Thanksgiving On the Coast

For only the second time since I've known Dylan, we made it to Oregon to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Millers. It was nothing short of splendid. As usual, we undertook many adventures that you can't find out here in the desert. Best of all was cutting down our own Christmas tree.

Besides being present for a fabulous family turkey feast and some intense rain (even for Oregon's standards), we were also able to attend Tom's big 60th birthday party. Dylan and his siblings put together quite a night. I was also on the Party Planning Committee text group, but my main job was making sure our family made it to Oregon with all of our necessities in tow, including plaid outfits for the party. I also offered encouragement to the rest of the committee. Dylan played the part of game show host and put together a great trivia game. Tess and Mikaila planned several minute-to-win-it games, which were tons of fun. And, of course, Jace came up with a hilarious song for Tom. The venue, The Eventuary, was eclectic and just perfect. We all had fun, and I think the birthday boy had a great night.

The only downside of the whole trip was our run to Urgent Care for Gavin. His school had called me to get him on Tuesday because he had come down with a fever in the afternoon. A couple of times after that he vaguely said that his ear hurt, but he didn't seem to be in much pain. If we were at home, I would have made him rest and tough out the fever a little bit more...but we were on vacation, and I didn't want to ruin a good time. So I doled out the ibuprofen right on schedule, and he'd go from feeling terrible to feeling great in a few minutes and then run around like a crazy person with his cousins. I knew it probably wasn't great for him to run around and get all amped up, but I was glad he was having fun. So, by day 4 of the fever, when he started getting weird red blister things on his face, I freaked out and rushed him in to be seen. He had a very "angry" double ear infection, and for the first time in his life, he had to do a course of antibiotics. It took a couple days for him to feel better, and now he's as good as new.

Here are 50...yes 50...photos of our trip. And that's only the "good" ones that I selected for the blog. We had a lot to be thankful for this year, and spending these last few days with a full, intact family was at the top of my list.

As far as flying with two little ones on the busiest travel day of the year goes...well, it was pretty easy peasy.

Watching planes before boarding

Gavin was pretty kick-back, but then spiked a fever about 5 minutes into our flight. Ibuprofen was in the checked bag, so I just held him in my lap for 2.5 hours. #momfail

The only efficient way to get around the airport

Mikaila's lovely tablescape

Captivated by Uncle Dylan's computer games

And more games on another day,

This family knows how to CHILL

Playing on the stairs. A real novelty for these guys.

These three cousins were rambunctious and wild and so much fun together.

Thanksgiving crew, including Bam, Dylan's grandmother.

The "Lizard Villa"

Tossing stuff from upstairs

The "Lizard Cave"

The next morning...back in the Lizard Villa

Riding on the tailgate with Aunt Tuna

Off to find the perfect tree

Mik spent so much time holding this sweet and feisty little guy. It was so cute.

Grandpa helping Gavin find the perfect tree.

Timber!

Loading it into the truck

Video games!

Jace and Mikaila picked out this BB8 ornament for G to hang on the new tree, and he was OBSESSED with it all weekend long.

Baby G2 got in on the decorating!

Playing games with Aunts and Uncle

Baby G and Baby Z

Game show host. #cheee-eee-eese

Fruit by the Foot game for the kids. Gavin ate the whole thing! And then 3 cupcakes. Then later complained that his tummy hurt. #shocking

Singing happy birthday to Grandpa

Visiting Sydney, Henry and Emerson on Sunday morning.

Only the best Aunt would play outside in the freezing cold rain.

Warming up by the fire.

Last day at Grandpa's house

Judah and Zealan gave Gavin this "special delivery" package multiple times filled with sweet notes and pictures.

These three...a personality expolosion

I was very worried about our sick little boy for a while there, and now that he seems to be on the mend, I am extra grateful for a healthy family. These last few months have been a doozie. I'm pretty sure Graham is still coughing at night (I can't even keep track anymore), and I know Gavin still has a runny nose. I honestly don't know if either boy has been fully healthy at any point since September. Now that Gavin has kicked his third round of fevers in a month, I've got my fingers crossed that we can enjoy December with nothing more than a few coughs and sniffles.

Anyway, onto the next adventure. We are about to send Dylan off on another trip, and we've got a fun weekend ahead of us. What I'm most excited about, however, is getting everyone under this roof by Sunday and for NOBODY to travel ANYWHERE for at least a week!