Thanksmas

And I'll start this blog post by saying that I have been thinking about this blog post for the last few days.  As time got close for us to come home I felt that upside feeling inside start to wander.  How do I put it all together and tell the story- because everything has a story.  Our lives are a story.  And  for me in my little world I also have live music playing when I walk into a grocery store...I hear it...it's playing.   And songs played in my head throughout the week.  And I'd get all nervous inside and feel a bit shy, how will I say it, what song will I pic...nervous, shy.  And then I'd get that burst of "oh yeah!" and charged down the stairs and take that second to last step a bit too quick and only the front part of my foot caught the stair and I kinda slipped.  That's what this kinda stuff does to me.  And I know it's deep within because last night I had dream that a 500 ft tsunami was coming and I was in a little shop by the beach.  I ran outside with my camera and tried each time to get the best shot and each time my shutter button would stick and right as the wave was about to crash I would run back inside to wait for the next one.  And then try again...and again...and so concerned that I wouldn't get the shot...not that I would drown.  So it runs deep...And with the boots we set off.

And it was kinda sad to be leaving.  It was the first snow and I was going in the opposite direction.  I had a moment their where I wanted to stay.  I was thinking about it...






















But we where all snuggled in and going back really wasn't an option.  And the snow was nice, it made it really feel like Thanksmas.  Do you have a Thanksmas?  We do...it's around 3 years old and an Adams family declared holiday.  We meet up with Jeff's side at the beach and have Thanksgiving and Christmas together.  It's so real that the week before we leave I have Bing Crosby on and I'm happily singing along...yeah that's right a whole week before Thanksgiving.  So we do it right and though some would say that's a bit over the top, I say Bah...we need more of over the top and whatever it takes to bring everyone together, do it, and make it yours, wear it well and hold it tight.


























And I really don't know why but going somewhere has a way of always bringing us back to the beginning.  Maybe as a family, maybe as parents, or maybe just as me.  It always does.  Puts some of the scattered pieces back together.  And seeing these two together, my heart beats hard...and I feel full.



























And once there we settled right in and the kids ran to Grammy and Pop pop and it was good.  And after we tucked them all in, Faith said, "should I make some tapioca?"  And I was like, "Heck yes!"..."I mean yes pretty please".  Because that is what everyone should get when they walk through that door called "somewhere"...they should get warm cozy love!  And it was all mine!




























 Jeff making my salsa "better".
























The Stockings...boots that Faith found that work great.  We wear them during the week also.  So smart!

























And these photo's pretty much sum up most of it.  The story goes like this...we drove, we arrived and we did the days well and happily soaked it all in.  Now that said...family is real, and with real family comes real people and real life. And family wouldn't be real if we did have a few words...and we had them.  But that's life and as far as I've heard, that's how it's been for at least the last few thousand years.  Did I mention that Jeff has 2 brothers and Jeff's dad was one of 4 boys.  Yeah, me and Jessie and faith have our hands full...and I'm not helping those numbers any with 3 boys of our own.
Boys are loud.
And that's all I have to say about that...
Moving on.  And this is where I might loose you.  I can't help myself and have posted like 50 photos.




























Off to the beach...






































So when you ask Silas a question and he doesn't want to answer he answers in monkey (ooo ohhh ahhh)...and if he can't say "I" cuz of his studder, then he just talks in the 3rd person and says "Silas goes potty?" I adore him.
































Me and Eloise

























Each of us took turns cooking, making what felt most comfortable.  Randy made GF Crepes.  They were so yummy.
























Ok and here's were it really get's out of hand.  More presents then they know what to do with.  It was like seriously kids on Crack...and we follow Jeff's side of Christmas tradition and open them up at night on Thanksmas Eve. 














































And this is what I mean by "wear it well" and why not!