Dinner was amazing as usual. I took the liberty of eating about five of grandma's famous dinner rolls. Jared got to meet some family members that he had never met before. (And there are still more for him to meet.) After dinner with the Banner Family the cousins and siblings around my age Erin, Mark, Angie, Jennifer, Keith (Jared came too) all went to Boise to hang out at Erin and Austin's apartment. We went hot tubing but the funniest part of it was that the hot tub was all the way on the other side of the complex. For some reason a few of us decided to skip putting shoes on and walk over to the hot tub barefoot. I would just like to say that I was not one of the crazy ones that did this. The only problem was that the ground was frozen and frosted. I have never seen Jared run so fast. By the time those with out shoes got to the hot tub their feet were burning with pain. The way back was worse because after soaking feet in a hot tub icy pavement and frosted grass doesn't feel too good. I tired to give Jared a piggy back on the way back. I could only carry him about thirty yards and then I would have to take a break. It took us about ten minuets to get back to the apartment which is along time in a swimming suit in below freezing weather! It was an unforgettable adventure that is for sure. So for any one reading this...don't forget your shoes in the middle of November!
The next morning Jared and I got up at about 5:30 and went shopping. Keith and Jennifer came too. By the time we got to the stores it wasn't too bad. We survived black Friday quite well. After shopping we went back to the apartment and ate breakfast with everyone. It was so much fun. It brought back a lot of good memories from my early teen years when Austin, Erin, and Mark lived in Idaho. Unfortunately as always Jared and I had to say goodbye. Then we drove back to Nampa to help Mom get ready for Thanksgiving dinner on the Durfee side (my mom's side).
We had dinner at "the out building" by our church building. Once again it was so good to see all my cousins, aunts and uncles. I love family. The food was delicious and it was so neat to catch up with everyone. I realized that I have to soak up times like these the best I can because being in Arizona family gatherings are rare. This is the first time in my life that being around family has been so spread out. Soon enough the Thanksgiving celebration was over with the Durfee side to. We all went home full and happy. My family stayed up late enjoying each other's company.
On Saturday the family played games and hung out. Then the girls went wedding dress shopping for Angie. We found some beautiful gowns! I am so excited for my older sister! I won't be the only married one anymore!
After shopping us girls met up with the boys and the whole family went to the YMCA to go rock climbing and swimming. Ben, Angie's fiance came with us too. It was so fun to see them together. They are so cute! After the YMCA we decided to go to the Golden Corral. I don't know why we did an all you can eat buffet after two Thanksgiving dinners in a row! I think I gained about five pounds in three days!
After dinner we all went home and spent the last evening together as a family. Jared and I had to drive back to Arizona on Sunday morning. That night went by so fast. In the morning Jared and I said goodbye. I hated it. I just wanted to take my family home with me. The dreaded moment arrived. Mom, Dad, Angie, Ben, Jennifer, and Keith all said goodbye and then we drove away. The sixteen hour drive home seemed like an eternity. We got home Sunday night around midnight and went to bed. It was such a fun and joyful vacation. I am so grateful for family and I am so thankful that I know I have my family forever !
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