Thanksgiving with Darren's family

Darren's family came to Arizona and spent Thanksgiving with us this year.  His brother, wife and two little girls went  to  Disneyland a few days before and came back through for the big day.  Alexia and Livvy are good buddies.  Darren's parents and sister came and stayed with us as well.  I looked up how to brine a turkey and we gave it a go.  You learn something new everyday.  It was yum!  The food was delicious, the company was so fun, and we had a wonderful time.  The girls and I got out for a little Black Friday mayhem.  We actually started at 8pm on Thanksgiving at Michaels, headed to Walmart after that where we scored everything on our lists, and ended the night at Kohls.  Whoa! Kohls on Black Friday is insane!  The lines are atrocious but they got us through faster then I thought and we made it home (after dropping off Megan at the hotel across town) at 3am.  I think I still trying to catch up on my sleep!

Clara loved the puppy.  Actually everyone did, she was definitely loving the attention from everyone.  Our first night together she cuddled up on Grandma's lap and watched the talent show the kids were putting on for us out on the back patio.  After Alexia and Parker's original song (with Liv on the drums) they got Uncle Nolan up there to dance.  Megan took her turn, I did the running man and Aunt Rachelle did the Roger Rabbit.  I can't remember how it happened, but I finally insisted enough and Darren got up and boogied too.  Grandma showed us the twist and Grandpa closed the evening with a few jokes.  It was so much fun! 

Kinda what I was thinking it would be like...

Sending these two outside in order to get something done...I do that a lot.  But I find myself standing at the window watching them to see what fun they are up to.  If the dog survives him, these two will be good friends.

He really just wanted her to drive his little car!

Sweet faces!  Don't choke the puppy Spencer!  It's my new favorite phrase.

He worked so hard only to have her jump out a second later.  "oh puppy!"

But this is my favorite, playing fetch.  This could go on and on and on. Nobody tires of it.

Pretty soon though Spencer was racing Daisy to the toy.  Such a silly boy.  I do love that this is what my days are full of right now.  Spencer has just decided recently that he's pretty big stuff.  It definitely keeps each day interesting around here.

Exhibit A: (from today) He thinks that battery is going to fit into that train.

Exhibit B: Maybe a bigger tool will help.