Filled with Gratitude

We have packed in memories over the last couple weeks

For Veterans Day, we went hiking in Valley of Fire 

It was absolutely beautiful. 

Las Vegas continues to amaze me with the natural wonders that surround it.

Rachel came to Vegas for a work convention and stayed for a bestie hang

We had dinner at Superfrico and stayed so long, the performers started stopping by to chat with us and perform table magic just for us!

Incredible dancers at Superfrico

After a big weekend, I headed back to work for some Thanksgiving games. I seriously think I have the best job on the planet!

Gammie flew in the same day Rachel flew out, and was at school to tell stories immediately!

I'm so glad the boys will have these memories of her as i have from my own childhood.

Chapel is probably my favorite part of the week!

The boys and I had the whole week off for Thanksgiving, and kicked it off by celebrating Friendsgiving.

Aly helped me host a potluck style gathering with anything BUT traditional Thanksgiving foods

We had the best time

We had games going for the adults and the kids, but the kids spent most of the party at the park. This left the adults to laugh as loud as we wanted at the crazy answers that came up! Gammie and her wild answers are ALWAYS welcome at game night!

We spent a lot of the week playing games. Scrabble, Life, and What do you Meme? were among the favorites

It was a big bike week, too!

Gammie got Alexander a gear bike for his birthday, and Niko ditched his training wheels!

Zoey loved having everyone home

Our girl is showing signs of getting older. It is hard to see, but I am so grateful for the time I have!

Look at home go!

In just three days he was biking solo and able to u-turn to the left and the right.

Once the turkey was in the oven on Thanksgiving, we set out for the park. The boys and I ran two miles and Gammie walked her laps

Exactly fifteen years stand between these pictures!

It was a fabulous Thanksgiving 

Classic bro doing bro things

Niko decided it was time he joined the turkey leg club

That evening we did hot cocoa amd Home Alone with the besties, Andy and Aly

Snuggles

On Saturday we headed to the Adventuredome for a birthday party 

These two were daredevils!!

We rounded out the holiday by heading up to Mt Charleston for sledding

The main sledding area was at capacity, so we turned off and found a hidden nook all to ourselves

The snow was deep, the weather was perfect, and the slope was steep!

The final run ended in a crash and burn, but nothing holds this guy down!

I am grateful to be in a place that feels like home. Grateful for my family, my friends, and a job I love. And I'm excited for the Christmas season to begin!!

Papa Flies In!

 With Papa flying in on probably his least favorite holiday, I didn't know if the kids' excitement for the holiday would take away from his visit. Not in the least!

Niko decided he was more excited for Papa coming than for Halloween, and was dancing around the house singing, "Papa is coming home, coming home, coming home! Yay, Yay, Yay, Coming Home!"

We had a wonderful visit and are hoping to schedule the next one soon!

Papa got us Harry Potter Clue years ago. Now we are reading the series as a family AND old enough for the game! We even got Papa and Grandma Jay into the series on our road trip this summer. The gift came full circle!

Papa was very impressed by the boys' stamina and speed on their regular runs

He got to hangout on the playground and see the boys before school

Lots of good reading!

This book is by a local from Papa's town who travels to complete the research to back-up her stories.

We love you, Papa!

This is Halloween!

 With Nevada Day being October 31st, we were able to enjoy the day off and kick off our Halloween celebration early.

We kicked off the day with all the Parkies joining up at the Natural History Museum for Dinoween

They had all the exhibits dressed up for the events as well as experiments and crafts

It was so fun to have nearly all the Parkies together!

That evening we got to pick up Papa from the airport before rejoining our Parkies for classic Trick-or-Treating

Men In Black and their alien friend

These two scored more candy than we could eat before Easter!