What are your favorite board games?

I've had a rather interesting realization this week: My mother is a bad influence on me. We're both on vacation this week, and each day's events have unfolded in practically the same way. I'll wake up, eat breakfast and then attempt to open my laptop to get some work done. And invariably, I'll hear my mom utter those three little word: "It's. Game. Time."

She's a woman who loves playing games -- board games, cards games, puzzles. She always has, and on vacation, her urge to play is somehow kicked into overdrive. I jokingly try to tell her that "Mommy has work to do," but in the end, I never really put up much of a fight. It would probably be pointless, anyway. This week, we've been, as my mother calls us, "game-playing fools," yet we always go back to a few favorites...
*Yahtzee: I don't remeber when we started playing regularly (shortly after my father died, I think), but this game always plays into both of our competitive sides. Plus, it's fast-paced, and those dice make you feel like you're in Las Vegas. Did you know I have a secret love of casinos, friends? No? Ooooh, well, then, more about that later. :)
*Bananagrams: This is a great off-shoot of Scrabble, but what I love is that you make your own board of words instead of adding onto someone else's. This one really gets my heart pumping (I've been on a winning streak this week too!).
*Trouble: My mom picked up this childhood favorite for Christmas. I haven't played it in years, but it's fun to pop that bubble!
*Monopoly: My favorite game of all time. This is the sort of game that can last for hours (even days), and in high schOol, my best friend and I would just play and play and play. Fun fact: I am so OCD about getting Park Place and Boardwalk (I have to own them) that I will mortage everything I have to get it.

Do you play a lot of games, friends? Do you have favorites you always find yourself going back to? Do you have family game nights? What games are you dying to try? Any recommendations? And...do you have a competitive streak? I do...big time!! xoxo