For those of you that have family that live out-of-state, you can probably relate to my Thanksgiving weekend.  My wife's parents and only brother and his family live in Dalton, OH.  This is a 6-7 hour drive from our home in Lancaster so we don't get out there as often as we would like.  Especially since her brother's four children are the only 1st cousins for our boys.  So, when we do get together, a lot is packed into our time together.

For instance, this past weekend...
Thursday...we celebrated Thanksgiving with turkey, football (you know the deal).
Friday...we celebrated Christmas including present exchange and a trip to a toy store for all the cousins to buy something with the gift certificates they received.
Friday evening...an extended Christmas reunion with my father-in-laws brothers' and sister's families (more food)
Saturday...splitting wood with my father-in-law, helping out my brother-in-law at his place (mowing, raking and installing a rink to freeze for ice skating).
Saturday evening...celebrating my son Zach's 14th birthday which will be on Dec. 1
Sunday...church, lunch, a little football and time to head home.

It was a full and rich weekend.  And I am thankful that the traffic wasn't too bad and the we arrived home safely last evening.

I must admit this a whole new experience for me.  And it's a bit intimidating.  For those that know me well, my personality is somewhat reserved until I have built up a level of trust.   I don't necessarily share my thoughts and feelings very quickly without this level of trust.

In fact, even as I am writing my first blog, I keep editing what I am writing to make sure it sounds OK.  It's scary for me to think this is out there on the web for anyone to read.

But, as I get older (no, I'm not old yet!), one of my resolves is to not become set in my ways and unwilling to try new things.  So, this is a new experience for me and one that I hope will be valuable.

Keep tuned and check back in.