Thanksgiving in the Great White North

Oh, you mean Pittsburgh isn't the Great White North? Hmm...whelp. Anyway. DH and I traveled to see my family this Thanksgiving. We chose to fly out on the holiday in order to save money and try to bypass the airport madness that accompanies Thanksgiving travel. It sort of worked. The airports were a breeze to get through and our flights were on time. But surprisingly to us, both flights were full. Not a seat left over! I guess there's really no great time to fly anymore.

Pittsburgh was full of family and friends, as always. Thanksgiving was a smashing success at our house with hardly any leftovers to be found. Which was good because we always eat SOOOO much while we're home that I don't think there was time for leftovers.

I even got a workout in this trip at 9Round in Cranberry. Those girls are no joke! It felt really good to get sweating after eating so much the day before, even though I was a weak pansy. I'd missed a full week at kickboxing due to a sciatic flare-up before the holiday. It's so humbling to get in the gym after a few days off and realize how much harder it seems.

Saturday brought a trip to the Strip District for Primanti's and some shopping. We were able to meet up with some sweet friends for the first time in 2 years and enjoy sandwiches at the same time. It was a rainy misty day but there was no lack of shoppers despite the weather. I don't think we've ever gone up there on a holiday weekend. It was packed! We managed to get a few good beers and some pizelles before calling it quits. No trip home is complete without lady locks and pizelles, I'm just pointing this obviousness out.

We even managed to spend time with my dad's side of the family, including cousins and wee ones. It's been a while since DH and I have had the chance to see so many of our family at once. Even my local (to Texas) cousins were there. How weird is it that we both had to travel to PA in order to see each other?

When I was 15 I went on a mission trip to Peru. And our hosts there were amazing. I was so excited to introduce DH to one of our hosts while we were home. She is one of my favorite people in this world, even though we only see each other every couple years. Finally, Sunday brought a lifelong tradition of setting up the nativity, complete this year with Baby Jesus taking a tumble and surviving thanks to a well positioned area rug. My parents have had the same nativity set since we were infants. I have no earthly idea how it has survived three children and now two grandchildren without any pieces being broken or shattered. I think mom must pray a lot before handing those pieces over to us each year.

I hope y'all's Thanksgivings were wonderful and full of pie!