Grandma & Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa arrived at our house around midnight on Tuesday night.  That did not stop them from being in our living room to see the girls bright and early on Wednesday morning.  Kiara and Mckenna did not have school, so the four of them went to an 11am movie.  That started off the week with Grandma and Grandpa in a very good way.  After the movie, Katie, Kiara and Mckenna worked on a Turkey project that Katie brought all the way from Seattle. 

Every part of the week with them was awesome.  The days were filled with parks for the older girls, art, games, setting up Christmas lights outside, walks, books, and baking.  On Thanksgiving (Thursday) Tom traveled to Baltimore to scout the Ravens.  He didn't fly home until Friday, so we had planned to celebrate our Thanksgiving on Friday.  On Thursday, Kiara, Grandma, and I went shopping in the morning and then we spent the whole afternoon outside, putting up lights and playing.  The weather could not have been more beautiful.  Sunny, 60 degrees, and barely any wind. 

Mckenna helping out Grandpa with the lights on the big tree.

Last year Rob had a great idea to put red and white lights on our light post to make it look like a candy cane.  Kiara and I had fun putting up these lights this year.

Mckenna loved digging for worms.  Thank you Grandpa for this pic :).

Aren't these cute??  Katie brought all the supplies and they made 7 of them, one for each of us.  Kiara came up with the idea to make acorns out of paper and have them sitting on them.  Kiara and Mckenna put these on each of our plates when they set the table for Thanksgiving.

On Friday "Our Thanksgiving" (as Kiara liked to say), Tom and Katie took Kiara and Mckenna shopping and to a park in the morning.  They came back in time for lunch and to get the Turkey in the oven (since I have no idea how to do this myself :)).  The rest of the day was spent playing, setting the table, putting up more lights, - really just enjoying ourselves.  Tom got home at 4 and we had an AWESOME meal at 6.  The day, the company, and the food made this one of my top Thanksgivings ever!!

Look at those muscles!!!

Here is the dessert that we created.  Rice Krispie Treats, candy corn, and Fudge Striped cookies - what is not to enjoy!

Katie found this cute "I'm Stuffed" bib for Ava to wear.

Saturday the kids went to another park and we went to pick out our Christmas Tree that afternoon.  On Saturday night, Tom and Katie watched the kids so Tom and I could go out to dinner.  After dinner we went to a bar to watch the Apple cup.  Tom and I don't get to go out all that often, so it was very, very fun to spend some alone time with him!

Our Tree!!

On Sunday, Tom was able to be home for the whole day.  Katie and I went shopping in the morning and I cannot tell you how nice it was to go shopping without any kids and with another adult.  We watched the Browns in the afternoon and then Grandma and Grandpa took Kiara and Mckenna to swimming lessons.  On Monday, Grandma and Grandpa picked up Mckenna from preschool and took her for special time, and did the same for Kiara after her school got out.  As for Ava, she spent more and more time walking as the week went on and Grandma and Grandpa got to see her walk all the way from the living room to the far side of the kitchen on her own!!!!  She is now spending more time on her feet than on her hands and knees which is very exciting for all of us!  Here are the rest of the fun pictures from our week with Grandma and Grandpa.

Thank you Grandpa for all your help on the lights!!!

The Candy Cane light post.

Grandpa reading with the girls. 

The visit wouldn't have been complete without a performance by Mckenna.

And Kiara and Ava.

Smile girls!!

Grandpa hanging with Kiara and Mckenna on "our Thanksgiving".

We have learned that it is difficult to put into words on a blog what a trip or event meant to us.  This picture says it all.  If you look closely at the girls, at their faces, where their hands are, it is very easy to see how much fun the girls had as well as how much their Grandma and Grandpa mean to them!  We love you Grandma and Grandpa.  Thanks for a great week with us!