Thanksgiving Weekend

 We have enjoyed the holiday weekend.  this year, we hosted Thanksgiving dinner, and My dad and Marilynn, Jason's parents, Marcy, David and Alexandra joined us.   Jeremy was supposed to come, but unfortunately, he got Covid, so he stayed in LA.  

Jason did a great job with the turkey, butter injecting it with a bone marrow needle I bought home from the hospital, and then smoking it on the green egg.  The kids also helped a lot in the kitchen, which was really nice.   It was quite a feast.  

On Friday morning we met Marilynn, my dad and his hiking friend Gary, wife Mary and their grandson Jax to take a hike to Barnabe peak in Samuel Taylor State Park.   It was a beautiful trail, not too steep, but with rewarding views from the top.  And it helped us work off the last night's dinner!

 

In Saturday and Sunday, I unfortunately had to work, but Jason and the kids enjoyed going to a Quinceanera for our housekeeper's daughter--which was a neat treat--and had a reunion with some of Jason's high school friends.  

Certainly a fun weekend, and a treat for Jason to be off 4 days in a row.   That would never have happened when he was working at CPMC!

The Snyders Come for a Visit!

 Last week the Snyder family visited us from Wisconsin--my cousin Angie, her husband Kurt and their 6 kids: Katie, Julia, Erik, Tessa, Ben and Eliza.   They contacted us over a year and a half ago with plans for this trip--as a cousin on the other side of the family was getting married in Richmond.   What a great excuse to get together!   We haven't seen their family since my cousin John's wedding (though I did see Angie at my mom's funeral).   

They drove out from SE Wisconsin, stopping by our other cousin Anita's house in Denver on the way.   they spent 4 nights at our house--much too short--especially considering the drive--but we had a great time together!

We spent our time together touring Marin.   On their first day, we walked the Golden Gate Bridge, and toured the Marin headlands including battery point, the marine mammal center and point bonita lighthouse.   We got super lucky with the weather--it was a beautiful and clear day.

 

On Sunday, we visited Muir Woods and spent the afternoon at the Stinson beach.   The beach was a big hit for the kids and they all got in the water despite the fact that it was not warm at all!  Luckily we remembered to bring everyone a change of clothes!

  

 

We BBQed with my Dad and Marilyn when we got home on Sunday night--the Snyders brought a TON of meat, so we had quite a feast--not only for dinner but also for every breakfast--sausage, bacon, eggs, the works!

  

Unfortunately on Monday I had to work, but my dad went with them to hike Tennessee Valley and drive to the top of Mt. Tam.   WE had one last dinner together on Monday night before they left on Tuesday to make the long drive back.   It also happened to be Erik's birthday so we got to celebrate that too!

It was such a treat to get to hang out with the Snyders, and get to know each of their kids--who are all amazingly well behaved and sweet.   Only wish it could have been longer!

Halloween

 This week was Halloween.   It was actually the last time that as parents, we had a school Halloween parade--we have been going to them since Ethan was 18 months!   Strangely nostalgic.   

So, we both went to Alaina's parade and then to a classroom party where I helped with an art project.

Ethan was a skeleton, and Alaina after much deliberation, chose to wear a pajama that she already had and go as a son leopard--I bought some ears and a tail to add to the costume.

The kids also enjoyed carving their pumpkins--and of course Alaina carved a bunny!

In the evening, we headed our to trick-or-treat.   Ethan headed out with a group of middle school friends, and Jason and I took Alaina a group of her girlfriends out.

At the end of the night, the candy load was again huge.....definitely a good time was had by all!