A Moveable Feast

This past Thanksgiving, we joined the masses who were traveling home to see loved ones.  We packed up our bags (monkey bag included) and headed off to the airport.  Destination: Jackson, Mississippi, baby.

Fionn and two of his favorite Mississippi folks: Ellie and his Uncle Jay (not necessarily in that order).

Thanksgiving was a bit different for our family this year.  In years past, Thanksgiving meant a visit from Uncle Shelby who always spent the holiday at my mom's house.  This year, his absence was keenly felt by all of us.  My mom, in all her wisdom, thought it would be helpful to shake things up a bit.  You know, do something different instead of the same old holiday dinner at her house.  I think we all wondered if we would be looking over our shoulders the whole time at my mom's house, just waiting for another guest who we all knew in our hearts would never show up.  So what did we do?  We took our show on the road!  To the Jackson Country Club!

Now don't get me wrong.  I was a wee bit worried about the logistics of this plan.  Trying to feed both of our children in a formal dining room sounded...well, like hell on earth.  But, shockingly, it went great.  Deaglan, who has been a TERROR to feed lately due to teething and perhaps a picky palate (not sure yet), was happy as a clam in his little high chair.  No fussing the whole time.  He even munched on some Thanksgiving Day turkey!  (We are trying to do some baby-led weaning for him because he is refusing to eat via spoon).

Fionn, for his part, was very well-behaved and sat in his seat the whole time which is pretty unbelievable for our boy.  And he tried everything on his plate which is all we really ever ask.  And (point of pride) his little outfit from the day came away from the meal with no stains!  No stains.  On Fionny.  Incredible.  Here's a pic of our little group following our ginormous meal at the Club.  I swear I look 5 pounds heavier than I did before the meal.  Dessert table.  Gets me every time.

Of course, we also had some quality time with my Dad and Julie during our visit.  We even took Fionn to his first hibachi grill experience!  After some tears at the beginning (the fire scared him), he was absolutely enthralled.  Cooking right before his nose.  Knives being twirled through the air.  What's not to like?  Methinks we will have to find one in the DC area.

Truly eggceptional presentation, if you will.

 While at Dad and Julie's house, we also got to visit with some extra-special family members on an extra-special day.  Our twin cousins, Sandra and Virginia England, came over to see us -- and it just happened to be their 23rd birthday!  As a result, they were treated to one of Fionn's original birthday scores which I'm sure made their day.  Obviously.

We are officially in the "ham" stage with our Fionny...if it's not obvious.

Speaking of making one's day, listen to what is making me smile these days.  Our wonderful cousin, Karen Brickey, is engaged to be married next Christmas.  We are so excited for Karen and her husband-to-be, Douglass.  We are doubly excited that Karen called during our Thanksgiving visit and asked Fionny to be her ring bearer at the ceremony!  We are beyond thrilled!  And a wee bit apprehensive.  But really...how much damage can he really do during a short walk down the aisle.  Amiright?

All in all, it was a wonderful trip to Mississippi.  It went by way too quickly.  Just like that...we were en route home. 

Probably can't tell from this picture, but we were flying in style on the way home.  Through some weird internet quirk, we got first class seats for our return trip.  And we didn't have to pay a dime extra.  Man, I gotta tell ya.  I could get used to the life of a one percenter.  Not too shabby.  Not too shabby at all.

Until next time, folks...