Thanksgiving--OBX II

For Thanksgiving we went with some friends to the outer banks. It was a blast and it was so nice to not have to cook the entire dinner all by myself! (With T's help of course.) We were in charge of the Turkey and stuffing. Thanksgiving day was GORGEOUS. We spent the day on the beach swimming, running, surfing, and playing. It was a little chilly after that, but it was still great to be away. We stayed in another lovely beach house that had 8 bedrooms and 8 baths. It was like staying in our own mini hotel. We ate a lot, played a lot, and just hung out.

We went with six families total, all with children. Savvy LOVES other kids, especially this one, Pacee, who is the daughter of Savvy's babysitter. Pacee, who is 14 months old, gives Savvy hugs at least every 10 minutes and Savvy loves it and is learning to hug back. It was so fun to spend some time with them and it was really fun for me to get to watch Savvy interact with the other kids. We drove to the Currituck light house to check it out. It is a cute red brick one, and totally picturesque. We tried to get a group picture in front of the lighthouse, so we got a big lighthouse and tiny group. Note how green things still are. The climate here is so lovely.

We had the best time spending 5 whole days with Savvy. She seemed to enjoy having us around more than usual. It was a great get-away.

Living away has been so bittersweet for us. We really love it here, but we always feel a pull toward home in SLC. When we first moved here I insisted on calling it "home" so as to not appear to be pining away for the past. I felt defensive about how attached to SLC I have always felt. So I would bend over backward to tell people how much I love Virginia and what a great place Richmond is. After three years I have really developed a love of much of Virginia and Richmond, but the longer I am away, the more strongly I identify my home as Utah and SLC. I think I will always feel like a welcomed guest here in Virginia. As fun as it was to sit on the beach for the holiday, and be away with great friends that we love, I would have traded it in a second to have been home at my Mom's table, watching my Dad carve the turkey wearing his In and Out Burger apron, listening to the Mo Tab, and hoping for snow. I am so thankful for such a wonderful place to remember and to dream about.