Thankful for Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving week and Thanksgiving it's self was GREAT! So many wonderful things happened. This was the second year in a row I volunteered to cook at my house. I just love owning my home and being able to have holidays here and decorate to every extent.

Monday and Tuesday I mostly grocery shopped, cleaned house, and prepped food. BUT Tuesday evening I went to the airport and had the pleasure of picking up my baby brother, Alex. Him, nor any of my brothers, and I have never had the opportunity to spend any holidays together. I was so honored that he wanted to come spend Thanksgiving with me and that it was all his idea. After I got him back to my house and settled in, we went down to Town Square, caught a movie, and some great food at Claim Jumper (French Onion Soup there is delicious!!). We got to do a lot of talking and caught up with each others on going busy lives. The next day I took him to Adventure Dome inside Circus Circus. It was a blast! I can't do it like I used to though. After about the 3rd heavy duty up-side-down throwing you around ride my head began to hurt and I felt very nauseated. Alex and I then grabbed some sushi with my girlfriend Christina and then called it the night.

Thursday I had the pleasure of hosting my brother Alex, my great friend Christina, my mother Robin, my step dad Rob, my step brother Tyler, my sister Kaylie, my sister's girlfriend Heather, and my sister's father Herb. Sounds like a crazy mix of a bunch, huh? And that's just the way I like it! These are all people that I love and adore and that love and adore me back. And what better company is that?!?!? The only one missing was my lil boog, Malachi. He got to spend Turkey day with his dad and his dad's family this year.

We deep fried the turkey, the only way I will prepare it now. I'm hooked! If you have never had one, you are definitely missing out! It's so moist and juicy and flavorful.... ok, better stop, making myself hungry again... Ok, where was I? Oh yeah, turkey and all the sides. Before we ate my brother was asked to say grace. His prayer and blessings brought tears to my eyes. He thanked God for allowing him to be with me, for allowing me to have a great home to have all of us together in, and then he thanked him for bringing Malachi into his life. I lost it! Tears all over the mashed potatoes and everything! I gave him a huge hug and a big kiss on the cheek and then stuffed my mouth.

After everyone helped me to clean up, we played Taboo. This has now seemed to become a tradition, which I didn't mind at all. Malachi had come home around 7pm. Everyone, especially myself, were happy to see him and he us. We had a great time in each other's company and then everyone started to head home around 8pm. We finished the evening watching Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving and one by one drifted off to dream land.

Friday morning I took Alex to the airport and then Malachi and I headed home to put up our Christmas tree. Yes, we put our Christmas tree up the Friday after Thanksgiving. I wouldn't necessarily mind waiting until I don't know... Saturday or Sunday, but NOT Chi! It is absolutely positively imparative that the tree goes up as soon as possible! Which is another thing I don't mind at all. Chi has started our own lil tradition. :o)

So after the tree was up and a few light strands hung outside, believe it or not, Chi and I packed our things and headed to California. My Aunt Glenna wasn't able to make it to my house for the holiday due to work and it was my cousin Allen's 30th birthday so we had much more to do.

Saturday we spent most of the time with family just hanging out. I didn't see Chi much the rest of the weekend. He was busy running around with my cousin's kids having a blast! Saturday night was the big bash. My cousin's wife Denise threw a huge Hollywood themed party for him. Everyone had to dress up as someone famous. It was soooo much fun! There were a lot of famous appearances! Just to name a few... Tom Cruise, Madonna, Steve Urkel, Ice T, Raymond, Pregnant JLo, Juno, Penelope Cruz, Queen of Sparta, Miami Vice... I went as Adriana Lima, the Victoria Secret model. Trust me I kept it PG! We all had a great time and rocked the place until 4 in the morning!

Sunday was spent relaxing and packing up. However, we did fit in a lil time to see SANTA! We went down to a motor cross store where Santa was making an appearance. My Aunt insisted on buying Chi a whole get up to ride in on his quad and then he went and showed Santa and even sat on his lap for a picture. First time in 3 years!!

Chi and I started on our journey home first thing Monday. I love spending time with my family, but it was soooo good to be back in our home.