Saturday did a nice job of reminding me all I have to be thankful for, and it really couldn't have come at a better time with Thanksgiving just a few days away.

I spent yesterday morning grabbing brunch with my cousin Sarah, who I don't see very often. We were trying to remember the last time we saw each other, and we think it was about two years ago.



It was seriously so nice to catch up, and given all that time, there was obviously tons to fill each other in on. I got to hear all about her nursing program and her job hunt (She graduates from her program in December and is hoping to do pediatrics work in Baltimore. Holler if you've got connections!)

And I filled her in on my MBA program, work and running, etc. It was just a really nice way to start the weekend.

Then the day got even better when I got news that my cousin Amy had her baby girl that morning!



My new baby cousin Heather is happy and healthy, and I of course am beyond thrilled to have another little one to spoil.

Between Heather's big sister Abby and big brother Johnny and the twins and now Heather, I have so many little cousins that I get to love on.


First frame is me and Patrick. Second frame is Johnny, Abby and Cameron (Nikki and Rick are the adults!)


This was last week when I went to story time at the library with Abby, Cameron and Patrick.

I've always loved having a big family with so many cousins, and I'm so, so grateful that I live so close and get to spend some much time with my cousins and their families. As I grow up, family is definitely something I come to appreciate more and more, and I'm so lucky I get to spend as much time with my extended family as I do.

As if that wasn't enough awesomeness shoved into one day, I capped the night off with Friendsgiving. My best friend Emily and I cohosted a potluck-style Thanksgiving feast with a handful of our friends.



We crammed everyone into my apartment, ate a ton of delicious food, played Cards Against Humanity and in general had a really fun night.

By the time the last people left, sometime around 1 a.m., my heart was just bursting with joy and happiness. I had spent the entire day surrounded by some of my favorite people, and I collapsed into bed feeling so surrounded by love.

I am truly blessed to have the friends and family that I do, and I couldn't be more thankful for the amazing day I had yesterday.


Me and Laura and the boys at their first tailgate

Oh -- and of course, I would be completely remiss if I didn't also mention that I'm also pretty thankful for the Terps victory over Michigan yesterday. In our first season in the Big Ten, we've beaten Penn State in Happy Valley and Michigan at the Big House. We're 7-4, knocking on the door of 8-4 and a trip to a pretty solid bowl game to wrap up our season.



So yes, all in all, I have so much to be thankful for, and Saturday was truly the perfect reminder of that.