I’m thankful for…

This season I am especially thankful for fall times up in TC and all this brings with it.  Over the weekend Jon and I went up to Traverse and got to experience some of my favorites… now becoming Jon’s favorites too. There is nothing like a crisp fall day *Up North*.  We made a pit stop at Potters Bakery for their amazing pumpkin long john’s {very festive for the season}, had Bubba’s for the most amazing burgers and fries {mine was vegetarian, don’t worry: their black bean and avocado burger is out of this world!!}, spent time with the family, visited my closest friends *new* home, and both got a new do!!!

Another thing I’m so very thankful for is the opportunity I’ve had to watch Jon become another member to the *Ellsworth Clan* that is practically bursting.  It’s hard to imagine fitting anyone else in, but of course Jon has been welcomed with open arms; loved and adored by all!

This weekend was another testament of this flourishing bond.  Jon desperately needed his hair cut: the last time was before our wedding!  And first thing Friday morning Seth with to town on his lovely locks.  Seth may have missed his calling in life, as he seemed to have skillfully tamed the beast that had been left to run wild on top of Jon’s head.  It was cute to hear them talk about their interests, and really learn about each other.  Needless to say Seth has been hired as Jon’s new barber.    

There also seemed to be quite the fan club following Jon around since he has now inherited a rapidly growing number of nieces and nephews.  I think we are at 20 with two more on the way… and it will keep going…  This weekend it was Seth and Chelsea’s 3 girls that could hardly wait to receive a little attention from “Uncle Jon”.  Any free second Jon had from studying was spent playing with 3 lovely ladies that will no doubt grow into little heart breakers one day.  And when Jon was tucked in a bedroom buried in a book all I heard was “Where is Uncle Jon?”, “When will he be done studying?”,  “I want to play hide and seek with Uncle Jon, when will he come over?”… you get the idea.  It melted it my heart.

This was also the first weekend that Jon and I got to stay with my Grandpa.  Although it was a full-packed weekend of running around and getting things done {trips home seem to always go by too fast} I have loved to see Grandpa and Jon build a relationship.  I love seeing the way Jon looks at Grandpa and how he hangs on every word Grandpa shares about his life- especially his service in the military flying fighter planes, and about Grandma.  Grandpa has genuinely taken an interest in Jon’s studies, very delighted to engage in conversation with Jon about law. But I think my favorite was seeing the two of them interact as Grandpa ask Jon about his experiences in Russia.  *sigh* yup, its been pretty perfect. 

I always knew I had a pretty great family; this is was just another reminder to me.   

Lara would be so proud of this :)