Picking a Christmas Tree

The tradition used to be that we would pick up our christmas tree at the Spillman Tree Farm at Thanksgiving when we came to High Point. Then we got it in the mountains for a few years, cutting it right off of one of Fletcher's lots.

This year we decided to go to the Spillman Tree Farm again, at another location since they sold the farm, and run by Fletcher's 2nd cousin (I think?). We hadn't been since it was moved off of their property years ago.

They had it set up really nice, with Frosty and all the Spillman signs. It was a great afternoon and there's nothing I love more than driving down the road with a tree tied to the top of the car.

Thanksgiving Cookie Baking

Thankgiving Weekend

We stayed at Fletcher & Nancy's for the weekend, after everyone went home and it was a fun, relaxing holiday break. There's always something to do at their house, and it's usually things we can't do here in Raleigh: like ride the Gator down through 2 properties to where they're building a new highway. Here's some pictures of our weekend.

Thanksgiving with the Spillmans

I absolutely love it when the whole crew comes into town for Spillman get-togethers. You just could not ask for better family. Nieces and Nephews, Brother and Sister in law's, Mother and Father-in-Law's: this whole crew is a lot of fun when they're all in the same room.

The cousins all play so well together, and it's fun to catch up with everyone. On top of that, there is a thanksgiving staple at the Spillmans: Deviled Eggs. Nancy makes a perfect Deviled Egg. Now, I am still scarred from having two brothers eat all the 'good food' the second it came home, so if there's something I want to make sure I get, I eat it right there on the spot. And now I've married into a family of 3 boys. Three. With big appetites. I have a little tradition of sneaking at least 1 Deviled Egg out of the fridge before meal time. Unfortunately, David (Kevin's oldest brother, and a fellow deviled egg connoisseur) caught me in the act once and so the challenge has been to be even sneakier to avoid his taunts. This proves difficult, but I'm up the the challenge every year. In the picture of David and Nancy, I'd point out how many he has on his own plate, but there's so much food on there you really can't differentiate anything.

The day is full of good food, great family, and it always ends too soon.

Lost Another One!

Cole lost one of his front teeth! I have to admit, wiggly teeth and pulling me out, give me shudders. Kevin, however, loves a loose tooth. Maybe he should have been a dentist, because the only thing he loves more than a loose tooth is pulling it out. Between the two of them, they worked and worked until finally it was out. I love this picture because it captures exactly the way Cole felt when it came out. Ecstatic.

Somewhere in the beginning of this tooth-losing adventure, we decided it was a good idea that the tooth fairy would give Cole $5 for every tooth. That's good money. I might get over my shudders and pull out a few of my own at that rate.

A Moment In The Day (er..Night).

Sleeping kids are so sweet and peaceful. Plus it's fun to do things like put stuffed animals on their heads.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving early this year since Mom & Dad were planning to drive to Texas to visit Micah and Carine. Kevin and I decided it would be fun to host, and the goal was simple and relaxed and it really was that way. Everyone brought appetizers and let the kids play outside. It was a beautiful day. We finished off the evening with S'More's. It was such an untraditional way to spend Thanksgiving, but I really enjoyed the down-played feel of the whole evening and focusing on one another instead of a fancy meal.