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My Thanksgiving Holiday

11/28/12 | Florida, holiday

This year, for the first time in 20 years, I did not celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother, Kevin.  I missed him dearly but he is  having a great time studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland and will be home for Christmas.  Instead, I had a lovely time with family and friends. This post is a bit delayed because I took Monday and Tuesday off from work which is one of the smartest things I have done in a long time.  Having almost an entire week in Florida did wonders for me, especially in the tanning department.  Here are just a few of the photos Instagramed over the past week: 
Thanksgiving with my parents and my grandparents was amazing!
The food was absolutely delicious and I actually skipped the salad and all of the regular appetizers and went straight for the seafood which was out of this world!
While we were having dinner, desert, and coffee watched the beautiful sun setting from our Thanksgiving table:
After the sunset we finished dinner and went down to the beach to really enjoy the post-sunset glow.  I love the first photo I took of my parents and the second, my grandmother took, only minutes later of me being silly by the water. 
  
After a few days of doing nothing besides laps with my dad, biking to the beach, and reading by the waves I got to find out what my secret surprise was yesterday morning.  I knew that I had to wear a bathing suit and bring my water proof camera.  After dozens of guesses about what this activity was, I was almost positive we were going to go swimming with the manatees (how cool would that be?!).  Much to my shock, I was wrong, but not disappointed.  My secret surprise, and early Christmas present, was to take a jet ski to see dolphins in their natural habitat, just north of Naples, Florida.  Hands down one of the coolest things I have ever done!
As an avid photographer I was shocked how poor my photography skills were in terms of taking photos of the dolphins but taking pics while driving a jet ski is actually very difficult.  When they got within a few feet, I also was too excited to take photos! These are few of the shots I did manage to get in the causeways to the ocean we drove to.

I had an absolutely amazing Thanksgiving!  How did you spend your holiday/weekend? 
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Comments

  1. lucia m says

    November 29, 2012 at 3:52 am

    CUTE!

    XX

    http://www.aroundlucia.com
    http://www.aroundlucia.com

  2. mochaccinoland says

    November 29, 2012 at 3:46 am

    gorgeous sunset! looks like u had a fabulous thanksgiving holiday πŸ˜€

    xoxo
    mochaccinoland.blogspot.com

  3. FierceandFashionable says

    November 29, 2012 at 3:35 am

    Glad you had a great Thanksgiving!! I love Florida & am so jealous you got to jet ski and lay on the beach!!

    xo Michelle

    Fierce & Fashionable


    Enter my Monogram Giveaway!

  4. Mom Fashion World says

    November 29, 2012 at 1:27 am

    Great pictures
    and happy family!

    http://www.momfashionworld.com/

  5. Allison says

    November 29, 2012 at 1:17 am

    Looks like you had an amazing thanksgiving!
    πŸ™‚
    Allison

    A’s Fashion Files
    Shop Kawaii Kitsch by A on Etsy!

  6. LIGIA from ELCOFRE says

    November 28, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    very nice photos, and check the link that you leave on my blog because is wrong

    : (

    Follow my blog with Bloglovin
    http://www.facebook.com/elcoffre
    https://twitter.com/elcofre_nicarag
    http://elcoffre.blogspot.com/

  7. themosbysinchina says

    November 28, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    Wow! Sounds amazing! what an awesome Thanksgiving!!!

  8. GlamourDrama says

    November 28, 2012 at 10:52 pm

    oh what a great thanksgiving day in the sunshine :O
    I’ve just started following you, if u would follow me back i’ll be very happy πŸ™‚

    http://glamourdrama.blogspot.it/2012/11/primo-mese-di-vita-giveaway.html OPEN GIVEAWAY!

  9. Emily Marie {Isnt That Charming} says

    November 28, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Aw, so fun! I would love to spend Thanksgiving in the sunshine – I was in cold, cold Michigan…brrr!
    Isn’t That Charming.

  10. momto8blog says

    November 28, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    your photos are beautiful! what a good looking family!! My children have studied abroad and missed holidays…was not the same without them….
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

  11. brooke says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    love the gorgeous pictures of the ocean. makes me excited to head home to san diego for xmas!

    thanks for checking out my blog!
    http://www.insparisian.blogspot.com

  12. Katia says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    Lovely photos πŸ™‚ nice blog!

  13. Tori says

    November 28, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Glad that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! πŸ™‚
    -Tori
    http://www.fashiontrendsmore.com

  14. Heather says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    These are beautiful pictures – what amazing scenery and that food looks fab!

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

  15. ROXTHEFOX says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    You have a beautiful family!!

    http://WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

  16. zhanna says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Yummy food and great family photos. It looks like you guys had a wonderful time!
    XO,
    Zhanna
    http://www.lifeandbows.com

  17. M* says

    November 28, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! Looks like you had a blast!

