Boise surprise

I had no plans to travel this Christmas, I was actually looking forward to spending a quiet holiday at home and taking the week I had off to go to the gym and get an oil change...I know, sounds very glamorous. Fortunately, I was saved from my car and body maintenance by Morgan. For Christmas he gave me a plane ticket to Boise to visit my family. He was going to give me the itinerary on Christmas eve but my grandmother sent us a Christmas card we received a week before and it said for me to have a "good trip West". I was very confused and then I turned to look at Morgan and he was for a loss of words. His surprise had been spoiled but it was still a great gift. Don't worry, Grandma, he's not mad at you.

We both had our mothers over for Christmas morning and then at one in the afternoon I boarded a plane and arrived in Boise at 8:15 pm (after a long layover in Atlanta). I spent my first day visiting with my brother, Ben, and his wife, Andrea, and their kids Kate (6 years old) and Wyeth (3 years old). Ben and I went downtown for dinner where Andrea works and I was amazed at how much downtown has really grown.

I spent Tuesday with my dad and step-mom shopping and eating...two best things! We had dinner at a new restaurant downtown called Leku Ona, which means "good place". It is located on the Basque Block (where I did my thesis) and it's the first Basque fine dining restaurant. They just completed the renovation and opened early in December. I remember when I was doing my thesis last year that the executive director of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center gave me the plans for the new restaurant and couldn't wait for it to be under way. The food was delicious (we stayed away from the cow tongue - a delicacy!).

On Wednesday my dad and I, along with my dad's nephew (by marriage a couple times over) went to the Boise State U vs. Boston College MPC Computers Bowl Game and the Bronco Stadium. It wasn't looking too good for a while but we came back and was in a good position to win but they just couldn't come back as far as they needed to. It was a really good game regardless...especially when it started to hail! After the game we had a lot of family over for dinner.

Thursday I spent the day relaxing with the family and then went to Ben's house to have dinner with his group and my mom who had also flown out for a week and is going to be there for Wyeth's third birthday which is tomorrow. Friday I spent with my best friend, Jayna, and her two kids Grace (2 1/2) and Caroline (3 months). Kelsey, our very close friend from high school was also in town and joined us to hang out and watch a movie. It was great to see both of them, it's too bad we had such a short time to visit.

Well, that just about wraps up my vacation...none of which would have happened without the very generous gift from my husband.