{Thanksgiving VIII - Saturday}

Saturday morning we said farewell to Scami and they drove back to school.

Caitlan was feeling sick, so she stayed home all morning and slept.

So, my little family and Megan went to city to exlore.

We stopped by the concrete slide first:

Evette was a little nervous about going down this slide even though she'd been down it before, so I have her a little push. She wasn't too thrilled:

But then realized that it wasn't so bad after all and went down multiple times by herself:

This day was filled with wall murals and tacos. I think we stopped at 5ish taco spots and it was amazing. 

I love the city and all of it's personalities. 

We came home and Caitlan was feeling much better after a day of resting. We finished the daylight hours by visiting the bay and a floor of seashells.

And we used the night time hours for a firepit and smores.

Caitlan and Megan left the next morning and our house was devoid of our thanksgiving guests. It was kinda sad. The girls went through withdrawals as she no longer had a million people around to read to them. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

{Thanksgiving VI - Friday}

Friday was a great day - everyone was feeling better and was fat and happy on turkey. 

Our first stop was point bonita lighthouse... unfortunately, it wasn't open that day. Yes, I have detected a pattern and yes, in the future, I will check what days things are open before I drag the whole dang family around with me.

Alas, it was a beautiful little hike and the views were breathtaking despite not being able to go to the actual lighthouse. 

We also visited the Mendell Battery right near there, too.

Cool old military building.

We then decided last minute to try our luck going to Muir woods since we weren't too far off. Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea. There was no parking within a couple miles of the park's entrance. So we decide to cut our losses and head out. We went to Salsalito to grab some lunch at a taco place and then poked around the docks for a bit.

Next was a walk along the coast down towards the Sutro Baths. 

Look at all these cool people in their leather jackets!

It's such a cool place and we all had a good time exploring.

Evette saw an older girl climbing along the top of the wall and wanted to try it, too. But once she was up there, she wasn't quite sure. But look at that good Daddy encouraging her, waiting right there, but letting her do it on her own.

Check out that victorious smile when she realizes that she's actually doing it!

At the end of our adventure day Randy and Kristen headed to the airport and headed back home. It was so great to have them here to visit!

And ended the day with books - of course!

{Thanksgiving V - Thursday}

Thanksgiving Day had arrived! With one oven and a lot of people and a lot of food, there was a lot of coordination and planning that needed to happen to make the meal come together. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't a little anxious, but it all came together beautifully!

There was quite a bit of time in the morning in between preparations that was spent playing dolls and reading books.

Evette was in heaven. With so many grown ups in the house there was always someone available to read to her! If one was busy she'd just take her books and find the next literate adult. 

Everyone was great pitched in with their various dishes of the meal:

Yes, that turkey is covered in bacon, and yes, it was delicious. 

The whole group!!So much cooking that was so so so good!

Cleaning the turkey after the feast!

And then a big fat turkey coma.....

followed by decorating the Christmas Tree!!!!! Hooray! 

And charades - which is so fun to watch Evette get into!

And then we had pie for dinner, 'cause that's what you do during Thanksgiving!

A little bit of all 3, why the heck not?

And then bedtime stories and bedtime.

A big successful day with my favorite things - Family, Food, and Christmas. Yup.