We're Thankful for Thanksgiving

It's TURKEY TIME!

Check out those sweet turkey shirts! 

Grandma Mikki and Grandpa Phil offered to host Thanksgiving this year. We had a big crowd with Sally and Joe down from Davis and Jeff's family in from Santa Barbara - plus all of us locals. We provided the bird, but Sally actually did all the work preparing it the day of. We just stood in line to pick it up at the Honey Baked Ham Store. It was a long line... but still, credit to Aunt Sally for a delicious roast! 

Before we started feasting, Grandpa asked Klisa to give a quick speech about the history of the holiday. Klisa punted to Melinda... which was okay because Melinda watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special last year so she and Captain Myles Standish are old pals. Don't ask Melinda to tell you what she had for breakfast, but obscure facts about holidays with puritan origins - on it! 

Matt took this panorama of the crew as they prepared

to hear Melinda's big "speech." See how they await with

rapt attention, hanging on her every word... well, 

at least Grandma looks excited :). 

Handsome guy carving a beautiful bird.

Yep... Melinda taught them that.

The day after Thanksgiving, we braved the crowds of Legoland with Jeff's family. Jameson and Bennett are the same age as Eleanor and Steven, and they always have a lot of fun together.

Lego Santa!!

Getting five young kids to pose is 

kind of like trying to nail jello to a wall... 

Plicka boys out for a ride.

Clearly a successful adventure!

Saturday, we met up with our cousins again and saw the Good Dinosaur in the movie theaters. The kids were so excited for their first movie theater trip. The movie itself was a little terrifying for them (Disney - can we talk? Do you really have to kill off the protagonist's parents in EVERY SINGLE MOVIE!). But, they had a huge tub of popcorn to share, so they made it through. Whew.

Yummm!

We were so grateful for a fun week of family activities and can't wait to have another two weeks a home in just a month! Bring on the most wonderful time of year, the holidays are here!