Thankfully Refreshed

Now that Thanksgiving is over, let's get to the good stuff. 

But I totally don't feel that way at all. Love Thanksgiving. 

What I didn't love was the 10 hour drive home on Tuesday afternoon. I could have done without that. I was originally supposed to get home around 7:45 Tuesday evening but it wasn't until 10:45 that I was pulling into my driveway and sprinting to the bathroom. 

It's true- after 10 hours I'm pretty sure any human being would be about ready to burst. At least I was. And all that stopping and starting didn't help at all. The good thing was I really felt a strong connection with my fellow I95 travelers. We had this unspeakable bond that mysteriously developed. You know- I'll let you move in front of me because I just saw you let her move in front of you and she just let me in front of her like 10 minutes ago. 

Our connection was deep. 

But enough of that stuff. I want to add too many pictures to this post to let myself get carried away with boring traffic stories. 

Thanksgiving break started off beautifully. We jumped right in with a sibling/mother lunch at Angela's Cafe- no picture of that though. Someone seriously messed up there. 

Then Thursday- the big day- began with the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade! 

We all got up early and cuddled on the couch to watch. Even Shasty was feelin' it. 

But for real- my dog is the nerdiest thing ever. That's why she's the best dog in the world. 

Dan was our red man all morning long. He pretended to be into his computer game, but we all know he was just as excited to hear Scotty sing. 

Cutie. 

And that ends this year's segment of - "watching the parade before showers, makeup, and clothing-change photos." Although MC did sleep with her mascara on this year to make pictures a bit more bearable... but the rest of us didn't get that memo. 

Then over the river and through the woods, to Grandma Martin's we {went}.

We stuffed our faces with grandma's good cookin' and then all cuddled up for a family nap.

Well not really, but I'm pretty sure everyone was tired. 

I did take a picture of the food. 

Dan was most excited about the mashed potatoes. I don't blame him! 

Yes, I ate everything on my plate. And I enjoyed every last bite. 

You would too if all you had to eat for the past 3 months was dining hall food. 

From left to right starting at the bottom: brown buttered noodles, Lima beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, corn. 

Upper left corner: coleslaw 

Then after digging through grandma's hidden treasures, MC and I decided to play with her camera outside. 

I allowed myself to cross the street. 

Then we went to the backyard.

We took a good amount of pictures, but I'll control myself. 

We also headed out to do some shopping on Saturday. We went all over Lancaster County. 

Went to Kitchen Kettle...

Made use of the brick steps...

Acted crazy... 

And enjoyed the serenity of the fish ponds! 

We also decorated! 

It's officially Christmas at the Martin's. 

We pose... we pose. 

She's trying out a new smiling technique ;)

Pretty mamma 

I think Kyle was the only one really working to get the lights up.

Also, Daddy bought himself a new television. 

I know, stranger things are still to be done here... but this one really blows my mind. 

We're still in shock. 

And then Dan was being weird again. Story of my life. 

Real quick conclusion? 

I left Sunday morning at 8am and beat the holiday crowds (ha! Take that holiday crowds!) and made it back to school in exactly 7 hours. 

I walked in my room, threw my stuff on the floor, climbed into my bed, and I fell FAST asleep. 

Thus ending my holiday vacation.
And guess what I have to do now? Yes. My final homework problem for accounting.

Here she goes.

(After trying thousands of different password and username combinations (literally), my Christmas playlist is FINALLY up and running again. You better enjoy it.)