Joe, Remy, and Maya

On the evening of Thursday, December 4th Joe, Remy, and Maya came to town for a long weekend.

I had class on Thursday night but, once we all got home Maya and the girls helped with the Christmas tree.

Jim had to work on Friday and Abby had school but that didn't stop the rest of us from having a good time!

Tricycle riding...

 

 
 
 

 

 ...family walk around the neighborhood with Chewy...

They giggled for the ENTIRE walk!

...and once Abby got home... a craft.

Plus, what better way to end a Friday than with a movie, The Grinch.

On Saturday we went for a LONG hike at Red Rock Canyon's Calico Tanks (about 5 miles). The girls did great and it was a beautiful day for a hike!

On Saturday evening we had our neighbor friends over for homemade pizza. While the dough was rising the guys escaped to a local brewery and the girls, including our friend found themselves involved in another craft.

With some of us having early nights (Joe) and the rest of us having a late night we took it very slow and easy on Sunday morning. On Sunday evening we headed out to Winter Wonderland in downtown Las Vegas. Winter Wonderland was set-up by the Zappos company and it was very cool.

There was an outdoor movie. Santa's helper...

 ...a huge beautiful tree...

 ...a sledding hill...

(Remy and I couldn't resist taking a turn too!)

...and "ice skating."

 I said "ice skating" because it was not real ice. It was a plastic rink that was supposed to feel like ice BUT...it didn't! As you can see in the picture, Remy and I were on the "ice" in our boots. My girls were a bit disappointed but, it was still fun!

After "ice skating" we headed out to dinner and then home for dessert. I think for Maya the dessert was the best part of the evening!

After a dessert like that it was time for a bath...a cousin bath which as ADORABLE!

On Monday it was back to work and school for Jim and Abby and off to the park for the rest of us.

On Monday it was also time for Joe, Remy, and Maya to head back to Gig Harbor. We had a great a great visit and we can't wait until our next adventures together.

Oh Christmas Tree!

On Thursday, December 3rd we got our family Christmas. We usually get our tree the first weekend of December but, we got it a few days earlier this year in preparation for Joe, Remy, and Maya's visit on the 4th.

So, we all got read and piled into the car and trekked down to our local Home Depot...I know, I know BUT...there are not to many option in Vegas for authentic tree farms. Plus, we have had great luck with their trees the last several years.

Time for the lights!

Jim had to run out for a few more lights but, the girls and I took the time to start on the ornaments. We only put up a few on the first night because it got to be too late. More decorating in the days to come!

Lights and THE star!

Looks like we got another GREAT tree this year!

Charm #2

On Tuesday, December 2nd Abby earned her second charm, a star, for her site word necklace! She now knows 50 site words!

Next step is to reach 75 site words and receive a mouse charm.

Thanksgiving!

We had a very low key Thanksgiving this year with just the 4 of us. In the morning we when for a great hike at Red Springs.

While we were waiting for our turkey we made out final additions to this years Thanksgiving tree.

Here are our contributions to the tree this year...

Amy

·         Halloween

·         Friday night Walking Dead dates!

·         Steelers

·         My beautiful girls

·         Sisterly love

·         Pepe and Burrs

·         Sunshine on November

·         Kera’s Birthday Party

·         Birthday Parties with friends

·         Family

·         Un-birthdays

·         Birthdays

·         For every single day!

·         Abby!

·         Jim!

·         Kera!

·         Good health

·         Holidays

·         Chewy!

·         The kindness of others

·         Giggles coming from my girls

·         Skype

·         Safe air travel

·         Time with family

·         My beautiful. Healthy, and happy family

Jim

·         Not having cancer

·         Cheeseburgers and onion rings

·         Wings and beer

·         My family being healthy and happy

Abby

·         My friends

·         Ice skating

·         Chewy

·         My family

·         School

·         Pepe and Burrs

·         Carrots

·         Dinner with family

·         Watching Phantasm with my Papa and family

·         Thankful for watching Halloween Town

·         Each other  

·         Anna and Elsa

·         My family

·         Grandma and Grandpa

·         My school

·         Mommy and Papa

·         Calico

·         Papa being home

·         Mama and Papa

·         My family and my dog

·         My family having a good thanksgiving

Kera

·         Live

·         Abby not being sick

·         For our car not being hurt

·         Soccer because I love it!

·         Grandma and Grandpa

·         Pepe and Burrs

·         Kitties

·         For my cake!

·         Watching movies

·         Watching bogie man with my family

·         Thankful for watching Halloween Town

·         Loving Abby

·         Papa

·         Mommy

·         My Mama

·         For friends, and family not getting hurt

·         Watching movies with my Mommy and Papa

·         Living with my Mama

·         Going out to dinner with my family

·         Mama, sister, and Papa

·         My family

Finally the table was set...

...and the turkey was ready to be carved.

Dinner time!

I wish I could say that the girls licked their plate clean but, I can't. I didn't like Thanksgiving dinner until I was an adult and unfortunately, my children are following in my footsteps. Abby did a fairly good job but Kera threw-up in my hand when I asked her to try some of her dinner. Next year I told them that they could select one dish that they wanted to see on the Thanksgiving dinner table. Hopefully, this will make the meal go more smoothly.

After dinner we watched our traditional Thanksgiving evening movie, Miracle on 34th Street BUT, after our day I think I only made it about half way through the movie before falling asleep.

Another Thanksgiving in the books and thankful for it.

A Weekend in The Life...

My parents went away to Utah for the weekend but life for us continued as normal.

On Saturday, November 15th Kera had her last soccer game of the season. She had fun but, I am not sure that we have a the next soccer phenom on our hands...at least...not yet. The MOST important thing is that she had fun.

After the same they had a little celebration where she got her own soccer cup and TROPHIE!

Mmmmm cupcakes!

On Sunday we went for a nice hike at Red Rock Canyon's Pine Creek Canyon. It was a bit chilly to start but is was a beautiful hike.

Another fun, busy, active weekend!

The Farm

On Friday, November 14th Kera's had a field trip to a place called The Farm. The Farm is a place where farm animals that are without a home find a place to live out their days. There are all sorts of animals there...tortoise, horses, donkeys, pig, cows, dogs, feathered friends, and MANY cats. Here are some picture from our fun morning...

 

 

 One of the best parts of our field trip was to get this picture...

I have a picture of Abby on the same cow a few years before...

This picture of Abby was taken in April of 2011when she was 2 years and 3 months old. So fun to have the girls on the same prop years apart from each other.