Thanksgiving in Cali was great. We left Idaho at 6:30 am (though the original plan was to leave at 5:30) and there was no one on the road. Usually our stops in Winnemucca and Boomtown (just outside of Reno) are packed with cars getting gas, but this year was not the case. I’m sure it had to do with people wanting to cut back and save. AAA said that they expected travel to be down 40-60% this year and that’s okay by me because it made for a quicker travel time.
Since we were going to be passing through Lincoln on the way down to my parents house, we got to stop there and pick up Jacob’s daughter Mia so we could spend some family time with her. She is so adorable and such a little chatter box. It’s been about a year since the last time Nic and I had seen her, so when I asked her if she wanted to go with us to see Grandma Mary she said “no.” Her mom, Laurel, felt somewhat bad but after 15 minuets of coaxing Mia and promising her she could watch Sleeping Beauty in our car and have a snack she was ready to go.
I just can’t get over how much she looks like Jacob when he was younger. I always tell my mom: “It’s Jacob, but with long hair.” My mom was sure to always call us Uncle Nic and Aunt Elaine so Mia would know who we are, but she would forget-it’s to be expected (she's only three). It was cute though because she would call me her friend. She told my mom “Grandma, you know my friend?” And then one time I was in my parents room and I guess Nic told her “go get Aunt Elaine” because next thing I hear is “Auntie Lane your friend needs you. Come on, I take you to see your friend.” She then grabbed me by the hand and took me to the kitchen. Too cute! I love that little girl.
We also took family photos again by the best photographer (um, that would be me), but we were missing two grand-daughters/nieces. Unfortunately we had to take Mia back to her mom before we could take them (the day we had her and we were supposed to take them it rained) and my older niece Vanessa wasn't able to come down (due to work). Hopefully over the summer or when we go down for Christmas (next year) we will be able to have EVERYONE there.
Thanksgiving dinner was quiet, but nice. After dinner we headed to see Madagascar 2 at 9 pm. It was a funny movie and it made for some fun memories as well. I won't give too many details (I don't want to embarrass any of my family) but they laughs surrond a "free popcorn" and a large bottle of h2o-I love my family. Spending time with them makes me realize how much I truly miss them and wish I live closer.
My mom was happy to have Nic and me down because she said everyone come over when we're there (because we are the most awesomest people ever you know). Jacob stayed the night a few nights, saw my sister Lisa and my niece Brandie (I can't believe she is going to be 14!), no Cranium or rounds of Monopoly this year but there's always next year for Christmas.
I also ran into a few friends of mine from high school, so that was nice. We bumped into my good friend Brianne at Circuit City. It was kind'a funny because we both did a double take like "is that really her?" Her dad thought Nic and I were crazy for wearing shorts but when we told him we lived in Idaho, he understood (it was between 55-60 degrees). And we also got to be there for the blessing of my good friend Kara's baby boy. He is so adorable.
This year was also the first year that Nic and I hit Black Friday Sales. I was a little nervous because I've heard that people can be pretty crazy, but it wasn't that bad-but I also think that had to deal with the fact that Nic and I didn't go out until like 10 am. We didn't camp out like some people-sorry, we're not that hardcore, PLUS it didn't seem like there were too many deals out there.
Going down to Cali was a nice (much needed) break. And I'm so grateful for my family and the love and support they give me and Nic. Now, if I could only get them to move up here.
p.s. Check back later for pictures
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