Gratitude Day 24: Getting away

We don't often stay overnight at my parents' home in Logan since it's just a 1.5 hour drive.  This weekend was one of those times we did.

Three of the four children in my family are married and so we switch off celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday.  This year was the "off" year when we celebrated Thanksgiving Day with the in-laws so the Allen family celebration was on Friday. 

I had promised that we would go to a USU football game.  Due to soccer schedules as well as the USU home game schedule, the only time I was able to get tickets was to the final game which was today (Saturday).  I was really happy that this year was the off year.  We had our family celebration on Friday, slept over Friday night and went to the game today.

There is just something about watching a live sporting event.  There's an excitement in the air that isn't always conveyed over the TV, no matter how big your TV is.  You have to pay more attention to what is happening on the field because there may not always be instant replay.  There's a feeling of electricity in the air when you are one of thousands of people standing and cheering when your team runs for a touchdown. 

Our children enjoy sleeping over at Grandma and Grandpa's.  They sleep in sleeping bags on air mattresses lined up on the floor in the family room.  Well, CM, JJ and AD did.  NW slept in the pack n play.  It was nice to have unhurried time to chat with my parents and my younger brother (who also stayed over to go to the game).  Even though we do maintain somewhat of a routine (bedtime, wake time, naps, meals, etc.) and we do help clean up after meals and ensure that the house is in good order before we leave (no toys left laying around, air mattresses deflated, towels gathered and put in laundry room, etc.), because we aren't at our house, it feels different.

I like traveling (what little we do of it, haha) and I also like coming home.  I am grateful for the times we can get away--for something different and for the fun times we have.  I am also grateful to come home, to the familiar settings and routines--and to sleep in my own bed!