Last weekend was my annual December trip to Dallas to see my otra familia – Gina, Steve, Luca, and a new family member, GINGER!!!
Steven didn’t come on this trip since he’s too busy with work in December to travel
Gina is fantastic at finding fun stuff for us to do when I visit. We did our annual trip to see Santa, tried Goat Yoga (!!!), and went to a “Holiday Balloon Glow”!
We ate at some of my (and their!) favorite restaurants – Silk Road Thai Cuisine and Mellow Mushroom.
Photo we sent Uncle Steven as we were leaving the Thai restaurant to let him know it was us turning off the holiday lights from afar…
Conversation with Luca at Mellow: “What is Uncle Steven doing right now?” “Draw me what you think he is doing!” (using a weed wacker)
We had some home cooked meals too (Gina found a yummy vegan frittata for me!), including these amazing nachos.
Ha ha ha. On Saturday night, we were talking about nachos for dinner, but decided not to have them. Then on Sunday Steve mentioned the Cowboys vs Giants game was going to be on at noon and we decided we HAD to have nachos for the game… even though we only watched the final quarter. Any reason to make nachos!
On Saturday we were on the go (running, Santa, goat yoga, shopping, lunch, hot air balloons). Sunday was quiet, which I needed, because the cough I had during the week got worse, and I was also dealing with chills and sweats (sweats at night only), and achy lower legs. I was run down. And bonus: I got a bloody nose at the airport (waiting to board the plane home), which was a bit of a disaster.
I’m a bit of a disaster right now. Ugh. I’m grateful I could make my annual trip but bummed my body wasn’t feeling 100%! And hopeful I kept all my crudiness to myself. Eek.
On a funner note, now it’s time to start planning our 2018 adventures! We reviewed our 2017 visits on Sunday – five visits (March, April, May, July/August, & December). That’s pretty good for living so far apart!
I know I’ve mentioned this many times but it amazes me that I’ve become close with people I’ve met online. It makes sense – you meet people who share your interests and are more likely to hit it off when you meet in person because of that, but I suppose the “luck” of it is what blows my mind. How is it that we met friends that are like family to us, and like family to my family?!
Ohhhhh I love the newest family member! What a cutie!! She (he?) looks so snuggly 🙂
Luca’s picture of Steven is adorable. I particularly like that was I assume is supposed to be Steven’s beard kind of looks like one of those ruffs from the 1600s hahaha.
Did you meet Gina online, then? I was just wondering how you two knew each other when I started reading this post. I’ve definitely met some of my closest friends online over the years – one I met in I believe 2004 or 2005, and finally met in real life in 2011 (she lives in Scotland). It was so easy to hang out and chat with her even though we had never met in person before!
She is super snuggly! <3
Ha! That is Steven's beard! I really liked that part of it too!
We did meet online, back in 2006! We met in person for the first time in 2010. I hope you get to see your Scottish friend again!!! Was that the one from the forum?
It’s so nice you have that relationship with Gina and her family! But sorry to hear you’re not feeling well 🙁
What did you think of goat yoga? I have to admit the idea of goat yoga (or bunny yoga or any yoga with animals I suppose) kind of freaks me out. Mostly the idea of little poops on my yoga mat…
Thanks 🙂 I think I am finally feeling better today! I woke up at 4:30 am full of energy! Ha.
I liked goat yoga way better than regular yoga because it wasn’t serious. Ha ha ha. They did a great job cleaning up the poop and pee as fast as they could! However, I do think cat yoga might be more… sanitary? 😉 I want to try that next!
I didn’t know Gina was an online friend – the way you talk, I thought you guys have all been friends forever! That dog is one cute pup, and wow, Luca sure has grown since you’ve started writing about your visits!
Aww, thanks 🙂 I feel like we have been.
Luca is getting so big! I was buying him clothes for xmas thinking “surely he can’t be this big now?!”
Do you have a Mellow Mushroom in Chicago (or close to your place)? We had one in college, and then one moved into my hometown after I was gone. I’ve seen it in random places, but I’m thinking maybe it’s a regional thing? (I’ve never seen one in the Bay Area.)
ANYWAY, I’m so glad you had a fun visit with Gina and family. I can’t believe how big Luca is already. And then I cackled at his drawing of Steven and the weed wacker because I have the maturity of a 13yo boy.
A former co-worker of mine went to some big hot air balloon festival in New Mexico. I didn’t realize that it’s super expensive to own one; he said a lot of them are corporately sponsored! (Also, and this is sad/gruesome: I’m kind of wary of them because a few years ago, a couple went up for a hot air balloon ride at a festival in my hometown, and the balloon caught on fire, and they died. It freaked me out a lot.)
We don’t have one in Chicagoland. Looks like they are heavily concentrated on the east coast! https://mellowmushroom.com/locations/
I can’t believe how big he is each time I see him! I often buy clothes for him for holidays and his birthday and when I get the size from Gina and get the clothes I always think “how can he be THIS big?!”
I am not surprised they are $$$! And can you imagine the maintenance on it? And just storing it? LOL. That’s sad about the people in your hometown 🙁