    <3
    Feel free to visit my blog and say hi πŸ™‚

    http://sparksandsequins.blogspot.com

  18. fashion luv by nicole says

    November 28, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    cute pics πŸ™‚ look like a great event.

    thx for your comment.

    http://fashionluvbynicole.blogspot.com

  19. GeorginaGoodman says

    November 28, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    lovley πŸ™‚

    http://georginagoodman.blogspot.co.uk
    xxx

  20. samecookiesdifferent says

    November 28, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Looks like a nice time for you & your family
    the food is yummy
    <3
    x the cookies
    samecookiesdifferent.blogspot.com

  21. Anthea Sanna says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    very nice pics!

    New post on my blog!
    http://www.antheafashion.com

  22. Sarah Mira Park says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    Looks like you had a fun time with your family this Thanksgiving! The food, especially the crab claws, look AMAZING! Thanks for stopping by my blog πŸ™‚

    -Sarah
    The Weekend Diary

  23. Katie says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    that looks like a great time! i want to be there right now!

  24. Annie says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Looks like you had such an awesome time! Love the beach pics πŸ™‚

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

  25. ChloΓ© says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    I love family dinners and yours looked great. I follow you now. xxx

  26. Maddie says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Such a great post and pictures! πŸ™‚

    callmemaddie.blogspot.com

  27. Kiki says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Sounds like an amazing thanksgiving and that foos looks delish!!!!!
    new follower!

  28. milana2078 says

    November 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    Super! Super! Super!

    http://designer2078.blogspot.ru/

  29. style guide.L A M says

    November 28, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    Aww glad you had such a special thanksgiving weekend:) ! you look gorgeous πŸ™‚

    xoxo, Tiffany
    http://lamstyleguide.blogspot.com/

  30. Libby says

    November 28, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Looks like you had a great Thanksgiving with your family! Glad you got to spend some quality time with your family and away from work πŸ™‚
    -XOXO-
    Libby at http://libbysoutlook.blogspot.com/

  31. Ali W. says

    November 28, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    So glad that you had such a great day, even though your brother wasn’t there. One of my brothers is in NY, so we have been missing him too! The food looks amazing!

  32. Soulofashopper says

    November 28, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    very nice pics! xo, Alma
    http://www.soulofashopper.com

  33. Sophie Pocock says

    November 28, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Looks like you had a great time! lovely photo’s hun.

    pocockins.blogspot.com
    Sophie
    xx

  34. Marsa says

    November 28, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    aww it looks like you had an amazing thanksgiving πŸ™‚
    now on to christmas!!!

    happyleeliving.blogspot.com

  35. LoveT. says

    November 28, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Amazing Pictures πŸ™‚

    kisses

  36. arayofsunblog.com says

    November 28, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    What a great holiday you had! Sorry to hear you missed your brother but studying abroad in Dublin sounds amazing! I also love all of the seafood you guys have at your Thanksgiving! So delicious!
    xoxo
    Megan
    a ray of sun

  37. Hanna & Christel says

    November 28, 2012 at 11:43 am

    looks great!

    <3

    ps. we are now having a wonderful Kenzaa give-away!

  38. VOGUECITA says

    November 28, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Photos are fantastics!
    kisses and have nice day
    VOGUECITA
    http://voguecita.blogspot.com

  39. Lian says

    November 28, 2012 at 9:10 am

    nice photos! looks like you had a great time and i really love your royal blue dress!
    ♥
    http://herlifeinstyle.blogspot.co.il/

  40. Rachel says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:53 am

    I can’t say I’ve ever spent Thanksgiving somewhere warm, so that’s awesome! Glad you had fun girl!

    Life Unsweetened

  41. LittleSweetSa says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Ohhhh I would like to go to New York πŸ™‚
    http://littlesweetsa.blogspot.com.es/

  42. Glorieta says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:36 am

    Lovely photos kisses

  43. aree1997 says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Great photos , I love family photos most πŸ™‚
    Spending time with brother is very rare for me , he is always busy , playing video games and hanging out with friends -_-
    My weekend was great , I went on some treasure hunt with little girls hehe πŸ™‚

    Aree
    http://areewithumbrella.blogspot.com/

  44. Vanisha @ Vanishas Life In...Australia says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:33 am

    Looks like a wonderful and truly meaningful weekend spend with family and great food! I hope you continue to have many more things to be thankful for πŸ™‚ xoxox

  45. NewLife says

    November 28, 2012 at 7:16 am

    Looks like an amazing holiday – great pics!

    NLxx
    http://www.my-changing-room.com

  46. CΓͺ says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:08 am

    It seems like you had a wonderful time πŸ˜‰

    http://semjeitonenhum.blogspot.pt

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.Β  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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