Here’s the holidaze recap: Thanksgiving 2022 and the Christmas tree hunt!
Mom and Dad visit
My mom and dad came for Thanksgiving this year. Mom, as usual, brought Gussie a present: a stuffed fire.
Within minutes he was in puffs…..it happens every time but my mom always acts so surprised!
I forgave him <3
The boys got some presents too!
Date night at Cafe Frank
When my parents come they get us out the door on their first night so we can have a date and have fun with the boys while everyone else is fresh. We never turn down this plan – haha! We made some pizza and sweets for them and headed downtown Frank Cafe for our first visit.
We had wine, sautéed mushrooms and a wonderfully cooked sirloin steak.
And a chocolate bomb for dessert!
Family night at Passiflora
After a day filled with cooking Thanksgiving casserole, playing games, gym sessions, and playtime, we headed again, this time as a group, to passiflora!
Mazen loves nachos
I’ve had this house salad twice and it’s so good and refreshing. And we all devoured chips and queso!
After that we went to Kilwins for ice cream.
Thanksgiving 2022
We started the date with Great Harvest donuts and cookies plus eggs and fruit. And ride a nice chill peloton.
In the middle of the day, we put ourselves in the car. Dad volunteered to get on the back with tagines!
North Garden
Our destination was North Garden to Thomas’s parents’ house where a wonderful table was laid.
And, of course, a children’s table too!

Aunt Leighton made an assorted cheese board that was our “lunch.”

And we were grilling oysters!
Grandpa roasted a turkey – it smells so good!
Family photo taken by Leighton!
We ate when the sun was setting around 5:00
I made my mom’s old brandy sweet potatoes—marshmallows and all! Just the way I like it.
We had a bit of everything classic: broccoli casserole, salsa, mac and cheese, corn pudding, cranberry sauce, and turkey.
Really Turkey!
And for dessert: 3 types of pie pie box. Pecans were my favourite!
Black Friday
Thomas got up and went to the ACAC where they were having a Fitsgiving celebration. I did a short but nice workout and spent time relaxing in the sauna. My mom said “don’t rush” so we went to Juice sink Green smoothies after!
Lunch on a roll
Early afternoon, I dug through our leftovers to make a turkey roll with a few sides.
Watched the World Cup match with a brewing sports beer. This model It is by far my favorite NA beer and it’s still on sale this Cyber Monday!
I had another plate of leftovers before we left for the UVA men’s basketball game! Our first season with the boys. Birch flaunts his tongue rolling skills!
Saturday shopping tree
On Saturday we did some training, had smoothies for breakfast, and then went Christmas tree shopping! I usually don’t like getting my tree up too early, but we’re going next weekend and Mazen is flying the next day, so it was now or never!
We set off to Market in Grelen (Where did we go in 2020) to cut down our tree.
2020:
2022!
After that we went to visit Santa.
2020:
Birch was horrified.
2022:
I’m still terrified!
After we had some snacks, the boys wanted to go to Santa’s sleigh since he’s been home all day. I love the many faces of Birch!
Once home, Birch won the award for “Most Excited About the Christmas Tree!”
Finally, Mazen joined in to hang some jewelry as well 🙂
We finished throwing away leftovers, opened some wine, and played Christmas music for the first time.
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