"#dolphinlover"

I had never been so thankful for Thanksgiving until this year came around.

When I had originally left for London I wasn't sure if I would be able to make our family vacation that was already planned. But, the time came and I was able to go and I was ridiculously excited! Ever since moving to Colorado in 2007 we have spent Thanksgiving with extended family and it's always a crazy week full of food and family. Not to mention that this get together was especially special for we were celebrating my beautiful grandparents 50th anniversary!

Anyways, I made my way to the airport in the morning which was an adventure in itself. It's typical for people to have suitcases on the tube either going to one of the train stations or the airports, but it's a bit different when you have one decent sized carry on and a pretty big suitcase with you. And I don't look like the strongest person out there. So after a couple of almost falling down the stairs events and a lot of stairs and probably laughs from people around me, I was happy to get that off my hands when I checked in. Then the about 10 hour journey was over and when I got off the shuttle from the Tampa airport to the hotel I just wanted to cry seeing my family and everyone being so happy to be together (and to be in warm weather). It's amazing what time and distance can do to your thoughts and emotions. That night all 14 of us arrived and we boarded the ship the next morning! I could probably go on pages and pages of everything we did and all the great/weird (and there were plenty) family moments we had, but I think the pictures will be self explanatory. 

My super cute cousin.

Goodbye warm weather.

And after not enough sun, the beach, dolphins, too much salt water, fancy dinners, and stumbling around the ship every night it came to an end. But... We can't forgot about Thanksgiving. It was definitely not the most traditional of dinners eating out at a fish restaurant but we were all together and that still kept it complete. I had such a wonderful Thanksgiving and I feel so blessed that I was able to even go. And in the spirit of Thanksgiving….

I am thankful for the good days and the bad
For my family that puts up with me

For my mom and her cooking that I miss so much
For the clean Colorado air and the Rocky Mountains
For my freedoms in the good US of A

For a place I can call home
For my favorite animals in my life
For the blessing of a life full of travel, culture, and unforgettable experience
For turkey, cranberries, and sweet potatoes with marshmallows
For the people I come across everyday who influence my life
For the love that I am surrounded by
For good music
For a sister that I can borrow clothes from

For really unique (weird) friends
For a life full of wonder and curiosity
For inspirations that keep me seeking

For the men in my life that will never let me understand their ways (Dad, Tyler, Alex, all of you really)
For candy and pancakes
For family

For my imagination and dreams my mind is capable of thinking up

For the ability to look forward, look up, and think positively

For the fact that this list could go on forever

And most importantly for this crazy life full of you, and me, and laughs, and cries and way too much to handle sometimes but everything to look back and simply say "Wow."

Good old pumpkin pie.

For the next two weeks in London, I say BRING IT ON! I'm ready for you.