A Very Tebo Thanksgiving - November 23-30, 2011

Departing the ferry docks in Seattle

Tebo family in Dubai, Thanksgiving 2010@ my place

It was a rainy arrival into Seattle and then my first ferry ride. Arriving in Bremerton I drug my luggage up the landing area I saw the ever smiling Toby Tebo waiting for me. It was so great to see him again; even though it had only been five months it felt like forever since I had seen the Tebo family.

The Tebos keep a busy schedule and since it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (a teacher's party day) Deb and I celebrated by heading to Bingo. Everyone won (even if it was just cuz we were sitting next to a winner) and I got to meet her mom and sister. It is strange with overseas friendships, we don't often meet extended families so it was great to spend time with both Toby & Debbie's families.

Thanksgiving with both sides of the family

Deb and Toby hosted Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday so it was a busy morning (supplemented with wine) and although the turkey was still a little chilly when we put him in the oven, all turned out great. I have to say it was nice not to be the official host of Thanksgiving Dinner for the first time in three years but I do still miss my Dubai kitchen.

Wesley enjoying the museum

OK, so we had fun too :

Never a dull moment, the Tebo Family was off to the Museum of Flight after Turkey Day and it was really interesting and the kids LOVED it!

Zoo Lights!

The Zoo Lights Christmas Display was next on the agenda. Don't think I have ever seen a zoo at night and the lights were amazing. We even got to see Santa scuba dive in the shark aquarium. They weren't all little nurse or reef sharks either. Huge hit for the kids, I got a little claustrophobic but the pushing and the crowd helped get me prepared for China.

The next day one of the car conversations went something like this:
Stewart: "So why didn't the sharks bite Santa?"
Me: "Would you bite Santa?"
Stew: "No way! Then he wouldn't bring me any presents!"
Me: "Well, don't you think the sharks want presents too?"

All adults giggle :)                                   

All star entertainment; lots of RV Park experience.

We attended a special Christmas fundraiser with Debbie's Dad & family at a local community center (sadly the last) with tons of locally decorated Christmas trees and a lovely breakfast, arts and crafts for the kids and other entertainment. It was great to watch the boys enjoy the beginnings of the Christmas Holiday.

We picked out and cut down a family Christmas tree (haven't done that for a long time and there was usually snow when I was a kid). When it fell over in the living room after Toby's careful tree stand adjustment we were all a little shocked; it was 3AM.

I this was my work of art

On Sunday Deb and I took on the challenge of wreath making at a nearby greenhouse. I can't say that I was terribly talented in this skill but I tried my best and I hope that Grandma appreciated the local greenery smashed together into something that sort of looked like a wreath. Luckily they added a bow at the greenhouse... :)

Wreath artists

Monday meant the long weekend was over (for those who work... ha ha silly people) and Debbie and Toby went back to work and I hung out until all that ended. Debbie and I had appointments that night at her sister's Aveda salon to have our feet made presentable; something we did together often in Dubai. After dinner we figured we better head home since Toby had the boys all afternoon.

On the ferry to Seattle

Tuesday Deb & Toby were not feeling so well so thinking they shouldn't subject the children left in their care to their germs, they took me into Seattle instead. Well, actually they were more honest about it than that but... same same.We hit all the hot tourist spots in Seattle and ate and drank our way through the city.

 Space Needle!

Didn't get a pic of the fish tossing but I did see it.

What a great time with great friends. Hoping I can make it back to the area for another visit this summer. Hugs to the Tebos! Thanks for having me :)