Thanksgiving

On Wednesday after Jeff got off work we headed to West Virginia for Thanksgiving with Jeff's family. The interstate was jam packed as we expected so we took the back way through these little towns. I actually love that way. I am not too up on all of the history in the area but I am learning more and more. Going this way we go through Harper's Ferry. (I have already enlightened you on the history of this place.) The next town you come to is Charles Town. I don't know the history of this place but I do know this for sure. The Rib Room Restaurant there has amazing food. We had no idea what kind of food this place had but we were all hungry and thought what the heck. The food was fantastic. I had the best steak I think I have ever had. We will definitely go back. From there you head into Winchester. This is where Jeff would like to work and live. During the French and Indian War Colonel George Washington had a post here. He frequently traveled between Winchester, VA and Cumberland, MD. Exactly where we were headed. As we traveled the roads I couldn't help but wonder if we were taking the same path George Washington did 253 years ago. (French and Indian War started on May 28 1754. A group of colonial militiamen encountered 30 French troops preparing breakfast near the Ohio River in present day Pennsylvania. When 22-year-old Lt. Col. George Washington ordered his men to open fire on the French, thus beginning the French and Indian War.) I do know Meriweather Lewis traveled at least part of this path as he traveled between Harper's Ferry and Pittsburgh. I also looked in among the trees (You can do that now that there aren't any leaves on the trees. The trees back here are so thick you can't see the forest through the trees). I wondered how George Washington traveled and made it through the trees. I wondered what the journey was like. It took us about 1 hour to make the trip from Winchester to Cumberland. I wondered how many days it took back then. .... Ok I won't bore you any longer with my history thoughts. .. When I got home though I did try to find the route. I found some of it but I don't recognize the names of the towns so I need Jeff's help in determining this.... I LOVE YOU, HONEY. (He is sooo lucky he gets to ride the history/genealogy train with me all the time :-) )

We arrived in Fort Ashby late Wednesday evening. Jeff's sister was in town. Between her family and our family there just isn't enough room at Jeff's parents. Plus I didn't want the babies to keep anyone awake. So we decided to stay in a hotel in Cumberland. Our family is so big now we can't all stay in one room. Soo Corrie Ashlie and Austin stayed in one room. Jeff, Caitlynn, Dalton and I stayed in another.

Thursday we had the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. It was wonderful as were all of the meals over the weekend. Jeff's brother and his family went to his wife's parents for dinner but came over later. The kids spent the time playing games while us Adults spent time holding babies and catching up. No one wanted their pictures taken. My comment was this WILL go out on my blog. So either you smile for the picture or not. It is your choice. So true to my word... here are the pictures of the day. And by the way, I think ALL of these pictures of perfect.... Because it is of family.

Cousins playing games. From left to right. Ashlie, Bryanna(can't see her). Corrie, Austin, Braydon(can't see him) and Josh. Sorry Bryanna and Braydon for my poor picture taking.

Braydon and Austin at their usual dinner spot. The breaskfast bar.

Corrie, Mary Ellen (Jeff's mom and our wonderful cook of the weekend), Jeff, Nelson(Jeff's Dad), Pam (Jeff's sister), Grandma Ginny (Jeff's grandma), Bryanna, Ashlie

Grandma Ginny and Caitlynn. It is so cool to me that Jeff is 44 years old and still has his grandma. Mine died when I was 16 and 19 years old. I sure hope all the great grandkids appreciate the fact they got to know there greatgrandma. I would do anything to know mine.

Jeff's brother, Greg and his wonderful. You are NOT going to take my picture look.

Greg's wife, LuAnne

Their daughter, Kathy

and their other daughter, Tiff. Kathy and Tiff had to work alot this weekend so we didn't get to spend too much time with them. But we are thankful for the times we did get to see them.

Jeff's Sister, Pam and Caitlynn

her son, Brandon with girlfriend Amy. They came from Tennesse late Friday so we didn't get to see them much either. Jeff spent the day with them on Saturday. (That is a whole other blog I am working on. )

Pam's daugher, Bryanna

Grandma Ginny with all the grandkids (Well except for Kathy and Tiff who were working, Jeff's daughter and my stepdaughter, Lauren who stayed home in Virginia because she had to work, and Pam's daughter Brittany who is going to school in Kentucky.)

Jeff's dad, Nelson, holding Dalton.

And again our wonderful hostess for the weekend. Jeff's mom, Mary Ellen. She was so mad at me for taking this picture, but I truly love everything about it. Thank you, Mary Ellen.