Like a sitting duck, I knew that I’d have to cash in my chips after hosting Thanksgiving for 10+ years straight.
Is it really fair to expect that your relatives will drop everything to fly during the busiest travel weekend of the year?
Though, in all honesty, it was decadent to spend almost no time in the kitchen over Thanksgiving weekend. Yes, I made sure that our bird was glossy and brown; I prepped an appetizer; but other than a few menial activities, I didn’t set foot near a chopping block except to mix myself a cocktail. Perhaps we should indulge in this “hosted not hosting” thing more often…
Traveling to LA with three kids isn’t easy, but the Shake Shack at JFK airport was a welcome sight. On principle, Rodney and I got ourselves burgers, fries and beers at 9:30AM. Because that’s what you do when you see a Shake Shack. When you win the lottery, you turn your ticket in, no exceptions.
The flight was relatively easy, and my kids, despite all of my nervousness, had nary a fatigue-induced meltdown, leaving me with 6 hours to watch 3 full-length movies. Did it matter that I kept having to pour apple juice over ice to my Disney-watching companions? Nope.
At last, we arrived! We had family rendez-vous at the Venice Pier, and so began our Thanksgiving weekend.
I have the same affliction as my Mum – whenever a camera emerges, and I’m on the wrong (e.g. lens-facing) side, I freeze like a TV dinner. That’s a 2015 resolution – smile like I mean it. Like someone just told a dirty joke, those always make me laugh.
Sandy bottoms = after parties.
My sister-in-law showed off her magician skills by transforming her recently-purchased house into a fully-furnished, ready-for-guests masterpiece and…doing all of the Thanksgiving prep work. I thought that I was a Thanksgiving black belt, but I’ve learned that I still have much to achieve. I bow to you Kelly-san.
That niece of mine couldn’t be cuter. I have one niece, and one on the way; I love this kiddo like she’s one of my own. Departure day was tough…Lauren cried all the way through security, hoping for a quick reunion with her little cousin…
Tiiiiimberrrrr….or so sounded the crash from standing position –> knocked out. Thanksgiving will do that to you. Three kids down, one protruding tongue. For the record, Sam not only sleeps like Gene Simmons, but is completely obsessed with him. His list to Santa goes something like this: Trash Pack toy, Toy Sandman, Gene Simmons hat, Gene Simmons toy, Rescue Bots, Captain Underpants.
PS, that was lifted directly from his letter to Santa, marked CHRISTMAS at the top, and signed at the bottom with a rickety SAM.
The next day, armed with breakfast pie and a coffee, I snuck off to a quiet spot in the sunlight and prepared for a day of activities.
Unlike my family, whose idea of Thanksgiving weekend is to take a half hour walk and then park it on the sofa for the day, my husband’s family likes activities. As in a 4-day planner emailed pre-Thanksgiving with breakouts that included “Dawn Patrol surf session”. All of this made me nervous, yet somehow, by the skin of my teeth, I was able to hang out around the house and nest while the family did their activities all around me.
The last day was another sunny day in glorious LA, big surprise. While our East Coast friends shivered and drank copious amounts of brandy to stay warm, we did this kind of thing…
Then, of course, bubble baths.
Not a bad way to spend a few days over Thanksgiving. Hopefully we behaved ourselves well enough to get a repeat invite. Although I did miss our usual Thanksgiving activities back in NYC. And to leave all of our regular Thanksgiving dining companions stranded like that! I’m sure they survived; and probably enjoyed not having to worry about plagues and such things. So off to our next holiday…Christmas, you’re next big guy. May you bring us as many laughs and beautiful family moments as we had last week. Over ‘n out.
Amaaaaaazing photos! Looks like it was a magical West coast trip. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much ML! It truly was an amazing trip, almost beyond words…xo
What an incredible tribute to the special time we shared last week. There is a gaping hole in our home without the five of you around (six including Simmons)! Your photos are gorgeous…you are talented beyond words my dear sis. Love you to the moon and hopefully we may have partially convinced you that you too could be happy living the Californ-eye-eh life” because god knows, it would be a dream come true for us! You and your awesome kids (including their sandy bums) are forever welcome in this Venice hood.
Love you!
Love you too sis, you were the best hostess ever. Love you to the moon too xox
Loved the cute photos especially the last one heheh!
