Thanksgiving 2014 was truly a special one. It was the first time in 4+ years that the Grovers, Fetters, and Dlabs were all on the same continent, in the same city, and under the same roof to celebrate Thanksgiving! And it was the first time we all got to stay at my sister and Bryan's new house! I can't even remember the last time we had Thanksgiving with my parents…. it must have been before Taj was even born. The week around Thanksgiving all our schedules and travels clicked, synchronized, and all 9 of us (plus Bronco!) were finally together! Brad, the boys, and I booked our tickets using our miles and flew for free to CA. We arrived 8 days before Thanksgiving, spent the first couple days with just my sister, Bryan, and Chloe, and the Saturday night before Thanksgiving my parents flew in from New Orleans, LA. We spent the next 5 days enjoying each other's company, drinking, eating waaaay too much, playing and frolicking in the sun (and on the trampoline), had some incredible cousin bonding, grandparent-grandkids bonding, great sister bonding, brother-in-laws (Bryan and Brad) bonding, double date, family outing with Babi and Deda, pool time, park time, and of course, an amazing OUTDOOR Thanksgiving on the patio! Weather was a bit warmer than we expected… great for pool day though! The day after Thanksgiving, we flew back home into the wintery cold. The 9 days were perfect. Thanksgiving 2014 beat out all other Thanksgivings and has been my favorite so far!
The sleeping arrangements were quite unique…. The Grovers bunked in Chloe's room, and when I say "bunked" I really mean bunk bed! I slept on the top, Brad and Taji on the bottom, and Jax in the pack n play. Babi and Deda got their own guest room, and Chloe slept in her parents' room. The cousins had the ultimate fun time jumping on the trampoline, wrestling, swimming, playing drums and karaoke and singing the heck out of Maroon 5's "Animals" (Taj's FAVORITE song), until we were humming it day and night. We met our puppy nephew Bronco for the first time and fell in love with him. Taj, Jax, Chloe, and Bronco had a ball playing at the park, beach, and Irvine Park together. We made some beautiful memories that we will always treasure. Taji cried for days missing Chloe after we left, and I promised that we would be back for another visit in no time. I just LOVE how close Chloe and the boys are and the lovely brother-sister like relationship they have towards each other. Chloe has been like a big sister to them since Day One, she adores them to pieces, takes care of them, and nurtures them like I have never seen before. I am so glad they all have each other, despite the distance and coasts, I hope they continue to keep this bond with every visit and precious moments spent together. I hope this is just the beginning and annual tradition of us all getting together like this…. if not Thanksgiving, then Christmas!
Beach day at Aliso Beach Park
sisters!
I even got to see my good friend Laura and her girls for a little bit of time at the beach!
I love the Pacific Coast!
cousin love….. from bath time
to story time (Chloe read to the boys every single night and tucked them into bed).
cousin sandwich!
Jax relaxing and loving on Bronco….
Playing with Deda
visiting Irvine park, and riding the train with Babi and Deda
boys rode ponies for the first time, and they weren't even nervous!!
Babi, Deda, and grandkids photo
pool time with the kids
Thanksgiving 2014 family portrait with Bryan's mom Alice and her husband Greg
The usual Stooges at the Thanksgiving dinner table:
Curly
Larry
and Moe!!
My sister had the most beautiful view of the Saddleback Mts!
Cheers to health and happiness!
Dlab portrait!
Mommy and daughters :-)
Fetters-Grovers picture!
Thanks Peti, for hosting! We are so fortunate to have my sister and her family and my parents. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and as we get older we appreciate each other so much more. I love that when we get together its like no time has passed at all. I love the longer visits and these special occasions and memories. We no longer live in neighboring cities or even in the same state for that matter, but somehow I feel like we are closer and seize every moment we have together. For that, I am eternally thankful for on this Thanksgiving. We look forward to many more special holidays, celebrations, travel, and for all us to reunite in our homeland of Czech! I really hope we can get everyone together again at our house for Christmas next year (2015)!
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