It's one of my favorite times with my family. (Who am I kidding, every time with my family is my favorite time.)
The main reason I was bummed was because of my brother. I'm sure you know by now that I am obsessed with him and he's my best friend. Well, his partner and him alternate the holidays each year. This year, they would be spending Thanksgiving with us in St. Louis and Christmas with Randy's family in Kansas City. Which meant if I didn't come home for Thanksgiving, I wouldn't be seeing my brother at Christmas....and I don't even know when I'd be back in town again. Summer? Nine months is entirely too long to go without seeing my brother. It's just not okay.
Thank goodness, the Navy gave the student aviators leave!!!! WE WERE GOING TO GET TO GO HOME!!!!!
It was going to be a short trip but that didn't matter. I'd take just 24 hours with my family.
Due to how short the trip was, we made the decision to make this a family only trip.
The last time we were in town it was unbelievably stressful driving from house to house to house to visit family and friends. And we didn't even visit any of Nick's friends. (What a sweet husband to be so understanding and good about that.) But to be honest, we didn't really enjoy our time. We had limited time and it felt rushed and almost forced.
So this trip, just family.
And it was amazing. We did nothing but sit and relax with our family. It was much needed.
We weren't able to leave Pensacola until about 10:30am on Wednesday and the drive took 12 hours. But that we got in, my family was still awake. And of course we spent a few more hours sitting around talking and laughing like we normally do.
I absolutely love being at home with my parents, sister, brothers' and sister's boyfriend.
The next day was of course Thanksgiving and it might have been the best one yet. Tons of laughs. Lots of old stories. It made me so thankful for the absolutely amazing family I am blessed with.
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| My mother (best friend) and I |
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| My sister and I |
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| My brother |
I was also so incredibly thankful to be able to spend this holiday with Nicholas. In our almost 5 years together, this was only the second Thanksgiving we were able to spend together. He was never able to make it home for this holiday. I'm also thankful because I know I will be husband-less for many more Thanksgivings throughout our life together. He's chosen a career that causes him (us) to make these sacrifices.
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| Hubs ♥ |
This year was a little sad for me. My Grandma made a few announcements that day...something she doesn't normally do. About how she's thankful for us and our love. For our health. Our families.
I know this was because she's worried about Grandpa. He's been having some issues with his heart. I know I'm not the only one in the family to think this. But with each passing year, we obviously all age. And it's becoming obvious just how much my Grandparents are aging. While we don't know the details of his heart, we know there's the possibility of it being serious or meaning surgery. And we know the risks involved with that in someone 81 years of age. I couldn't help but wonder how many more Thanksgiving we will get with my Grandparents. I hate thinking that....my family is ridiculously close and I cannot bear the thought of losing my Grandma or Grandpa. But it's inevitable it will happen...it will happen to us all. So I make sure to cherish the time I have them.
This Thanksgiving both Grandma and Grandpa spent a fair amount of time at the Dickbirdkromly Table (as we named ourselves....Dickens, Humbird, Oberkrom, Finley). They both gave us many, many laughs. Made my very full tummy hurt from laughing so much. I absolutely adore my Grandparents. They're pretty much the best people in the world. Whether God takes them tomorrow or 20 years from now, I will always look back on this Thanksgiving with fondness. I will always remember these times we do get with them. I realize how lucky and fortunate we are that they are both still with us and that they are in relatively good health and both have their minds (even though Grandma has lost her filter and it's the funniest thing ever!!!!)
In addition to Thanksgiving fun, we always celebrate my birthday. Of course it can never be normal. This year, my delicious homemade chocolate chip cookie cake (my pick every year) not only had the appropriate "27" candles on it, but it was also complete with a turkey and bunny candle. Why? Couldn't tell you. My family is just bizarre and random. And we like us that way!!!
The evening ended with us all gathered in the family room passing around vodka. Yep, you
"Cake" tastes exactly like a chocolate cake shot.
"Gummy" which has a picture of a Swedish Fish tasted like cough syrup (but the good kind.)
"Cotton Candy" tastes exactly like bubblegum.
So it's safe to say this might have been my favorite Thanksgiving ever!!!!
After Thanksgiving with the family, we headed home for my absolute favorite event....decorating the tree.
Each year, we turn on "Elf" (only the best Christmas movie ever!!!) and decorate the tree. Dad puts the angel on the top as Mom sits on the couch and sifts through the giant box of ornaments, handing them to us. Leah, Ben, and I each have an ornament from every single year. St. Nick always brings up one on the eve of December 5th. Each ornament has our name and year somewhere on it. It's always so neat to look back at these ornaments every year because they are personal to each of us. This is a tradition that makes me so happy and I love decorating the tree with my family.
Sadly, shortly after the decorating, Ben and Randy had to head back to Columbia =( Randy had to work in the morning (stupid Black Friday). We said our goodbyes and I tried hard not to cry. I know I'll see him again. It just sucks knowing it will be so long from now =( Thank goodness for Facetime!!!
At midnight, we headed out to do some Black Friday shopping with my sister. Nick and I picked up some small things for our house that we either didn't register for or didn't receive from the wedding as well as buying gifts for others. (Nothing makes me feel better than being able to buy something for someone else.)
Friday we obviously slept in since we didn't go to bed until about 3am. Then we went out again that evening to get some more deals.
Saturday was a lounge around day and then that night, we headed over to my Aunt and Uncle's house for game night! We had pizza (of course Nick and I had to get our Imo's fix in!!) and of course drank. The vodkas were brought again and poured over ice to be sipped on all night. And of course more shots were had.
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| My mother and two aunts |
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| Uncles! |
Then we played Hand and Foot. I am happy to say that my team won first place =)
I absolutely love my family. We had such a good time. So many ridiculous things being said. Faces hurting from laughter. I cannot begin to explain the fun I have with my family. I wouldn't trade them for a thing in the world! I seriously have the BEST family anyone could EVER imagine!!!!
Sunday we woke up, packed the car, said our goodbyes and headed to Florida Home. And of course it'd only make sense that I'd be sick the majority of the drive home. Thank goodness my husband loves to drive!
So that was my Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend Trip back home to St. Louis in a nutshell =)
I'm beyond grateful for a trip home. I know there are many others who do not get this opportunity. I also know I will spend many Thanksgivings away from home and possibly away from home AND without Nick. For that reason, I am thankful. This trip was short. Very short. Do I wish it would have been longer? Of course! I'd love more time with my family any time I visit....even if I had been there for 3 weeks! I just love my family and we're beyond close!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with family and/or friends!!!
If you'd like to see ALL the photos from our trip home, click HERE
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