Giving Thanks in Connecticut

 This Thanksgiving was the "off year" at the Bryant house.  Cade, Jake, and Shanel all had plans to go to their in-laws to celebrate the big day.  Although we usually get together for pie Thanksgiving evening, I opted to head East to give thanks.  I have a great friend Sara who has been living in Connecticut while her husband is doing his podiatry residency, and since they weren't coming home for the holidays I invited myself over for the week.  I flew into New York Thanksgiving morning and while I was there, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Live.  In person.  I'm not exactly into parades, and I never watch it on TV Thanksgiving morning, but I love participating in exciting things, and this was definitely a once in a lifetime experience!  I hauled my carry on luggage all the way to 72nd and Central Park West and immediately ran into a sea of people.  I don't know exactly what I was expecting but I might have thought that since I was just one person I'd be able to squeeze myself in to get a better view.  Wrong.  It was crazy!  But super exciting.  I saw Jimmy Fallon, Flo Rida, and even the Power Rangers.  I only stayed for the first hour because I had to make my way to Connecticut for the feast.  I offered to pick up a Sbarro pizza as my contribution to the meal, but it wasn't needed because there was SO MUCH DELICIOUS FOOD.  Seriously, my taste buds almost couldn't keep up with the experience. 

I was in the middle of a huge crowd.  This was the crowd behind me and there was a group about the same size in front of me.  Needless to say I didn't make it to the street to get a better view.

Everyone was given a balloon once they made it to the parade route, and a couple of people decided to see how high they could get the balloons to go.  Eventually the two lines tangled together and then were set free to fly into the blue sky.

Kermit the Frog.  It was a beautiful day and I didn't need any of the layers of clothes I took to keep warm, but the glare of the sun was pretty strong.

This is Mickey Mouse who passed by as I was on my way back to the subway.  I was pretty far back at this point but the view was still pretty good and the sun wasn't nearly as bad.  Also, the crowd of people was dispersed enough that it was almost a more comfortable viewing place. 

After the parade I made my way to Connecticut.  It was so fun to see Sara, Ryan, and their adorable kids Isaac, Maddie, and Davis.  Sara has been such a good friend over the years and I'm so glad that we've been able to keep in touch.  Plus, it was good for her kids to get some quality time with me because if something ever happens to Sara and Ryan, I told her I was taking her kids.  I know it's not really fair to their families, but her kids are just too cute!  

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Sara and I drove to Newport, Rhode Island for some sight seeing.  We toured through 3 mansions in Newport, The Elms, Marble House, and The Breakers.  The houses were AMAZING, a bit over the top, but so fun to walk through and experience a bit of history.  It was definitely a "Downton" moment (even though the houses weren't nearly as large as the Abbey), so when we got back to Connecticut Sara and I had to watch an episode.  No photography was allowed except for at one of the Christmas trees at the Breakers.  All of the mansions were decked out for Christmas, and although they were only summer homes for the original owners, they were decorated as they would have been had Christmas been celebrated there (so said the Preservation Society).  After the tours we drove around the coast and I could totally imagine myself in a tennis skirt with a sweater around my shoulders, sailing (because that's what posh people in Newport do).  It was FREEZING or else we would have walked the Cliff Walk where you can also get a great view of the coast. 

Sara at the Christmas Tree at The Breakers.  That poinsettia bouquet was fresh and smelled amazing.

My turn by the Tree.  We were given headsets to guide us through all of the mansions.

When I was in elementary school I did my state report on Rhode Island.  I couldn't remember many of the facts from the report, and I never really thought I would even visit the state, but it was beautiful and I'm so glad that we made the trip.  And it totally reinforced my desire to go sailing at some point in my life (hopefully not too far in the future).

Even though I didn't stay in Utah for Thanksgiving, I had plenty to give thanks for.  I have a great job, an amazing family, and fabulous friends.  My cup runneth over!  I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving and are excited to prepare for the most important holiday of all...........Christmas!