carlsbad

Thanksgiving with my parents took place last Tuesday. We spent the morning decorating our house for Christmas, then headed over to my parents for the feast. :)

The next morning we headed down to Carlsbad. Chris' aunts have a time share that they very generously used on us as well as Chris' brother's family. We had such a wonderful time. It was relaxing, the weather was perfect, and we had such a great time with the family. Some highlights:

The weather was actually warm enough for swimming. This was a big bonus for the kids and they went in each day.

 Right next to the pool was the arcade. They spent a lot of time here as well.

On the first night, I took the four cousins down to the pool area where they had a looming class. Basically there were a couple of resort staff who gave a lesson in making loom bracelets. The kids really enjoyed it.

Each morning the four of us walked down to the main lobby, where they had a hot chocolate machine. The kids really enjoyed pushing the buttons and getting their own drinks.

The mornings were very relaxing in our condo. They started out about 5am for Cameron. Fortunately he was able to sneak out into the living room and watch TV until the rest of us got up. On this morning, Chris had left earlier for golf. The kids watched TV in the living room and I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie (woohoo!) in our room. :)

Yesterday the dads took the kids to the movies. Afterward they went to Fry's (electronic store) and killed some time before getting pizza to bring home for dinner. While they were out,  Rebekah and I got to watch two full episodes of the newest Gilmore Girls. We were not disappointed and it was fabulous to be back in Stars Hollow!

THANK YOU, Noonie and Deb!!!

poop vs. berries

*Yesterday we went on what has become my favorite hike, Murray Hill. I love desert hikes. I also love that it takes less than five hours, so we still have the rest of our day.

The trail starts in a residential neighborhood, which makes it easy to get to.

We quickly shed our jackets and the day ended up being beautiful and warm.

My mom always asks us what we talk about on our hikes. I always tell her that there isn't a whole lot to report. Despite being out in nature, which often fosters deep, thought provoking conversation, ours typically centers around the hike we are currently on, previous hikes, or in yesterday's case, whether or not this was animal poop or berries (I maintain they are berries). Ha!

Chris and Kendall ended up going out to the desert as well. They hit up the street fair and Kendall was very excited to get a new watch. :)

Since we were all in the same area, we met for lunch at where else? Costco!

On a totally unrelated note, I recently let both kids take the reigns in brushing their own teeth. Know what I discovered? They are incapable of cleanly using a toothpaste tube. Pet peeve!! :)

strawberries and cream

*Hooray for Thanksgiving Break! I have to work Monday but then I'm off until the following Monday!!! This last week has actually been a bit of a reprieve as far as having to work so much at night, but I'm still more than ready for a break. :)

*We met Chris' brother's family for dinner last Friday. In a nutshell: The girls loved coloring on the paper table cloth. Cam did not like his pizza because it had, "too much flour on the crust". They got my SIL's meal wrong. The bread is always good. I prefer plain butter to olive oil/vinegar It was a fun night. :)

*Chris joined a men's club at the local golf course. One of the perks is getting a certain amount of money per month to spend at the clubhouse restaurant. We went to dinner last night and it was so fun.

*Prior to dinner I visited the chiropractor for the first time. The jury is still out on whether or not I think it's worth it.

*Chris and Kendall had some time to kill the other day before Cam's pick up. Strawberries and Cream Frappuchino for the win!

*Chris hurt is hand pretty badly at softball the other night. The X-ray didn't show a break, but it's swollen and not comfortable :(

*We will be heading to Carlsbad next week with Chris' family for Thanksgiving. I'll be making what has become not just my favorite Thanksgiving dessert, but probably my favorite cake of all time. I can't believe there is no chocolate in it.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

our day

We are currently in the middle of a four day weekend. It is divine!! The kids had Friday off as well as Monday (for parent conferences). I had Friday off and will be taking Monday off. Yesterday we lounged around in the morning and then met some friends at a trampoline park. The kids had a blast.

