Mark's parents were kind enough to fly out and join us for our turkey feast. Yes, I prepared a turkey! Although it was only the turkey breast (I don't do bones or dark meat), it was slow-cooked and really delicious! Everything was delicious. We were happy to have the company to share it.
The boys dressed the part in their indian attire. Owen in his pow wow shirt and headband, complete with drum and beads...courtesy of his kindergarten pow wow held at school last week. He even had a Native American name--woodpecker.
And Gavin sported this awesome jacket that Mark used to wear as a child. True vintage embroidery and fringe. It's probably more "cowboys and indians", but it worked for him quite nicely all Thanksgiving day.
We had beautiful weather throughout the weekend. We managed to visit a local park and zoo. And we spent a day at the beach. Yes, the beach! The weather couldn't have been better with sunshine and 70s.
We went to see the monarch butterflies that migrate here and rest in a grove of eucalyptus trees on the coast. They were amazing. Some clung to the trees in clusters and while others fluttered freely through the air. It reminded me of THIS group of monarchs:
Owen's kindergarten class studied the life cycle of the butterfly about a month ago and then held a butterly parade at school where they released their monarchs into the wild. So it was fitting that we pay the butterflies a visit and see them in their natural environment.
Back at the beach, we played near the water's edge. We drew with sticks in the sand and built castles and motes. The water was at low tide, even lower tide than normal because of the season or moon or whatever combination. So we were able to enjoy the exposed rocky cliffs and extra seaweed.
We had to take full advantage of our beach day because the weather was just so pleasant. So we also visited a small marine discovery center on the UC Santa Cruz campus. The boys got to touch sharks and sea stars, compare furcoats of seals and otters, and watch all sorts of sea life swim through their tanks.
The entire weekend was really great. And I feel especially thankful to live in such a great place and to have wonderful family with which to share it.
3 comments:
oh man, i just got crazy jealous!! 70s?!?!?! and the boys look fantastic, and your plates! it sounds amazing! did you get to see the dolphins at the aquarium? it was a perfect size for wy, hope you guys enjoyed it! and oh! the butterflies! i'd forgotten all about them until just now, i always wanted to see them!
and i owe you a phone call! and we're SOOO excited you'll be here for christmas! we told wy this morning and he was thrilled.
and caleb says he needs to plan another trip out in jan / feb......
and yeah. i need to call you back! we were at an indoor pool in st george, i couldn't hear myself think, let alone my phone ring. sorry!
I love the Monarch costumes and how fun that you got to see swarms of real Monarch butterflies. I thought they all flew down to Mexico. Playing at the beach sounds super fun.
Looks like a ton of fun, bridge! Love your table settings.
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