Thanksgiving in California

It was so exciting to have a short week of work and head to California for Thanksgiving! Tuesday night we left around 8PM for the airport and arrived in Oakland a little after midnight. Bryce's parents picked us up with In-N-Out in hand, which is one of the best ways to be welcomed to the Golden State. We got home and chatted for just a little bit before getting to bed.

Wednesday we got up after sleeping in and then Bryce and I went on a walk/run. It was warm and sunny, and I can't believe that is what California calls winter. Then Kenzie flew in that morning from Vegas so we all went to lunch at La Plaza. I got my traditional carnitas tacos, but I also got a shrimp taco that was fantastic. California does Mexican so well! Then I ate way too many chips with salsa because that's what vacations are all about. We came home and I ended up taking a nap. We then did some shopping. It started out as grocery shopping, but Bryce and I also went to Walnut Creek and then Sports Basement where we met up with the rest of the family. That night we got pizza for dinner and started making food for the feast tomorrow.

Thanksgiving morning we got up and all the major cooking started. I helped with a few things before getting ready. After getting ready, I had a quick Skype call with Darin, Mason, and Logan. It was so fun to see the boys. Then Bryce's cousins came over and so we had a full house of family. We ate and enjoyed sitting around talking for most of the afternoon.

After a quick trip to tour Melissa and Jake's new place, we ate pie. I just can't eat enough pumpkin pie! That evening we rented the movie The Giver and relaxed being grateful for all the bounty and blessings in our lives.

Friday was a pretty chill day. I got up late and ended up going on a run. It was so warm and sunny, I started scheming on how I could get a job at Google or Apple and move! Just need to find a good law job for Bryce. After my run, I got ready and then we setup Christmas decorations. It is just so fun getting ready for Christmas. Later that afternoon, Bryce and I left to meet my parents and brother in Berkeley for dinner. It is so crazy to me how close Concord is to everything. We were there in less than 30 minutes. We meet them at a place called Cinnaholic that I heard about on Shark Tank. They serve 100% vegan cinnamon rolls, which doesn't seem like a tasty cinnamon roll, but they did it! Bryce and I got our cinnamon roll with maple frosting and chocolate syrup. Delish!

After we walked around Berkeley's campus since it was across the street from the bakery and because I have never been there even though my dad went there. Apparently, I have missed all the family outings to see Berkeley before this! It was a fun to hear about dad's college life and how smart he is.

We then got dinner at a Mexican restaurant down the street. We ended up talking for awhile catching up and laughing at funny family jokes and memories. We then got back to Concord and hung out with Bryce's family for the rest of the evening.

Saturday we went to the BYU Football game versus Cal Berkeley. That's right never been to Berkeley before and now I go two days in a row. We got up and ready and headed out around noon. We had plenty of time before the game so that was nice. We were able to see AJ and Jentri before the game started and eat lunch. The actually game was exciting! BYU played pretty well and the score went back and forth so you did not want to miss a play! 

I was so glad that BYU won and after I ran down to high five the players! 

On our way home, we stopped by the temple to see the Christmas lights. It was pretty crowded and we ended up just staying in the car. 

We then got home and packed up and chatted with everyone. Sunday morning we woke up at 4AM to fly home. It was FREEZING in Portland when we landed so we didn't feel very welcomed. We got home and quickly got ready for church. We struggled to stay awake for sacrament meeting with so little sleep so we came home and took a long nap! We then got ready to start the week, which was very busy now!