Oh! and that food of course 🙂
Have a beachtastic week 🙂
Love your collection of pictures. Your SIL’s house really looks so neat!!. Must have been an awesome thanksgiving.
Hari OM
This is a complete story in visuals!!! …but ‘YAM-aunty’ is concerned … how was Jackson’s holiday??? Did he have a stay-at-home or did he have to visit {{{cages}}} and what did he make of you hanging out with that young usurper???
Hehehe, that aside, it looks like the perfect gathering! YAM xx
Jackson will NEVER see the inside of a cage! Although I missed him terribly, he was at his doggy daycare, which is cage free- his nights were spent sleeping on top of whichever dog or human was closest to him at that point in time. He loves it there, so I never have concerns about leaving him. But I do appreciate your worry! xo
You captured some beautiful memories! Great photos.
Can’t believe it’s winter in the US with that sunny weater in LA! 🙂
I just wanted to pop in to say WOW!! great photo’s and God has truly blessed you with an amazing family 🙂 Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year……
Thanks and same to you!
we need to discuss, at length, the shake shack fries, i am really going to obsess about this…
I know, you’ll need to start flying into JFK not NWK!
I love your amazing photos. Great shots of a fun-filled weekend with a beautiful family. Looks like the kids had a blast.
Thanks so much xoxxo
Ahhh your still having nice weather, looks so fun!!! Your baby is darling!!! Please join us on The Oh My Heartsie Girls WW this week.
Thanks too for hosting!!!
Karren~*Host
Gorgeous photos. Looks like you had a fabulous time.
What a fabulous Thanksgiving you seem to have had! We had gorgeous weather like that as well. It makes spending Thanksgiving outside a nice treat for all.
Thank you for linking up with us at Oh My Heartsie Girls WW this week. We appreciate you joining us.
Wishing you a FABULOUS week.
xx
Lysa
Co-Host OMHGWW
You are a photographer extrordinaire! Would love for you to come to BAMConf15 so I could meet you in person!
Oh that would be fun, thanks! I signed up for a conference last year and then had to cancel- hard to carve out the time, but if it ever comes to NYC I’ll be there!
Looks like you all had a wonderful time!
I think I have sun-and-beach envy. Love the bath pic!
Ooohing and ahhhing! Amazing photos and I love your house! So spacious and your kitchen is the most awesome =)
That looks like a wonderful trip! I love that your kids got to play outside. Here it’s so cold!
Your husband’s family has a beautiful home – stunning pictures. You niece is a real cutie too!!
Looks like a fun time!
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/12/ww-thanksgiving-in-boca.html
Oh it looks like you guys had a great Thanksgiving! I’m visiting from a Wordless Wednesday Link up.
Looks like a fantastic holiday! Love your photos!
Thanks for the story and great photos! My hubby and I enjoyed this post together. He really appreciates your photography. Enjoy the next festive season around the corner – Christmas!
Your pictures amaze me so much. This is why I need a nice camera!
Jessica these photos are AMAZING. I really want to buy a real camera instead of relying on my phone.
Looks like it was a Thanksgiving blast! You guys make the west coast look oh so fun. And I live here! Haha!
Oh and I so love your SIL’s house! That open floor plan is just awesome. Perfect for parties – and for kids!
Some great photos. Looks like a great time was had by all!
I love all your photos! what a beautiful family!
I love the stories in your photography!! Happy WW!
Very nice story and pics. Thanks for sharing.
I’m jealous..you always take great pictures! 🙂
That looks like such a fun Thanksgiving. That house is beautiful!
Looks like it was worth the trip. So glad that they got cousin time (even if it meant tears at the end)).
🙂
Traci
Stunning photos. It looks like you really had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
I love the pictures!
ooowww…you had a terrific thanksgiving weekend for sure…envy you, while we’re curling up in our apartment trying to get warm…Great photos you have here..what a feast! Happy WW..
Love all of this, Jessica! I found you by way of the Tabitha Blue link up and I’m glad I did! 🙂
Wonderful pictures, great writing, and I can 100% relate to your “in-front-of-camera affliction,” though I inherited it from my dad, not my mom.
Cheers! 🙂
What beautiful images… I love the bubble bath shot
Mollyxxx
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