It's Holiday Time!

Despite the snow and cold, Steve and I had a really great Thanksgiving in Montana. The flights all went as planned, and even the four-hour drive to his hometown from the airport was better than expected. The weather must have held out because it knew we were coming.  When I woke up on Thursday morning, my phone alerted me that it was -17 outside. Um, Brrrr. Needless to say I didn’t go outside. At all.

We had about 18 or so people for dinner, so it was a good group and much different from the last three Thanksgivings we spend on our own in Chicago. We spent the day eating, of course, and playing the Xbox Kinect the Green family had bought. It was AWESOME. I love the fact that you do not even need a controller. I totally want one now, but I am not sure we have enough room in our townhouse to make it work. You need a pretty good-sized space.

The rest of the trip was spent visiting family and being lazy. It warmed up a bit, but not enough for me to enjoy time outside. It was good to see the snow, but I was so glad to be leaving it when we got on the plane to Oakland on Sunday. Hopefully, depending on Steve’s crazy job schedule the next few years, we’ll be able to back again for the holiday.

Speaking of holiday, my family has decided to have Christmas in Oregon this year. Oregon has been my parents’ home for about 20 years, and we’ve NEVER spent a Christmas there. Not one. We’ve always gone down to Monterey to be with extended family. When I lived away, it was a tradition I insisted on, because I wanted to see my grandparents. But, since my bro can’t or doesn’t want to get work off for too long, it looks like it’s going to be a white Christmas. I find it a little odd and ironic that the year I come to Cali is the year we spend Christmas elsewhere, but that’s just how it goes. So, I bought my plane ticket and will be spending the 21st-26th in Central Oregon. There is no doubt that it’s going to be different with just the four of us. I think my parents are planning to come down for my Birthday (29th) and New Years, so they can spend some time with the grandparents and rest of the fam down here.

With all the stuff I have planned this December, I know it’s going to wiz right by. I’m looking forward to all the month has to bring!