How many times do you have to do something before it is a tradition? I'd saying going to Talkeetna for the third year in a row might qualify. There's just something about not having to cook and clean that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Ha! I even managed to plan far enough in advance that we booked the Museum Apartment from the Roadhouse. Having a bathroom that doesn't require walking through the snow is a big selling point over the Little Cabin Out Back! (Especially since we are in the midst of potty training the eldest!)
We made sure to plan out a Skype session with the family back in Dallas. Thomas managed to get up from his nap just in time to say hello to everyone before they scattered to pick up kids and watch football. Notice how Henry is trying to eat one of the cables his dad just finished putting together (I wasn't kidding about him being part-goat).
The Roadhouse put these super cute signs on all of the napkin bundles. I was pretty excited about the one I got. I am thankful for ice cream! One of the best inventions I know of!
Pretty thankful for family too though! Finally got a photo of his teeth he busted through a few weeks ago. The upper ones aren't far behind, you can see them heading down from his gums. To be honest, I would probably never have noticed if the pediatrician hadn't pointed it out - I did miss the first teeth in both of my kids. Good thing I have helpful daycare teachers who point teeth out to me... "/
Thomas wasn't too sure about the family style Thanksgiving. I staked out our seats early so we would be on the end and not in the middle of the table just in case we needed to make a quick escape. And he got new glasses! They are a bit too big, so he they are generally resting on the end of his nose. He's quite adept at pushing them back up and refuses to wear his old glasses once he put the new ones on. He'll grow into them!
I thought having his own plate and utensils would make him more likely to eat with us instead of refusing to try anything but bread. It was moderately successful, he ate mashed potatoes as well as bread. Sigh...
I also staked out the location closest to the toy shelf so when he was done sitting with us, he could go over and play while I could keep an eye on him. What is it about unfamiliar toys that is so exciting? He carried that pink scooter around the whole time we were in Talkeetna. I had to sneak it away from him to put it back where it belonged before we left!
Good thing Thomas was distracted since Henry stole his spoon. Trust me, that would not have been acceptable. But Henry pretty much wants whatever his brother has. I remember that feeling a lot as a kid. It's hard to be the younger sibling!
Speaking of siblings, we had most of the same crew as last year. Given the -20 degrees it hit last year, my dad refused to come back. But he didn't mind that Mom came to stay with us. And it didn't get below 20 this year. Woo-woo!
This was the best photo we got of Matt and I. *sigh* Sometimes we aren't the most photogenic couple in the world (though to be fair, the photo is a little focus-challenged). That's ok, we have other strengths. For instance, we make a great tag team with Saturday morning breakfast! And you should see us mastering the two kid bedtime routine...! : )
This is pretty much how we all felt after the awesome meal, but unfortunately not all of us can just fall asleep wherever we want. Man he looks so cozy in his fleece vest laying in that soft bedding. Not going to lie, I was pretty jealous of his snooze-fest. I was on toddler duty and he took his nap pre-turkey and was not at all tired. Boo!
Thanks again to the Roadhouse for another wonderful Thanksgiving dinner (plus two awesome breakfasts!). I never get tired of hanging out at my favorite stop in Talkeetna. : )