Thanksgiving Week

What a week! We have so much to be grateful for...

We're still recovering from our move. On Monday, the moving truck arrived with all of our things. Melinda's mom came out to help by distracting the kids with hours of playtime at the park while Melinda directed the movers and checked off boxes.

We're still digging our way out… and probably 

will be for a couple more weeks.

Normally, we wait until after Thanksgiving to put up our Christmas decorations. But, since those boxes were on the top, Melinda and the girls made unpacking them a priority. 

 It was a lot more fun unwrapping ornaments than silverware.

Hanging them with care. 

Frosty the Door-man.

We were lucky to be able to spend a couple hours catching up with Klisa, Jameson, Sally and Joe Plicka before heading up to Melinda's parents house for a Thanksgiving weekend and much-needed break from the stress of the move.

Matt the baby-tamer calms the nap-deprived kiddos. 

Adelaide tried to "mother" both toddlers, but

they resisted her attempts to control their curiosity.

Melinda's parents live in Washington state now, but still have their lake house in SoCal, which was only a short two hour drive for us.

Sunrise over the lake… 

(We're up early, still a little on East Coast time.)

So fun to have a sunny day in late November!

Adelaide helping Grandma in the kitchen. 

Eleanor learning to skip rocks… or at least chuck 'em. 

A trio of turkeys!  

Family is ready to feast. 

 What? We're going to EAT the turkey!

But, it's so cute on my dress.

Poor Grandma Gale got pretty sick with a sinus infection the day after Thanksgiving. So, we kept things low key so she could get lots of rest and antibiotics. The rest of the weekend we spent enjoying the lake and hitting Black Friday sales to get a few items our new apartment needs, like a lamp. 

When Eleanor is at the wheel, you are in for an adventure. 

Bundled up in Grandpa's sweaters

to cruise around in the golf cart.

Visiting our favorite stop, Old Town Root Beer

in Temecula to spend our "Shop Local" Amex dollars. 

Eleanor discovers yet another sweet that

Mom won't let her have instead of dinner. 

Yea Root Beer!

It was a fun weekend! What a great way to relax after the big move and get us recharged for getting back to the swing of things next week with the kids in school and parents back at work.

Thanks to all our friends and family that helped during our move. We are grateful for our new home, new opportunities and many, many dear old friends.