Rattaro lighting ceremony

The Rattaros had a lighting ceremony at their home in the Woodlands.  There were over 300 people there.  My favorite part was the HO scale layout in the garage next door.  

Mrs. Rattaro, Parker's teacher

 

Monterey

I dropped off Scott in San Francisco to head to Hawaii and came home excited about Thanksgiving break.  I really miss October break from our Brentwood school schedule.  The weather was AMAZING and I wanted to take advantage of it.  I told the kids to pack a change of clothes and toothbrushes and we were heading to the beach.  I originally wanted to go to Pismo because the weather was close to 80 and a city I am familiar with.  I decided to check monterey's weather which is significantly closer and had the same weather, which is unreal.  I was so excited.  We got to the beach in less than 2 hours, played in the glorious sunshine and waves.  It was an amazing beach day!  The kids loved to run in and out of the waves and catch sand crabs.  The sand crabs were huge.  A seal kept coming up to where we were playing which was so fun.  The sun started to get covered around 3:30 and they were ready to check into the hotel.  We got there and enjoyed fun in the pool and spa. Went back to get ready and picked up some chipotle and taco bell.  Everyone but Blake wanted Taco Bell which was quite surprising and brought it back to the lounge of the hotel to each which was fun.  We were going to head out to stores and ice cream at night but everyone just wanted to hang at the hotel.  We had no plans the next morning except for the amazing hotel breakfast.  Hotel breakfasts are a must when choosing hotels.  Kira wanted to see some tide pools and we weren't planning on doing another beach day since nobody wanted to head home wet and sandy, but the beach and sun and water called.  It was an amazing beach called Lovers point.  The kids like to climb the rocks and traveled out into this little cove. They thought it was fun when the waves came.  It was the perfect temp outside and we watched people snorkel, swim, kayak and paddleboard.  I wanted to rent the kids kayaks but they just wanted to play in the sand and little waves. I kept telling the kids that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the entire world.  I was in San Francisco in the morning and Monterey in the afternoon.  If I went in the opposite direction I would have been in Lake Tahoe. Thank you mother nature for some glorious beach weather so start our thanksgiving break.  I could have spent an entire day just hiking around the waters edge and looking at the beauty all around. We are blessed!

Thanksgiving 2021

This year for Thanksgiving, instead of going to Utah, we stayed local.  I was on call for Steve and had four emergencies over the break.  We still did fun things though, starting with mini-golfing in Castro Valley.  Here's Parker dancing around after getting a hole-in-one.  Of course, the kids would try from the beginning to get a hole in one, rather than putt from where the ball landed.  

Roman came with us

Brennan came with us to the Redwood Valley Railroad at Tilden park.  I'm always down for a train ride on the mini steamer.

They had to stop the train and discipline Parker for leaning over the edge.  

Then we went to the little farm.  Heidi couldn't get enough of how much this pig ate.  Even after it laid down, it still ate.  

At night we'd build fires and watch TV.  

Parker is probably the most frequent user of the hot tub.  

Hanna wanted a picture with her skateboard.  

It was a great thanksgiving.  Scott went to Hawaii with Harry and just got home today.  I think he enjoyed having some time to himself without so much noise.  We asked the kids what they were thankful for.  Hanna said her friends.  Parker said his family.  Tyler was thankful for friends.  

 

A day with the Northgate High marching band

Saturday was the last performance by the Northgate High marching band.  It was at Arbolado park, commemorating 50 years of the Walnut Creek soccer club.  

Parker found some of his friends and brought them out on the field to dance along.  Check it out in the vid.