Thanksgiving

James was supposed to work on Thanksgiving. He ended up not having to, but since we didn't know that, we just planned to stay close to home for the day. That meant we got to go to my grandpa's house! I don't remember the last time we went to thanksgiving there. It was great.

 

My mom's entire family was in attendance except for a few - uncle Eddie and his family, my cousin Melinda's husband who had to work, Meranda on a mission, and cousin Eddie who moved to Hawaii.  There were around 50 people squished into the hallways, living room, kitchen, etc. at my grandpa's house. It was super tight quarters but was great!
 

 

Kids listening to Annie give craft directions after dinner.

 

 

Kids running around outside. 

 

 

Uncle Evan (on his birthday) at the buffet before anyone started eating.

 

 

Everyone waiting in line to eat.

 

 

Table settings before the festivities.

 

Failed Attempts at a Christmas Photo

We did get a couple of good photos during our Thanksgiving photo shoot.  However, my favorites are the ones that will not be sent out!

Sibling-a-go-go part 2

So Saturday of our sibling adventure went like this . . .

Breakfast was eaten at a good little dive called the Sugar Shack. It was a recommendation from a friend of Annie's who used to live in Huntington Beach. I had pancakes and potatoes. Good!

We ventured to some stores, bought a few prizes then back to our room to get our beach supplies (really just chairs and a couple other things).

We hung out on the beach for a few hours. The weather was perfect. The sand was soft. The water was cold. Annie and Willie found some cool shells. There was some good people watching.

When we had had enough sun, we went back to the room, refreshed ourselves, and headed to our other Southern California favorite . . . Disneyland!  Of course there was no way we were going to the park without the rest of our family, but we walked around downtown Disney and bought some more prizes and did some more people watching.  Willie and I did go through the security bag check line to go to the actual entrances of the parks and looked at the cool Christmas decor.

Next, back to the beach we went. Annie wanted to see the sunset, but we may have missed it. Once at the Ocean, it's last remains were visible so we did a quick stop for a sunset photo.

Back at home base, the goal was Ruby's diner at the end of the Huntington Beach pier. We all ordered milkshakes (which come before your meal) and then ate more deliciousness. We were laughing so hard at who knows what that Willie and I couldn't breathe. It was fun!

We went to a CVS for chocolate milk and snacks for the road the next day. I accidentally bought the milk with extra protein and the distilled water with extra electrolytes.  (I took a water bottle with me to try to be more environmentally friendly but I left it in the valeted car and it tasted like dish soap anyway).

We headed out early Sunday morning and hit some slow downs in Nevada but otherwise are making good time. It has been a great trip! I am grateful for such a close relationship with my siblings and that we can always make each other laugh.  My aunt Jackie told Annie that we would probably just fight the whole time. No way!  It was great.

I am grateful for a supportive husband who may not have wanted me to come, but didn't say anything other than, "Go. That's fine." I am grateful for my chilluns. I have missed them (and James, too)!

I am grateful for my parents, not only because they tended my kids for a good portion of this weekend, but because they must have done something right in raising us.

The end!

Observations on surfers

It is Satruday morning and we are at the beach.  My brother and sister went for a walk on the beach and left me to guard the chairs and ukulele. I had a little nap. I meant to grade some papers but don't want to. It's Ok.

I spotted them (the siblings) and thought they may have decided to walk to San Diego.  They are way far down there.  I thought I would make some observations on surfing and surfers in the meantime.

• They are a men. I have seen only 1 woman.
• They are all ages and even some old, like 70+.
• There are lots of them. I counted at least 30-40 on each side of the pier at several different times.
• They are all white, thin, and have good posture, though some are more attractive than others. 
• They sit out there on their boards for a long time just waiting. 
• They are excellent at changing clothes in the parking lot by concealing with a large Beach towel wrapped around their waists.
• They mostly travel in one's but occasionally meet up in two's.
• Hair is not a consideration. 
• All wetsuits are black. 
• The Ocean was more calm this morning than now. 
• A good wave can usually have two people at a time riding, one on each end as it breaks. Occasionally you will see 3 start on a wave but a maximum of 2 ever make it. 
• Some guys like to stretch first before hitting the water. 
• Many literally run to the water just like you would see in an old Beach movie. 
• They don't surf at night, but do get there extremely early in the morning at the first signs of light but before the sun actually rises.

Sibling-a-go-go

The benefit of having a smart phone is that I can now blog while en route.

After my brother got his mission call my sister got this hair brained idea that we needed to go on a sibling adventure before he goes.  Eventually I agreed. Though I am feeling pretty guilty about leaving my husband and especially my chilluns, it is a good idea and we are having fun!

Other people do this sometimes, right? They leave their children for a short vacation?  Here is the note I left for them.

Anyway. . . We left at 6 this morning. We made it to St. George pretty quickly for a stop at a place called "The Swig" for a drink and cookies. Next was a stop in Lost Wages at Raising Canes for chicken fingers. They were good, too.

We let Willie drive from Las Vegas to Barstow.  He learned about cruise control and Annie screamed a few times but it wasn't too bad.

We checked into our room at the Shorebreak Hotel.

We went to see the second Hunger Games movie. Annie and Willie are huge fans of the books. I have not read the books but did see the first movie. This one was equally intense and equally killingsome.

Found a place back in Huntington Beach called Burgerbomb for a late night snack, then walked on the beach in the dark before returning for the night.