and we were so thrilled to be able to go this year! Seaside was the neat little destination this year with amazing homes, a precious town center complete with great food, homemade gelato, art galleries and neat shops. All were within one short block of our house, along with the private beach, just steps away, and it made for a most magical time!
I was so nervous about Margo traveling because she has not been the most adaptable baby, but I also have not given her many opportunities to adapt. Our flight to Florida was a few hours delayed and she waited so patiently at the airport. She conked out the minute the plane took off and there was not one tear! I think mommy and daddy were more exhausted and hungry than she was. This was only her 3rd or 4th time to sleep in the pack-n-play and the first day she cried, but went right down for naps and bedtime the rest of the trip—a dream I tell you! She played beautifully with her cousins and was a bit attached to mommy, but was perfectly comfortable on her own the last few days. She tried new foods, ate well, laughed, smiled and hugged everyone. I am so impressed with my sweet girl and I must say, I think she benefited enormously from this adventure!
Margo did, however, HATE the sand… I mean HATE it! My girl is not a crier, but boy she cried on that sand. She did not want one single toe in it, which was disappointing but also not surprising. She was mesmerized by the water and I think will be a much happier baby on the beach next time. I might add, she did have a few meltdowns when she was over tired and she could not handle our special dinner out on the last night, but all-in-all she did awesome and I am happily surprised at it!
Our week consisted of lots of wonderful food and our Thanksgiving dinner was to die for! Alan made his famous beef tenderloin that is better than any high end steak house, we had smoked turkey, tons of delicious homemade sides and yummy desserts. Wine was aplenty and Thanksgiving day felt wonderful and safe and comfortable… it felt like family… at its best! We played Balderdash—a definite new favorite of mine, watched The Grinch in the town center, shopped, saw a Christmas parade with Santa and my favorite…lots of chatting with my beautiful family! The days were beautiful sunny and warm enough for a swimsuit. Margo loved walking the trail between our two beach houses and found many treasures along the way—flowers, sticks, rocks and seashells. Her favorite thing was all of the ceiling fans going around on the porches—pure fascination! On the last night of our trip, we also went on a fiercely competitive crab hunt. We divided into three teams in the freezing wind with GIANT waves (there was a rough waters advisory) and had a blast. I was terrified of the crab and refused to do anything other than carry the flashlight, they were huge, Cary got pinched but was a trooper, Morgan (my niece) was a pro at trapping them and Shannon (my sister) was brave enough to pick them up in the net. The stars were the best I have seen in years and I must say I am pretty sure our team won fair and square. Seeing my niece, Caroline’s, excitement over the whole thing was priceless. I splashed wine all over myself, ruined a jacket, stained my face—all too funny!
Margo also got to meet her cousin, Lucas, for the first time. They were born only a month apart and I have been so anxious to get them together. Funny thing is, they could really care less about each other. They played on their own and shared a babble from time-to-time, but for the most part it was as if they didn’t really know the other was there. Nonetheless, I loved seeing them together and on the last day they finally connected. I missed seeing it, but am sure as the years go by they will become wonderful buddies and I am so glad Margo has a cousin near her age since my sisters are so much older, as are their kids.
There is nothing greater on this earth next to God than family and I must say, I have an incredible family! Each member of our clan brings something special and unique to the mix. This week I tried to sit back and soak in the family experience when I could because moments like these are too few and far between. There is also an empty space in our family that I really yearned for Thanksgiving week. Last time we were in Florida, my brother-in-law, Randy, was there. His birthday was on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and his lack of presence was definitely felt. He had a true vigor and zest for life, yet while his physical person is no longer here, I see his beautiful spirit in each of his amazing children. Losing someone you love so much makes you want to hold on a little tighter, remember to stop and smell the roses, appreciate and love everyone even in all their flaws and quirks. Family makes the world go round, not work, not possessions, not money or other vices because family is love in the purest and truest form. Our little Margo added a whole new dimension to our family at Thanksgiving this year and I am most thankful for her and the many new adventures we have to look forward to in the future!
