Thanksgiving 2015
This year we have SO MUCH to be thankful for! 2015 marks the year the Millers became homeowners, we found out that we will be adding little Jackson to our family, and have had so many amazing adventures with friends and family. We could never have imagined our life would be so full and rewarding! For 2015, we were blessed yet again to get to spend Thanksgiving weekend with the Miller side of the family down on the coast of Georgia in a quaint little town called Shellman’s Bluff. For the second year in a row, we stayed in an adorable house called The Captains Cottage which is right by the dock and surrounded by beautiful oak trees making for ideal fishing and some much needed relaxation! We were so happy that Sara was able to join us all the way from Chicago again and Miabella would not leave her side!
The Captain’s Cottage
We started the trip bright and early Thanksgiving morning when we embarked on the 5 hour drive down to the coast. After a couple of delays getting out of the house, the Millers were finally off by 10AM and made it down to Aunt Mary-Ellen and Uncle Richard’s vacation home over in Belvedere Plantation (about 10 minutes from Shellman’s Bluff). Joining us to celebrate the holiday was Uncle Tom, Aunt Pat, Richard, MaryEllen, Mom, Dad and Sara. It was so wonderful getting the family together for the evening! MaryEllen made the most delicious, perfectly cooked turkey and we feasted on fresh shrimp from the coast. We were even treated to some amazing minced meat pie, which after trying it for the first time quickly skyrocketed to the top of Ally’s favorite sweets list. After dinner Mia led a plethora of card games while Ally got some much needed relaxing in on the couch.
On Friday, everyone woke the most rested I have seen them in weeks! Patrick FINALLY got a day to sleep in and catch up from the crazy work week and Mia enjoyed a game of Uno with her Auntie Sara before breakfast. Friday happened to be Aunt Pat’s birthday, so we made her a surprise funfetti cake and headed over to MaryEllen and Richards for breakfast followed by some fishing off their dock.
On the walk to the dock, you pass by two ponds full of massive fish and alligators (We saw 5! EEEEK!). Having the itch for some fishing and not being able to wait the 1o minutes to the dock, Grandpa Jim, Patrick, Ally and Mia set up shop and decided to test their luck on the first pond. After a couple of nibbles, and immediately after a breakdown of “I’m never going to catch a fish!” from Mia, we are happy to report that Mia reeled in her VERY FIRST FISH! Over the moon proud does not begin to explain how excited Mia was at her accomplishment! While we had set up shop to go fishing, the ladies and decided to go for a walk around the other larger pond. Mia waited patiently and was so excited to share her news of the amazing first fish once they returned!
Friday night we had a feast of Thanksgiving leftovers and got locked in a very heated and competitive card game of Phase 10. After a good run and a shot at victory for Ally, Patrick was able to sneak out the win (by pure luck) after only 4 hours of play! As can be imagined, we were all exhausted and headed back to the cottage for a good night’s rest.
Saturday morning we bid ado to MaryEllen, Richard and Aunt Pat and were left to our own devices over in Shellman’s Bluff. After breakfast, Ally napped the afternoon away and Patrick, Grandpa Jim and Mia went down to the dock to fish. There she proceeded to catch TWO MORE fish all on her own. When Ally joined down on the dock, Mia’s exact words were “watch and learn!” She has so taken to fishing and absolutely loves it, although she says she will not share the fish she catches with anyone else. Her new theory is you have to catch it yourself to eat it! It was such a beautiful evening and relaxing day!
Sunday we said goodbye to the coast and started the drive back to Suwanee. After a much needed leg break at Cracker Barrel (blame it on Ally’s pregnancy cravings) we made it back before sunset to get ready for our week ahead. All in all a perfect and amazing Thanksgiving weekend!
Until Next Time…..
