Thanksgiving

After a hectic couple of weeks gearing up for the holidays, I've now found the time to update the blog again :-)
We had a full house for Thanksgiving with 18 people around an adult and kids table and a 20 lbs turkey. It was a really nice day, the food tasted good and was relatively hot by the time all the adults sat down - after getting the kids situated.

Good times in Cabo

I'm just coming home from my much needed and greatly appreciated vacation with my best friends Jodi and Sherrie to Cabo San Lucas. We hatched the plan a year ago when we decided we needed to do something to celebrate our (cough) BIG birthdays coming up. We spent 5 days together hanging out at the beach and by the pool. We hit Happy Hour at the swim up bar most afternoons swimming away with a pina colada in each hand (got to love 2 for 1!) We treated ourselves to a massage and mani/pedi. And we went on a few adventures - riding horses on the beach and ATVs in the desert. We even debated the idea of getting tattoos while there - do something crazy and mid-life crisis like. In the end I couldn't decide what to get - the same reason I didn't get a tattoo when I was in my 20s. And we decided that a "tramp stamp" would quickly turn into a "gramp stamp" given our age:-) It was a wonderful break for me and a chance to spend quality time with 2 of my favorite people who I have often missed since moving from the Bay Area. Thanks for the laughs, ladies! I miss you already!!!!

Back in the saddle

The 3 of us went horseback riding one late afternoon. Truth be told it was after happy hour so we were a bit tipsy. Sherrie and I - being the most experienced of the bunch (and probably the most drunk) spent part of the ride cantering along the beach. Jodi just held on for dear life :-) And Sherrie couldn't help but check email on her iPhone while waiting for the lovely woman who wore a skirt and open toed HEELS get settled on her horse :-) And yes that is a sheep - not to be confused with a goat - following us along the beach. Gotta love Mexico!

Speed demons

We took an ATV tour of the beach, desert and mountains with a guide named Dario. He let us have 15 minutes of "free time" in a dried riverbed which was a lot of fun. And he put us each on his ATV and did a wheelie. This was the first time I've done something like this and I'd highly recommend it if you have the chance. It was great! And yes, it was pre-happy hour :-)

Jodi on a 4-wheeler

Here's some footage of Jodi showing us her skills on an ATV.

dress up

Cousin Kathryn sent Ellen and Anais some of her old dress-up clothes. Suddenly there are lots of sequins and feathers at our house.

Anais is sick!

Anais had an upper-respiratory infection and had to take breathing treatments. She took it very seriously, the little bug.

Finger painting

The boys finger painting again. Too cute!

Bye Grandpa Dave!

We had a great visit with Grandpa Dave. We celebrated his birthday and the election of his candidate, Obama. We were so glad he could be with all of us, as busy as we are. Hopefully we didn't drive him crazy! We miss you!

Happy 71st!

Grandpa Dave celebrated his 71st birthday with us. Ellen insisted on a Barbie cake but I don't think he minded :-) Happy Birthday, Dad!