The Thanksgiving Day Post

I know, I know...I'm a few days late. But as usual...we were on the road! So, lets travel back in time and start at the beginning.

Tuesday

I found the one perk of being on nightcrew. Danny was out of work before 8pm, which was awesome because it meant he could get to sleep at a normal hour...and be up early to get on the road!

Wednesday

Miley lounged while we packed!

  We packed up the car, loaded up Miley...and were on the road before 9:30. Where were we headed? Akron, Ohio, of course! The trip is ten hours from Jacksonville, but after a few gas and pee stops, we added an hour onto the trip. There was zero traffic..so that was amazing! We picked Kaleb up and headed to Danny's Grandma's for the next few days!

Kaleb was so excited to see Miley..probably more so than seeing his Dad. I'm pretty sure Miley even remembered who he was...they cuddled and played like they never even left each other. Miley must have been really excited because she didn't sleep at all Wednesday night. She was up whining all night..and finally woke the whole house up at 7:00 on Thursday morning!

Thursday

Thanksgiving flew by for us. Our first stop was to Danny's (other) grandma's house. She put me to work the second we walked in..she had me peeling and chopping potatoes. But I was paid for my work...with delicious Lebanese food. I had no idea what I was eating, but oh.my.God. it was amazing.

Next up was Aunt Edna's house. I was way nervous about going here...I knew Danny's sister was supposed to be there, and well...I'm 99.9% positive that she dislikes me. She didn't show up while we were there...so I was able to enjoy our first dinner of the day. I could have eaten every last morsel of the sweet potato casserole. Kaleb didn't want to try it...but that was okay..it just meant more for me!

After hanging out there for a few hours..we went back to Grandma's for our second dinner. It was more fun, but the food wasn't as good. I seriously missed my Mom's stuffing. Miley had so much fun playing with the kids...she ran around the yard and even "helped" them with their Lego building skills. 

The cousins being goofy!

 We were supposed to end the night by going to the movies (same as last year!) but we were exhausted! Instead Miley and Kaleb, and me and Danny snuggled up to watched Toy Story 3. Second time seeing it...and I'll be honest, still brought a tear to my eye!

Friday

Once again Miley was the first one awake...and if she is awake, she wants everyone up with her! I was lucky though, Danny got up with her for the second day in a row. I stayed in bed until I heard Kaleb and Miley playing together..they are seriously so cute together.

We decided we were going to the movies, Grandma told us to leave Miley out of her cage...so we did. I was so nervous the whole time. I can barely control the animal! We saw Megamind. I thought it was so good! When we got back to the house, the first words out of Grandma's mouth were, "I don't think you should ever leave her out of the cage if no one is home." My thoughts exactly Grandma!

We had dinner with Danny's dad. We went to Luigi's in Akron. We had to stand in line...outside. It was freezing out. I was seriously missing flip flop season while we were standing in that line!! Dinner was good, conversation was so-so. Danny's quiet...but his Dad is even more quiet. Me....not so much. I'd start random conversations about anything...get a chuckle or two, and then back to an awkward silence. Kaleb had fun though! They had a guy walking around making balloons...he got the worm-in-an-apple...I wish I had a picture of it!!

After dinner we dropped Kaleb off. Danny's ex had a surprise for me...a Beatles shirt! She did some Black Friday shopping and thought of me when she saw the shirt. Can I just say I really really like that things are not weird between the two of us. And I got a new shirt out of the deal!

Friday night was my first night ever out in Ohio. Danny's cousin, Candy, brought us out to a comedy show. We had a few good laughs and a lot of drinks! It was so nice to finally get out and do something in Ohio!

Saturday

Miley finally decided that it was okay to sleep in...except we were supposed to be up early!! We had a breakfast date with Grandma and Aunt Lillian. They took us to a local place and had an awesome breakfast to start the day. If you asked me out to either dinner or breakfast...I will always choose breakfast. Mmm mmm good!

After breakfast, we loaded everything back into the car and got on the road. Nine and a half hours later (um...way shorter than the trip up!?) we pulled into our driveway and were so so so excited to be home! 

NOW

It's like we never left. Danny is already back to playing COD and I'm blogging. Oh, I love being home!

We had such a good time in Ohio. Before we left I was kinda dreading the trip...but I'm so glad we went. I am so thankful to be part of their family and to have such great people to spend the holidays with when I can't be with my own. I really missed my family..and totally teared up when my sister sent me a picture from their dinner.

And just for a little comparison...here's last years Thanksgiving picture and this years picture! I wish Miley was in the picture, but she was too busy playing with the kids!

Thanksgiving 2009!

Thanksgiving 2010!

I'm Baaaack!

Did you miss me? Cuz I missed all of you! I promise I'll try to catch up on everyone's blogs...if I missed something super important, let me know please!

