And I have made it to my first school vacation of the year! Just like that! This year, we have the entire week off for Thanksgiving recess, so we kicked off this past weekend in style doing stuff with friends and family AND getting into the festive spirit of things. On Saturday morning, Amanda was out for a long run and Callum just asked on a whim if I could get some of the boxes of Christmas stuff down from the garage attic. Well, low and behold, one thing led to another, and two hours later the Goldsmith house was completely decorated for Christmas (minus the tree, of course). Hey,, why not, right?

On Saturday night we made our way down to LL Bean because everyone knows it is my favorite place in the whole world and I only wear their clothes and use their products! They had, one day before, done their big tree lighting ceremony, so we were there to see downtown Freeport decorated in all her LL Bean glory! The kids love the orchestrated light show that goes off every thirty minutes. It is pretty awesome, I have to say. So here are the kids, all excited for LL Bean Christmas stuff...

On Sunday after church we had an impromptu Hueser-Goldsmith party at our place...an afternoon of smoked bluefish dip (from fish Jake caught this past summer), clam chowder, baked mozzarella sticks, cranberry-orange pie, blondie bars, and lots more. Some air hockey was played, some BALTO (Maira's fave movie of late) was watched, some wrestling was done, and some wood-stove-was-gathered-around for a wonderful time with friends. The Huesers are headed out to their camp on Big Indian Pond for Thanksgiving....that is so awesome!

 

One more cool celebratory note: This past Friday was Callum's big "pack" meeting for all cubscouts (not just HIS den...). He and his buddy Oliver were called up in front of everyone and they were presented with their BOBCAT badges--his very first "earned" badge. Good job Callum! Now he is hard at work at his 'Tiger" badge. Below, his buddy Brock from down the street stands for a picture after the big pizza party...

And tomorrow (Tuesday) we leave to head down to Ledyard for Thanksgiving....looking forward to getting some quality time with my family...