Let’s start with this: I made a Google sheet to track all the fun things we did for Thanksgiving in GA. Those who know me are not at all surprised by that; but once you see all we packed into short trip back home for some quality family time, you’ll know why we needed one.

But first, a hot tip: DO NOT TAKE A REDEYE. I remember doing that for years when I was first living out here in LA. My logic then:

• It maximized my time with family
• It was less expensive
• Sleep is just unproductive time, amiright?

While those first two remain true, the third is no longer accurate. Apparently sleep clears the brain. Also, my “back in the day” body, could sleep on the plane for a few hours (usually is a 4.5-hour flight), then hop right up and be awake and ON all day long. In contrast, my body of today is less forgiving–or maybe just needier? Regardless. Don’t do it. It’s exhausting.

Anyway, our first day in GA was basically a blur… So much so that even though we landed super early, I have nothing on my Google sheet and couldn’t tell you what we actually did other than grab dinner at a mexican place near my sister’s house. On Friday, however, the fun began! What’s better than seeing an animated film in a movie theater recliner on opening night?! We saw the new Trolls movie (honestly, I thought the first two were better, but we did get to hear a new NSYNC song, so that’s something).

After the movie we went to a real-life high school football game – Friday Night Lights, folks! Both cousins (Sophie and Spencer) have attended Walton High School, a really amazing school where each have had illustrious roles on their award-winning marching band. Spencer plays marimba (and if you don’t know what that is, you should check it out). Here’s some cousin love by the field:

And obviously, the image at the top of this post is of Ella with some borrowed pom-poms and Spencer, too, from the same night. Party people. Very little seems to have changed since I was in high school, other than the cost of refreshments.

Next, we got up on Saturday to head to Athens and show the girls where their mom, Uncle Frank and Auntie Shawn went to school (and my mom got advanced degrees there, too!). GO, DAWGS?! iykyk

You know what they say: You can never go home. I’m going to say that’s right. I’m sure my college shenanigans have jaded my memories of the town, and yes, a few memorable spots remain, but still. It’s just not the same. Here are a couple of iconic places that are still kicking:

We got to hang out with our friends, Chan & Joe, at a restaurant downtown called Taqueria Tsunami, a latin-asian fusion that was in a building which used to house a very memorable (now gone) restaurant we frequented in college called Compadres. My sister was a server there and friends with the bartender. Say no more. Oh, the memories of a college experience. Anyway…friends!

We stopped by a cookie shop, Insomnia Cookies, that happens to also have LA locations, though I’ve never been. They are apparently known for delivering warmed cookies to your doorstep. Wonder why college students would love that? Strange… HA! The best part of that stop? This picture:

That night, Zoe and Ella had a super fun sleepover with my mom (Girls’ Night!), and on the way back to my sister’s house, we adults stopped at The Foundry, where Bart and I got married way back in 2009. You read that right. That place has changed almost none, and ironically there was a wedding reception happening that very night. No, we did not crash the party, but it was very tempting. More memories…

Speaking of memories, I found this gem (my high school senior picture) prominently displayed on my mom’s bookcase:

I’ll leave that one alone. On Sunday, we headed to Franklin County for a REAL down-home experience. My sister and I were born in Royston, GA at Ty Cobb Memorial Hospital and grew up in Canon, GA (population ~700, and that is not a typo). Both sets of grandparents had farms, so we grew up around lots of land, animals and country roads. Which is why when given the chance to go see the cows, we did.

(That’s a real cow, real close.)

The kids got more cousin time, and we got a lovely picture of my mom’s side of the family all together, which we haven’t done in years.

I’ll take full credit for lining it up, pressing the button, and running to get into the picture. Only Marine, the cute dog in the front, didn’t get the memo on “CHEESE!” After lunch we headed over to my dad’s house, where the kids loved playing around in the garage and [gulp] DRIVING the golf cart around.

Yes, I love the expressions on both Sophie (my niece) and Ella’s faces with Zoe in the driver’s seat. And yes, I got a terrifying flash forward of Zoe behind the wheel. Happy to say the golf cart is still intact, so I guess there’s hope. We also got another fabulous family picture! What are the chances of that? Full disclosure: Spencer captured this one.

Surely you’re exhausted by now, but wait, there’s more! In the few days that remained, we got a foot massage, went to an adults-only dinner, and attended a “Murder Mystery” that Sophie and her friends coordinated. If you haven’t done one of those, you’re missing out! Complete with costumes and assigned characters, we followed along the instructions in a boxed “mystery” (here’s one) and acted out our roles. It was HILARIOUS. Hint: The butler didn’t do it. Or did she?

And because we just can’t get enough of fun-filled adventures, we also did an Escape Room! My brilliant sister is my very favorite escape room partner. Together we’ve done 11 of them (she’s done a lot more!) and got out of all but ONE, which happened to be in Italy, so I’m going with language barrier as the issue. Usually we do them with JUST the two of us in the room, which is risky (fewer hands, eyes and brains) but also more rewarding when you DO get out, with time to spare, which we often do.

The one we did in Atlanta was the largest group I’ve ever been trapped in a room with, and it was magical. Though I must say, my sister’s family is filled with brilliant minds, so the deck was stacked. Skipping to the end, we successfully escaped a troubled submarine in “Submerged“. I wish we had a video of the experience, as it was nearly seamless. Even our game master said she was amazed that we worked so well together, by dividing and conquering–that usually groups tend to try and solve one problem together at a time, but we were all exploring and communicating, which sped up the process. Happy Ending!

Before you ask, escape rooms aren’t Zoe’s thing, but check out Ella, taking credit for the win. Turns out she and I have something in common: We both love to win. We also hate to lose, a trait I regret she shares… My sister used to say of our childhood games that I was a sore loser, but a worse winner. Some things really don’t change.

That night we went to yet another opening night animated movie: WISH! My mom called it her favorite Disney movie ever, though I’m not sure how often she’s watching Disney movies lately (other than when she’s with us!) Our last day in GA was Turkey Day, which we hosted at my sister’s house, and oddly took few pictures of the accomplishment. More cooking, less snapping. Though you can’t argue that this bacon-wrapped turkey my brother-in-law smoked doesn’t look incredible:

Unless you’re a vegetarian. But even then, if you squint and pretend it’s not real meat, it’s pretty, right? Oh, and it makes my husband sneeze just watching his daughter enjoy the beautiful day by rolling down the hill in the front yard.

Told you it was a lot. Thank goodness for my Google sheet. The most important part? We had a blast. And there’s just nothing like spending time with family. And knowing that I’ve probably forgotten more than I remember about living in GA, I hope this post helps my daughters remember how lucky we are to have such a wonderful family there. Happy Thanksgiving! #grateful