Wrapping Up Fall

Although it wasn't official until last week, winter has been here for awhile now.  Freezing temps, bare trees and dark days long ago replaced the colorful leaves and sunshine I loved and appreciated so much in fall.  
Some of my favorite moments from the last bit of fall...

A trip to the coast

Thanksgiving in Eugene 
(first time at home for the holiday since 2009!)

And Thanksgiving round two in Portland

Date nights

Celebrating small moments and big milestones with our closest friends

Welcoming new family

A new season has begun and soon we'll start a new year.  We have lots to hope for and work for in 2014, and lots and lots to be thankful for too.

Thankful, Grateful

So it's a holiday and I'm feeling sentimental. 

It didn't really feel like Thanksgiving when we woke up this morning.  

Could have had something to do with the fact that it was 90 degrees, sunny, and so humid that my hair was a frizzball before we even left our hotel.  Dare I say I am getting tired of warm weather and am ready to put on my Ugg boots and a sweater?  I am sure that two days of Portland rain will cure me of this.  

Speaking of.... 

This is the third Thanksgiving in a row that we haven't been home in Oregon.  Again this year we'll be missing the drive from Portland to Eugene, the appetizers and first dinner with Ryan's family, followed by wine and dinner #2 with mine.  

There won't be pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce or turkey.  We won't be catching up with relatives, watching football on TV or shedding fall boots and scarves at the front door on the way into a bustling house.  This year is even different than the last, or the one before where we've celebrated at "home" in two Busan apartments.

Ok so now I'm tearing up.  It's hard to be away from home, especially during the holidays.

We're sad that we're away from home this Thanksgiving, but we're also thankful.  

So thankful.   
Thankful for the family who love and support us always, for the friends who make time to stay in touch with us from across the world, for the health, the love, and the adventures and opportunities that we have in our lives.

Please eat lots for us today and enjoy the time with your family and/or friends and don't take it for granted.
 

Happy Thanksgiving from our little family to yours.