We are back in Chicago after spending the past four weeks in California.

It feels like it flew by. But we peaced out shortly after Halloween and came back to bare trees lit up with all the festive, holiday colors.

Meanwhile, we’re still over here removing the bats from our wall and all the spooky stickers from our window.

I’ve never waited this long to start decorating for Christmas! But this was kind of a forced decision since we were in California, y’know? So we have 24 days to enjoy the heck out of our Christmas stuff (and all of January, who are we kidding?).

Okay, let’s do a recap of our final weekend in California! Thanksgiving weekend was filled with SO MANY SPECIAL MEMORIES and I want to recount them all.

We rented an AirBnB in Marina so we could be close to Salinas where we would be having Thanksgiving dinner with the fam.

We started the day off with a small hike at Point Lobos. Ankur and I have been here before we got married. We’ve also been here together after we got married. But we’ve never been here with the kids and that felt special.

We got to see Harbor seals and visit the tide pools. Ishu was so excited to see anemones in the water and mussels attached so firmly to the rocks. Ankur was most excited to search for flat rocks and skip ’em on the water. And Riyu was most excited to try and eat the kelp and seaweed that had washed up on the shore.

Me? I was beyond thrilled to be outside, by the water, in one of my favorite places, with the family.

In the evening, we went to Salinas for Thanksgiving dinner.

Bhabhi and Bhaiya had completely transformed their formal living room area to a dining area for everyone. The tables had perfect simple, fall-themed centerpieces. The food was delicious (shout out to Bhabhi’s garlicky mashed potatoes). But the company was, by far, my favorite.

We played several minute-to-win-it type games with Veer as the best little (not-so-little) host. The shrieking and screaming terrified Riyu at times and I definitely made Jiya cry at one point and NORMALLY an environment like that would leave me feeling very overstimulated, but I think I was just riding the Thanksgiving high. It felt so fun to be surrounded by so much family and my insides were screaming MORE, MORE, MORE OF THIS PLEASE.

By the end of all the games, Nikku had accumulated the most points and won the grand prize of $100. The rest of us got gifts, too, during the pull-the-tangled-string game and I was blown away with how thoughtful each gift was. Tailored specifically to the person who received it. I got a game called “Tell Me More” described as ” a game of questions to deepen connection.” Ankur got a Wordle book. Ishu got a detective/mystery solving game. And Riyu got crayons made with beeswax (because he has a history of sampling his crayons, of course).

Everything felt like it took a lot of time and thought to prepare. And made me feel so fortunate to be part of this incredible family. Beyond lucky that these people are my people. I get to keep them forever.

Other than that, I got some reading done.

Nikku and Ishu did their annual gingerbread house building.

And I finished up the month in California with all the cozy feels.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the past few weeks while being back in Chicago. I am so much more PATIENT and loving toward my kids right now. Things don’t set me off like they did back in October. And I know this is directly correlated with the amount of support we received in California. Ishu and Riyu were so well taken care of, but Ankur and I were too. Whether it was home-cooked food or cut up fruit or extra time we got to stay in bed and catch up on sleep, everything resulted in two relaxed, calm, regulated parents returning to Chicago.

To our family,

We owe you everything.

We love you so much.

Counting down the days, yet again, ’til we see you once more!