Thanksgiving at Deep Creek Lake

Thanksgiving with the Kohlers
The weather for Thanksgiving can range from freezing cold to a balmy 70 degrees. This Thanksgiving we experienced both, thanks to the first snowstorm of the season on the busiest travel day of the year followed by 70 degrees to close out the weekend.

This year year we headed to beautiful Deep Creek Lake Maryland to meet up with the Kohler family for the holiday.  This year's house was a lovely place right on the lake.  As always, with each rental we learn something new.  This year we learned that while the lakefront is nice, it usually means a very steep driveway which is not good for snow.  Grandma, Grandpa, and & Uncle Tim learned this firsthand when they had to shovel 7 inches of snow just to get into the driveway followed by a walk down icy steps to access the house.  Grandma decided she was not leaving for the rest of the weekend.

Grandma & her new IPad
The Fagellas arrived Thursday morning thanks to the snowstorm on Wednesday, followed by Uncle Rod and Courtney.  Grandma kept her word (mostly) and did not bring (much) food, leaving it to Theresa and Courtney to take care of.  As always, there were plenty of dessert options for the weekend, including pumpkin pie, apple pie, birthday cake, chocolate chip cookies, molasses cookies, peach pie (for Uncle Tim's birthday) and cheesecake (for Uncle Rod's birthday).  In addition, Courtney made a big breakfast each morning.  We ate well.

Anna and Aidyn had a fantastic time hanging out.  Grandpa brought his train set, which he put together in the living room for them (and Grandpa) to play with.  Thanks to the nine inches of snow, Friday they went sledding.  As always, Grandma always had surprises for them throughout the weekend.  The big hit this trip was the walkie talkies (although Aidyn insisted on using them in the same room with Anna).  They were also thrilled to sleep on bunk beds.  Grandpa supervised this since the room also had a queen bed, so he slept with the grand kids.  By day two, they were in full brother and sister mode, which required some referee work by the parents.
Thanksgiving sledding

We also celebrated Grandma's birthday as well as Uncle Rod and Uncle Tim's birthday.  Grandma was thrilled to get an IPad from the family.  Uncle Rod and Uncle Tim ran and hid when everyone sang "Happy Birthday," a family tradition for them.  Another family tradition was playing cards -- something that Grandpa, Rod, Tim, and Theresa did.  Theresa and Tim remain the "500" champions (we are certain that Great Grandpa was smiling down upon the game with pride).

By the time we left on Sunday, temperatures soared and most of the snow was gone.  It was a balmy 70 degrees when we returned to Virginia.  It was a great holiday weekend.  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for making it possible!


Fund with icicles


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