I Confess...A Catholic girl's guide to life: Gluttonously Thankful.

So there it was. Thanksgiving. The one week a year my entire family dreams of, and longs for, the rest of the year. Each year at Thanksgiving, my family has a tradition of going away for a week to the Oregon coast. We pick a different place each year and rotate through several of our favorite sites. This year, we spent our week at Depoe Bay, right outside of Newport. Additionally, this year, coincidentally, my Uncle Jim (Dad's brother) and his family (my cousins) were staying at the very same place. It was exciting to have some extended family around at this time of year to visit, catch up and drink some good wine. It was also great for my nephews to get to spend some time with their cousins whom they do not see much. Of course, this trip is usually laden with activities, having the boys with us and all. This year, was no different. Tuesday was a big day for me seeing as how this was the first year I was to prepare a dinner on my own for my family. In the past, I would pair up with my sister and we would do a joint dinner. I get very, very anxious when cooking for others and this was no different. I had a plan to make fajitas and when I got to the grocery store I found they did not have exactly what I was looking for and I would have to make the fajitas from scratch...which I usually do not do. So, now, I was really nervous. My dad helped me with the meat and I took care of the veggies. Everyone ate the meal and I didn't have any complaints. Save for the rumor my dad was running around telling everyone that he saw meat drop on the floor, and that I picked it up and put it back in the skillet. RUMOR. I would nevah. I knew to salvage my dinner that I had to rock their socks off with a dessert. This was a breeze. I had prepared a crockpot cake called "chocolate mess." My family loved it! Let's say there were leftovers of fajitas and not much leftover of chocolate mess! After taking a vote, by account of hand raises, Joey declared, "New family tradition...chocolate mess every year!!!" I was so thrilled they enjoyed it.

Wednesday was a day of rest for me and charter fishing for my sis, brother and nephew, Johnny. They caught their limit, which was great news because we needed it for our fish fry at the end of the week. Last year, we all went on the fishing charter and the majority of the trip was spent throwing up. I was not ready to brave the seas again, but this year, no one got ill and they came back with infectious, renewed confidence. Perhaps next year we'll try a crabbing charter!

Thursday was a day spent together while mom and dad cooked up an enormous feast. I love, love, love Thanksgiving dinner. Andy, my sister's boyfriend, also joined us on this day to celebrate with us. We loved having him there with us, as well.

Friday came and there was only one thing on the agenda. DUCK GAME. I rallied the troops that morning ensuring that everyone had their Duck gear on. Andy's mom came to spend the day with us, and I even brought an extra shirt for her, seeing as how her family has largely been Beaver fans. She was a great sport and rocked the Duck gear like a champ! So proud of her! We had a great day spending time with her and hope that she will be able to join us next year, again. She really kicked it up a notch in the pool. She had my mom doing cannonballs off the side of the pool and everything. I had never seen anything like it...in all my 26 years. There is video archived of this event, however, I have been threatened with my life if anyone ever finds it online. So, I guess that family secret will have to live within the family.

Then it was Saturday and the unsettling thought settles in that Sunday is the last day of vacation. It always goes by too quickly and I dread the day we all separate and go back to our own separate lives. Luckily, Christmas vacation is right around the corner. I think it was this day that I got to catch up with my friend, Marina, from college. She teaches in Newport, and it was great to see her and swap teaching tales and catch her up on the rest of our friends in Eugene. So thankful to get to see her.

It was another successful and fun filled holiday. I'm so thankful to have such a great family. I'm truly blessed.

Today's list: Favorite moments/parts of Thanksgiving break...
1. Seeing my nephews
2. Jacoby trying to talk
3. Feeding the seagulls "illegally" off the balcony
4. Putting a 1,000 piece puzzle together with my mom and sister
5. Good food!
6. Watching the Duck game with my family, and screaming real loud with EVERY touchdown.
7. Nights winding down in the hot tub
8. Sweet treats
9. Telling childhood stories and talking, in general.
10. Staying up late and drinking wine with my mom and sister.

At this end of this week I am always exhausted and I'm always so thankful to be tired because that meant that I had a wonderful busy week with my family. Loves!

Jacoby - aka Little Napoleon, Jack-a-bee, Obie Wan Jacoby, Bobers, Jacobes, baby, Monkey. The kid has way too many nicknames.

Best friends forever - Grandpa and Jacoby

He's preppin' to make some calls.

On the phone...

Mom and Sis working the puzzle. I thought it would NEVER get done.

Mom and pops.

Look at these two knuckleheads ;o)

Rockin' the Duck gear on Gameday!

I have no idea what this is about. Shy! (yeah right)

For some reason, Andy has no Duck gear (hopefully this will be remedied this year) As you can see, Jeanine's sweatshirt doesn't really fit his 6 foot 8 frame.