Thanksgiving & Snow

Last week was Thanksgiving. My dad was flying out to California to spend it with my sister, so we decided to join them. It's a 10 hour drive time, but with kids and breaks, it's really 11-12 hours. This was our first big road trip with Lottie. We drove to Boise 2 weeks ago and that is 6 hours. We survived that drive, so we thought we could handle this one. It was.... interesting. The kids did overall really well. We hit some nasty traffic on the way there. Apparently everyone else was traveling for Thanksgiving.. Weird? 

On the way there, Leo wanted to split up the drive and stay in a hotel Tuesday night. Well... let's just say, we won't be doing hotel stays for awhile. Jackson is a very independent sleeper. Plus, he slept from 6-9 pm during the drive. We got to the hotel at about 9:45 and he was awake until 1 am... 1 am!!! Bless his heart, he just wasn't tired and he didn't know how to fall asleep with us next to him and Charlotte waking up every so often. Leo and I didn't have much patience though, we were exhausted. We kept using our scary/quiet voice and telling him to lay down, close his eyes, and stop moving. He would quickly stop moving and squeeze his little eyelids closed as hard as possible. That would last for about 5 minutes and then his legs would start kicking the blankets and he'd start rolling over. Eventually he did fall asleep but shocker, he was wide awake at 7 am. 

My dad's flight was delayed so we took some extra breaks on Wednesday. We attempted to visit Circus Circus, the casino, in Vegas. Leo said it family friendly and that he had been there when he was little. Well, the circus performers weren't there, so we just walked from to one end and then back. But Jackson got his wiggles out so that's all that matters. 

Anyway, we eventually made it and we had so much fun at Loo's house. All Jackson could talk about on the drive was "Bubbie house. Bubbie. Shawn. Grandpa. Baber. Bubbie house?" It was non-stop. 

He was truly spoiled while we were there. Shawn's brother, Lane, was there too. So, Jackson had Bubbie, Grandpa, Shawn, Lane, & Leo's non stop attention. He constantly had an adult to play with him and he was in heaven. I took care of Charlotte and relaxed the entire time. It was glorious. Jackson and Baber had fun together. Baber is a shih tzu and she is crazy patient with kids. Thank goodness. Jackson would smother her and pull her hair and she never even yelped. 

The weather was wonderful and we got to be outside the whole time. It wasn't hot, probably 60s. Just perfect. 

This was Charlotte's Thanksgiving outfit. I had to document her jeggings and boots. They lasted about 5 minutes. Same with the headband. 

Whenever I start taking pictures of Charlotte, Jackson always wants his picture taken. 

Charlotte has officially found her hands and this is how she looks 90% of the time. 

My dad is a really good grandpa. My babies are lucky. 

On Saturday, we went to a park. 

A&M game. Lauren, Shawn, & Lane all went to A&M. This is how the room looked for a couple hours. 

Don't be deceived by Charlotte's face. She loved her Aunt Bubbie, she just doesn't always love having her picture taken. 

Lauren & Shawn cooked up an impressive Thanksgiving spread. Turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, etc. It was delish. And then, Shawn smoked ribs for us on Friday night. Mmm.... ribs. 

Loo & I did a little black Friday shopping. We went to this store on base and I got Bare Minerals foundation that is normally $50, for $40. It wasn't on sale, this store is just cheaper. I've been wanting to try Bare Minerals for awhile and it really does provide just as much coverage as any other makeup. It leaves my skin super soft too. On Saturday, we went to Sephora. Holy Guacamole. I could spend a lotta money at Sephora. I got 2 mascara samples to try. 

We also got Jackson the big Buzz Lightyear from the Disney Store. I totally felt like a fun Christmas mom. We all went into the store together and when I saw that Buzz was basically half off, I snuck it into the line and hid it from him the whole time. Brought it home and hid in the closet. 

So far, for Christmas we have for him: Buzz Lightyear, small Jessie doll (he has the small Buzz & Woody), Little People Farmhouse & Tractor, a Thomas the Train launcher toy thing, and we'll be going to the Dollar Store in a week or so to pick up some random action figure and last little things. 

I'm soooo excited for Christmas! We had a big snow storm yesterday & a little today. Tons of snow. Several inches on the ground. Jackson played a lot yesterday.