There’s No Place Like Home: Our Thanksgiving

This year, we had 3 thanksgivings, which meant triple the turkey, triple the people, and triple the memories. I think this year was my favorite Thanksgiving yet. Here’s a recap of our thanksgivings, what I’ve learned this year, and some things I’m thankful for.

Thanksgiving #1: Friendsgiving

Last Saturday, we had Friendsgiving. Our holiday was a great time. It consisted of many friends, yummy food, laughs, & some intense competition (caused by the game “Secret Hitler”).

We spent the morning in park city skiing, the afternoon cooking with friends, and a night full of delicious food and games. The day was perfect. Life is good.

The mac & cheese was a major hit of the night. Literally, all it is is Stoffer’s mac and cheese made in a crockpot- and then once the mac and cheese is soft, you add in shredded cheddar cheese, gouda cheese, and mozzarella. Simple but delicious.

After dinner, our night continued to be a fun time with the game Secret Hitler. I’m not sure if this game bonded us more or tore friendships apart. Either way, it definitely taught us who the best (& worst) liars were… (I am definitely not one of the best!)

PS This game (Secret Hitler) is the best! We had countless hours of fun playing at all three thanksgivings! Click the image or link below to buy it- you won’t regret it.

Secret Hitler

What I’ve Learned This Year

While I LOVE traveling, and that is what this blog is mainly about, I’ve learned that travel is just a PART of a full life. Life is about relationships & experiences. These experiences totally include traveling around the world, experiencing new cultures, languages, and people. Still, life is more about who you experience those explorations with. As C.S Lewis says

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather, it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

It is people, our family & friendships, that make life worthwhile. These people in the pictures above are the people that make life valuable and fun for me in Utah. I’m so grateful that we’ve become closer. I’m also so thankful for my friends and family in Georgia. I’ve known many of them for years. I have so many memories with them, and they have shaped me into who I am today.

I’m also happy I’ve learned to be more content right where my feet are this year, instead of wishing I was somewhere else far too often. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel and experience new places, and always will. That’s a part of me. But I’ve realized what makes travel so rewarding is experiencing those places with friends and family that I love. A bag case of the travel bug can cause one to lose sight of what’s most important.

I now know I don’t need to be constantly traveling to live an exciting and fulfilling life. And wishing you are somewhere more exciting makes your life that much less fulfilling & joyful because you don’t enjoy all the great times in front of you. Life is beautiful & wonderful most days, and I’m trying to enjoy every minute because it’s going fast!

Thanksgiving #2 & #3: Our Families

On actual Thanksgiving, Ryan and I were able to split our time between both sides of our family this year. It was our first year doing this, and I loved it so much. It was awesome to be surrounded by so many people who we love & are so important to us.

I made my first apple & pumpkin pie, & made the mashed potatoes at my side of the family’s thanksgiving. Plus Ryan and I sat at the grown up table at his side of the family’s thanksgiving. I guess I’m a real adult now or something? 😛

Going to two thanksgivings on Thanksgiving Day meant double the delicious food! Although, that might have been a little bit of torture trying to stuff our faces twice within 2 hours. Next time, I will definitely have to pace myself better there. lol. Here are some pictures of the first half of our day at my parent’s house: with my parents, grandpa, aunt, her boyfriend, brother, his girlfriend, and Ryan. (Unfortunately, we didn’t take pictures at Ryan’s family thanksgiving.)

What I’m Thankful For This Year

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for my life and all the blessings God has given me. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I have to travel. Most of all, I’m thankful for my relationships.

Travel & relationships are some of the very best things in life. I’m feeling very blessed to have the chance to call some of the most fabulous people family. I am also so grateful for the opportunity to travel to some of the countless, amazingly beautiful places God created.

I look forward to the future. The places I have yet to go, & the memories with friends and family I have yet to experience.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! I hope it was a great day, & that you counted your many blessings as well.

Xoxo,

Kiersten