Our Thanksgiving Trip (1)

Yeah, we are back in town. We got home on Monday evening. It was a great trip even though we drove mostly in the rain and snow. Credit goes to dear hubby for such a good driver and most of all the biggest credit goes to our precious little passenger. Bill was such a great traveler. We are so proud of him. And thanks to the GPS Navigator too. It absolutely did a great job and made thing easier for us.

Nasty weather

French fries break

Anyway, this year we had our Thanksgiving lunch at The Lodge Restaurant. The place is enormous but still jam-packed with people. Guess lots of people nowadays preferred to celebrate it in the convenience way. Leave the cooking headache to the chief….hihi! Anyway, the food was great but they can do better in their desserts selection though.

The Lodge Restaurant

Family's Thanksgiving Lunch.

Busy busy

Our sweetie pie.

Day after Thanksgiving morning, Steve and I decided to go shopping for a couple hours while hubby stayed home and taking care of our dear son. First we went to Walmart and to our surprised, the store was pretty empty. It was only about 10am. Were we just lucky or what! One of the associates told us that we just missed the crowds. She said the store was jam-packed with shoppers from 5.00am to 7.00am. LOL! After done our shopping at Walmart, we went to Bestbuy. But they were pretty crowded. So after a little browsing and of course ‘drooling’ some at their big screen TV, we decided to end our Friday shopping. Thank you Steve. It was really nice shopping with you.

Thanksgiving Trip

It's only a couple days before Thanksgiving. This year we are going to visit our family members in Illinois. It would be great to see them again especially on such special occasion. And what more is, this is Billy’s 1st Thanksgiving with all our family members from my hubby side. Of course from his side as my family do not celebrate Thanksgiving. LOL!! The day after Thanksgiving, we plan to drive to my hubby’s hometown in Clinton, Iowa. This is also Billy’s 1st trip to his daddy’s hometown. Hope to be able to see you this time Cindy.

Yeaaah!!! Lots of exciting things in store for Bill, and of course for mommy and daddy too. There’s also another ‘thing to do’ for daddy on this trip, have to show Billy around his childhood neighborhood, his old school, the hill where he used to slide down to reached his school faster when he was a little kid, (LOL) this and that and not forget the little shop where he used to get some ice cream with his siblings when they were just a little kids. Billy probably won’t remember anything about it now but it is just exciting to show him around daddy’s hometown.

We will hit the road early morning tomorrow. Long way to go but will be so much fun. If everything goes as plan we will reach my sister in law’s house on Wednesday afternoon. So see you guys on Wednesday!!!!

I will try to do some update on my blog whenever I have the time. Yes, of course will take lots of picture….haha! Okay guys, gonna have to go. I still have packing to do, so better to gear up soon.

Oh yeah, I got an offer from Steve, my sister in law's hubby to go shopping on Black Friday. He read my posting about the Day After Thanksgiving shopping and told me he won't mind to go shopping with me. Thank you very much Steve, so kind of you.

Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving and happy holiday!

Oak Ridge- The Secret City

The Secret City? I bet many of you are curious about it and of course the story behind it. I had the same curiosity too when my hubby told me for the first time that we are moving to a town called 'the secret city'. Oak Ridge is just a small city but known famous because of the Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) .
Why Oak Ridge is called The Secret City? Beside The Secret City, Oak Ridge's other nicknames are The Atomic City, The Ridge and The City Behind The Fence. We even have a restaurant named The Atomic here in Oak Ridge, it sounds hilarious. :-) I tell you, it’s really fascinating and all of it was part of the world history.

Yes, it's kind of amazing how this little town played a major role in ending the war between the United States and Japan. The birth of Oak Ridge was tied of the birth of the atomic bomb. The town was literally built for the The Manhattan Project. The city born of war in 1942, existed for seven years as a truly ‘Secret City’. The city of Oak Ridge was not officially on any map until 1949 when the gates were opened and citizens were allowed to come and go as they pleased. It was only then that Oak Ridge received its name.

Manhattan Project Signature Facilities- The K-25 plant courtesy; Atomic Archive

It is really interesting how the peoples who involved in the project keep everything a secret. Fascinating stories how the citizens of Oak Ridge describe life in the Secret City during World War II. It's worth reading, folks. :-)

My Morning Meditation

How do you start your day everyday? Turn on coffee, watch morning news, sit in front of the computer.....LOL. As for me, I started my day around 6.00am, turn on the coffee, then straight to my desk, open my curtains and look outside through my big window. Believe it or not, its something I am looking forward to everyday, the early morning scenery. It's really beautiful and I really enjoy it, so relaxing, peaceful and refreshing. Yes, it is more of a meditation for me. It really does.

Excuse our messy yard...LOL. Look like somebody need to do some leaves raking soon.

More Toys?

Talking about toys, again? Haha....I know, I know! That's me! But hey, it's part of the excitement of being a new mom or new parents, I should say. I am sure all mother out there is agree with me. Giving the best for our children are always the priority of any parents. :-) Toys are one of it. If the toys can stimulate children's creative thinking, social skill, let alone all those cognitive and motor development etc, any parents are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for it. Some people say that they reluctant to give toys to their children to avoid them being spoiled. Like one of my ex-colleagues who have three kids but never buy any kind of toy for his kids. Not even one. His home was free toys even though he has three kids. And both him and his wife are working. Amazing, huh! But his kids appeared to be fine, well behave and did well in school.

Anyway, I had this conversation with one of my sister a year or so ago. My son was only a few months old at that time. I told her that I want to avoid buying toys for my son (you know where I got the influence...hehe) but my hubby on the other hand had different opinions. Before I even finished my sentence, she laughed her heart out and said 'you just wait and tell me about it three years from now. Tell me every time you go into the store, you walk out without any kind of toys in your shopping bag'. Haha.....how funny, huh! Well, okay, you're right. I guess the time has come....haha! Being a mother of three, she bought tons of toys for her kids.

True indeed! Hard to resist when it comes to buy toys for our kid. This month alone we bought six toys for him. Its not even Christmas yet...hihi! Most of them are educational toys, aahaah! That how I should say it. :-) Beside that, hubby bought him a swing set just last week. Lucky one. When I was just a little kid, as far as I can remember, I had maybe one or two toys only. But that time, things are different though.