A Perfect Thanksgiving

I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Since I had to go to CA for a personal business matter, I decided to coincide the trip with Thanksgiving, because I miss many members who were once, and I still consider to be, family. Like my niece Kiele, who I haven't seen in several years. Here she is with Callie:

And my five years old but new to me nephew, Connor. And my ex's step-mother, Terri (David's mom), who I have a very strong relationship with. And Juli, my ex's sister, who I also get along great with. And of course, the perpetually jolly ad enthusiastic "Uncle David," my ex's half brother. It was bittersweet to have us all around the Thanksgiving table, eating, and laughing at old fun times without my ex's dad there. I definitely missed his booming, infectious laugh and his frequent "Holy Moly's."

So, as we went through pictures of past vacations, "Grandpa Jim" was in many, and you can just see the love he had for his grandchildren in his eyes. I mentioned it, and Terri started to tear up, and so, of course, we all joined her. But it's a good kind of crying, because we have those photos to always remind us how much he loved us all.

Connor was a hilarious little munchkin, and freaking smart for a five year old, counting past 100 and writing the alphabet like a machine. In fact, we sorta have a new nickname of Connor after watching a comedy sketch--The Machine. Connor liked it too. 

Here he is doing one of his favorite raps:

And again without hand motions and a clearer voice:

The first night, after I gave him the BatMan presents I bought him, he tagged along with me, and we played catch with his little stuffed zebra, who he appropriately calls "Zee." Every time he'd catch it, he'd say "Ganny," with the second syllable stressed. I glanced over at Dave for the meaning of this mysterious new word, and he just shrugged. Later on, after about 12,000 "Ganny's," I took a video and we finally found out what it meant.

He is the cutest kid. On Thanksgiving Day, Joe, Callie, Connor, and I played a board game called "Ticket to Ride." Connor was on my team, of course. He picked up the game surprisingly fast, and while most five year olds would just play with the plastic trains, Connor was very intent on learning the rules of the game and playing it right.

Then, later, he played Wii U with Joe, Callie, and Kiele. Mostly Connor ended up dying and floating around in a balloon above the alive players, but he had fun imagining himself inside that bubble, safe from harm.

He also knows when he's ready for sleep:

Everyone was great, and with Dave around, we laughed and laughed. Especially when Dave burned the bacon and still passed it around, saying it was just a "little" burnt.

During the trip, I got to walk down to the beach. I loved the weather and atmosphere there. We saw a baby dolphin jump out of the water twice, and even though I tried to get it on video, he or she wouldn't jump a third time. And I liked all the different flowers growing along the walkway...

Callie took me to see her high school- Santa Barbara High- and it was impressive.

Afterwards, we went to a couple thrift shops, and then a very very cool bookstore with some rare books. I really wanted this one signed by e.e. cummings, but it was too pricy. I got a few other not as pricy books, though.

I even found this one by FF, and it was autographed.

Anyway, we all had a really great time!