Thanksgiving at the beach has been a slowly evolving tradition in my family. We all love the beach and I must say that the white sandy beaches of the emerald coast are hard to match. Cary and I last spent Thanksgiving in Carillion Beach in 2007, so it had been four years and we were so thrilled to be able to go this year! Seaside was the neat little destination this year with amazing homes, a precious town center complete with great food, homemade gelato, art galleries and neat shops. All were within one short block of our house, along with the private beach, just steps away, and it made for a most magical time!
I was so nervous about Margo traveling because she has not been the most adaptable baby, but I also have not given her many opportunities to adapt. Our flight to Florida was a few hours delayed and she waited so patiently at the airport. She conked out the minute the plane took off and there was not one tear! I think mommy and daddy were more exhausted and hungry than she was. This was only her 3rd or 4th time to sleep in the pack-n-play and the first day she cried, but went right down for naps and bedtime the rest of the trip—a dream I tell you! She played beautifully with her cousins and was a bit attached to mommy, but was perfectly comfortable on her own the last few days. She tried new foods, ate well, laughed, smiled and hugged everyone. I am so impressed with my sweet girl and I must say, I think she benefited enormously from this adventure!
Margo did, however, HATE the sand… I mean HATE it! My girl is not a crier, but boy she cried on that sand. She did not want one single toe in it, which was disappointing but also not surprising. She was mesmerized by the water and I think will be a much happier baby on the beach next time. I might add, she did have a few meltdowns when she was over tired and she could not handle our special dinner out on the last night, but all-in-all she did awesome and I am happily surprised at it!
Our week consisted of lots of wonderful food and our Thanksgiving dinner was to die for! Alan made his famous beef tenderloin that is better than any high end steak house, we had smoked turkey, tons of delicious homemade sides and yummy desserts. Wine was aplenty and Thanksgiving day felt wonderful and safe and comfortable… it felt like family… at its best! We played Balderdash—a definite new favorite of mine, watched The Grinch in the town center, shopped, saw a Christmas parade with Santa and my favorite…lots of chatting with my beautiful family! The days were beautiful sunny and warm enough for a swimsuit. Margo loved walking the trail between our two beach houses and found many treasures along the way—flowers, sticks, rocks and seashells. Her favorite thing was all of the ceiling fans going around on the porches—pure fascination! On the last night of our trip, we also went on a fiercely competitive crab hunt. We divided into three teams in the freezing wind with GIANT waves (there was a rough waters advisory) and had a blast. I was terrified of the crab and refused to do anything other than carry the flashlight, they were huge, Cary got pinched but was a trooper, Morgan (my niece) was a pro at trapping them and Shannon (my sister) was brave enough to pick them up in the net. The stars were the best I have seen in years and I must say I am pretty sure our team won fair and square. Seeing my niece, Caroline’s, excitement over the whole thing was priceless. I splashed wine all over myself, ruined a jacket, stained my face—all too funny!
Margo also got to meet her cousin, Lucas, for the first time. They were born only a month apart and I have been so anxious to get them together. Funny thing is, they could really care less about each other. They played on their own and shared a babble from time-to-time, but for the most part it was as if they didn’t really know the other was there. Nonetheless, I loved seeing them together and on the last day they finally connected. I missed seeing it, but am sure as the years go by they will become wonderful buddies and I am so glad Margo has a cousin near her age since my sisters are so much older, as are their kids.
There is nothing greater on this earth next to God than family and I must say, I have an incredible family! Each member of our clan brings something special and unique to the mix. This week I tried to sit back and soak in the family experience when I could because moments like these are too few and far between. There is also an empty space in our family that I really yearned for Thanksgiving week. Last time we were in Florida, my brother-in-law, Randy, was there. His birthday was on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and his lack of presence was definitely felt. He had a true vigor and zest for life, yet while his physical person is no longer here, I see his beautiful spirit in each of his amazing children. Losing someone you love so much makes you want to hold on a little tighter, remember to stop and smell the roses, appreciate and love everyone even in all their flaws and quirks. Family makes the world go round, not work, not possessions, not money or other vices because family is love in the purest and truest form. Our little Margo added a whole new dimension to our family at Thanksgiving this year and I am most thankful for her and the many new adventures we have to look forward to in the future!
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