Expressing Gratitude - Day 27

Today was the day! We finally got to see Coco before Grammy & Papa had to head back home.

What a darling movie! And the reclining seats were an added bonus.

We have had the best time with LaVor's parents visiting. From going to breakfast, looking at Christmas lights, playing at the arcade, going Christmas shopping, playing at the park, and just hanging out, it's all been a blast.

We're so grateful they took the time to visit us and make our boys (and LaVor and me) feel so loved. We wish we lived closer but are looking forward to seeing them again soon for The Lime's baptism!

Expressing Gratitude - Day 26

We've been so busy and have had a wonderful time doing all that fun stuff! But I'm pooped!

From the first day I started my job until this last Wednesday, everyone warned me about Thanksgiving. One man even told me to imagine the worst day of my life and multiply it by 10. Needless to say, I was pretty dang nervous as to what I was getting myself into.

But then I showed up to work on Thanksgiving, put my papers together, and delivered them only to realize that all the people who were telling me how hard it was had never given birth. I would much rather deliver two hundred 5 pound papers than push a baby out without an epidural.

It did make for a long work night/morning and I wasn't able to get a nap in on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. So today was the day and it felt good!

I'm also thankful for a husband who cooks while I sleep so I wake up to an amazing wienerschnitzel & roasted potato dinner.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 25

I've been looking forward to this day since the last time we went to San Francisco!

LaVor and I were discussing where we should take family pictures this year and he suggested we go somewhere (other than across the street). "Like San Francisco," he said.

I got right on it and started researching good spots to take pictures. I came across Buena Vista Park which just so happens to be up the street from Memphis Minnie's, our favorite BBQ spot that we also wanted to visit. Over the next few weeks, I tried to put together a semi-acceptable wardrobe and prayed the weather would work in our favor. Last night, I charged my camera, got the tripod all set, and showed LaVor what everyone would be wearing. "It's too much," he said of my shirt. I showed him another outfit and he said it wasn't enough. Since it was 10:00 and I had no other options, I ended up choosing the too much outfit.

We woke up bright and early this morning and were on the road by 9:00. We were estimated to arrive around 11:30 which meant we'd be right on time to lunch at MM. We always have such a good time there and can't get enough of their food!

With extra full bellies, we drove up Haight Street and found THE perfect spot to snap some pictures. Except, I forgot the screw that attaches the piece to my camera that inserts into the tripod. Sooooo, LaVor's dad was our photographer. Bless his heart! I'm SO grateful they were with us or else I would have been a wreck.

Look at that view!

And this one!

Good golly, I love San Francisco.

We wrapped things up and drove to the Mission so LaVor could go to his knife shop and I could finally poke my head in Tartine. LaVor found a prime spot and we both accomplished our tasks, mine being a little sweeter, and we were off to our next destination.

I've never been to the Legion of Honor but it's apparently a very popular spot. And the park rangers are jerks there. So we continued north to the Presidio.

Unfortunately, Doodlebug fell asleep and was just a tad crabby when we found a parking spot. He wanted nothing to do with getting out of the car, let alone taking more pictures, and complained of his tummy hurting. He's a pretty regular boy but hadn't pooped in a day so I knew he just needed to relieve some pressure. And that he did.

Magically, his little personality changed and he was more energetic than I wanted him to be :)

Needless to say, everyone was "done" by this point so we tried to capture what we could and called it a day.

The boys really wanted to go to the beach so we skipped on over to Crissy Field to catch the sunset.

Doodlebug was thrilled to interact with the dogs and kick the sand.

And The Lime was grumpy we wouldn't let him get in the water.

We needed to get on the road but wanted to make one more stop to see the Christmas tree in Union Square. We braved the 30+ minute drive to go 3 miles (and understood why we don't ever go there!) only to arrive and have The Lime complain of starvation when 10 minutes earlier I asked if anyone was hungry and he said no. It got to the point where he thought he was going to pass out so LaVor snagged him a Jamba Juice and that didn't seem to hit the spot :P The apples I had with me, all along, did the trick.

At least we got to get a picture with the tree!

I love this city and feel so blessed we live close enough that we can visit it often. I'm thankful for all the memories I created here while going to school and that our family had created. I'm grateful for its beauty, character, joy it brings me, and the people who make it so special.

It was the perfect spot for our pictures this year and I'm thankful LaVor suggested it.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 24

Lots of factors played into us not going to the Bay Area today for Black Friday. Which meant it was the first time in over 20 years that I wouldn't be spending the day with one of my sisters or my mom! My heart was a little sad today but I'm grateful my sisters got to meet up and do the traditional IKEA visit. And that I got to go out with my family and still experience that Black Friday craziness, even though I didn't buy anything (I usually never do).

We stopped in to Boot Barn so LaVor could look for a shirt for family pictures. Doodlebug and The Lime were trying on everything they could and pretending to be cowboys.

I sure love their creative minds and that they don't mind riding pink horsies.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 23

When we pulled up to LaVor's grandparents' tonight, there was an unfamiliar couple also getting out of their car. They made it into the home before we did, and Doodlebug had just woken up from his nap and was less than desirable, so I didn't get a chance to speak with them off the bat.

It wasn't until dinner was all done that Grams introduced me to her brother and his wife.

I've known LaVor for 18 years, dated him for 4 of those 18 years, and have been married for 11 of those years, and I never recall even knowing Grams had a brother!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving this was to be able to see them together and finally meet Lane and his wife, Elaine. I snagged Grams and Lane before Lane headed off so I could snap a few pictures of them together. Family relationships are so important and I wanted to document this night for posterity.

My boys were making silly faces.  I love Elaine's expression!

I'm also grateful Elaine was shocked when I told her I'd been married for almost 12 years and had two kids. She thought I was only 18 :)

Expressing Gratitude - Day 22

We went to see "Cars 3" with my parents when it came out this summer. At that time, we saw the preview for "Coco" and have been looking forward to it ever since. When we found out LaVor's parents were coming for Thanksgiving, we were even more excited to share it with them.

As soon as we woke up this morning, we found a theater that wasn't sold out and bought our PERFECT seats.

We arrived about 20 minutes early, found our reclining seats, pigged out on popcorn, and got excited when the "Frozen" short film started.

I could tell the characters were speaking another language but I just thought it was Swedish, or whatever language they speak.

Nope, turns out it was Spanish. And it turned out "Coco" was going to also be in Spanish but nobody in the theater knew that when they bought their tickets (including us).

After reality sank in, everyone exited the theater to speak with the manager, who didn't come out of his office until right before we left.

We were really disappointed that it didn't work out but I'm grateful for second chances and being able to laugh about the situation now that it's been a couple hours :)

Expressing Gratitude - Day 21

Clutter makes me anxious yet I find myself surrounded by it all the time. I never seem to be caught up on chores; there's always clothes to wash, dishes to clean, toilets to scrub, and crap to be put away.

That's why I always only REALLY clean when someone is coming over. And my kids know it. The Lime asks all the time who's coming over, just because the house is clean.

Right now, my house is clean because LaVor's parents arrive tonight. And it'll probably only stay this way until the morning but I'll take it! I'm thankful for the peace I feel and the joy my family exudes when things are clean.