Monday, November 30, 2009

Thanks Dude

I'm noticing a trend. For the last 4 out of 5 Thanksgivings, we have been miles away from family and enjoying a feast with dear friends. Turns out we have picked up some pretty awesome ones along the way.

Last week we headed down to the Lifferths, some of our favorite friends from college. We had a beautiful dinner at Alanna's mother's house who quickly made us feel part of the family. She had two of her good friends there as well. Friends that over time have most definitely become family.

Over the next year, my family will just become more spread apart. It's hard. More and more I want all my siblings to leave their adventures and move home. But it was so good for me to see the Kiel family and their loved ones. Alanna's mom's friend watched the girls so we could eat, carried on easy conversation, then kissed me goodbye as we left. It was nice to see the familiarity and love between these women.

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:: other highlights ::

-the coolest (albeit dimly lit) children's museum. And the sweetest, most endearing Santa I've ever seen. Seriously, how great does he look?

-lovin' on each other's kids. If you love your friends, I suppose it's natural to love their offspring. Hayden spent more time snuggling with Alanna and I ended up with more pictures of Keira than my own girls. And no kid can resist Randy.

-keeping our kids up all day then leaving them with a babysitter to go out to eat just as they're about to lose it :) That was brutal, but I think they crashed pretty early for her.

-introducing Randy and Alanna to Modern Family--have you caught that show yet? Love it.

-and, of course, global domination! What trip with the Lifferths would be complete without it?

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J always intimidates me out of Australia and I flounder around Europe. Yeah, he took me out pretty early in the game. Blast his power of persuasion! But Randall gets to have the bragging rights until we meet around the map again!

8 comments:

Randy, Alanna, Keira, and Braden said...

we are so glad you guys came to visit. We had such a great time with you all. Keira is constantly asking about Abbie and Hayden. Hopefully we can come and visit soon. Thanks for such a great time.

Barb said...

Sounds like fun! I've heard about your games of Risk, they sound pretty intense. I love your line about loving your friends offspring, so true.

Katherine said...

How fun!! I've never played Risk. You guys have been holding out on us! :) Beautiful pictures. The ones of Santa holding Keira are pretty sweet. I'm glad you guys had such a great time.

Allison and Noah Riley said...

Risk is one of my strongest memories of the Lifferths - that's awesome. (I think I came home from that uber-awkward date and you guys were all playing.)

Missed you guys.

Alisa and Crowells said...
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Alisa and Crowells said...

Sorry--don't know what happened. I hope this doesn't post twice. Anywho--that is a sweet picture of Santa--he does look very kind. :) Risk...one of Corey's favs--right alongside Ticket-to-Ride. :)

The Hodsons said...

I'm so glad you have some good friends over there!.... I LOVE Risk! One of these days we will battle :)

HawesFam said...

I can't believe you guys still play that game. It brings back old memories! I can't believe how much we played it. Cody gave it to me for my birthday last year, but we tried to play with just the two of us and it was not fun. He has never played it and I don't think he gets why I like it. Maybe someday I will get to play it with the old gang again. Do you guys see Randy a lot? Where does he live? Where do you live for that matter? I am sorry I have not kept in contact very well, but I do think about you guys. Hope you holiday is going well. Talk to you later.

Love, Dunst