State and Grandma Peggy visit!

Grandma Peggy flew in on last Thursday and we pulled the kids out early on Friday and headed to Ainsley’s State gymnastics meet!  The drive to Lemoore was roughly 3 hours and the kids were really excited about the hotel and got 2 adjoining rooms which made it even better :o).  They were bouncing off the walls and jumping on and off the beds.  Thankfully, no one got hurt!  Shortly after we checked in, we headed to Walmart so Reggie could pick out his birthday present and then we went to Denny’s.  We don’t eat out very often, so the kids were happy.  When we got back, Reggie decided to build his lego set instead of watch a show and he was consumed by that until bed.  The other 2 watched a show and ate candy and then the kids turned in early.  Since we had 2 rooms, we stayed up and were able to watch t.v. :o).  It was a pretty nice hotel and had a great continental breakfast, but the city of Lemoore smelled like cow poo.  We slept with the window open and I had a dream I was swimming in poo :o(.
We were up bright and early the next morning because Ainsley had to be at the gym at 8:15 for warm-ups at 8:30.  Her coach rolled in at 8:29, so we were getting a bit nervous, but she made it.  I felt bad for ainsley since none of her team mates were competing in her group and she didn't look like she was having much fun.  We could see her coaches were try to loosen her up.  It was good she started on vault and got some of the nervous energy out first.  She did the best vault I’ve ever seen her do, so it was a great start.  She continued to be solid on every event and finished with her personal best all-around score of 35.9!  She placed on every event except beam, 4^th on floor, 6th on vault, 7th on bars and 6^th all-around.  Her coaches were very impressed and said she’ll be moving up to the next level!  I think she was very glad to have it done :o).  

 No action shots turned out...the lighting was really poor and my super photography mom's weren't there, so at least I got one with her coaches afterward.

We made the long drive home and then grandma started preparing desserts for Thanksgiving dinner for Sunday.  The kids love grandma’s Lemon Lush and grandma loves Razzleberry Claim Jumper pie (that you can't get in WA).  Ainsley was in heaven, being able to help in the kitchen.  She LOVES that stuff!  The turkey went in early the next day and the smell was delicious.  We stuffed ourselves…the kids have become quite the potato and gravy eaters…I had to remind them of when they wouldn’t even try them!  A big thank you to grandma for all her hard work in the kitchen….we thoroughly enjoyed our feast.  I froze it and we enjoyed it again on Thanksgiving.  It was the easiest preparation for Thanksgiving ever.  Might be something we do more often, although we learned mashed potato’s don’t freeze well.  The kids had a great time playing board games with grandma and hanging out with her in the Casita :o).  After grandma left, K realized he didn’t thank her for making Lemon Lush and he wanted to send her a card!  

The kids have been on break since then and it has been really nice to have no school and no gymnastics.  The first 3 days were great, but the kids were getting a little irritated with each other and Ainsley has been a little whiney.  We have been trying to keep her active, but she is a creature of habit and gets a little grumpy when schedules change.  K is in heaven, having playmates all day!  There’s been a lot of lego and trampoline action this week and yesterday we decorated for Christmas and that is always a great time.  I love turning on the Christmas music and enjoying the fun of the season.  We did good this year….no ornament casualties!  I have to admit…it doesn’t feel quite cold enough for Christmas-I went running in shorts and a t-shirt yesterday while Reggie biked along with me :o).
The kids love being on the roof!

 Such concentration...