Lots to be thankful for...

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year. We were able to spend time in St. George, UT with (some) family. Our kids were once again spoiled rotten by being the only grand kids around and being doted on all. day. long! What more do you need when you're a kid, right? Well, there were daily trips to the golf course down the road via golf cart to hit a bucket of balls, Crowshaw's pies, movies (Tangled is one of our new favorites), rock throwing and exploring in the backyard pond, car rides--(it was quite chilly), endless yummy food to eat, people to play with you constantly--having 2 grandmas minutes away from each other, new toys, fun games and multiple other fun activities! A quiet, and intimate Thanksgiving--quite nice.

BUSTED--Will and Grandpa Roy sneaking some Cool Whip

Ellie with 2 of her grandmas--Grandma Trish and Grandma Connie

Some of the gang after a delicious Thanksgiving Feast--we're stuffed!

Quiet time with Grandma

Will's crazy bed head

Love this sweet boy!

These 2 seemed to be eating all weekend long!

Busted--Again!

Partners in Crime

We are so grateful for all of our blessings! And our family is definitely on the top of that list. We are so glad for these holidays when we can meet up together and have a wonderful time and make wonderful memories!

Maddy's *REAL* 4th birthday...

was spent at the Happiest Place on Earth. And while I don't want this post to turn in to how much we miss California, let's just say after our full, fun packed weekend was over, it was extremely difficult to leave. But we tried to soak up the California sun as much as we could--(to hold us over until our next California visit anyway)! And boy did we ever soak it up!
We really needed a vacation from our vacation!

Mark and the kids 1st headed straight for the Matterhorn--Maddy's favorite ride!

Will meeting Buzz for the first time--"BUZZZZZZZZ!"

We met Rapunzel and Flynn and they were so much fun that we went out and saw their movie soon afterwards! (Great movie btw)

Flynn was totally hanging with our family outside after our photo shoot--he was making us all laugh so hard!

Making silly faces

The Haunted Mansion--our family's favorite--especially when it's all decked out for the holidays

More silly poses

The guys

I love this pic--even though it was taken with my crummy camera--Sweet sisters waiting for the Matterhorn--

A classic "after a full day at Disneyland" shot--Mark and I headed over and got Cafe Rio while they all slept

The next day (her actual birthday) we sang to Maddy as we ate chocolate doughnuts and she opened her presents

Then Mark snuck in a quick golf game in the morning, while I took the kids over to the Orange County Market place for a quick shopping trip--they love picking out some fun new toys-- and then we went over to see how "our" animals were doing--the piglets are always so fun to watch

Then it was off to the beach. The water was actually a bit chilly for swimming--it was November after all, so we rode our scooters on Newport pier and then ran around in the sand. Then for lunch we ate at the Crab Cooker--yummy!!

Before heading home, we had to stop by our favorite beach of all time--Crescent Bay and enjoy some waves and seal watching. Then we headed to Newport Beach for a little Pinkberry. On our way home, we stopped by dad's in Palm Springs and went out to eat at our favorite--Babe's --BEST sweet potato fries in the world!!!

Happy 4th birthday to the sweetest girl around! We love you Maddy!!