Thanksgiving Vacation

Our Thanksgiving was a little different than usual this year because Alan and his Dad put on a Turkeython race Thanksgiving morning.  They had about 700 runners and the rain held off for most of the race.  They gave out homemade cinnamon rolls to the finishers and whole Costco pies to the age-group winners!  It was another successful race for Uberthons, but it kept everyone except for Spencer and I busy for most of the day.  Spencer and I hung out in our jammies, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and worked in the kitchen most of the day.

We had a nice dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Larsen, Darwin and Debbie, Alicia and a family friend.  I don't know why I never take pictures on Thanksgiving.  Everything was delicious as always.

Alan, Spencer and I decided to take a quick trip to the beach for some much-needed family time on Sunday night.  Alan has been so busy and has worked himself to the bone the last couple of months.  Uberthons is doing well and their races keep getting bigger and better.  We're all ready for a break during the next couple of months, however. 

We are SO lucky that Alan's parents have their gorgeous beach house.  It's a vacation rental and they are kind enough to let us stay there when it's not being rented.  Most of the time when we head to the coast, we have rotten weather.  We broke our bad luck streak this time though.  It was beautiful and sunny the whole time we were there.  Still a little cold, but we couldn't have asked for anything better at the end of November.

We did a little shopping and a lot of playing on the beach and playing games back at the house.  Spencer can't get enough of the games they have there and it drives Alan and I a little crazy. :)  We tried to go see some tide pools this morning, but didn't get out of the house on time and missed all of the cool stuff.  Next time.  I think going to a candy shop was the highlight for Spencer.  I loved walking on the beach and getting away from my to-do list.  Alan loved taking two days off from Farmers.

It was a lovely, relaxing little trip and a perfect way to start the Christmas season.  Thanks for letting us stay Darwin and Debbie!

2011 Family Pictures

A friend from our ward took our family pictures again this year.  We couldn't have asked for a nicer fall day.  Much better than last year when it was cold and rainy.  Although, I think I like our pictures from last year better.  Go figure.

 

Thankful Tree

I wasn't quite ready to take down our Halloween tree after trick-or-treating so I decided to turn it into a Thankful Tree for Thanksgiving.  I cut out a bunch of fall-colored leaves and tied a ribbon on each one.  Now, we each write down something we're thankful for every evening.  It's a good way to teach Spencer about gratitude and a good way to remind myself of just how much I really do have so I don't focus too much on the few things that aren't going so well right now.

Better Late

 

We didn't get it done before Halloween, but Spencer and I finally carved his pumpkin about a week late.  I realized that it had been several years since I had carved one.  Alan always gets that privilege.  Spencer's only request was that it be a happy jack-o-lantern though and I could handle that.  I really just wanted the seeds out of it so I could roast them.  Happy late Halloween!