More visitors!

Last week was an exciting week for us....we had lots of visitors from home :o).  Ryan's cousin Tonya and her husband Pete and their 2 boys, Jake and Lucas stopped by for dinner!!!  It happened to be the day that Grandma Peggy arrived, so the kids were over the moon.  It was kind of cool weather, but the kids played 4 square, football and jumped on the trampoline.  It was great for us adults to catch up and we had a nice visit.  As I was saying goodnight to Reggie, he said, "I really enjoyed playing with them mom".  It was pretty cute and maybe we'll be able to connect over the holidays.

Grandma Peggy's visit seemed to go by quickly....we toured Joe Michell School on Friday when the kids were at school.  We are likely going to transfer all the kids there next year.  It was interesting to hear about the International Baccalaureate program they are implementing and something that really aligns with how I would like our kids to think.   She did some of the preparation for our Thanksgiving meal on Saturday.  The lemon lush and apple crisp were devoured Friday night, but we had enough for Sat. too.  I was excited to have apples and oatmeal in the morning-what a perfect breakfast!  We really lucked out with our turkey and it was so moist and juicy....probably the best turkey we've had (honeysuckle brand).  We stuffed ourselves and then went to see Big Hero 6.  The boys loved it!  It was a little much for us adults.

There was a lot of 4 square played over the weekend and lots of laughs from Ainsley and Grandma....Ainsley makes grandma laugh and then they can't stop!

Sunday was Ainsley's state meet in Oroville.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive each way and it made for a very long day.  Thankfully, Samantha was available to watch the boys.  She woke up with a sore throat and since I had the same virus, I knew it was really uncomfortable.  We gave her some medicine and she was fine and didn't want more before the meet, so off she went (she competed at 4:20).  She had a really great day!  A little jittery on floor of all things, but she had her best all around score yet, 36.2 (6th all-around).  Ryan had a red eye out of San Francisco, so he was maybe going to have to miss her last event, but praise God, she was the very first one up, so he got to watch her bar routine :o).  He is in Boston all week.  Ainsley was near tears when I found her afterward.  She opened up her mouth to talk and it was very hoarse and she could barely get the words out.  I felt bad that we didn't give her medicine....she was not feeling well at all :o(.  So....we had to go to McDonald's to get her an ice cream to help her throat feel better :o).  We made the long trek home and didn't arrive until 11:15.  It worked out o.k. that she was sick because I didn't feel bad keeping her home from school.  I didn't get any action shots, but hopefully will post some later from one of the parents had a fancy camera and was taking pictures.

 She tied for 3rd on beam with her teammate, Izzy.  Ainsley is 2 weeks younger than her...she is the cutest little thing!

There was so much anticipation with the state meet and it is nice to have it overwith.  She has been excited to tell us the new things she is doing at practice already!

Here's a couple of pictures that I didn't get around to posting.....
This was taken the first week of Nov.  It was a beautiful week and we were enjoying a few quiet minutes at the gym by the pool!  On Nov. 2nd, I did finally have to turn on the heat .  The nights have been getting chilly.

Can you believe the size of this bear at Costco....REALLY??!!  What's next?