Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving in California was...perfect. The kids and I went for two weeks, and Dave was able to join us for a few days. There is nothing better than hanging out, making memories, and gaining weight, all with the people I love so much.

There was lots of cooking, ice skating, playing and snuggle time going on.

Beautiful Aunt Ritz

The second part of the time we went up to my family's house for more playing, a football game, ice skating, and a day in San Francisco.

The intense football game.

You could tell how intense it was by the fact that Audrey got to play (she even scored a touchdown!) and I played in jeans. All the players.

After the game we had a little round of Rock Band. Much more serious than the football game.

Hanging out with Grande.

On Thanksgiving Day we all headed into the city for a fun day of biking around San Francisco. It was so fun and a great way to work up a good appetite! We biked all around San Francisco, had Boudins bread bowls for lunch, and then over to and across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was good to be in our old stomping grounds again. It was the perfect feeling being there, enjoying all our memories we made there, but happy to have moved on and to be where we are now.

The kids getting their naps in. I love how they are holding hands.

The famous arrow cupid left in San Francisco.

My mom, talking to my Grandpa on the phone, right in front of Dave's old building. All the things I love...my Mom, my Grandpa, and the reason that brought us to San Francisco all those years ago. Plus it shows what a good multi tasker my Mom is! Riding a bike, talking on the phone, and smiling for a picture. Talent I tell ya.

Thanksgiving dinner. Since we got back from San Francisco so late, we decided to have a late dinner, after all the kids were in bed.

We ended the trip with a little more ice skating, going to see Blind Side, and a fun night of going out to dinner- adults only.

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, the quality family time, and the carrying on of traditions. When we were little girls my Dad would read to us, and we would play with his hair. My now little girl is playing with her Grandpa's hair.

I have so much in which to be grateful.
Happy (very late) Thanksgiving! May the pounds come off as easily as easily as they came on (yeah right).

Thanksgiving Program

Audrey's preschool Thanksgiving program. Loved it. Loved that Dave missed school that morning to come. Loved that Joshua sat so still during the whole 7 minute program. Loved that a few days before the program, the Principal at the school stopped me in the hall and told me what a "performer" Audrey is. Ha! She was really fun to watch.
I am so very thankful for my little cornucopia head.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Morning, Take 2

Christmas morning was everything I dreamed it would be and more (pictures to come). And lucky, lucky me, the magic lasted for two days. This morning, the day after Christmas, we were still opening gifts. Not that my kids had tons of gifts to open, but rather they would open one, play with it for hours, and then finally decide to open another one. Joshua opened his little train set first, and when Audrey would bring him another gift, he would shake his head and push it away. It is 10:45 pm on December 26 and there are still a few presents under our tree. I love making Christmas last three whole days. I can't wait for tomorrow morning...

Ice

Merry Christmas, Grinch style.
A couple of weeks ago, we were able to go to the Gaylord Texan hotel and see the Grinch Ice exhibit. It was amazing. The room was 9 degrees (9 degrees!) and everything was carved out of ice. I am a California girl living in Texas, and I have never been in 9 degree weather before. Lucky for me they handed out big parkas to wear (which I almost didn't wear because of my germ-a-phob-ness but decided to and I am sooooooo glad I did). The exhibit was so cool, literally.

Thank you Mandy for letting freezing Joshua borrow your beanie.

Audrey going down the ice slide. We had to bribe her to go (a treat at Walmart) and she ended up loving it. Her treat? She wanted cosmetics, but settled for a gum ball.

Joshua wasn't so thrilled.

The moms. The one of the far left (Amy) has a baby in a bjorn. I thought I should clarify because it looks like she could be pregnant with an alien, or a vampire (Bella and Renesme!).

And my favorite room of all, the reason for the season. I seriously love that this room was apart of it.

Merry Christmas

Someday when the budget allows, everyone will get one in the mail. Until then, Merry Christmas via blog.

It Really Happened

Long, long ago, a young woman named Mary gave birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for the knowledge that this really, truly happened, and for what it did for the world.

Merry Christmas

Itinerary

Hands down, without a doubt, no question about it, the best perk of having a husband that is still a student is Christmas break. For the next two weeks we will be doing a whole lot of
wrestling,

taking naps in the sunshine,

I will attempt to cook lots of yummy food (picture by Audrey),

and there will be LOTS of snuggle time. Can't. Wait. Merry Christmas to me.

Happy Boy

Sunday Bike Ride

Fun day. Beautiful bike trail. Sweet kids. Great company.