Thanksgiving
Monday was a very low-key day but my parents had to go buy a new car since theirs was totaled in the accident they were in so we went out for a bit. We went to Brueggers for bagels (so good and I used to go there all of the time in high school) then Wegmans (best grocery store ever) and then Abbott's (most delicious custard ever!). The big kids did some school work and we read and played games and totally chilled. Tuesday Josh, my dad and I went to the temple. It is always special to be back in Palmyra where I received my endowments and where we were married. It was also the 26th anniversary of our first date so it was fun to be in Rochester. For our first date we went to see a movie and then to Friendly's for an early dinner before I had volleyball practice. Unfortunately Friendly's has closed or we would have gone there. Instead we enjoyed the temple and just spending the day together.
Wednesday we went bowling with my one of my best friends from high school, Erin, and her four girls. It was so fun to talk, though we didn't have nearly enough time, and see her and hug her and just reconnect. She knows me so well; she was actually the first person I saw after Josh asked me out and so she was the first one to know. The three of us hung out a lot together in high school and it was just fun to be together again. Our families used to spend a lot of holidays together too and her mom always really loved me. She is also a beautiful singer and I used to accompany her a lot at church. We did just about everything together for a few years including seminary, school, volleyball and church activities and I love her.
(all the kids plus my niece and their Italian exchange student, Sophie)
Afterwards we realized we were very close to Cheesecake Factory but I didn't want to spend a ton of money or be too full for dinner (which was my favorite pizza) so we picked a few appetizers and shared them and it was so delicious and super fun. There is also a huge bookstore right there too so we stopped by for awhile. It was a fun day! That night Kristi and Steve drove up and made it in time for dinner. Josh was unfortunately still not feeling well. He had been sick for weeks and just not able to shake it so he went to urgent care that night. They gave him a steroid to reset his immune system and thankfully he finally turned a corner after a few doses. I made strawberry pretzel jello salad and a pumpkin pecan pie and the yams and apples.
Thanksgiving was wonderful. We watched the Macey's parade and went for a walk and played some games and ate a delicious dinner. My mom is such a good cook and the turkey was especially tasty this year. We tried to be helpful but it still wore her out so who knows how many more years we'll be able to go there but it is such a nice tradition so we'll enjoy it for as long as we can. That night we watched the full-length animated Grinch that is so cute and sweet and ate pie and played a game and it was all great. I did take some pictures but on Josh's phone so I'll have to remember to get them later.
Friday we went shopping at the mall with my sisters and there were some great deals. We got a few things at JCPenny and Old Navy and we got a sweet deal on some new basketball sneakers for Curtis, whose feet are now bigger than Josh's. Then we hung out at mom's and had leftovers and watched a BYU basketball game. Saturday we got up and packed up and left by 10am so we could stop at Cafe Rio for dinner and get our Christmas tree. There is a nice farm in Annapolis where the trees are super pricey but nice and tall. The one we got isn't quite as fat as I like them but it looks nice. We got home about 7pm and unpacked and cleaned out the car and ran to BJs for milk and set up the tree and I practiced the piano.
Sunday was very busy for both Josh and I. He had stake council at 7am and then didn't get home until 5:30, only to leave again to do temple recommend interviews from 7-9. His calling is pretty chill during the week but Sundays are nuts with way more driving than I anticipated. It was the one question I asked President Boyd when he called Josh and he said it wasn't a lot but it is so we must have different gauges. I had to be at church early to run through the special number with the Ainas (which was super sweet) and then we were after church for just over an hour for choir, plus I played the organ in sacrament meeting and the piano in primary.
I was pretty tired when we got home but we quickly decorated for Christmas and then Jana and her girls got here. They have been in town all week for Thanksgiving but since we were gone they purposely stayed an extra day so they could see us on Sunday--super sweet. She has always been such a good friend to me and I miss her a lot. Lily and Brylee were a bit more awkward and I think by the end it was more comfortable but not all the way. They were here all afternoon and we just talked and it was fun. I made them dinner and then drove them to the airport afterwards. Jana is actually the reason I started teaching piano; she asked me to teach her girls and things grew from there. Now Cinda is graduating this year and going to college and Brylee is learning to drive and drinking coffee and even though they just moved four years ago, kids grow up fast!
Then it has been back to seminary and school and dance and basketball. I've also been finishing up the decorating, planning our ward party, buying gifts, cleaning the kitchen endlessly, teaching piano lessons, doing laundry, and trying to read so that I'll make my goal by the end of the year.
I am grateful for old friends who still love me and care about me. I'm grateful for my wonderful parents. I'm thankful for good food and a safe drive and good weather and my comfortable bed and that Josh is finally feeling better.
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