Thanksgiving '09

I think my life is going in fast forward motion. It's the last day of November already and I feel like it's still September. Maybe it's because when we got back from our trip yesterday it was to a freshly cleaned front yard (thanks to the city picking up our leaves) and not to a snow bank for a driveway. I may have just jinxed myself, but we're just happy that it hasn't snowed here yet. We had a great Thanksgiving weekend full of food, relaxation, friends and family. As usual, Ethan was a fantastic little road tripper and we made it down to Ben's parents house in good time. The next day was Thanksgiving and the food was delicious (as always) and we stuffed ourselves to the brim (as always).

Just half of the people at Thanksgiving dinner.

Reading "The Greatest Table"

That night we decided that we were going to try to hit up Toy R Us at Midnight to get a drum set or basketball hoop for Ethan since there were some great sales going on. We drove out to Sterling and by the time we got there a little after 12, the line was at least 1/4 of a mile long. It was nuts! I've never seen a line that long. We figured it wasn't worth waiting in a line that long and just left. The next morning we hit up Target at 8:30 and got what we wanted without any hassle of lines or waiting. Luckily later in the day, Sam and Julie went to Toys R Us and the drum set was still there so they bought it for us. Later that morning we headed over to Reston Town Center and watched the Thanksgiving Parade. I'm still not sure why it's held on the day after Thanksgiving. It was frigid outside so we didn't stay long. Later that night the ladies went to see New Moon which as much as I hate to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Obviously not even close to my top 10 movies... or even top 50 for that matter, but it was entertaining. Afterward we went to Sam and Julies for pizza and games.

At the Reston Thanksgiving Parade.

On Saturday we made our way down to Charlottesville to visit our old stomping grounds and our friends Ryan and Cheryl. Of course we picked the wrong time to travel since there was the big rival football game of UVA v. Virginia Tech going on. It took us about an hour longer than usual to get there. We hung out with them and then later we went and got dumplings from our favorite little place on the downtown mall. Later we went to one of their friends' home to watch the BYU v. Utah game. We didn't stay for the whole game, but at least Ben got to enjoy most of it. We made the 2 hour drive back up to Reston and stopped at the old Gap I worked at and got some stuff for my sister Natalie and for Ben for Christmas.

Walking on the Charlottesville Mall.

Cheryl and I with our babes.

Watching the BYU v. U of U game in C-ville.

Yesterday we made our way back to Rochester, and though we hate to say goodbye we know we'll be back in Virginia in less than 4 weeks. By the time we got home Ethan was antsy and was itching to do anything but sit. So we let him open the last box of the nativity set he got for Christmas from my parents and he played with it before bedtime.

We're still not sure why the wise men must face the opposite direction.

Thanks to everyone who made our 4 day vacation so great. We can't wait to go back soon!