Thanksgiving 2018

Well we survived our Thanksgiving trip and had a lot of fun. We drove a ton. We ate way too much. We lost a football game. BUT we had the best time with family.

Let me back up. On Wednesday morning we got up at our normal time and got ready to hit the road. We stopped at a local coffee shop for some coffee cake and lattes. Then we ventured out. We drove to Las Vegas which is about a 7 hour drive without stops and when you have kids, you stop.

The girls made it about an hour before asking if we were there yet. Even with their Kindles loaded up with videos, they still didn't want to be in the car. I adjusted their headphones a hundred time and changed their movies about the same amount. We caravanned down there with my in-laws.

We stopped in Tonopah for some lunch for about an hour and then again in Beatty for the amazing candy store.  But we made it to Las Vegas and were greeted with dinner, wine, and lots of laughter.

Thursday morning we got up, had some coffee and then a big breakfast. After everyone was ready, we walked to a park to let the girls burn off some energy.

We headed back around 12:30 to make some lunch and put the girls down for their naps. Most of the family headed over to another family members house, but Rory, the girls, myself and another cousin stayed behind. Once the girls got up, we headed over for dinner and football. Plus a little photoshoot with the girls.

 Sutton and her favorite cousin Chandler

Miss Aves and her princess crown

We had homemade raviolis, turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, stuffing, cheeses, ham and a bunch of other goodies. Then we finished dinner off with pie and homemade whipped cream. 

One of the little cousins brought a school project home where you take a candy and say what you are thankful for and then eat it and pass the bag on. Everyone did this and it was quite emotional. Between two family members passing away within 3 months of each other, we had a lot to be grateful and thankful for. It was a tradition we are going to keep going. 

We took the girls back to Rory's cousins house to put them down and watch the Wolf Pack basketball team finish their game.

Friday morning we got up and had another big breakfast and then got ready to head to Honey and Salt for auntie Gail's book reading and book release. Gail had finished her book and was in the middle of publishing it when she passed away. The book is done and published, so we had a celebration for her. One of the cousins read her eulogy, others said some words about Gail and we talked about the book. Then we ate.

The girls were cuddled and played with the entire trip!

After the event, Rory and I headed out for some Black Friday shopping while my in-laws took the girls back to the house for a nap. We didn't have much success shopping, but it was good to get out for a bit.

After naps, we were watching some football and decided to head back to the cousins house for leftovers and football. With the turkey leftovers, they made an amazing turkey soup and then we feasted on a bunch of other leftover goodies. The girls even made a gingerbread turkey with my MIL and cousin.

Saturday morning we went to our favorite donut shop and had those while drinking coffee and watching the news. We lazied around the house most of the morning before walking over to Starbucks and to the atm. While the girls napped, we got ready to go to the football game. Nevada was playing UNLV for their final game of the year (minus the bowl game) and a huge cannon is always up for grabs. It is a trophy that is painted and passed around depending on who wins. Well Nevada went in there as the favorite, but lost in the 4th quarter. It was very sad and awful. Ha. 

But we first stopped at one of the cousins house for a pre-party where we ate pulled chicken and pulled pork with salads and other goodies and took a ton of pictures. 

Cousins

Then we took a party bus to the game where we danced, sang and had a few drinks. It was a lot of chaos, but a lot of fun!!!

After the game, we headed back home and went to bed.

Sunday morning we got up, got ready, packed our things and then headed out to breakfast. We had a long drive ahead of us. We only made one stop in Beatty for gas and then in Luning to let the girls use the bathroom. We made it home in just over 7 hours. The girls watched way too much Sing along the way and only melted down a couple of times. They just wanted to be at home with Walter.

Overall, it was a great trip and one to remember for the books.

How was your Thanksgiving?