Thanksgiving 2016 - Our Way

Anna and I started early - oysters and wine on Tuesday eve at Squid's in Chapel Hill, NC.

On Thanksgiving we shared non-traditional Rock Cornish hens and many side dishes with Oma and Opa and Chris and Prem.  Then Anna and I had our second desserts with our next door neighbors and their family.

On Friday, we left to drive to our beach house on the Outer Banks.  The ocean was calm.

https://youtu.be/tqSQzXL8Kw4

Of course, we had to go to Fishheads - the bar on the fishing pier.  This was their last weekend in operation before closing for the season.  It was packed and VERY happy!

https://youtu.be/jeSnNDN5Z04

After staining the deck, this is how we relaxed in the evening.

Cooking Class Adventure

Anna got an anniversary present from Myron - a couples' cooking class at Sur La Table. Fourteen couples had a date night learning to cook an Italian meal: gorgonzola-stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto, pork tenderloin, risotto, and budino (an Italian crème brûlée of maple syrup, brown sugar and egg yolks).  The class was two hours long and the results were delicious!

Family Celebration at OBX

The family assembled to honor Oma and Opa: children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as spouses and significant others.  We all occupied two houses for a week in Nags Head on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  The weather was sunny and warm and the water temperature was warm enough for swimming.  

We had beach wheel chairs for Oma and Opa and fishing gear for Sean and Paul.  We did Happy Hour shrimp and drinks at Fishheads on the fishing pier and arranged catered dinners for the first two evenings together.

Despite people driving and flying in from afar (Vermont, Salt Lake City and Wisconsin) there were no insurmountable travel woes. The photos and videos speak to the fun we all had.

Happy Hour at the Fishing Pier

https://youtu.be/pt5ELa2jciE

Paul Riding a Wave on the Kayak

https://youtu.be/sddVdS2YJvI

Over The Edge

Last weekend Anna and I went to a street fair with Lynne and Jim.  The coolest thing we saw was people rappelling down the 30 story Wells Fargo Capitol Center.  Turns out this is an event in support of the NC Special Olympics.  Anyone who raised $1,000 in donations got the chance to do this.

http://sonc.net/help-to-fundraise/over-the-edge/

Guess who wants to do it next year!

Two Weeks at our Beach House

We had wonderful weather and guests, son Chris and best buds Lynne and Jim.

Short videos:

The Beach - https://youtu.be/FAmZvfrShz8

Anna and Lynne boogie boarding - https://youtu.be/IMoQXp1h18U

Chris tried surf fishing (with one of Sean's rods and reels):

We visited Ocracoke

Goodbye for a while

Vacationing at the Beach House in Nags Head

We're spending two weeks at our beach house.  Son Chris is here with us.  The beach has been sunny and hot and the water has been cold and refreshing.

A sudden squall started in the afternoon and Chris recorded the formation of a waterspout over the Croatan Sound.  The impressive video is about four minutes long.

https://youtu.be/WogC-ofSOR8

Visit to Stowe, VT

We spent five days in Stowe with Liz, Sean and Yulia. Besides excellent eating and drinking, we spent fun time on Sean's boat and did the amazing zip line down Mt. Mansfield.

Watch the videos:

http://ziprider.com/rides/stowe/