Black Friday...

I can say we did go Black Friday shopping but we only went to Target and didn’t even make it out of the house until 11am so I am not too sure if it counts. We were not long because we had a plan to hear to the beach, hang out, soak up some sun, and enjoy the nice ocean air.....

Boy were we WRONG!! We got to the beach and all I can say is that it was COLD. It would have been a perfect day to hang out at the beach if the wind was not blowing so much. The wind chill made it unbearable. We did however manage to stay long enough to let the kids play in the water, run around and enjoy... for a bit.

Happy Thanksgiving

When we think about it, we all have so much to be thankful for.  I am so grateful that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, children, parents, siblings and in-laws.  As I have said many times before, I have the best in-laws anyone could ask for. 

This Thanksgiving, Steve's mom, sister, brother in-law and niece came to spend the week with us.  They came in on Tuesday and stayed until Saturday... way too short of a trip!!!

Thank you for coming and spending the week with us (and cooking Thanksgiving too).  I love you guys!! 

Liam followed Grandma around like a puppy.... ans she spoiled him by picking him up whenever he wanted her to.  He loved to sit on the counter and see what she was up to.  Tonight (Wednesday night) she left him touch the frozen turkey and feel the cold water. 

Morgan and Auntie Heather

How many fingers can you fit in the napkin ring??

Drake Family

Look at all of the amazing food...

Yum...

Turkey leg goodness...

He heard the water running... he couldnt wait to get his clothes off!! 

DAY 240

I love seeing the days counting down... 30 days at a time.  Heather, we are so grateful for your boxes and everything you do for us.  The kids look forward to the 30 day box and I look forward to seeing another 30 have passed.  Steve, hurry up and come home.  We miss you!!

This time being so close to Christmas, the kids got a Lego advent calender.  The wanted this last year and we SO happy to see it in the mail.  We have even worked out a deal... since ladies go first- ALWAYS, Morgan gets the odd numbers and Aydin gets to open the even numbers.  They cant wait!

Last of Soccer... for a bit...

Last night was Morgans last soccer game. It's a little bitter/sweet. It's been so much fun seeing her play this season but it will be so nice having the week nights and weekends to ourselves for a few weeks until Aydin starts basketball.
Morgan has improved so much this season from last- I cannot wait to see her play this spring.

Ali, Morgan, Maddison, Bryson and Logan

This morning we had Morgans team party at Chilis. All of the kids got a bag full of goodies and a trophy for their hard work this season. It was a lot of fun and a great way to end an amazing season.

Last few days in DC

Mom left Wednesday morning.  We did not have too much planned other than hanging around and getting some homework done.  We did manage to get out for a few hours and head over to the American Girl and Lego store. 

Thursday Steve was able to come back to the hotel for a few hours during the day so we went to Target and out to lunch. After he went back to work, we hung around the hotel, did more homework and waited to both him to come back and Monica to come in for the night.  We just hung out, ordered pizza and enjoyed each others company.

Friday I took the kids to the zoo... and froze!!  It was a cold day today and we definitely did not plan for the weather.  We only went for a few hours which was perfect.  We got to see all that we wanted to and more. 

 They have a panda....

 He was not too happy to hear I wouldnt let him pick it up...

 They were staring each other down...

Steve was home by noon so we went to the mall to fix his computer and went to Mellow Mushroom again for dinner.  I think if Steve had his way, we would have had Mellow Mushroom every day of the week!!

Saturday came WAY too soon. 

I was not ready to say good-bye.  Fortunately, we were able to spend all day together.  Monica came back in for a late lunch.  We went to PF Chengs, Trader Joe's and then headed to the airport.  This was the worst ever!!  Saying good-bye all over again sucked! 

We were so grateful for the opportunity we had to spend the week together (even if it was only in the evenings). 

Now we are counting down for his two weeks off in February.

DC continued

Monday- Happy Halloween!!

Today we (all of us excluding Steve.  He had to work all week) played tourist...  we started at the Capitol Building where we took a tour.  It was amazing! 

We were even able to find two of my grandfathers statues and

take a few pictures.

From there, we headed to the Botanical Gardens.  It was beautiful! 

Walking down the hill... back of the Capitol Building

In the Gardens...

By this time... we were all starving. We headed to the American Indian Museum to eat and take a look around their first floor. The food was a little different but we were all able to find something we could enjoy. 

Walking to lunch...

Aydin had to get a picture in front of the Hawaiian canoe

We then took a walk over to the African American Museum. They had some amazing art in there but could not take any pictures because they did not own their art. 

Walking to a taxi... took a few more pictures...

We then came home and got ready for trick or treating in the mall.  Morgan was Frankie Stein from the Monster High (Barbie type dolls) and Aydin was 'too' cool for a costume this year and went as a GA Bulldog football player. 

Once we go to the shuttle, loaded in... Liam threw up.... Poor little guy missed his first time being able to enjoy walking and getting candy. As much as I felt bad for him... I was bummed because he looked so stinking cute in his bird costume!!

Mom stayed behind to bathe Liam and let him rest while I took the kids out for some candy. What a great idea it was to go to the mall. They got a ton of candy and didnt even have to freeze while doing it.

Tuesday we got up and went to check out the white house and walk around some more.  We started out at the National Archives Museum (no photography allowed there either) and then walked over to the White House. 

 In line at the National Archives...

 Walking toward the White House... in front of the US Navy Memorial

 Back of the White House

Walking to the front of the White House

Black squirrel for a black president....

We got home a bit earlier today and hung around until Steve got off work.  Gene and Kathy drove up for Richmond, VA and we all went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

The kids were so tired at dinner: they fell asleep at the table:

It was so nice to have Gene and Kathy come up to say hello to Steve.