Don't be fooled, Kendall (and Cameron) were NOT fans of the bull. I think it was a tad painful when they fell off. :)

After the trampoline park we met Chris' brother's family for dinner. Always fun to see the cousins. :) Today Cam and I had plans with my dad for a big hike. Unfortunately my dad got sick. We decided to take a trip instead to Ontario Mills.

(For the record, Kendall IS wearing shorts. Ha!)

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen this afternoon and wasn't in the mood to do anything else cooking related. In the past, I've often told the kids that it's, "Choose your own dinner" night. Well, tonight was, "MAKE your own dinner" night. They (especially Cam) loved this idea. It was quite cute how seriously they took it.

Cam: Costco frozen Chicken Bake, pears, Cheez-its.

Kendall: Peanuts, pears, frozen pizza, homemade granola bar, snap peas. For dessert, she had made some sort of Christmas tree composed of leftover Halloween candy.

What will Chris and I be having for dinner once they are in bed? I bought some Cafe Rio tortillas the other day so we'll make our own burritos and eat while watching a movie we rented, Star Trek Beyond. :)

braces

*For the past few years we have been cable free at our home. It's just an expense we decided wasn't absolutely necessary. It has never been a big deal until the Christmas season rolls around. I miss my Hallmark movies. :( Sadly I won't get to see any this year since the only time I watch is when we are at my in-laws (and we won't be spending Christmas there this year). Luckily my MIL always saves them for me so they will eventually get watched, even if it's in June! Ha!

*On Wednesday Chris took the kids to a movie and then I met them for dinner. We tried a new pizza place that was ...eh...so, so. But the company was worth it. ;)

*I recently took both kids for an orthodontist appointment. Surprisingly Cameron is still in a holding pattern and isn't ready. But Kendall? She's good to go and we have her X-ray appointment this week. She is OVER THE MOON excited. :)

*We let the kids eat dinner in the living room while we watched the election coverage on Tuesday. Kendall wasn't too enthused. Cameron was more into it...mainly because of all the fancy graphs and huge charts we were being shown. :)

*Cam and I recently checked out the latest Harry Potter book. It isn't quite as relaxing to read. It's written in play form, so I have to change it as I read it to make it flow. It's still fun to be back in Potter world, though. :)

*I really can't emphasize how much of a mood boost Christmas music is during my workday. I sit down to type a report and as soon as those earbuds go in, I'm set!!I was also super excited that our local radio station (103.5) started their non-stop Christmas music this week!

weekend

We had a nice, low key weekend. On Friday night I joked with Chris that I felt rather pathetic considering I was really excited for our Saturday morning plans, which consisted of breakfast at Panera Bread and then grocery shopping. Normal things...but fun with my family. :)

That night we dropped the kids off at my parents and went out to dinner with some friends. We got home and changed all the clocks to prepare for what we knew would be Cam's 4:30 wake up. Ha!

With the extra hour yesterday morning, I had time to make breakfast, with leftovers for the kids' school snacks this week.

Oatmeal-to-go Pumpkin chocolate Chip Muffins

My version: I cut back on the sugar in the actual recipe, but drizzled a little powdered sugar/milk mixture on top. The kids loved them!

 

After church we headed out to the desert. First stop, Barnes and Noble. Cameron is obsessed with Peanuts cartoon books and spent our entire time reading one he found. 

 When we got home, I had to snap a picture of Kendall's activity IN NOVEMBER. Love this weather. What is that pose??? :)

halloween

*Hiker and Spiderweb girl at Cam's Taekwando Halloween party.

*Taking the piggies trick-or-treating!

*Waiting in the doc's office for Chris to be seen regarding the allergy stuff. The appointment was sadly a little fruitless, but on the positive side of things... today was his first full day without hives. Hooray!

 *This morning was a "verge of tears" start for me at work. Very overwhelmed. Instant mood boost? I gave myself permission to start listening to Christmas music on my Pandora. It's early. Don't judge. :)