Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
My brother Greg and sis-in-law Stacie graciously extended invitations to join their family at an amazing home for the dual holidays. My parents and Ryan signed up. Lauren and I quickly followed suit. In short order, Norm and Kathy also jumped on board.
We arrived on Tuesday evening. Lauren was beyond excited to be reunited with her girl cousins. It's been way too long.
There was no shortage of cousin-wrestling over the course of our 4-day visit.
Followed by a family classic: chicken fights.
Something magical happens when cousins unite: a little bit of mayhem and a whole lotta fun.
The house we stayed in was a dream - 6,000 square feet of bedroom after bedroom on 3 levels, with an enormous open kitchen, game room with pool table, ping pong table, air hockey, chess table, and home theatre. If it weren't for the gorgeous crisp weather and beautiful scenery, we would really have had no reason to ever step foot outside.
The homeowners were clearly quite enamored of bears - Lauren and I stayed in a room filled with grizzlies, from the lamps to the artwork, to our cuddly bedmate.
Wednesday was the first night of Hanukkah - Lauren and Ally crafted up a storm, creating table place cards for everyone.
While Norm got busy in the kitchen making latkes.
Meanwhile, downstairs, night one of the infamous 5,000 piece puzzle was underway.
While a musical ensemble entertained the troops.
Back upstairs and dressed for dinner, everyone prepared to feast on matzoh ball soup, brisket and potato pancakes.
And oh what a feast it was.
Before the menorah lighting, Lauren was taught to execute the all-important llama face by cousin Jess.
A quick learner, our girl.
She must take after her Pop-Pop Mark.
Or perhaps it's from seeing her Daddy do his large-mouthed bass impersonations from the time she was just a wee thing.
Soon enough, it was time to light the Hanukkah candles.
Uncle Greg graciously let Lauren help.
Then, as is family tradition, all the kids went to their bedrooms (or, in this case, all piled into a single room), while the gifts were laid out.
I so remember the excitement and anticipation of waiting in my room as a child for my parents to call us out to come see our gifts. As adults, seeing our kids and grandkids go through the same emotions elicits the same feeling.
Thanksgiving morning saw the kids bundle up to go out with Norm and Kathy for a game of touch football, while the rest of us watched stayed in to watch football on the big screen.
Still bundled up, of course.
The rest of the day was filled with all the usual activities.
More horseplay.
Napping.
That damn puzzle.
Greg and Ryan jamming on the guitar.
Not to mention hair prep.
Before dinner, the women of the house donned some flirty aprons (courtesy of my high school friend Ileah's business, www.apronesque.com).
But don't let our aprons fool you. There was really only one of us who toiled in the kitchen all day preparing our Thanksgiving feast.
With a little help from a master carver.
The table was set.
Waiting for everybody to dig in.
Post-dinner lead to our second night of Hanukkah.
Then comfy clothes and more hilarity over dessert.
Which was nothing compared to the competitive game of charades that followed.
[Kathy and Norm win, hands down, for the best facial expressions]
While a number of people headed to bed by 10 p.m., there were some die-hards who were committed to finishing the puzzle, no matter how long it took.
At 11:04 p.m……….
Success!!!
Our last full day saw a group of us venturing out to Northstar for a little ice skating.
That evening brought Thanksgiving leftovers and a third night of Hanukkah.
Plenty more opportunity for merriment.
And a charades rematch.
Much too soon, we made it Saturday morning - time for everyone to say goodbye.
But not before one final jam session for the road.
An incredible trip for cousins.
And family.
Certainly not one any of us will ever forget.
1 comment:
Wow. That place looked fantastic and what a special way to spend time with family!
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