Today we pack up and head south for the big Thanksgiving adventure. I don’t think of it as an adventure, but my dad called yesterday and said he wanted to chat before we left for our adventure. I giggled like his little girl and then proceeded to bitch about my inlaws. In a really nice way.

Ever since we were married we have traded holidays between my families. We have spent on Christmas at home, when Christmas was on a Wednesday. And last year my side of the family traveled to my house for Thanksgiving. But, for the most part Holiday equals travel in our house.

Visiting Damon’s side of the family is very predictable. Last year things got a bit shuffled when they changed the location from Damon’s grandmother’s to his aunt’s house on Lake Martin (less of a drive for most, a lot more room). But in all, the food is the same, the people are usually the same (give or take a spouse or kid), and the activities are the same.

And we plan on trying to do something about that. We don’t want our son (or nieces and nephews) to just think Thanksgiving is a stepping stone to Christmas (thanks, Pam). And we want the kids to realize there is more to do at their grandparents’ lake house than just watch TV. In the summer it is easier to push them outside with the siren song of swimming and boat rides. In the fall/ winter/ spring it can be a bit bleak, so we need to push their imaginations with outside the box activities. Or at least “turn off the box” activities.

I guess this is where the adventure part comes in. We have activities planned, a few crafts, and a story/ play for good measure. Now to see if the rest of the family is as excited as we are.

Let the adventure begin.