Ah! I feel full, refreshed, and richly blessed! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It started on Wednesday evening with a trip downtown. Ryan and I enjoyed some appetizers and drinks at The Local and then joined Dawn and Ross at the Dakota Jazz Club for The Steeles in concert! My jaw sits on the floor most of the time they are singing and playing! They are beyond talented and what's so cool is that they are all family. If anyone knows my family, you know how musically challenged we are- so it's beyond amazing to me that a family would carry this much talent all together!
Then Thursday was Thanksgiving! Ryan and I were a little lazy in the morning but we got our butts in gear and made some food and headed out the door to my parents house. It was really bitter sweet as it was the last Thanksgiving at my parents house! (They sold their house and will move just after the holidays.) It was a really good day- full of family, delicious food- my parents make the best food!- and memories of holidays past at their house! A few pictures from the day...
A Christmas card perhaps?!
VERY VERY thankful for my Grandpa, his health, and spending Thanksgiving with him!
Olivia- our flower girl! Almost 4 years old! What a little fashionista in her boots and sweater dress!
Jaxon and Stephanie- took a few shots to get this one as the 14 year old boy was trying to avoid it!
Dad making the gravy!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words- and this one just melts my heart!
Olivia playing with Gracie.
The wines from St. Emilion were enjoyed!
Beautiful sisters!
Dad serving up dinner!
After stuffing ourselves at my parent's house, we headed to Dawn and Ross's! And again enjoyed a wonderful meal with the usual suspects- Dawn and Ross, Ben and Becca, Bill and Austin! I think I enjoyed time on the porch after dinner the most- sipping on coffee and just chatting and laughing! A lot!
Dawn's Thanksgiving dinner table...
Ben playing guitar on the porch just as it started snowing!
Dancing party of course with Austin!
And dip!
Facebooking that right away :)
You two are cute!
Bill looks thrilled to be sitting with Ryan :)
Seriously delicious apple pie!
Familia
And someone had to play Fantasy Football...
Ryan and I were the first to leave for the night as we had to get up in the morning for BLACK FRIDAY shopping! It has been a tradition in my family for years- I think since I was in 7th or 8th grade! All the girls in the family load up in the morning and hit the road. Stephanie, my very organized sister-in-law organizes the route based on what stores open when and who has the best deals/door busters. I was pretty excited to go Black Friday shopping as I haven't gone since before Ryan and I were married- I've missed this that last two years while getting married and then being in Florida last year celebrating our first anniversary! And this was Ryan's first year! So Ryan and I picked up a newspaper on Thursday night so we could clip coupons for our shopping trip!
Friday morning we were up at 4am and out the door by 4:30! Ryan took a quick drink of C4- his normal workout energy booster while the girls all got coffee at Caribou! We were the first in line!
Funny story of the morning.. after picking up coffee, we hopped in the car and as Ryan and I opened our car doors at the same time, all of my coupons got swept away by the wind and I ended up chasing them through the parking lot at Caribou! I caught on coupon and the other ones got stuck in the bushes so we grabbed those too :)
Ryan in Macy's at about 5:45am! Likely not to happen too often :)
At Dick's Sporting Goods with Rose!
Laura and Rose waiting for Ryan to buy his new TV!
Let me tell you- I didn't even know who my husband was on Friday! He went gang busters for the deals- including a new 51" tv! He says he just can't pass up a good deal.
Then after lunch, my sister, my mom and I headed up to Hom Furniture to do a little furniture shopping for my parents' new house! We picked out a new kitchen table, dining room table, master bedrooms set, and great room furniture! My mom HATES shopping and my sister and I LOVE shopping so we may be now in charge of decorating their new home!
The new great room set. My mom is getting custom fabrics done!
And part of the bedroom set...
Friday night was complete with a workout and dinner at home with our friends Mike and Danielle! I was practically falling asleep on the couch, mid conversation. Exhausted was an understatement.
Saturday started in good fashion with breakfast with my friend Allison. Allison and her husband Kyle live in Arizona so we don't see them too often- unless they are home. And of course they had Austin with them! He couldn't possible be more adorable! Ryan and I just snuggled him lots!
Later on Saturday evening Ryan and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary! Our anniversary is actually on Tuesday the 27th but as it's a work day and I coach in the evening, we likely won't have very much time that day to celebrate. So we went to dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse downtown. It was delicious- we shared steak and chicken, spicy lobster, asparagus, and potatoes. And to top it off, they gave us this tasty peanut butter, chocolate treat!
I feel very blessed to be married to my absolute best friend! I will be more sappy on Tuesday but for today I will simply say I love you Ryan and I am still amazed at the incredible plan God had in bringing us together!
Sunday was a lazy day. Some house projects- getting the Christmas lights on the trees outside and getting the decorations out for the house too! I love Christmas and if officially started at 4am on Black Friday :)
We made a quick run to the gym in the evening and finished the night watching tv and playing words with friends!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend! I am beyond blessed to have spent the weekend with the husband, family and friends- people I really really treasure!
