The weather was absolutely beautiful while we were at the cabin. It was a bit chilly in the mornings, but then it would warm up enough that you wouldn't need a coat in the afternoon. We had fun walking to the lake, watching the blue heron and turkey vultures fly about, and looking at all of the fall colors that abounded in the trees.
On the beach with my hubby
Sai and Katie in the woods
Papaw and Emmaline
Emmy loved playing in the sand
Sai and Jacob skipping rocks
Every fall, we head to Cowan Lake to spend time with family. One of our staple breakfasts is Buckwheat Pancakes made using my Grandpa Jacob's recipe on a 100-yr.+ iron griddle. After several failed attempts at getting buckwheat flour from Clifton Mill, Mom decided we should take a road trip to Bear Creek Mill. It was a beautiful fall drive as we headed into the country. We took a tour of the mill, got the flour for our upcoming trip, and then headed to Brumbaugh Farm. Nothing says fall like apples, so we bought a bushel of Cortland apples to make applesauce, some cider to drink, and some apple fritters for a snack before we headed home. It was a fun and yummy fall day!
Grinding flour with a mortar and pestle
Ellie loved this cast-iron mouse
Emmaline in the woods
Emmaline models my new scarf from Katie
Dad shows off his mad scarf-tying skills
Jacob worked a puzzle with Mimi
Playing "Candy Land"
Transformers Jenga, anyone?
We spent the remainder of Christmas Day celebrating with my family. For dinner, we ate ham, cheesy potatoes, crescent rolls, veggies, and lots of dessert. Then, we opened presents. The kids were hilarious as they opened clothes, books, games, puzzles, and lots of art supplies. The older two even got excited about spending the giftcards they got. We also celebrated my dad's birthday.
Who can resist this beautiful face?!
One of several drawing books Jacob got
Ellie got another "Fancy Nancy" to add to her collection
Emmaline got a cool drawing pad that makes music and increases tempo while she draws
Katie and I break in her "Office Clue" game. It is very funny, though it would have been more challenging with more people!
Catch her if you can...Emmaline would not slow down to pose for a picture!
Jacob
Gabrielle
Singing with her friends
Jacob has unfortunately inherited my coordination, but he did his best on all the motions
Emmy watches the program from Papaw's lap
Apparently, Jacob should have taken a nap before the program. 
At the end of the program, Mrs. Cathy gave each child a Christmas card to dismiss them from the stage. Jacob waited patiently and was the last name called.
Enjoying cookies at the reception
Ellie looks ready to fall asleep after the long day
We enjoyed a late lunch with my family today to celebrate Thanksgiving. It included the usual fare of turkey, dressing, Blarney stone salad, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and of course, pumpkin and pecan pie.
Andy, Dad, Katie, Nathan, and Mom, the preparer of the yummy feast
My younger sister and brother
Jacob obviously inherited his love of monopoly from his Daddy and is becoming quite good at it. He beat Nathan today and they weren't even playing the Junior version!
After the vans were packed, we took a few last pics. on the picnic table outside. It was only after we got home that we realized the picnic table was on a hill. Oops!
Aunt Katie and the kids
Mimi, Papaw, and the kids
They love each other...really!
