Thanksgiving 2012

This was the first family Thanksgiving we have had in SEVERAL years! Kentucky was just too far away to travel for such a short holiday, but since Arizona is only a 6.5 hour drive and Grant had Thursday-Sunday off, we decided we would head to Gilbert to spend Thanksgiving with Grant's family (everyone except Scott, Trisha and Maddox). We got in late Wednesday night, headed to bed and got up Thursday morning to get things ready for our big dinner!

We woke up around 6:30 to go for our annual Thanksgiving run, but the alarm in Grant's aunt and uncle's house (where we stayed) was armed, so we were held hostage inside the house. Since we were up, we decided to make the most of our time and did a boot camp workout in the entry way. It kicked our butts! (especially Grant who could barely walk for 3 days, it was awesome). 

I was in charge of rolls, but since we were getting in so late on Wednesday (around midnight), Jen made the dough for me the night before, and then we did a combined effort to roll them out that morning. Grant left early to go to a car show with the guys, while we stayed and made enough rolls for an army (although, they only lasted a day and a half).

 After the rolls were rolled out and rising, we headed to the parents house to enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities and help with the rest of dinner...and of course to meet this little guy, my new nephew Dash! I told him we were going to cuddle all weekend...and it sort of worked. I think he liked Grant a little better though :(

 The weather was perfect (that air temperature where you almost don't even feel anything). It's not hot or cold or windy or anything...just perfect. We opted to eat outside, loved it!

 We did some good teamwork in the kitchen...I like this picture, showing everyone "working together." Tricia is making gravy, Tim is tasting it, Ron is carving the turkey, Tammy is stressed that she hadn't put the sweet potatoes in to warm up yet, I am reassuring her that it's going to be ok, and it appears that Jen and Grant are supervising ;)

 Movember, ruining holiday photos since 2004.

 Grant's plate...mmmm...

 Turkey coma/sunbathing. Grant had the napkin over his face and Kade suggested that he just move to the "cold part" (aka shade) haha. Eventually he did :)

 And once we felt like we could move again, we broke out the bocce ball for some friendly family competition. Grant has apparently been "begging" me to play for years now, so I finally gave in. It's a fun game and was the perfect after dinner activity.

Kade the spectator. He loves to lie in random spots while he's playing. Those rocks look comfy.

 The evening ended with my fabulous hairdresser doing my hair in the backyard. It had been too long since their visit so she was kind enough to "work" on her holiday. Thank you Jen!

It was a wonderful break. We did a lot of family hanging out, a little bit of shopping (bought a CRIB! at Pottery Barn Kids-seems a little early but didn't want to miss out on the black Friday deal). Made it home around 11am on Sunday (decided to just leave early so we could get home early). As we carried the suitcases up the stairs to our condo, Grant says "it feels like we're arriving at vacation, not coming home." I love our home! 

In other news, Grant and I got engaged 9 Thanksgivings ago! Crazy it's been so long :)

That night we drove back down to San Diego to see our friends, The Thompsons, who were in town for some Sea World and Disney fun! Yet another perk of So. Cal living...getting to see SO many friends, even from far away!