Thanksgiving 2008
So this year marked the first year I was away from my family for Thanksgiving. Actually, that statement might not be entirely true, but I can’t remember the last time I didn’t spend Thanksgiving with them, so for the most part the statement serves its purpose. Needless to say, I spent this year’s Thanksgiving with my girlfriend and a good part of her extended family. It was a nice change of pace and a great change in scenery.
To start off, I have now visited 3 states I had never been to before: Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. My girlfriend’s sister lives in Kansas City, MO and that’s where we spent most of the time on the trip. Her sister has 4 daughters - 8, 6, 4 and 2 years of age - and for some reason they like me. And when little girls like you, they want all your attention and hang on you and want you to carry them everywhere…get the picture. It was nice to get a vacation from having to take care of the dog…but he’s just one…I ended up trading one for four…haha. No, I’m not saying the girls are dogs, all I’m saying is that the trip was definitely not one of rest and relaxation. They are sweet and adorable, full of energy and laughter, but boy are they exhausting.
While we were visiting we celebrated both Thanksgiving and Christmas. (So, yeah, now I’m already in the Christmas mood) We only did Christmas with the gifts from everyone that was there (e.g. there were no gifts from Santa Claus or anything like that). The girlfriend and I gave gifts on behalf of both of us. We decided that she would buy the gifts for her family and I would buy the gifts for my family. Personally I think I got the better end of that deal - my family is smaller…haha. Because of the recent house purchase, the gifts I received were “practical”. I received an edger, pruning sheers, hedge clippers, a stud finder and a few other things. Not what I’m used to, but appreciated nonetheless.
Our trip to Nebraska was to have a Christmas get together my girlfriend’s mom’s side of the family. Her mom has two sisters and their mother (girlfriend’s grandmother) is still around and so they get together every year and have a little family reunion of sorts. Lots of people there, and unfortunately, I forgot everyone’s name just as soon as I learned them. It was and experience and was fun. We sang Christmas carols, had a gift exchange, read the Polar Express, took lots of pictures, and I was given a tour of the farm that the family owned. They own something like 4,000 acres - but I can’t remember what they farm (corn and for the first time sunflowers are all that I can remember). It was a nice little trip.
Our last day there was great. IT SNOWED!!! I kind of got to have my first White Christmas. This was definitely the icing on the cake for me and the trip. I went outside with the girls and had snow ball fights which was great. The girlfriend, however, is not very fond of snow or cold weather - a fact that she tends to remind me about when she says “Why do you think I moved to Florida?” This is unfortunate, because it makes any trips to go snowboarding or snow skiing a bit hard, because out of a 5 day trip, she’s only willing to go out 1 day, and I for one don’t want to be snowboarding by myself all week.
All in all, it was a great trip. We didn’t have any problems with the flight. Southwest rocks!! It was nice to get out of Orlando for a few days, but I’m glad I’m back.