So, some of my family is coming down for a week. I am not much of a family vacation person. I like doing things on my own or with a close friend. Mostly because I want to do what I want, not what everyone else wants. I’m selfish that way. 🙂 But there are a few “family traditions” we do every time we get together that I actually like.
We always go to the ‘Red Place’ (El Burrito) in Redlands, Ca. It’s a Mexican food dive in a red building. It has amazing food!!!! Like, I am obsessed! My fav is the rolled chicken tacos and the special burrito. Their guacamole is different but amazing. It’s blended and has sour cream in it. Yum. I am salivating right now thinking about going this weekend.
We also always go to Joe Jost’s in Long Beach. It’s an old bar that serves big ass, ice cold schooner beers. They also have pickled eggs and polish sausage sandwiches. OMG, the eggs are to die for. And you will never get a colder beer in your life.
We also love to play board and card games. Poker and Nibs are our favorites. Nibs is the best game ever! It’s like group solitaire but it can get dangerous. I have been cut by a card because certain people get so mad when you’re better than they are. Bwahahaha.
We also play bocce ball. I think we always play it because it’s the only game my family can beat me at. lol
Well, these are few of my family’s traditions during our family vacations. It’s nice to have go-to places and activities that we know everyone will love.
sherry fundin
Nothing wrong with being a bit of a loner and not always following the herd. Sounds like you have a grand old time when you do get together. Fun post. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I feel bad sometimes but being a loner feels natural.
Braine Talk Supe
Eat! We look up great places in the area, check out the menu and dig in if it catches our fancy. Then we have a family (eating) party potluck/barbecue. Then we go buy souvenirs. It’s not much, nothing specific, just lots of eating lol
Jennifer Bielman
Well, that sounds pretty awesome to me. Eating with the fam is the best.
Lekeisha
Food! Family equals food and good conversation, if the gathering is at home. Lately, we’ve been going on trips. Last year it was Orlando, the year before it was Texas and we even swung over to Arkansas to visit a water/theme park. Family reunions have been held in California and Las Vegas too. We have lots of kids now in the family, so we have to do kid friendly activities. Grownups usually go on weekend trips, like this year. I didn’t attend this past July because of the situation with my sister. I’m not close to my maternal family, except Bro/sis. All of the above is done with my soon to be in- laws. We always have a good time, even if I’m in my own little world reading. I try to at least go along, just to get away.
Lekeisha
And playing Spades is the highlight of family gatherings at home. You would do well with me as a partner in that game because I am ruthless! I can make a book out of any card in my hand. LOL!
Jennifer Bielman
It’s nice to get along with in-laws. Happy you can have much fun with them. You guys sound like a blast. we don’t often go out of the state.
kindlemom1
Family is so funny aren’t they, you can’t help but love them and yet they drive you insane as well sometimes. 😉
Sounds like you have some fun traditions though that you are looking forward to doing. I hope you have a great time while they are there!
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks, the traditions help, that’s for sure.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Sounds like a lot of fun traditions! Glad that you can see the positive even though you aren’t much for gorup activities like that. I can relate. When you have time sometimes you just want to be selfish and do what you want. Nothing wrong with that!
Jennifer Bielman
It still feels horribly selfish but I love my alone time too much to feel too bad lol.
Red Iza
I like doing things my own way too, but sometimes, you drag your feet before you do something and then you’re glad you’ve done it 🙂 Enjoy !
Jennifer Bielman
Very true. 🙂
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Aaaaand even though I just ate I’m now craving our family spots. lol We don’t travel much these days (we’re all tied to home with work or animals) but when we do travel I tend to be the planner and everyone just goes along with me. Heh
When I go home we do the same family restaurants that I miss when I’m gone and do rounds visiting all the friends, usually do some big cookouts. Nothing too exciting but comforting 😀
Jennifer Bielman
That’s pretty much what we do too. Now with a pool, we swim all day, hehe.
Melliane
It’s nice to have some traditions like that. When I was younger I went a lot with my parents but my father was always working so we were going with him. We also used to go visit things on the weekend and that’s some great things I remember doing. And otherwise, it’s eating ice cream lol when at the beach.
Jennifer Bielman
Ice cream at the beach sounds awesome!
kimbacaffeinate
I love family traditions, ours have been small and intimate since we moved away from family when my youngest was 4. It has changed a lot as well since we have lived in 4 states since then.
Jennifer Bielman
Wow, I have never lived anywhere besides California.
Christy
Damn, I haven’t had pickled eggs in a long-ass time. That sounds good. I traveled a lot with my grandparents when I was younger, and everywhere we went, my grandma would find a place for us to go ride horses. I love riding in new places – forest, desert, beach, etc. We always went riding in Pismo, then I started taking my own horses. It was just a cool thing we always did. My family isn’t real close and doesn’t really get together like that anymore. It’s usually me and/or my son in each little faction of the family. lol.
Jennifer Bielman
I like when only a few people from a family get together better than a big group. Horse Riding?? So jealous. I love horses.
Anna
Your holidays sounds so much better than mine ever could. Where do I sign up? 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, believe me, it’s not that great.
Jaclyn Canada
I love playing games of all kinds. Card games, board games, video games, whatever. I have always wanted to try bocce ball, but never have. It looks fun!
Jennifer Bielman
Bocce Ball is sooooooooo fun! You would love it.