Buckle Up.

Time to buckle up. 

The drive up was scary, to say the least. 

It brought back memories of our summer road trip with Aleksi.

Sabrina was packed.

I couldn't see through the back window.
Chris and Alexa were confined to their luggage cubicles.
But Kate and I were fairly comfortable.

We made it back safely though, despite everyone's predictions.
I guess everyone thinks I'm a bad driver except for myself.
I mean - yes, I make mistakes - but they could happen to anyone.

Like almost turning onto the off ramp of I-75 

or 

Driving from the gas station to the on-ramp of the highway with my lights off

[at night...]
or
"Everyone ready to go --- good"
[start backing up]
"AHHHHHHH MAX I'M NOT IN THE CAR"
I turned around to see Alexa standing with the door open - screaming at me.
I couldn't help but laugh.
How could I not see her - not in the car?!
I started to back up as she was getting her seat ready or something - oops.
[how could I ever forget this]

simple mistakes.


I had a great Turkey break.
I did not miss college for one second.
I already miss the beach.
Cassie and I went to Coral Cove on Saturday - it was so calm and clear.
The perfect beach day.

and then I met Rachel in downtown Stuart for ice-cream.
I still can't believe that FSU beat UF - on our last game
What a shame.
But then again - I don't really care that much anyway.
She's a Seminole - gross right - but we're still friends.

I'm not excited for my upcoming finals. 

But I know it's time to buckle up and really start studying. 

and studying. 

and studying. 

[vomit]

Give Thanks.

Let's here it for another crazy Thanksgiving at the Poirier house. 

What.a.day.
Clean. Clean. Cook. Cook. Clean. Cook. Clean.
Eat.
Clean. Clean. Clean.

Even though it was a ton of work, I'm so grateful I got to spend the day with my family and friends.
Such a long - good day.

The family got here around two.
As tradition - or at least what always ends up happening: we [kids] went outside, moms started baking and dads worked on the turkey.

I'm grateful for good food.
and for good chef's.

 Then we skyped Aleksi.
It was this HUGE ordeal - moving from lap top - to house computer - to lap top - back to home computer.
Lots of unnecessary stress.
But I'm glad we got to speak with her and wish her a Happy Thanksgiving.

Because our usual Holiday treat -
walking to the neighborhood haunted house - aka walking to the Vaughn's house to walk their dogs because they were out of town -
couldn't happen this year - because they were in town - we had to think of a plan B.
Luckily, my little sister is a human-genius and thought of the idea to drive us to another neighborhood's park.
Because she's a talented mind-manipulator: we all listened and she got to drive.

We got to the park - parked at a "no parking anytime" area.
Big.Mistake.
We Swung.
Sang.
and Slided.
Took some photos and then walked back to the car.
But it was gone.
In the distance we could see poor little Sabrina [our car] being towed away.
We all just stared at each other.
We had no way to call our parents - because we each left our phones in the car.
Good job genius Cassie.
Great Idea.
So we walked home.
 But made it just in time for thanksgiving dinner.

Actually, none of that happened.
Except for the part where we went to the park and swung, sang, and slided.
Sabrina was safe and Cassie was a good driver.
[kind of]
No really, she was...
Oh yeah, and the part where we made it home just in time for dinner.
We literally sprinted from the car to the table.

But before we ate - and because the rest of the family had just arrived - we had to take family photos - before it got too dark.

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!

Un besito para Bobbi. 

According to Cassie - Dylan told her she was his favorite cousin.
I don't believe it.

Then who did?!

Food that I look forward to every year:
Mom's sweet potato pie with extra marshmallows. 
Lilli's pumpkin soup.
Sue's corn pudding and home made rolls
and of course
Dad's fried turkey [once you fry it - there's no way to go back to baking]

Eager to Eat.
Honey glazed ham
Fried Turkey
Corn Pudding
Freshly baked homemade rolls
Baked Zucchini
Broccoli salad
Sweet Potato Pie

Thanksgiving dinner was SO good.
I was SO stuffed.

The things I am truly grateful for this year:
1. My Family - no family could ever compare.
My siblings are my best friends. I love them river deep, mountain high.
2. My Friends - I know I have great friends, who genuinely care for me.
"What a beautiful place, to be with friends"
3. The Gospel. I know who I am.
It's changed lives and it's changed my life.
4. Harry Potter [three times for movie seven] - I'm currently rereading the series.
It has brought magic and joy into my life.
5. My home.
As I've gone away to college, I've realized more and more - there literally is no place like home.
Incomparable.
6. Chesney. [McGraw and Bentley too]
They love me through thick and thin.

I felt like I was at the Hogwarts start-of-term feast.
The desserts just seemed to appear onto the table.
Delicious ginger-pumpkin pudding
Pecan Pie
Strawberries and homemade whipped cream
Pumpkin cheesecake.
[mouth is watering]

 and then we all sat around the piano and sang Christmas songs.
I know - we are the ideal family.
If only we could carry a tune...

 c.f.l.
[cousins for life]

 The last Poirier's left.
Aleksi and Mitchell's absences did not go unnoticed.
So.Weird.Without.You.
We love you guys.  

Happy Thanksgiving.