We spent a week in Charlotte, NC for the Thanksgiving holiday where all of Tom's family celebrated the holiday together. Overall the trip was lots of fun and getting Tom's whole family together was a great way to spend Thanksgiving. But on the downside... it was another exhausting (and not too relaxing) trip. When traveling with a baby, everything just becomes more difficult and a little bit more stressful. For some unknown reason, Luke starting waking up twice each night during the trip and since we all shared a hotel room together, when Luke woke up... we all woke up! Earplugs helped Maddie sleep through the nights, but Tom and Angela were up twice nightly. In the end it was all worth it... time with family and Luke got to meet a few more aunts and uncles... of course he was a big hit!
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| Luke is all smiles on the vacation (during the day only)! |
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| Maddie enjoys Lucy (and vice versa) at Aunt Holly's and Uncle Jim's |
As usual we tried to do some unique, fun and exciting activities during our trip. The US National Whitewater Center outside of Charlotte is an Olympic training facility that is open to the public and offers activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, and zip lines.
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| Tom stands atop 40 foot "Mega-Jump" platform |
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| Tom leaps off the platform |
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| Maddie was actually the first one brave enough to experience "Mega-Jump" |
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| Angela temporarily overcomes her fear of heights (and falling) as she "jumps" from the platform! |
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| Maddie and Dad climbing the rock wall |
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| Dad, Mom and Maddie prepare for the zip line |
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| Maddie climbs up cargo net to 35 foot zip line platform |
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| Dad and Maddie wait atop the zip line platform as Angela ascends the cargo net. |
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| Mom and Maddie in mid flight on zip line! |
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| Maddie celebrates her successful landing from the zip line |
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| Maddie and Dad on the ropes course (20 feet above the ground) |
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| Aunt Holly and Maddie on the zip lines |
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| Maddie and Dad return from kayaking |
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| A family photo on the dock |
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| This is not a sign that you see everyday... |
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| Maddie and Dad play with the floating ball interactive exhibit |
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| Maddie examines jelly fish at the science center |
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| Maddie and Mom entering the Fantastic Frogs exhibit |
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| Dad and kids... I love Luke's expression in this one! |
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| A surprise photo catches Luke off guard |
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| Dad and Luke sit in "bear chair" |
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| Maddie and Violet outside water park |
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| Maddie and Mom exit water slide tube |
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| Ready to go again! |
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| Maddie and new friend (Logan) make wolf origami |
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| Little wolves Maddie and Luke |
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| Mom and kids on "ice" sculpture |
A Thanksgiving post wouldn't be complete without a few words of thanks. We are fortunate to have abundant blessings in our lives... not the least of which is our two children - the centers of our lives and our reasons for being. Loving family and friends. Good health. A wonderful home. Financial security. We are blessed indeed and on this day especially, we give thanks!
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| Mimi (Tom's mom) with Maddie and Luke |
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| Mimi can't get enough of baby Luke! |
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| Maddie and Mimi take a break from coloring to smile for a photo |
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| Luke and Uncle Jim (Tom's brother) watch football on Thanksgiving day |
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| Maddie helps Aunt Holly (Tom's sister-in-law) make pumpkin pie |
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| Family photo on the back porch |
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| Happy Thanksgiving |
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