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We’re still in Atlanta, GA. Recovering from our Christmas travel and Andrew from a little bug. Christmas in California was wonderful, a bit hectic at times but totally worth it. We threw together a last-minute party for my dad who is turning 75 this month! Ingrid and I stayed with my sister Tana and her boys and we cooked, had dinner parties, and just enjoyed each other’s company for a couple of weeks. Ingrid got to play with her cousins whom she adores. And we saw Grandma and Grandpa every day. Pretty much just what I wanted to get out of our trip, we got. I wish there was more time to visit friends too but we just couldn’t squeeze it in.

When we got back to Atlanta, Andrew had set up a cozy Christmas surprise for us. The RV was decorated with beautiful paper snowflakes, about twenty in all, each a unique and intricate design. And the best part- a crackling fire! He’d built us a miniature fireplace, hung and filled stockings for us, and even put a completely realistic iPad fire in there! I’ll have to dig up a picture later. It was super amazing and we had a hard time taking it down a few days ago. (The snowflakes are still up.) I want to photograph each one because they are so beautiful.

For Christmas, Ingrid got some Harry Potter Legos, a real porcelain flower fairy tea set, lots of books, a jewelry box, some clothes, and Harry Potter candy. Also a flower making kit, magic kit, harmonica, and a claymation set. Mommy got a new BBQ(!!!), some jammies, earrings, a knitting calendar, and some kitchen goodies. Andrew got some GoPro accessories, zombie comic book, and Star Wars audio drama.

Soon we’ll begin the drive to Florida for Christmas Part II with Grandma Pam and Grandpa Mike. And Mickey :)

The photo of Pluto below is him showing the dogs a new trick- batting at ornaments to knock them off the tree. The dogs didn’t know what to make of it. Pluto and the dogs have gotten on good terms again, thankfully. Otto is back to giving Pluto licks in the morning (which Pluto hates).

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Today, Cinnamon proposed to Lauren! The were married and now have 3 beautiful children: Monk, Snow White, and Teddy Teddy.

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We’ve just arrived at our pretty little camp spot in Asheville. There is a tree right outside our window that all sorts of autumn colors. It’s a beautiful place to spend Thanksgiving.

I have just decided to give Ingrid and I this week off from school : ) !!! I love being a teacher, but it takes up the majority of my day and then I have to scramble to squeeze in everything else. A break will be wonderful.

These pics are from the past couple of days. Ingrid and Peach both got new hats, as I was suddenly in a knitting mood again. There are some robots that Ingrid and Andrew made together. The little hangers were made by Ingrid one day after she saw a pattern my mom had sent us.

Ingrid earned her 7th Junior Ranger badge yesterday, at Smoky Mountains National Park. Even though she enjoys completing the Junior Ranger activity book, she’s been reluctant lately to turn in her work and get the badge, because the rangers usually grill her on the information, and the one yesterday was pretty tough on Ingrid. Fortunately though Andrew had bought a little surprise for Ingrid for when she got her badge, so she was motivated to go through with it (see “Pigwidgen” the little owl below). She passed with flying colors and I could see that she was proud of herself afterward.

We didn’t spend much time in the park, just one long afternoon riding the tandem plus a couple of hours the following day, but ironically we got stuck on a crazy twisty little road today on our way out, and got to see more of the backcountry! Ingrid really enjoyed walking through the 100+ year old cabins and churches that were scattered along the bike ride. And I felt happy to be on the bike again, riding through the peaceful little hills and valleys of the Smoky Mountains.

We are fully into Harry Potter still, in the midst of the 5th book. Ingrid has taken to writing with a quill that she made from my peacock feather (see below). We look for excuses to go out in the car so we can listen to the book. I don’t know what we’ll do when we’ve reached the end of the series… Ingrid says we’ll do it all over again!

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