Thanksgiving Week: Nature & Family

Since David was able to have the entire week of Thanksgiving off, we decided to take a long vacation. We began  Monday by heading to Santa Monica, CA. We stayed in a fun Hotel Suite there that was a short walk from the beach. We brought our double and single jogging strollers and our baby carrier so three kids could ride and James could be worn. It worked beautifully for our several walks to the beach and pier. The kids had so much fun! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment. It had been five years since we had been to the beach! Too long! We stayed through Tuesday and then headed north on Wednesday to be with my side of the family for Thanksgiving.

We enjoyed the pier as well as the beach. The kids went on some rides and we had some good food. It was a successful, relaxing, and memorable trip. But it had to end... we had family to visit and Thanksgiving festivities to attend!

We stopped over in Bakersfield with Seth and Nicole before heading all the way up Thursday morning for the Thanksgiving baking and festivities. Nicole and I got to help mom make all the goodies. My favorite thing to make has always been my mom's blue ribbon apple pie!

That evening we got to see a lot of my family. We hadn't been to a family gathering with my side in three years! It was beautiful to see and hug my aunts, uncles, cousins and of course, granny. The kids played well with my little cousins and my cousins kids. I know there is a technical term for their relationship but we kept it simple by referring to all as cousins.

Now we are back to real life... home-school, housekeeping, work, service, and fun. Always fun to be had with four sweet kiddos. We are enjoying the Christmas season and all the joy and happy feelings that attend this beautiful season.