Rabulous

I want to preface my rants by say, I’m grateful for so much in life.

But for the first time in a long time, I can happily say, I’m very thankful to be home– in N.J.

While we had a fun-filled trip home to the Commonwealth, we were greeted by much drama, ferocity and yup, stress. I’m  talking about the Nor’Easter that whipped across the mid-atlantic while we were driving, just to clarify. But yes, as I predicted, there’s never enough time to see everyone, do everything we want or stay within a reasonable budget.

However, we did see a lot of my nutty family. We cooked, we ate, we laughed, watched way too much of the Filipino Channel (my parents insist on translating every.flipping.show for Jeff) and had an awesome time. We had the chance to see almost all of my inlaws. We played an intense game of Mr. Mouth, as well as dining at one of the finest establishments that Chesapeake has to offer. And of course, we saw a ton of friends. and Joe Millionaire. Jeff drank way too much in such a short time (surprised?) and our cool nephew showed him what happens to the crazy drunken uncle. classic.

What a fun, memorable but exhausting extended holiday weekend. By the end of our trip, when I was explaining something to my lovely parents for the billionth time, Jeff said he saw another vein pop out of my neck, despite my forced cursory tone.

He’s a smart man, he knows when to run for cover.

But seriously, I’m we’re very lucky and so very thankful to be loved by so many people back home. It’s good to visit our  other home, but it’s even better to come back to this home.

And here’s a pictoral synopsis of our trip back to Va.

At this point my parents had been blowing my phone up for the past 100 miles. sweet.  I felt like the winds were going to swoop up our top heavy car and the waves were going to swallow us up. We probably should’ve listened to dad and avoided this 17-mile crapshoot.

VB goes higher and higher every time we come home. I believe this is the Westin that’s under construction on the Blvd. in the Town Center.

Boys will be boys.  They must’ve played for days:::This was one of my most favorite and memorable thanksgivings. For the first time in 10 or so years, I was able to help mom cook in the kitchen. It’s the little things that make me so thankful.

in line at toys r us at 3am on Black Friday.    In NYC, they say “on line;”  In va, we say IN line

this cow was giving out coupons for breakfast

yeah. we shop a lot.

don’t you see the psuedo celeb all the way back there?

Bffs and  just a drunk guy and Kris (in Kelly’s coat?)

yeah. BFFs 4-eva.
me, Kel, Jeff and Kris

classic.

and my fave:

favorite quotes heard during our pensive and very competitive game of Mr. Mouth.

I don’t think I laughed this hard in a LONG time.

“I got one in!” “I got another one in!” “Yeah, 3 in a row!”– Michael.
“Shut up Michael, you’re being annoying.” “I’m the Champion!!!”–Grandma
“Michael, you’re in my firing range– move!!” “Aunt Jen, you suck at this.”–uncle Jeff
“Aunt Jen, have you ever played a game like this? It doesn’t seem like it.” –Michael
“um. I’m no good at this. Unless there’s beer and ping-pong balls involved, I’m obviously useless.” –Aunt Jen

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Ok, now that I’m home.  I’m leaving on a jet plane tomorrow for Nola for work.  Should be a very interesting trip.   Updates later.