Thanksgiving in the Mountains

Our family did something a little different this year for Thanksgiving.....we rented a mountain house in the Tennessee mountains!

There were 21 of us in all - it was my whole family plus my aunt/uncle/cousin & her family from Cincinnati - so we had to find quite a large place. Luckily, my sisters are super planners and found a great house in La Follette, TN. Bonus: it was on a lake!

Everyone arrived at different times on Wednesday the 22nd. The Statons from Charlotte and Anderkins/Briners from Cincinnati arrived around lunch time and were the first to explore the property.

 The last time I saw my cousin Betsy (picture on far right, top row), was 4 years ago! (This same group rented a mountain house in Asheville, NC for Labor Day). Since then, there have been a few more kids added to the clan (Otis, Gibson, Charlie Kate, and Nora), so it was fun to finally have all the cousins together!! The kids ages were as follows: 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 2, 2, 10 months, and 3 months.

 Another reason to celebrate was Poppy's birthday!!! He turned 68 and the kids were thrilled to decorate the house, wear party hats, and use obnoxious hilarious blowers.

Aunt Lora & Uncle John gave Abby an electronic drum set for her birthday in early November, and couldn't wait until Uncle John could give her some tips!

THURSDAY

Thanksgiving morning started off right...with mimosas, play time and a long hike!

Nate and Abby cannot get enough of Gibson & his hugs! :)

Abby was a *wee* bit more excited about our hike than Nora. Ha!

The kids loved their bunk bed room! We let the 5 big kids (plus Gibson) sleep in there, and they loved making forts too.

Afternoon snooze

Anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving dinner!

My sisters and my honorary sister/cousin, Betsy

Our view of the lake

THE WHOLE GANG!!! #covepointthanksgiving2017

We had quite the Thanksgiving feast and lots of chefs!

Cleaning crew

The kids were *so* excited to finally try out the hot tub!!!

John is a NUT and decided to take a dip in the freezing lake!

In the kids' words, this was the "perfect ending to the best day ever!" #movienight #popcorn

FRIDAY

Friday morning, the kids had *so much* fun pulling each other around in this blanket! I seriously think they did this for over an hour.

Poppy & Otis

Then, around 10 am, the stars aligned and this was able to happen:

We had girl time in the hot tub without kids!!!

The littles were napping and Charlie & Mike took the big ones exploring/hiking.

Sister walk!

Love this little dude.

Charlie & Mike (and Poppy!)  took one for the team, and took this gang off our hands for awhile

See those little four specs down there?! 

Those are the kiddos skipping rocks. They *LOVED* going down there by themselves.

John put on a (pizza) clinic and made everyone pizza for lunch!

After lunch, while the kids were napping/resting in the bunk room, the oldheads retired to the basement for some quiet time.

I can't get enough of Otis! #unicorn

Bec & Nanny surprised everyone with "Freezing Frogs" shirts!!!! This is from a club/tradition we started in Traverse City, MI long ago, when we would visit my Grandma every summer and jump in the *freezing* Lake Michigan. We decided to induct some new members .....and the rule is, you have to go all the way under for it to count.

Love my crazy family!

So, I am a sane person and decided not to get into the 50 degree water. However, I was in the minority. Look at all of these Freezing Frogs! I am so impressed with all of them - especially Nate & Abby! I thought for sure they would wimp out like I did. 

And no surprise, Nanny was the first one in....

Nora was unimpressed by the Freezing Frogs :)

If you got in the lake, you were allowed entry to the hot tub!

(Poor Mike sliced the bottom of his foot! #crimescene)

Such a peaceful scene.

And so happy to be with my family!

My cousin Betsy French braided Abby's hair (and attempted to teach me). How cute!?

We finished off the night at the fire pit with marshmallows...

SATURDAY

Saturday was my 38th birthday! My mom scared the crap out of and sang Happy Birthday to me in the hallway as soon as I walked out of my room! #creeper

Mimosas & two of my favorites!

My sisters, John, and Greg all made a breakfast feast for my bday!

Standing on the lake's edge, looking up at our house. Those stairs were killer!

Poppy brought lots of fishing gear and all the boys (plus Abby) were in heaven!

Charlie & Charlie Kate

Greg finally tried out the hot tub!!

John & Nate hard at work, squeezing fresh lemons & limes for my birthday margaritas :)

The Iron Bowl (Alabama at Auburn) was on that afternoon, so we had to cheer our team on! #rolltide

Bec & Lora fixed a Mexican feast for my birthday dinner! And the best part....I didn't have to lift a finger :)

Cousin bath!

Seriously, this blue blanket game was their favorite!

Party animal

My favorite - yellow cake with chocolate icing!!

Last but not least, we played Reverse Charades after the littles went to bed.

As usual, Nanny won the prize for most entertaining :)

SUNDAY

Sunday was a sad day because we all had to leave!!

What a great few days though......I loved catching up with my aunt & uncle & cousin, and most of all, seeing all the cousins play together. Special memories!