Last night was Tony and my first time hosting Thanksgiving at our home as a married couple (first time hosting ever, actually). It was a dream come true for me, as my favorite things in the world are the holidays and having my house packed with the *people I love (*I consider dogs to be people. We had five in our house. It was glorious.) I’ve never spent a holiday in Los Angeles before and, I have to say, it was pretty perfect… Somehow, I’ve lived here for 10 years and this is home now. This year, people came “home” to us. Throughout the week, I cooked up a storm, we volunteered at a few Thanksgiving dinners, my parents were in town, and it all culminated in a house full of good food and the family I was born into, and the family, I chose last night. Days like these remind me I have so much to be grateful for, and here’s just a glimpse at a few of those blessings I’m counting right now…

My mom playing with our friends’ son while everyone else was in a turkey coma. She’s going to be such a good grandma one day (not anytime soon, though. Sorry, Mom.)

The boys playing “Monkey In The Middle” with the dogs while watching football.

Getting to whip out all of our wedding gifts to host! Nearly everything on the table was a present, but the napkins were from CB2 and the placemats from Target.

Tony sweetly did a photo shoot while I was cooking.

Earlier this week, Tony booked a job that had him working in downtown L.A…. He came home with this surprise from the flower mart, the most beautiful deep red peonies I have ever seen.

Tony deep-fried a turkey (he was worried it was “too crispy,” but I like it that way because I know I won’t get salmonella and also because he made it). Our vegan friend Kim brought her own healthy food, and her husband Dave got the chance to eat “death” with the rest of us.

{Kim’s food}

{Which is why she looks like this}

SO. MUCH. FOOD.

Getting to be servers with the rest of the Nickelodeon crew at Casa Vertigo’s Thanksgiving dinner in downtown L.A.

Introducing my parents to the iPic theater, where my mom discovered the magic that is watching a movie while eating a turkey burger in a cozy lounge chair with a margarita in hand. (Then, posing in front of the lobby Christmas tree.)

The face on this goober, napping in the sunshine.

Tony installing a dog door at my brother’s new place while the rest of us ate pizza and cupcakes upstairs.

FAMILY. I hope you had the happiest Thanksgiving, and a lazy, relaxing weekend ahead! What are you grateful for this holiday season? X A