Thanksgiving Festivities

On Monday, November 24, Ella and I embarked on a road trip. It was a trip that we as a whole family have made several times, but this time it was just me and my little tootsie (Ella). We packed the car to make the 500 mile (approx.) trip to Boise. Ella was a fantastic traveler. The typical 8 hour trip took us a whole 10 hours (we took a few lengthy wiggle stops). Ella and I then were able to spend a few days with my sister and her beautiful new baby, Ryker (and Tory and my favorite Michelle). Landon then flew in on Wednesday morning. We hung out all together through the morning and early afternoon before we all jumped into the car to continue the road trip to Idaho Falls.

We then spent a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with our families. Ella was in absolute heaven with all of her cousins. The picture below is of Ella with a few of them having a dance-off.

Black Friday shopping was also a success. We Winter girls hit the shops early and made it home by 8:30! There were a few items on my list that were "must haves," and I got them all! One of the items, I got one of the last two. Another, I took the last two off the shelf (I think that that upset the shopper that was standing behind me who was 2 seconds to slow). In all, I probably did 90% of my Christmas shopping while we were there. I decided that the money I spent in Idaho sales tax was less than what I would have had to pay for a babysitter if I had waited and done it back home in Oregon. So, like I said, shopping success!

Landon enjoyed some satisfying male bonding time too. He spent a few days out with the men from the Winter family and one with the McCracken men testing their personal firearms. Like I said, satisfying male bonding time.

We now miss our family during this Christmas season, but are very happy that we were able to spend an enjoyable week during Thanksgiving with them.