Nana & Dada's Visit '11

After our trip to Montana, you would think the spoiling would be over and we would go back to normal. But no, not this time, after we got back we were in a mad rush to get ready for Nana and Dada's (a.k.a. Ben's parents) visit from Kentucky. We are so fortunate to see family so often, despite the fact that we live so far from both families.

So, Nana and Dada arrived and the spoiling continued! This was a great trip because we were actually able to enjoy the beautiful central coast. Their last visit was spent with me nine months pregnant and miserable, waiting around for a very, verrrry late baby Graysen.

Ave at the San Luis Obispo Mission, after our super yummy lunch overlooking Morro Bay.

In Solvang, Nana had to stop at the pinkest, girliest ice cream shop ever. Ave was in heaven.

Happy Birthday Graysen. Thanks to Ben and his best friend, Jon, spending many childhood years saving and collecting tractors and trailers. Of course, also thanks to his parents saving them and sending them to us, we now have, oh say, five hundred tractors laying in the absolutemost inconvenient locations ever.

Nana & Dada at Pismo Beach

And one of Ben... not behind the camera!

We also took a day and visited the Monarch Butterfly Grove, which was amazing!

Graysen even discovered the "art" of Dada's back rubs.

And then there was Thanksgiving, the highlight of their visit out here. This was our first Thanksgiving we were able to spend with Ben's parents. And I got out of cooking a turkey, justone. more. year. thanks to Nana! (Wonder how many years I can make this happen?!) I love to cook about anything but for some reason, the thought of the turkey really grosses me out. But we had a great day of decorating, crafts, and of course, lots of food and eating. And I will be perfectly content if I don't have to eat turkey again until next November!

Graysen could hardly believe we were going to make him wait until lunch to eat.

This face was his attempt to persuade us otherwise.

And as hungry as he was, I'm pretty sure all he ate was gravy.

Nana & Dada taught the kids all about Pilgrims and Indians.

Graysen wasn't quite as thrilled as Avery.

And we even got to squeeze in some Christmas decorating before they left!

Here's to hoping for many more Thanksgivings together!

October Trip to Montana

I realize with every trip we take home (Montana AND Kentucky) we leave feeling overwhelmingly blessed and so appreciative of our families.

I have to say, this was one of our best trips home. We were really able to enjoy our time. The trip was originally planned to be just me and the kids, but little did I and everyone else know that Ben had something else planned.

Saturday morning came, we said 'bye' to daddy and boarded our very loooong three flights to Great Falls. We got there late but enjoyed our day Sunday, going to church and having a nice family lunch. Monday night came around and as we were leaving for Miss's Zumba class, in walked... Ben! I don't know how he managed to plan it without me having any clue but he did. It was so weird, I had just talked to him and he was at work, at home, in California. Or so I thought. But it was so great to have him there for the week. Best surprise EVER!

The absolute best frequent flyers!

Me and my sis on my 25th birthday... I know, don't hate.

Me and my bestie, Amanda!

I'm pretty sure God sent her to me specifically.

Me and my long-time bestie, Caity May!

Amanda and Mike's sweet, handsome baby Manning. So glad we got to see him!

Bedtime popcorn!

Who needs a bed when you have this?!

Daddy was as excited to see the kids as they were him!

Graysen and his new F-something jet.

(Yes, Ben would be horribly ashamed that I don't know what it's called)

Gray's favorite part of the whole trip!

Ready to ride

My sweet boy

Amanda should be ticketed for texting and riding!

You should never outgrow a carousel.

Ben and Mini-me

I'm starting to see a resemblance! Isn't she pretty?

Graysen was a little leery at first, but he ended up enjoying it, however, he was definitely not interested in going twice!

I am the mean mom who refuses to let her to have a bunny, because they are stinky and gross.

So of course, this is what she had to ride!

This one's for mom! (Long story from a loooong time ago)

And a nice one :-)

Nanny and Ave

Miss & Momma

Graysen's favorite game! He'd keep saying "more, again".

(Don't call CPS, I promise he's not choking him... they are flying!)

A real tea party on Annie's day off.

And lunch at Teriyaki Kitchen!

When we got home, Avery told me that she was going to pray that God would give daddy a motorcycle. I think Ben would totally agree to that!

Ave in her new "petticoat" from nana and papa.

Petticoat: a sophisticated word for "tutu", which makes it totally acceptable to wear in public.

Nana & Gray

At Nanny's for her famously delicious waffles.

The girls before the waffle smorgasboard!

At the airport, getting ready to head home!