Tom and I had a wonderful time in Boston with his family for Thanksgiving. Cassie and Doug were kind enough to host in their beautiful new home. It was wonderful to break away from our regular life patterns. We spent the vacation hanging out with family, shopping, cooking, and eating, lots of eating. It was especially fun to see our little nephew Archer, who has grown up so much since we saw him last. He’s communicating much more and is so playful and fun. He loves to read books, and is quick to grab your finger and lead you over to join his games. He’s a very happy, content child, and smart for his age. We just love him. He had learned all our names in anticipation for our visit. All of our names except Tom’s. Whenever we would ask him to say Tom he would look at us confused for a minute and then stick out his tongue. (Apparently assuming we had said “Say Tongue!”) This was always met with peals of laughter, so by the end of the trip he would quickly stick out his tongue through a little smile, and then scrunch his nose and laugh with us. He’s a super cute kid.
The Thanksgiving meal was perhaps the best the Foutz Fam has ever made. 
Pam and Adi on the potatoes- mixed in Adi’s new kitchenaid!
Tom made the best bird I’ve perhaps ever had.
Stan did his patriarchal duty and cut up the turkey.
The Foutz kids, with their “adopted” sister Anne
The lovely meal
While the meal was definitely memorable, my favorite part of the trip was watching as Tom and his sisters Adi and Cass skyped with their grandparents. They were all huddled up on one ottoman in front of the computer, talking lively, and smiling constantly. I felt like I got a notion of what they must have been like as children. 
I had a difficult time capturing the moment, but this gives you an idea. Grandpa and Grandma Pettijohn were tickled pink to be using skype for the first time. They were amazed that by opening a little program on their computer they were suddenly able to see more than half of their grandkids. Grandpa Pettijohn called everyone by their first name. He’d say “Thomas, how’s that video going?” (Tom was home a couple weeks ago and interviewed his grandpa on video.) There was obviously a special feeling for Adrienne, their first grandchild. They loved that they could watch Archer, their only grandchild, play through the small screen on their computer.
I’m so grateful for wonderful in-laws that are so welcoming and inclusive. I feel blessed to be part of their family.
