Black Friday

Jared won the prize this year for waking up the earliest.  We left the house at 3:30.  Natalie and I were the only other early morning shoppers and we left shortly before 5. 
Later in the day my mom's sister and cousin came from Pennsylvania with their families (including grandchildren) to shop.  It is a tradition starting back when we were little.  My grandma lived in a little apartment in my mom's cousin's house.  We would have a giant Thanksgiving dinner and the next day we would all hit the stores.  The tradition was discontinued for a few years after we all moved away and grandma passed away.  A few years ago after my cousin moved to Pittsburg it started back up.  Her family goes to her house for Thanksgiving and the next day they make the couple hour drive to my parent's house and we all go shopping.  This year my mom's cousin and family decided to come join in also

Part of the tradition involved eating lunch at a hotdog place outside the mall near my grandma's.  This was not my most favorite part of the tradition.  If I'm being honest I have to admit to throwing several teenaged fits because I did not want to eat a hot dog.  Sometimes I'd run to subway to get my own food.  Well, there is a hotdog place a few minutes from my parents so we started the day with lunch.  Hotdogs are still not my favorite, but it was hilarious to take 25 people into this little hotdog joint.  Some of the workers were heard muttering choice words when we all filed in.

yes, everyone you see was part of our group!

Then we went to Crocker Park for some shopping.

 Katy was proud to make the first purchase of the shopping trip.  We realized when packing that she had out grown all her hat and boots.  She was freezing and found a hat she like at the GAP.  Being the cheapskate I am, I told her I'd buy her one at Target but if she wanted a $16 hat she had to buy it herself.  Since she has her own income now, she decided she really like the hat and bought it.  I have to admit I'm a little jealous.  Its very warm!!!!! (and cute) The wind was bitter cold so we didn't last as long as we normally do.  We did stumble upon Santa when we ducked into this cute little toy store to warm up.  The Santa there was terrific.  He really took the time to talk with kids.  He asked my girls "whats this I hear about you three fighting".  Ah, the look on their faces was priceless!  Xandy asked for a puppy.  Santa asked who was going to take care of it.  She said "my little brother, he likes dogs"  Santa told her it was probably not a good idea to ask for something unless she was willing to take care of it.