The Hazard Chronicles

Thanksgiving. We had big plans to visit family. To see people from both mine and Rachel's side. To be in the car for over 24 hours- though not all at the same time. To eat, drink, and be merry. 

And then we got sick. Not like, super sick. But sick enough that between the driving and the potential for us to spread the bug, we started second guessing our plans. But seriously- what are family gatherings for, if not to spread disease? That has always been the case, right? 

It was a tough decision. In the end, however, we canceled our arrangements, feeling a little bit guilty about doing so, but also feeling a little bit excited about the prospects for a holiday on our own. Thinking back, I do not think I have ever, in my life, spent a Thanksgiving without extended family (with the exception of my time in Brazil). It would be a new thing, and we weren't going to let a little sickness get us down. Just pack a couple of boxes of Sudafed and we're good to go.

As is usual with posts like these, picture captions seem the best format for telling the small stories that follow.

This picture has very little to do with Thanksgiving, but the moment was too good to pass up. Ev has become quite the music buff- especially in relation to the early underground punk scene. I will sometimes try to find obscure songs just to see if she can identify the band. That was the context of the photo.

That night over dinner I mentioned a song that came up on my playlist. I had never before heard it, and I listen to a lot of the same music that she does (or is it vice versa?). Anyway- Ev just looked at me and rolled her eyes. She then digs into her pocket, pulls out a sticker that she just happened to have in her pocket, and throws it down on the table.

Mic drop.

The sticker, of course, was for the band that played my song.

Okay- on to more festive things. This is a day of gingerbread house building with kids and their friends.

The weather has been really nice around here, and we had to take advantage of it with a little bit of hiking. We actually have started doing the  geocache thing. They provide nice destination points and it's kind of fun looking for them.

More hiking

Thanksgiving dinner was super easy. Less than an hour of prep- plenty of food for everyone, and just enough leftovers for lunch the next day. 

We made all the things- though many of them stretch the meaning of home-cooked dinner. I don't think I will ever do Thanksgiving the same again.

Hair dye party

There are a few things going on in this picture that I just don't understand. Let's start with Lindsey's glasses. She doesn't wear glasses. She doesn't need glasses. I have no idea where she got these glasses. But lately she has decided that they are a thing. Second- the crutches. Like with the glasses, nobody in our family needs crutches. In fact, I'm pretty sure that we all did a three mile hike/trail run earlier on this same day. That doesn't stop the crutches from being used constantly though. So weird. And then finally- what is going on with Jackson's feet and the hair ties? Kids are weird. That is all.

We spent a day at the water park at Silver Mountain Resort. Fun times.

The first of many ski pictures this year. We were all so excited to be going up on this day. This season sort of has a soft opening: Technically the resort is open, but for now it's just the beginner run. We are still waiting on more snow for any real skiing to happen. It was also a good chance for us to go up and test our systems and gear.

Gotta' love the magic carpet

Even though the angle was pretty low we managed to find a few side hits to play around on.

Yes, he landed it. Not the prettiest little shifty, but not bad I guess for his first day out.

Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the resort. We spent most of the time gathered around the fire as a family, telling stories and just looking forward to a wonderful winter season.

After church on Sunday we went to Higgens Point to watch the eagles. On a good day you can spot dozens of bald eagles fishing or eating in this area and it is fun to just sit and watch the show. I don't think I'll ever get tired of living here.

Have a good week!