Team Valentine: Thanksgiving

Ah, Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite holidays because the expectation is hang out with family and pig out - two of my favorite activities. We flew to Idaho (a whopping 1 hour and 15 minute direct flight into Idaho Falls from sunny Las Vegas) for nearly a week of awesome. Did we love every second? You betcha. Did I cry when we left? Always do!

We arrived on Wednesday morning and were the last to get there, so everyone was ready to hang out with us. The last time we were all together for Thanksgiving was at least 4 years ago, so it was awesome to be all together. Plus with the babies, having not been together since July felt like forever. We hung out for awhile, some of the kids went to play tennis, then we ran over to Rusio's (the restaurant my parents and brother helped put together - it's kind of like Zupa's) for a delicious meal, then back home for a ping pong tourney and funny You-Tube videos.

Thursday was hilarious. At 9 am, all of us (there were 12, thanks to the in laws, babies, and the boyfriend of one of my sisters) piled in a 12 seater van my dad rented and drove 3 hours to Ogden to my aunt Becky's house. She has a heated garage (seriously seemed weird at first, and then I saw it - new life goal!), so we fit nearly 40 people in there comfortably for a delicious meal. My mom's brother and two sisters were there with most of their families, plus Grandma and Grandpa. DJ slept through dinner (hallelujah!), so I got to eat with everyone, which was fantastic. Then, we loaded up the car and drove to the theater for the annual tradition of watching a movie after the meal. Usually, by some... what's the opposite of miracle?... we choose the worst movies ever made. This year, we chose Frozen, and from what I heard, it was surprisingly great, given our track record. I wouldn't know - DJ decided to hate life 10 minutes in. Oh well! We'll get it on Redbox eventually. Anyway, after that, it was back to Becky's for pie, and then the 3 hour journey home. You'd think being stuck with 12 people in a car for 3 hours would be awful, but we actually had a lot of fun. Mostly because I'm hilarious. Kidding. But no really, I am hilarious.

Friday was some hanging out time, including a basketball-palooza at the church. I brought athletic clothes and socks, but forgot my sneakers (nice one), so played in my Toms for awhile and then went barefoot. We managed not to injure anyone too badly (except for when Brooke stood up too fast and konked her head on the corner of the hymnal holder and drew blood). Then we came home, watched some BYU sports madness, had pizza, and had one of Ryan's college friends over. Ammon was paralyzed in a freak wrestling accident in high school and Ryan worked as a caregiver for him for a little while in Rexburg. They became really good friends and Ammon still stops by to see my parents every once in awhile. During the hangout, Tony, the manager of Rusio's, came over straight from work dressed as Santa so that the grandbabies could see Santa. It was so sweet of him! Eventually, I'll get the pictures and post them.

Saturday was more hanging out, including watching Lindsey and a partner win first place in a tennis tourey in IF. Afterwards, we went to Scotty's for burgers, fries (and fry sauce), and shakes. IF peeps - you will know how greasy and amazing this ended up being. My stomach just started growling. Anyway... that night, we battled it out on Just Dance 4 and then watched Pitch Perfect while quoting the whole thing.

On Sunday, we left my mom and dad's house around 10:30 to fly back. I was so sad to leave because we had a blast. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my parents and siblings and my cute niece. And I loved that DJ got to spend time with everyone. He was a doll baby the whole time (ok, he's a doll baby all the time, but especially over the trip) and just melted hearts left and right.

OK, now for the pictures.There are lots of them, so fair warning.