Turkey Day, and More

The theme of the week was thankful, and thankful we are indeed! It has been a fantastic five days. Since I normally work on Thursdays, I had the day off for Thanksgiving...which actually gave me five days off in a row. I was inordinately excited about this extra day off. I only work 2.5 days a week, but I cannot usually claim those 20 hours to be the most joyous of them all. So, the extra 8 hours of The Good Life this week was appreciated and enjoyed.

Vacation kicked off on Monday night with a happy hour with my mom/aunts/cousins. I put in my one full day on Tuesday, and after that, I met up with some cousins who were in town at my Aunt and Uncle's house. Wednesday was awesome...Gavin graduated his level at swim class and got his medal. He was obsessed with it and wore it all day. He even slept with it that night. On Wednesday evening, we met up with some good, old friends at the Railroad Park. The kids went crazy, we drank wine out of to-go coffee cups, and we were grateful to see our dear friend who had recently moved to Chicago.

My sweetest things.

Naked lightsaber fight.

A proud moment for G!

I guess I'm a little too lax about letting G2 climb on the playground structure. A random mom brought him over to me because she was so worried about how high he had climbed. Doh.

Graham loved his train ride with D

Thursday was the big day. We took it easy in the morning, and it was the nicest, happiest morning I could remember in months. We watched the parade and lounged around while making sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. In the afternoon, we loaded up to go to my parents' house. There were nine cousins...all boys...who had a great time running around the backyard and later playing at the neighborhood park. It was a smaller Thanksgiving by our standards, and it was really nice.

Showing off his muscles, and still wearing the medal.

Graham driving "Mommy's truck" to the park.

Sumer pitching to G.

On Friday morning, we were up and at 'em and ready to decorate for Christmas! The tree was up and the mantle was decorated by 9am. It was the first time that Gavin really took an interest in the process, and it made it so much fun. In the afternoon, we took a trip up the hill for Harper's 5th birthday party in Prescott. This wasn't your ordinary birthday party...bounce house, face painting, a hot chocolate bar, pinatas, a full bar for the adults, incredible party favors, delicious food and an amazing cake. We were happy to catch up with friends, and the boys were entertained for hours. They zonked out as soon as we got in the car to head home and slept the entire two hours. It was a successful trip, and with the unusual heat we've had, we were happy to go where it was a few degrees cooler.

Doing Christmas through the eyes of a child is just the best.

It was so hot outside...who needs clothes to decorate?

Getting his face painted for the first time!

The whole crew

Batman!

Even G2 got a Mickey Mouse on his arm

Cake with cousins!

Soooo sweet.

Candy time!

We made Saturday an early morning to go to a make-up swim class since G will be missing it this week. From there, we played at the park for a bit before heading to the Scottsdale Quarter for the Santa Social. We were unintentionally super early, but it turns out that getting there 45 minutes early is really the only way it is worth it to get your free picture with Santa. I was fourth in line and waited all morning while the boys played at the Quarter. By the time Santa showed up, the line that snaked up and down the splash pad was completely full of people. After we took our photo and warmed up (on the 85-degree day) with a free hot chocolate, the line was overflowing. I don't know why anyone would wait in that line with small children for a free photo. The Santa was great, but the photo quality was poor. People were showing up with little girls in dresses with curled hair and I wanted to tell them to spend the money and go to Fashion Square for a legit Santa photo session. I was glad we did it, but I wouldn't have done it if we hadn't shown up when we did. Lesson learned for next year!

Playing on this new spinning chair at the Scottsdale Quarter

Gavin, a total sugar junkie, goes crazy for hot cocoa.

A very sub-par photo with Santa. Gavin's eyes! Haha. G2 wouldn't sit without crying, so we made it a Party of 5.

Back at home, painting ornaments. 

On Sunday, we met the family bright and early for a bike ride on the Green Belt with all five boys in tow. We brought Gavin's bike, and he gave it a good try, but for the most part, he rode in the bike trailer. The crowded Green Belt was not an easy place for him to ride as a beginner. We hardly get to practice with him because the dirt roads out here aren't optimal for beginner bike riders. Hopefully soon he'll get it down. Dylan had Graham in a seat on the back of his bike and also towed the trailer, which held Gavin and his bike. It was a heavy load, but he did great! Afterward, we had a chaotic and fun family breakfast on the patio at 5 and Diner. The weekend wrapped up with chores around the house. The dog ran away again, for like the 1000th time, except this time we really couldn't find him. I actually got in my car to look for him, which I've never done before. We all but declared him eaten by a coyote when he came prancing up the street and right back into the garage. Stinker. That dog will live forever, I'm pretty sure.

What a bunch!

Daddy the pack mule

These five boys! 

He drew a "Christmas ornament" on his hat at 5 and Diner.

Gavin is really becoming quite the artist, in addition to a master Lego builder.

He was so proud of this treasure map that he drew!

It was a completely fantastic five days, and I wish it didn't have to end. But alas, real life is upon us, and that is okay too. It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I plan to enjoy every bit of it.