Tradition.

Tradition is VERY important in my family. Every Thanksgiving, we have a huge dinner for 17 people at either my parents' house or my aunt and uncle's house (they trade off each year). It's an entire day of family, football, and fabulous food. This year, however, the adults made the executive decision to have our Thanksgiving dinner at a RESTAURANT. This hasn't happened in my entire life so needless to say, it didn't go over so well with my sister and I. We had a hard time coping with the drastic change; we wanted the same thing we had gotten year after year, but we sucked it up and ended up having a fantastic day with our family.

While it was hard to eat turkey that didn't come out of our own oven, we were back to our old addicted-to-tradition selves the very next day as we made the trek up Skyline to our favorite Christmas tree farm. Travis joined us this year for his first time ever cutting down a Christmas tree! We love putting on boots and gloves to hike up the muddy hills of the farm, swinging the old saw that is supposed to be able to cut through a trunk easily, analyzing tree after tree and trying to avoid the large clusters of ladybugs that have made their homes there. Dad thinks ever tree is too yellow/brown, Mom wants a 10 foot tree that won't fit anywhere in our house, and Megan wants the "fluffy" ones that are so full, there's no way you could fit any ornaments on it. We always manage to find a perfect tree that everyone loves, and we can hear the "hallelujah!" chorus in the background, just like in the movie Christmas Vacation (which we quote year-round due to our excessive watching of it each holiday season). Every year, every Christmas tree hunt is full of laughter, pictures of the whole family being ridiculous, and watching Dad and Travis struggle to saw down the tree due to the "condensation" (excuse??). There's nothing like bringing in a Christmas tree that we found from nature itself, smelling unbelievably good. We spend the whole rest of the day/night decorating it, and every year as tradition would have it, the middle strand of the lights doesn't work AFTER we've already strung the whole tree. Pure comedy.

This year has taught me how important tradition is, how comforting and special it is to do the same family activities every year. However, I've also learned that a little bit of change is okay, that the important part of the holidays is to spend time with the ones you love no matter what you're doing. If I'm eating a home cooked turkey next year, it'll be great only because I'll be with 17 people that I adore. On November 23, 2012, we'll be right back up Skyline, looking for that tree once again. I cannot wait :).

C.

For that, I'm thankful.

Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays. Not only is it one of the absolute best days of eating (oh my gosh, I could eat stuffing for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy), it brings my whole family together and reminds me to take a step back and look at how truly blessed I am. So, instead of posting a status on Facebook or sending the same mass text to a bunch of people, I'm posting my thanks right on here, for each and every one of you.

1. I'm extremely thankful for my entire family. My parents are my mentors and I treasure my fantastic relationship with them. My sister is my absolute best friend in the entire world. My aunt and uncles are some of the funniest people I've ever met, and my cousins are on the top of my list of favorite people. My grandparents teach me strength and prosperity, and even my second cousins in Germany that I almost never see still keep in touch. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such supportive, loving and happy people, and for that, I'm thankful.

2. My wonderful, wonderful boyfriend, Travis. And, we admit, we owe Ben Greer for introducing us :). I've never met someone who is the love of my life and my best friend. My family and friends love him and he them, and I love his family and friends just as much. I can't wait to see him everyday, and I'm excited to see what other surprises and changes he will bring to my life. He's an incredible man who loves me and supports me through my trials and tribulations and for that, I'm thankful.

3. Travis' family. His caring parents who instantly adopted me as one of their own. His brother Tyler who is one of the most down to earth people I know, and his brother's adorable girlfriend Rachel, who has also become a friend. His grandparents and all of his aunts and uncles (there are a lot!) who are incredibly family oriented and make me feel at home. I'm so happy to have such wonderful people in my life who create a second family for me and for that, I'm thankful.

4. My best friends. My life would be so different without them. Brittany Hall, Erin Cutler, Brianna Rose, Paige White, Sara Dolan. 5 of the craziest, sweetest, hilarious girls who constantly bless and enhance my life. These girls will be bridesmaids in my wedding, aunties to my children, and girlfriends I play Scrabble with when we're old. They keep me laughing and loving every day of my life and for that, I'm thankful.

5. My degree from SCU. I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend Santa Clara University and study what I love. Graduating in four years as a transfer student seemed impossible at the beginning, and without attending a school that wants their students to succeed, I wouldn't be where I am today. SCU pushed me to my wits end, focused on my success and introduced me to some very important people in my life and for that, I'm thankful.

6. My job at MoFo. I feel so lucky to have landed such a great job right out of college that pays me well, gives me great benefits, and allows me to learn and grow. Over the last 7 months, I've been pushed, tested, confused, uncertain, interested, excited and intrigued with the work I'm doing. Not only that, I've met some brilliant people who take interest in me and my future and I've made many lifelong friends. MoFo keeps me secure, interests and entertains me, and gives me great friends and for that, I'm thankful.

7. My friends. Especially the ones I've met through Travis (though really, they're the people I met through Ben ;)). I may have only known these people for about a year, but they are truly some of the funniest, coolest, kindest people I've ever met. Ben Greer, Mike Chavez, Jason Von Raesfeld, Jerome Burton, Keith Guo, Matt Paolercio, Mike Gibler, Dane Rasmuson, Mike Bermudes, Mike Sylvia. Annie Espinosa, Julie Connelly, Tess Rickert, Marissa Silver, Jenny Long, Jenny Harlow, Siyi Tian. Such wonderful people who I'm sure will be lifelong friends. I'm also so appreciative of the friends who I've kept over the years and even though we don't speak 24/7, we still connect instantly when we see each other again. Lexi Burns, Tiffany Liou, Jacki Tuman...that list goes on way too long. I feel so blessed to have such caring people in my life and for that, I'm thankful.

8. My best guy friends. Guys are so important to have around - they ground me, give me advice, and we have so much fun whenever we hang out. Sean Pierce, Michael Boyd, Mike Chavez, Michael Arriola, Myron Cotran, Patrick Brennan, Steven Ross...the list probably goes on. They understand me and appreciate me for who I am and for that, I'm thankful.

9. Steamers. It may be a funny thing to be thankful for, but I truly am. Travis and I love this grillhouse in Los Gatos that we go to every Sunday night to drink amazing wine and hang out with our two favorite bar tenders of all time, Mike Chavez and Khalil Mujadedi. It's a great way to start and end our week - trying new wines, desserts, and talking/laughing with great friends. It's great to know that some of the simplest things can mean the most and for that, I'm thankful.

10. My apartment. It might be cold at times, or the shower head might not be the best, but it's a roof over my head and a place to sleep every single night with two awesome roommates. We've got heat, water, electricity and food, and for that, I'm thankful.

11. Everything that I haven't mentioned already. There's so much in my life to be thankful for and for that, I'm thankful.

Hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and remind yourselves how truly blessed we all are. :)

C.