My First Time as a San Francisco Host

Last weekend, my dad flew out from New Jersey to check out my new life here in San Francisco.  Being that I've only lived here for 3 months, I was majorly concerned that my hosting duties would be subpar. Turns out my dad only wanted to do 2 things: hang with me, and fix up my fixer upper.  What a guy!

I wasn't going to let him get his way entirely, though.  I wanted to show off my fab new city!  The weeks before my dad's visit, Webb and I would exclaim "Oh let's do this with him!" whenever we did/ate/drank/saw anything cool.  

My dad's easy-to-please attitude and my eager-to-please excitement resulted in a great trip.  I love my dad, and it's so fun to spend quality time with him in my neck of the woods.

After the jump, check out a run down of what we did and some ideas for hosting in the City by the Bay.

Giving Thanks in 2012

I hadn't been home for Thanksgiving in three years, so this year's Turkey Day was even more special!  There is something so dee-lovely about stuffing your face with family and being grateful for that warm fuzzy feeling in the air.  Thanksgiving is the best - no frills, just getting together and enjoying great food.

Aside from the week of friend and family time at the movies, diners, bars, homes, etc. etc. - the day itself was so fun!

For Webb and I, this Thanksgiving was our second as a couple, and this time with my family.  I'm so grateful we've been able to spend both together!  In the morning, I worked away in the kitchen with mom & sister while the parade played in the background - perfect.  My step-dad barely got back from his Turkey Trot when he had to head back out to get my brother and his girlfriend from the train station.  When he came back, Webb and Anthony met for the first time - finally!  Their conversations had to do with political riots in Europe or something… typical.

Above: Siblings reunited!  Below: 2 important dudes in my life meet :)

We hung out for a bit then it was off to get my Dad and go to dinner at my Uncle Stevie & Aunt Donna's.  I love their house - it's been in my family since the 20's.  My godfather was quick to give Webb the history of the house, and I thought about all the holidays we've celebrated there.  Looking at their CD collection, you'd know it by the dozens of Christmas albums!  Of course, we were listening to Christmas radio… obviously :)  Light FM anyone?  

After eating so. much. food, my cousin and her two cute kids came by.  Rather, I should say the kids ran into the house like two kids on a dessert sugar high (because they were, um, two kids on a dessert sugar high) and infused our afternoon with little kid energy!  Mikey had changed so much since the last time I saw him one year ago - I couldn't believe he was speaking in sentences!  I wish I was home more to see him grow.  Miraculously, we were able to get everyone to settle down for this wonderful group photo:

My Dad and his brother with (most of ) their families 

My dad and uncle's three sisters were elsewhere for Thanksgiving, but just a couple weeks before they were able to all get together despite now living in four different states.  My aunt and uncle's son Jason and his wife & kids were spending the holidays in Disney World - lucky!  Missed them and everyone else though!

After dinner, Anthony and I took our beaus back to Mom's house for more dessert with my mom's sister Peggy, our uncle Christy, cousin Jonathan, his wife Shelly, and their adorable energetic daughter Mackenzie.  

Kenzie is so excited to dig into those cupcakes (and all the other desserts!)

We ended the night with a lot of wine and board games.  First it was some sort of drawing game, then my specialty - Clue!  Webb has been hearing a lot about my excellent Clue skills, so we played a much-anticipated match with the whole family.  Upsettingly, I did NOT win - at least I lost to Dan, who taught me everything I know about Miss Scarlett and the gang.  I can deal with that.

We're very serious about our gaming  Please excuse the tissues in the foreground as I was battling a nasty cold wah :(

I'm so blessed with so much family!  All in all it was a packed day of food and family.  Plus, the week itself was nonstop friend and family time catching up and kicking back.  I love Thanksgiving, and I'm so grateful!

Tourism: Your Hometown

Look at me, I start a blog, get all excited, and then neglect said blog while preparing for and enjoying a trip home back East.  Shame!

Like any great new employee, I took five days off about two months in (oops) which meant the days leading up to The Big Trip were crazy busy at work.  And since my time in New Jersey is rare, I try not to spend much of it in front of the screen.

Enough with the excuses!  Back to celebrating all the goodie goodness in life.

I went home for the amazing, jaw-dropping, tear-jerking wedding of one of my best friends from high school and one of my favorite holidays - Thanksgiving!  The week was jam-packed with family, friends and food.  AKA, the ingredients for total and complete joy.

Here are some previews!

Erin & Daryl's INCREDIBLE wedding!!!

Our super fun trip to Cape May, NJ!

I'll post about the wedding and my trip to Cape May with Webb soon.  For now, enjoy this hilarious SNL digital sketch.  Webb and I make a point to watch SNL each week, and it's mostly miss rather than hit.  But this is all too timely and great.  It's a travel ad for going to your hometown for the holidays, and my mom and I cracked up as it was so accurate, especially getting around in the minivan!  If you ever spend holidays in your childhood bedroom, you will love this.

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/tourism-ad/1424422/

I'm already missing the paved streets and bare trees of my chilly hometown!