We had a great long weekend! Me, Danny and Miley took the ten hour trip to Ohio to see Danny's family and get Kaleb. Miley whined most of the trip up, she was probably scared because we had her cage and food with her, first time we have ever done that in the car! I hope she didn't think we were getting rid of her! The trip was long, the weather in West Virginia was crazy and we enjoyed McDonalds and Hardees. My arteries are in defense mode right now. I saw a funny looking mountain, funny looking people in West Virginia...and we drove in the clouds! We finally picked Kaleb up around 1am, got to Danny's dads....and passed out.

Saturday was BEAUTIFUL out. We went to the Cleveland Zoo, free admission for active service AND dependents. It cost us nothing to get in. The zoo was huuuuuge. I didn't know this, but Ohio has a big Amish population...I thought I was time traveling with their plain outfits! My favorite part of the zoo might sound a little boring, but I was intrigued by the Mexican blind fish. They had no eyes! I thought that was amazing! Kaleb fed the seals and was only interested in seeing dinosaurs, tigers (off exhibit) and the sharks!

 Saturday night we saw Shrek Forever After...I thought it was the cutest movie ever! And the theater had amaaaazing popcorn!

Sunday we went to Danny's grandma's house, the boys played a little baseball, Miley played in the flowers and got messy.

We had some lunch and then started the long trek home. I expected the trip to be much longer with a puppy and a five year old. But the trip was faster. Kaleb made up stories and told them to Miley..it kept both of them busy which was great!

Even though it was just a weekend, I'm so happy to be home! Danny has today and tomorrow off yay! We have lots of things planned for Kaleb, and starting Wednesday it will just be the two of us! He said he's excited to try new foods (he already tried shrimp and sweet potato fries...and liked both!)

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day!

REMINDERS:
Enter my giveaway (I might extend it if no one enters soon!) Giveaway 
I'm doing the 30 Day Meme
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The Ohio Update

First, lets just say...never start a roadtrip on a holiday during rush hour..especially when there are a billion college campus in your area. Our eight hour trip turned into a almost a twelve hour trip.

Danny's family was so excited to see him, he hasn't been home in a year! We had Thanksgiving dinner at his grandmothers house with his Mom's family. Danny made the big "we're getting married" annoucement, which I thought went well. But apparently his grandmother wasn't too please...but Danny's Mom and step-Dad stuck up for us. I love those two. Atleast we have people on our side! Later that day we went to Danny's Dad's side of the family.

It has always been tradition in my family to see a movie on Thanksgiving night...I was so excited when we decided to take Kaleb to see a movie!

I didn't take part in Black Friday events, large crowds in stores is NOT my thing. HOWEVER! Danny's Mom and step-Dad picked up some awesome things for me and Danny! A flatware set, a quesedilia maker, electric skillet, spice rack and some other stuff! SO EXCITING!

Friday night we were supposed to get drinks with Danny's sister and some friends. But I KNEW it wouldn't happen. I knew Kaleb wouldn't want his Daddy to leave. Danny was a little dissapointed that he didn't get to go out, but it ended up being a good night. I loved seeing the two of them together and having fun.  Danny is a great Dad.

I made breakfast Saturday morning,  chocolate chip pancakes...Kaleb said he has never had them before! Which just showed me that Ohio really is under a giant rock! Then we took his to see Santa..such a cute picture!

Saturday night we went out with Danny's Dad for dinner. It literally took Danny the entire trip before he told his Dad we were getting married. I was a little upset that he didn't want to tell him, he alluded that his Dad "wouldn't even care." It hurt a little that someone might not care about something this big. But his Dad took it well, and didn't have anything negative to say. He was all over Danny though about the security clearance/graduation thing. It was very strange.

We left Ohio late Saturday night so we wouldn't hit traffic...a good idea because his Mom was in traffic ALL day yesterday.

Yesterday we were laaaaazy all day. And then went out for sushi to celebrate my birthday. I'm sad I won't get to see him for my birthday..or for the rest of the month for that matter. I won't see him again until December 23. The longest we have been apart. But atleast I'll see him for Christmas AND New Years!

Tomorrow is my 24th birthday and I'm flying home to Boston! SO SO excited!

Catching Up

My Mom came to visit this past weekend! We did SO much! It was great getting to spend time with her and Danny at the same time. She basically came down to make sure my new Southern family is taking good care of me.

Saturday I moved out of the house in Carrboro. I have never been so excited! As much as I hated that house and the people I lived with, I do not regret moving down here at all. I never would have met Danny. Everything happens for a reason.

We ate WAY too much while my Mom was down here. I'm pretty sure it's all we did! But it was a great time! Wine night, dinners, lots of shopping, a movie..fun!

Tomorrow me and Danny go on our roadtrip to Ohio for Thanksgiving. Nervous and excited. Meeting the entire family. I can't imagine how this conversation will go.."hi, this is Nicole..oh by the way..we're getting married." Should be interesting! But I'm mostly nervous to meet Kaleb, Danny's little boy. Maybe my (sad attempt) Buzz Lightyear cake will earn me brownie points!

Wish me luck!