Thanksgiving in South Carolina was wonderful. The food, the relaxation, the visiting, the sightseeing - it was all really nice. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Paul worked so hard - on the food and everything, and it was delicious!!
We got to Uncle Paul's house on Thursday afternoon (Thanksgiving Day). That night we had a huge, very-American, very-delicious meal!
We got to Uncle Paul's house on Thursday afternoon (Thanksgiving Day). That night we had a huge, very-American, very-delicious meal!
Uncle Paul always makes 2 turkeys: one fried and one smoked. And they're always SO good :)
There was also mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, dressing (stuffing), and so much more.
Aunt Bonnie made a super yummy punch (as well as most of the other food!) She worked so hard and made the holiday so enjoyable (and scrumptious!)
Expert turkey pickers: Uncle Paul and Dad. (in the background -left to right- Amber, Katrina, Aunt Bonnie holding Evan)
Katrina and Aaron looking through Black Friday sale flyers. He and Briana were the only ones brave enough to battle the crowds at 3 a.m.!
Karissa and Evan
Amber and Philip lil cutie :)
Kaleb and I play 'Snackopoly" which is the Little Debbie version of Monopoly (Uncle Paul works for Little Debbie). It's a cool rendition. Instead of railroads there are warehouse, and your little playing pieces are Little Debbie cakes instead of thimbles or irons!
Aaron, Brianna, and Evan. Evan loves "Uncle Pete (Aaron) and Bri!
Me, Evan, and Karissa
Dad and Uncle Paul putting the final touches to Uncle Paul's Christmas tree. Karissa and Briana did Uncle Paul's Christmas decorating on Saturday. I love Uncle Paul's tree: it's pre-lit, has little red berries, and pine cones already on it! It's beautiful. It's the only tree that can look pretty with white tinsel (in my opinion!)
Karissa decorating U. Paul's tree.
On Saturday, we went to the Charlotte Speedway to see a ton of Christmas lights. It was really neat. You could get a ride in these carriages....but this pictures is hiding the prettiest part: the horse!
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| Aaron, Kaitlyn, Briana, and Uncle Paul |
Also at the speedway was a "synthetic ice rink" The rink was made out of these huge things that looked like puzzle pieces. Dad said it was Teflon or nylon or something. Anyway it wasn't cold (which is the part I hate most about ice skating). We used regular ice skates; it was pretty cool!
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| Briana, Aaron, and Uncle Paul |
We used regular skates, but the "ice" was kinda hard to skate on sometimes. It had a few little places were somebody's skate had dug into it and those place sorta tripped you up.
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| Aaron, me, Briana, and Caleb |
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| Uncle Paul, Briana, Caleb, Kaitlyn, and me |
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| Kaitlyn and I |
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| Katrina |
Katrina took off right away and had a blast.
This mad was selling and making candles right in his booth at the speedway. He dipped the candle in one color of hot wax a certain number of times then dunked it in cold water, then in a different color wax.
When he was finished dipping the candle in wax, he started sculpting it right away while the wax was still warm and pliable.
He had it down to a science.
By the time he was done, the last layer of wax left was so thin that the light from the wick glowed through!
There were tons of different ones, but most had a similar pattern to this one.
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| Kaleb |
Kaleb liked the stock cars at the speedway
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| Aunt Bonnie, Kaitlyn, Briana, Katrina, Uncle Paul, Dad, and Kaleb |
There were fire pits out side the building with the "ice rink" and people selling s'more kits. Aunt Bonnie bought all of us marshmallows to roast.
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| Kaitlyn, Aunt Bonnie, me, Briana, Katrina, Uncle Paul, Kaleb, and Dad |
Roasting marshmallows. It was really really cold that night!
In side one of the other buildings, there were two ladies braiding hair. Karissa is always the one that fixes everyone else's hair, so mom treated to a hair-do. This girl was SO fast, it was incredible! They had dozens of different braids and styles to choose from.
She had Karissa's hair done in five minutes (or less!)
It turned out so pretty - with the glitter and little flower accessories!
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| Katrina, Aaron, Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Bob, me |
Another treat from Aunt Bonnie! She bought enough fudge for everyone to have several pieces.
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| Briana, Katrina, Caleb |
There was a little petting zoo type thing we walked through at the speedway. Mostly there were goats, but sitting in the middle were a few big old turkeys... holiday survivors!
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| Katrina |
The goats were very friendly
This part of the light show was the best. There was a certain radio station you could listen while touring the light show and the music on there was synchronized with this part of the exhibit. The lights would flash and blink in time with the music. It was awesome!
Pretty much all of my pictures of the lights turned out blurry because I took them while we were driving.
Pretty much all of my pictures of the lights turned out blurry because I took them while we were driving.
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| Uncle Bob, me, Karissa, Aunt Bonnie, Mom, Kaleb, Dad, Kaitlyn, Aaron, Katrina, Uncle Paul, Briana, Caleb |
A passer-by offered to take a group picture.
More pictures of Karissa's hair.From the side...
....from the front...
....from the top....
...from the other side! It stayed in very well.
Sunday we went to Blessed Hope for church and to Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Bob's for lunch. Aunt Bonnie made a delicious ham with a peanut butter glaze. Sounds unique, but it tasted really good :)
Now we can't wait to see all of them again this week. We're having the Wagner family Christmas on Thursday! We'll miss having Aaron, Amber, Philip, and Evan here.
God Bless,
Kelley
Sunday we went to Blessed Hope for church and to Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Bob's for lunch. Aunt Bonnie made a delicious ham with a peanut butter glaze. Sounds unique, but it tasted really good :)
Now we can't wait to see all of them again this week. We're having the Wagner family Christmas on Thursday! We'll miss having Aaron, Amber, Philip, and Evan here.
God Bless,
Kelley
