Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving through New Years has been a whirlwind!  Just now finding time to upload pictures from the last couple of months.  (not really- have to leave to get the kiddos in 20 minutes) 

One day I hope to elaborate more on our adventures, quote some of the hilarious things these kids say, how they're doing in school and sports, yadda yadda, but no time now.  Maybe next time.

Here goes my speedy post...   

Ellery picked out a library book and I was caught off guard once we began reading.  Ummmm...

Hanging out with Dottie...

And Jude...

Building forts...

And swinging from the garage door...

We made a few stops on our way to the Grand Canyon, where we spent Thanksgiving.  We broke up the drive by spending 2 days in Scottsdale so Zach could golf and the kids and I could play and swim.  He played at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Course (which is also where we stayed) and the kids and I went to the McCormick-Stilman Railroad Park...

  

It's November!...

Then we stopped at Macdonald's Ranch on our way up to Sedona.  This place was awesome and totally free!  The most amazing petting zoo I've ever been to.  The kids got to ride a horse and learn to lasso which might have been Beck's favorite part.

 

  

Our first view point of Sedona...

Sedona is where we met up with Dave & Kathy...

Beauty in every direction...

What's a trip to Sedona without a Pink Jeep Tour?...

 

Sedona might just be my new favorite place...

 All Aboard!!  We drove up to Williams, AZ and boarded the Grand Canyon Railway...

We're here!  It was the first time to see the Grand Canyon for all of us...

Wow.  Just wow...

I was a nervous wreck with this little guy.  There were sheer drop-offs EVERYWHERE and being a curious boy, he wanted to see what was down below.  I tried talking to him about the dangers of getting too close to the edge and you know what his response was?  "It's ok mommy.  If I fall I'll just sprinkle pixie dust on my arms and fly."  Ugh.  I've never believed in leashing your child but I would have paid good money for one if I found one.  I highly recommend visiting this natural wonder - just leave your 3 year old at home...

Sorry for so many pics.  I had a hard time deleting...

However, Ellery was holding our hands and walking on the furthest-from-the-canyon side of the trails. (when she wasn't building fairy houses)  At least I've got one rule follower...

Look on the edge.  These people are nuts...

 I walked out the sliding door to see how the fairy house building was going and found this...  Beck!...

On our way back we spotted a trio of cowboys that looked like they were up to no good...

 Oh No!  A train robbery!  This kind of freaked Ellery out but Beck thought it was awesome...

 It was a wonderful trip!
As soon a s we got back we were off to Jie's birthday party...

The kids couldn't wait a day more to set up our Christmas decorations.  We welcomed December by sipping hot chocolate near the fire...

And snuggling Nola...

Again?  Beck!  Bennett!  Boys...

Uh... mama... what is happening?  First X-rays and he did great...

I think you're a tiny bit too big for Dottie's bed...

I heard beck playing with this little rubber man saying "Ahhhh!  I'm at the edge of the Grand Canyon!"  Then he dropped him in the rinse agent dispenser and said "oh now he's dead."  Maybe our talks did sink in.  Maybe...

Ellery holding a baby chick at the Waldorf School of San Diego...

We met Monica and Landon there...

And Janice and Sydney too!..

They had all sorts of craft projects set up at their annual Winter Fair and candle making was at the top of Elle's list.  Here she is making the base...

Ta da!...

I completed this blog post in record time -- up next a Christmas/New Years post full of family, friends and whales!