From Quads to Football

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind this year. From Bako to the cabin with my family and Andy & Darcy for Thursday, Friday, and part of Satruday, to a long trip to San Diego in order to make 9:00pm reservations at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for Andy's birthday and an 11:00am tailgate at the Qualcomm stadium for field tickets to the Chargers/Raiders game and then back to Bako for a bedtime of 10:30pm. At work by 8:00 this morning and I'm still trying to focus my eyes. This is the life of the Groves family... we charge through the days with smiles on our faces. Yes, a little insane perhaps, but hey, tis the season!

We know no different

Now that I've mentioned the craziness of the last few days, let me unravel them for you a bit. At least the highlights anyway...

My favorite moment of the weekend occured over a three hour quad ride with my brother leading JD, me, Andy, and Darcy. Patrick took us through the serenity of a dense forest that rose above a blanket of clouds. As we scrambled over steep, rocky climbs up the side of the mountain, the five of us took turns yelping with delight at each next turn. Just before reaching our destination of the fire lookout, we drove our quads on a semi-open dirt road that wound its way around the mountain. Sunset was moments away and the gray-blue clouds which so divinely created a carpet over the mountaintops appeared a brilliant gold. We all stopped to take in the view; it was like none ever seen before. As we climbed back on the quads and took our turns in line, I remember feeling the sensation of pure glee. Almost like going to Disneyland as a kid or getting ready for Christmas morning... a moment independent from worry, stress, plans, work, a messy room, etc... Just enough time to take a breath and thank God for showing off His splendor for us - and then remembering that our lives are painted by the same God who so creatively makes each sunset glimmer across a once gray sky.

Our dinner was late, quiet, and completely splendid. Conversation was full of laughter, jokes, memories, dreams. Food was scrumptious (JD and I made the turkey - which means JD told me what to do and when), and sleep was needed. The next day the extended Roper family joined us for Thanksgiving dinner number two and we all enjoyed the bustle of more family members occupying the tiny cabin space.

After sleeping to grandpa's snores in the cabin, we headed to San Diego to celebrate Andy's birthday: a dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and surprise Charger tickets to their last home game at the Q.

The pro football game was a first for each of us. Even JD, who played college ball, had never been. Needless to say, we were giddy when we found our seats at the field level on the 40 yd. line. After our tailgate of turkey burgers, kettle chips, grapes, carrots, Mike's lemonade, and beer, we headed into the stadium and into the heart of Raider Nation. Well, not really... we were in such good seats that most of the fans were merely obnoxious, something we were eager to take over the nosebleed seats which bred 7 fights over the course of the game. However, we were so excited to be at the game we just ignored the incredibly loud, obnoxious, and heinous Raider fan who was convinced that the Chargers had no idea the talent they were against. He shut up after Chargers went ahead in the fourth quarter. We made it out of the stadium safe and sound after a Charger win and into our car for the final stretch home to Bakersfield. Home Sweet Home.