Thanksgiving Weekend

Cena Family-John, me Sophia, Lilliana, Ashley, Alfonzo, Emma

This year for Thanksgiving, Johnny and I decided to stay in Morgantown and not venture down to the North Carolina beach like last year.  In the morning, I went running and John played ward football.  The day was so beautiful, we decided to play a little singles tennis prior to our Thanksgiving feast.  Our wonderful friends the Cena's invited us over, along with a few other families.  The food was outstanding and there was plenty of it.  I think my favorite had to be the artichoke dip with cheese...I could not stop eating it.  The pumpkin pie, of course was divine, as was the turkey.

Friday afternoon we took a short trip to Washington DC.  We were both wanting to attend the temple and did.  We then turned John's subaru into a 'luxurious' place to sleep:)  We had previously removed the mattress off of our futon and put down the seats to create quite a large sleeping space.  Johnny had then put together a delicious dinner of turkey sandwiches, vegetables, and fruit.  We ate a 'picnic' dinner then got ready for bed and watched Home Alone on the laptop.  We parked in the neighborhood surrounding the temple and actually had a beautiful view of the temple.  It was so cold, the windows fogged up fast enough, so no one would notice two people watching a movie in the back of the car.  Overall, it was quite an adventure!

outside National Cathedral

Saturday morning we met up with our friend Mike Barber and went to Arlington Cemetery.  I learned that a descendent of George Washington married Robert E. Lee, the famous general in the Confederate Army.  Arlington Cemetery had a somber feel and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was fascinating.  I was starving, so we headed to a restaurant I had been craving for months- Cafe Rio.  After that, we went to the National Cathedral and were able to see a great view of DC from the top.  Our trip would not be complete without going to National Botanical Gardens.  The giant greenhouse had plants of every species and smelled amazing.  I felt like I was a character in the movie 'Jumanji' when the entire house is over-run with plant life.  Overall, it was a successful trip and always good to meet up with old friends.

John trying to blend in with his surroundings

'No shave November' both trying to grow beards

Parents come to visit!

My lovely parents came to visit us on Halloween.  It may have not been the best timing because hurricane Sandy had just hit New York a couple days before and the aftermath in West Virginia was severe cold and snow.  I was hoping the beautiful east coast fall would still be around, but hurricane Sandy blew away any remaining autumn color.  However, we still found many fun things to do.
Halloween night we all went to dinner, then Johnny had to study so I stayed up until around 2am just chatting with my parents.
Thursday morning we headed to OhioPyle National Park.  We were probably the only people up there, but we still went on a hike in the heavy rainfall, and ate at the most delicious little sandwich shop.  That afternoon, we had Johnny show my parents around the WVU facilities, including the hospital. 
My dad had a dental conference Friday morning, so mom and I got to go shopping.  I took her to the infamous Gabe's, which is a bargain...you just have to look kind of hard.  We then had a lovely lunch of talking and eating the most delicious french fries at Chiles.  In the afternoon, Johnny had finished his tests and my dad's conference was over.  We then visiting a Morgantown local restaurant and ate the infamous pizza known as 'Fire on the Mountain-' IT WAS AMAZING!
Saturday we ate a good breakfast.  Johnny and my dad went golfing (both were wearing parkas and gloves.)  Then we showed them what Morgantown is all about by taking them to a WVU football game.

Sadly, the Mountaineers lost by one, but it made for a good game.  It was extremely cold, but we were surrounded by so many 'spirited' fans it didn't seem that cold.  The traffic was crazy so we decided just to walk up the street from our apartment to Applebees. 

Sunday was church and a historical visit to Friendship Hill.  We toured the old house and then went on a short hike on one of the many trails surrounding the house, due to the extreme cold.  My parents left that evening.  I love when people come to visit!