Wahoooo! What a whirlwind trip - with only 2 days off (Wednesday and Thursday) for Dr. Jones we packed up the kids to head up North early Wednesday to celebrate Turkey day with the Jones family. The trip up was filled with lots of traffic in L.A, one gas-ee baby, two pit stops for feedings and to let crazy in the backseat stretch her legs, lots of Christmas music, and a Mcskillet breakfast burrito that was surprisingly good! We made it in 5 and half hours or so and it couldn't have come sooner for Grandma Mardene who was waiting on the porch to welcome us with hugs and kisses! In such a short amount of time we did a lot! Wednesday was super fun because we had a special surprise visit from the Hillis family. They got to meet Reese and see how big Addie was getting. Addison was all smiles and was soooooo happy to see everyone...
well almost everyone...... The picture says it all... but maybe it was all the "fat chubby" jokes G said to Addie as a baby that she remembers or the picture on our fridge that I refer to and point to each day and say "stranger danger Addison! Stay away from him he will take your Barney and all your toys!" Whatever it is luckily Addison adores his wife Lisa! Here Addie is with Alex, Maddie, Lisa and of course little baby!
Growing up Kevin had some of his best memories with the Hillis family. They have been best friends for what seems like forever and their families are still close to this day. Peggy and George have always been so nice to me and so welcoming! I love hearing stories about the boys growing up and all the mischief they got into. I have to give Peggy credit because she is the person that inspired me to scrapbook. I was amazed when I saw her collection from when the kids grew up, it was so neat to look at and something I look forward to doing with my girls! Addison took to George Senior quickly and Peggy was a natural holding Reese, which isn't a surprise because she has triplets!
Now back to this fellow! G - you have your work cut out for you... Yes you made the blog this time and I am thankful for you that you are my husbands best friend. But in the new year there will be rules on who and how you get on the blog so be prepared. Its not a given anymore, I will edit and or cut and paste when needed. I am hoping that 2011 brings you and Addison closer! Thank you Hillis' for stopping by to visit. It was great to catch up and see how you were doing and for you to see the kids. Before we know it your family will be growing too! Right!! Hopefully so... wink wink :) We do love you guys!
For the rest of the trip we saw lots of family! Grandpa and Grandma Jones, Auntie Heather , Uncle Sam, cousin Lilia, and Great Grandpa and Grandma Marderosian. What a blessing it is to have everyone together. The girls were loved up and we got some good time with our neice Lila!
On Turkey Day we were all up bright and early to run or walk the 5 K Turkey trot. It was 53 degrees outside and these Southern California beauties were not used to it! It was cold!!!! Thank goodness Auntie Heather brought extra scarves, hats, mittens, jackets, beanies, and blankets for all of us to use!
We had a great race! Sam and Kevin ran the whole thing while I struggled threw the hills - I remember saying to someone along the route "this seemed like a good idea 30 minutes ago!" I was honestly exhausted, it was the farthest I have run since the baby was born. I wouldn't necessarily call what I did a "trot" but I finished! Heather, Mardeen, Bud, and all the kids participated in the walk and we all met at the end. It was a great start to Thanksgiving and made us all feel a little less guilty in eating that piece of pie.... or two! Also not to brag but Cousin Chelsey was one of the first 50 girls who finished the race and she recently won her age group for a half marathon in Fresno. Yeahhhhh!!!!
After our little morning workout we headed home to a nice warm house! It was time to get ready to eat and take some pictures! Heather spoils Reese and Addie so much and this time she bought all of the girls matching outfits for some photos with Grandma and Grandpa. It is pretty entertaining and somewhat exhausting trying to get everyone looking and smiling at once! Here is a classic one, this was taken just as the Dads (Kevin and Sam) came in with the food! Addie is always so happy to see Daddyeee!
Then we took a couple of pictures in matching pj's that Grandma bought them! What a great picture - especially of the Grandparents!
Love this picture of the girls!
and can't forget to give kisses for Lilia!
Then it was time to change one more time and get ready for all of the family that was coming over. Holidays in Fresno are extra special because they have such a large extended family. It really is like a big fat Armenian Thanksgiving! Aunts, Uncles, and cousins were all in attendance as we dived into some of our favorite treats. For me there is one thing that I look forward to each celebration - that is Grandma's homemade Yalanche! It takes her a long time to make this from scratch but she does it knowing that I will gobble it all up! I must have had about 10 - but who is counting! Thank you Great Grandma!!
Here is Lila watching football with her Daddy!
Enjoying family time!
Great Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed meeting their newest Great Grandchild!
Auntie Michelle enjoyed holding Reese - its hard to believe that her babies - the twins Marcus and Steven are getting so big and are now in High School!
This is our speedy cousin Chelsey! We are so proud of her :)
Through the day the girls got lots of love from family and Addison was quite entertaining as she played with all of Kevin's cousins! Its funny because its hard to think who or what entertained us before the little ones arrived!
So fun!!! Its great to have such a big family!
Somebody didn't have a nap all day! She just kept going and going and going!!
With over 20 people to feed... dinner was delicious! We are very thankful for all the Armenian dishes! Who knew this little Canadian would love all this ethnic food!
No big announcements at this family dinner. Uncle Sam did remind us of our last big family meal when Kevin so nonchalantly said that we were expecting! I don't think we will ever forget that!
Addie's favorite part of the meal was the mashed potatoes! They taste great in her mouth but she loved the feeling of them in her hands!
While all the adults finished dinner we put on our favorite purple dinosaur - Barney! Definitely kept our little one busy!
Smiley Reese-ee!!
More love from family! Chelsea is home from Texas and Addie was a huge fan of hers!! Thank you Chelsea for all the TCU gear for the kids. It was so nice of you to think of them!!
Kevin catching up with cousin Mark. He has the best stories and always encourages us to take chances. We really love seeing their family!
Chelsey with baby Lila - they look so cute together. How lucky Auntie Heather will be to have a built in babysitter when Chelsey returns home from college! By the way she will finish in 3 years!!!
We are very thankful for the time we got to spend in Fresno! Although it was a quick trip we enjoyed every minute of it. This Thanksgiving we have a lot to be thankful for. Friends and family is what makes this time of the year so special. Gobble Gobble :) Hope everyone had a great day! xoxoxo
