Thanksgiving on Cripple Creek

This year was the first time we were not able to go to Pensacola for Thanksgiving. I know when I was very young (under 10) we spent a Thanksgiving or two in Tennessee, but that was only a vague memory. We had a wonderful time at Cathy's this year, and with my mom visiting us and also coming, it did feel more like Thanksgiving than I thought. In some ways though, it still feels like it didn't happen! We missed out on Joycie's brussel sprouts (my favorite!) and Michael's mom's sweet potatoes (SO GOOD!). But we still had delicious food and family so it was a win!

We decided to start the day off right with a chilly family run. This way we wouldn't worry so much about all the good food we would eat later. We did a 3.5 mile run/walk around the Vanderbilt campus. We saw a few other runners and a few cars, but mostly Nashville (and especially the campus) was dead. It reminded me of walking to church on Sunday mornings in Gainesville. I always loved how empty it was. We made it back just in time for Paul to watch the parade. This year Thomas the Train participated, which of course was a highlight for Paul!

We left for Cathy's around 12:30, and Paul napped on the way. It was still a few hours before dinner when we arrived, so we went on a farm tour with Alvin. We saw cows, goats, pigs, chickens and a cat. Paul was scared but very brave to feed the goats with his hand. One nipped him, but instead of panicking he just said he was all done and ready to go back to the car. He is very good at staying calm. Overall, Paul was fascinated. In fact, when we left later that night, as he was saying goodbye to Alvin, unprompted, he said, "Thank you for showing me the animals."

Cathy with Paul

A mama cow with her newborn calf

The big bull

Many of the calves were running loose across the front yard!

Cripple Creek Farm is a beautiful place!

By the time we got back from our little adventure, the Blankenship family had arrived, as well as Jon, Abigail, Bella and Sadie. By now it was a real party! Even Ovie stopped by, and Mark, Jean Anne, Jan and Addison stopped by after dinner.

These boys are the sweetest! A.B., Paul, William and Sadie

Sadie checking Paul out.

Finally, the main event!

 

Paul really enjoyed playing with his "friends" A.B. and Bella. After dinner, Michael went downstairs to the basement with the kids. They had a karaoke machine and Paul enjoyed singing a few songs into the mic. I heard him singing "Paul Thom-as Rich-a-mon, once upon a time..." But apparently he also sang the first verse of "All About That Bass" as well as parts of "Take Me To Church", "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space". He was a big hit. We finally left around 8:20, maybe a little later than we expected.

 

I played cards with my cousins while Paul and Michael were downstairs. I quickly found out that if you ever skip Jerry, he will have it out for you the rest of the game. Whenever he had a "skip" card it had my name on it. And he wasn't afraid to let me know it. Lesson learned.

Emilie was braiding my hair when someone (it could have been any of them) started calling me "Cousin It". Google it if you don't know what Cousin It looks like. The similarity is striking.

Paul and A.B. kickin' it downstairs.

We had a wonderful time! And the fun felt like it was just beginning, since Carolyn and Felicity would be on their way to Nashville in the morning!