After squeezing in an ortho appt. we headed up north for Thanksgiving week. We did a lot of packing and unpacking of the truck but it was all worth it. Our first stop was at the Natal's. We had a relaxing evening together and fun first cousin sleepover before getting treated with breakfast and a fun filled day at Great America/6 Flags/Animal Kingdom/Marine World. And it just so happened that it was a throw back to Marine World Day. We all got to go on all the roller coaster we wanted with pretty much no lines. Got to see beautiful animals, then ended the day with a funnel cake!
Next stop was Poppa's house for the evening. Then Thanksgiving morning we headed into town to do a Turkey Trot with Vera and Grammy had fun with our girls and Vera's kiddos. They all had fun together while we got enjoyed time running and talking together.
We spent the rest of the day packing lunches and heading to Doran Beach to have lunch next to Nana and Poppa's plaque. The site next to it was open and so we luckily took up that spot and we couldn't have asked for better weather! After lunch we did some exploring at Bodega Head before going back to Grammy's for the night. We even got Grammy on VR for the first time.
The following morning the girls convinced (without having to try too hard) Grammy to take them shopping before we all went to do a Rydman/Marty/Grammy Thanksgiving at Poppa's house. We had a great time watching soccer in the Cabana and spending time together. Poppa even gave an early gift to us all of a family trip for the summer!
Next was Thanks Christmas at Sean and Jaimie's! They were so gracious to open their house once again for all of us to spend the day and night together. It's so great to see all these cousins play and enjoy time together. First we got a surprise that Sean and Jaimie are taking on a new adventure. They have bought a nearby property with more land to be able to include horses and more. Also another new home to create as their own. We then all had fun making individual pizza's in the outdoor stone oven before opening gifts and having a fun filled sleepover!
We went back to Poppa's to pick up the dogs before heading home. It did happen to take a little longer than expected coming in around 9 hours to get home being the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but we made the most of it together.
The next week Cienna got her bottom retainer and had a friend get together at Julia's. Then we had The Marshall kiddos and Adi over for a sleepover before all heading to Knott's Merry Farm the next morning. Was certainly a fun time but wasn't a completely unproductive weekend since we did end up getting our outside decorations up.
The following week Kaylee had her school winter concert which was held at Cienna's school (Millikan). Kaylee was part of the chorus, band, and jazz band. Cienna and her friends enjoyed being there together and hanging out in the balcony watching the performance.
We all got invited to go caroling with a nearby neighbor which was a blast. Racheal and Mike (Frankie's parents) had snacks before and a playlist ready. There were so many lights and happy neighbors to willfully listen to our best effort singing. Then we all started on the indoor decorations move forward with the holidays.
Cienna went to see the Naples lights with friends where they randomly ran into Shawna who was at a party along the way. Mommy went to the gymnastics coaches meeting. She got to see the main gym for the first time in a long time and it was moving forward for sure. It was good to see all the coaches again as we've been spread out at so many different locations over these past months.
Next was the finalizing of the tree and train! We love bringing out the memorable decorations each year. Then a busy day with Cienna heading to a school gymnastics party and Kaylee going to the winter dance after school. We then had Mikayla over after the dance and when we dropped her off we picked up Cienna to head to downtown Long Beach to hang out with the Dunbar's before they headed out on a cruise. It is always so great to see them and catch up. Their boys are so cool! After that we had our annual gymnastics Christmas party full of fun, food, and secret Santa exchanges.
After months of anticipation we finally got to go and see the Nutcracker! Shawna was amazing as one of the main mice and a beautiful Sentrie. We had so much fun with Francesca, her aunt, and Coach George. The performance was amazing, as well as the company.
To finalize the month, we invited the Marshall's over bright and early to watch the World Cup Final. They brought coffee and doughnuts and we all enjoyed a phenomenal final game with Argentina and Messi taking the win. Will Messi be in the next one? Then the Marshall's went on to host Lexie's 15th Birthday party at an escape room. Both girls loved it and really enjoyed having the whole day to spend together as the Marshman's.
More Holiday season to come!
