I know, it’s like a week after Thanksgiving and I’m just getting around to posting about the holiday and everything that went with it. But, better late than never! This week has been so busy, with something nearly every day. But, unfortunately not a ton of pictures to go with it. So, I’ll just have to be really descriptive.

Thanksgiving. What a day. We are very thankful that we had family to visit. We went to my great aunt and uncle’s house in Orange County and had a wonderful time visiting with them, their friends and granddaughters. Brit had a great meal of finely chopped veggies and turkey. He loved the turkey! And, apparently he likes spices because the veggies were from those I put into the dressing with the seasonings on them. 

One of our “appetizer” desserts were some Bliss Cakes…well, that’s not the real name, but that’s what I call them. They’re bunt cakes that are so soft and moist and delicious that it’s a blissful eating exprerience. They come in a few sizes, but we got baby ones. I’ll let you know when you can buy them on a regular basis and you can enjoy some bliss too! Thanks Krish and Cam for selling them…

Also, we’re grateful for the Gospel we have in our lives to help guide us in this tumultuous world. We’ve also been blessed with great, supportive friends. This is obviously the short list…

Friday was my “golden birthday” I turned 28 on the 28th! I can hardly believe that I’m closer to 30 than 25. I certainly don’t feel 28…I hope I’m saying things like that when I’m 88 too. Thanks to the wonderful birthday wishes. Thanks to Facebook, I’m more loved than I thought.  That birthday feature is great for that.  Mark made a wonderful waffle breakfast, and then after naps etc. we went down to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Brit loves fishies and I like it too. We had a great time seeing everything.

And, as you can see, Mark’s camera phone rocks, while mine struggles…oh well. Yes, we forgot the real camera. I think that’s the first time ever.

He hated being in his stroller because he wasn’t up high enough. For dinner we went to Gladstone’s on the water. As soon as we walked in Brit fell in love with the balloons they had. Our waiter brought him one and it was quickly his favorite toy. He gazed at it in awe as we raised and lowered it and moved it around. So fun! This is him at home:

We even got a family picture because the restaurant was doing “free” photo cards. Yeah, the picture was little on a big thing with their name and info. But, if we wanted a 5×7 of just us, it was $15 or 2 for $20! Seriously? Then it was home and I received my birthday gift I spontaneously requested: and Ebelskiever pan. They’re Danish filled pancakes that are sooooo good. My stepmom used to make them for us and I loved them. Now I have a pan of my own. Yay!

Saturday afternoon we went down to Laguna Beach for family photos by my friend Tawni. Yes, we went down to Orange County 3 days in a row. Thank goodness for cheap gas! The beach was beautiful, with rocks and tidepools and a gorgeous sunset too. I can hardly wait to get the pics back. From the couple I saw on her camera they’re going to be great! It was really good seeing her and her little family again. Her daughter Sofia is 2 and absolutely adorable, and her hubby Nate was a helpful “assistant.” Mark got some great shots of the sunset too.

Sunday we set up our Christmas decorations. I love it getting everything out and decorated. It just makes it feel like Christmas to see the tree and pine boughs and stockings. I am really excited to start sharing our traditions with Brit too. He’s stayed away from the tree for the most part, but there are a couple of low ornaments he can play with.

And, on Wednesday Brit and I drove up to Utah to surprise my mom for her birthday. And boy, did it work. She was completely shocked and thrilled. Sadly, in the darkness of the doorway she recognized Britton first. I guess we’re doing a pretty good job of keeping up to date with his pictures!

On our way, we stopped to see my friend Angie and her adorable baby girl Lexie. She and Brit will make a great couple one day. We got pics, but alas, they’re not uploaded yet. Cuteness to come…