Thanksgiving

We were happy to be able to spend Thanksgiving with family in Black Mountain. We have much to be thankful for.


Confidential to Aunt Jane: If your friends start asking about strange emails you've been sending, you can refer them to this picture.


The weather was beautiful. We planned to hike up Lookout Mt. on Friday, but were dissuaded by signs in Montreat warning of an aggressive bear sighting and the beginning of hunting season. So we did the American thing and shopped instead. The kids were very excited when this swan headed straight for us.






We got this "bike guy" for Milo at Ten Thousand Villages. Milo put quite a few miles on him.

Lucky dog Roxy got to come along on this trip. She was in heaven, getting to be near everyone, eat Thanksgiving scraps, and play with Laura's dog, Sandy.


On Saturday we went to the Folk Art Center. This wood turner made a top for Lucie.




By a crazy coincidence, we ran into Zoe's family here. We took a short hike with them along a portion of the Mountains to Sea trail, which intersects with the Folk Center parking lot.


Banana splits!






Don't worry -- Mom helped him eat it.

Thank you, everyone. We had a great time and hope we see you again soon.

Bowling and birthdays

Lucie went to a bowling birthday party on Saturday. She bowled a 74 (with the bumpers in).




Ethan likes Milo.


Each child had their own bowling style. Max's was to fall to his knees and skid. Lucie's was to walk to the end of the lane and lob the bowling ball like a shot put.




Saturday was also Daddy's birthday. He cooked delicious veal shanks and risotto for his family and friends. Here we've just finished the chocolate cake course.

One random note. As I counted out the candles for Chris' cake, "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven" (a nice divisor of 42), Milo kept going, "eight, nine." Who knew he could count?