Thanksgiving in A-Z

This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Mitchells in Arizona.  Devin's family and Rachel & Jason all live in Phoenix so it seemed like a good idea to move the family party there.

While this was Cambria's second time flying, it was a little different since it was not a red-eye and she is much more mobile now.  She was so wiggly!  At least she was in good spirits on the flight (albeit a little loud per usual).

Andrew and I got to experience our first stinky diaper change at 30,000 feet.  I did it during turbulence so I feel like I really win.  Or lost, actually.  I really lost.

By the way, everyone was convinced that Cambria was a boy.  You may think I am exaggerating when I use the term "everyone" but you would be wrong.  Because EVERYONE ON THE ENTIRE PLANE thought Cambria was "the cutest boy!"  "Such a handsome fella!"  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  I'm gluing that bow to her head from now on.

Our family was able to take full advantage of the beautiful, sunny weather while we were in Arizona.  We never got in the pool because it wasn't warm enough for me or Cambria and Andrew just never hopped in.  However, there was a great park about a ten-minute walk from the house we were staying in and Cambria went there everyday.

Orange trees everywhere we looked!

It was her first time on a baby swing.  Prior to this, she has just sat on one of our laps to swing.

Thumbs up for the swing!  Big thumbs down for the slide.  Andrew said she did okay on her first few slides but once they took a ride on one of the steeper slides, she decided she was no longer cool with sliding.

The day before Thanksgiving, we took a family trip to the zoo.  Cambria wasn't so sure about it at first.  But she warmed up eventually.

Clara and Katherine

Tom, Lily, Katherine, Clara, and Laurie

Staying hydrated with her zebra sippy cup--apropos for the zoo

Sister Girl mean muggin' with Aunt Kelani

This zoo was great for getting up close and personal to the animals.

And it seemed to rub off on all of us.

Nana made sure all of the grandkids rode on the merry-go-round.

 

Cambria just wanted to be held.  And to eat.  And to take a nap.

The next day was Thanksgiving.  I guess Cambria didn't want us to miss a moment of the day since she got us up at 5:30 AM (after waking up three times prior to that).  Thank heavens we were in Arizona and the Macey's Day Parade comes on super early on the West coast (like 7:00 in the morning early).

We had Thanksgiving dinner with some of Laurie's cousins and Donald & Shannon Woo's family.  While we were waiting to eat, the kids jumped in the pool (it was in the mid-80s) and we took Cambria to the park.  She loves the swings so much!

After a fun outing at the park and stuffing ourselves silly with turkey comes the post-dinner cleanup.  And for this Little Miss--an early bedtime.  

In the spirit of sharing, this holiday season the three cousins (Lily, Cambria, and Clara) all decided to pass along some sort of contagion amongst one another.  Said sickness included leaky faucet noses, chest congestion, hacking cough and it all really threw Cambria for a loop when she lost her voice for a few hours early one morning.  

Cambria was already waking up every couple of hours throughout the night and so this served to make matters even worse (which in my sleep-deprived naivete, I didn't think was possible!)  Her restlessness led to talking in her sleep which was actually quite cute.  She would wake up, mumble a few whispered nonsense phrases, maybe exclaim out loud, and then fall back asleep.  

Babies in a bathtub are so squishy and cute!

Rachel and Jason

Kelani and Caleb

Clara and Papa

Laurie's cousin's daughter, Nana, Katrina, Shannon and Alyssa

Clara, Katherine and Devin (good job looking at the camera, Katherine!)

On Friday, our family spent the day at the Gilbert, Arizona temple.  It was a special day for us because Rachel received her endowment and then she and Jason were sealed for time and all eternity.  The happiest days are those spent in the temple and the happiest of happy days are spent in the temple with family.  Is there any possible way to put into words the absolute joy that is felt as we embrace our family members in the Celestial Room of the temple?

Kelani and Caleb watched Cambria (and all of the other kiddos!) for us while we were in the temple.  This was the longest we have left Cambria with a baby-sitter.  I wondered how well she would go down for her nap and if she would be sad to see someone besides Andrew or I when she woke up but she did great!  At least, that is what KK told us.  

When we got out of the temple, I was so eager to give Cambria a big hug.  But she couldn't have cared less!  She wasn't even interested in me holding her--she just wanted Daddy.  Ouch!  My Mommy pride was wounded!

Aunt Rachie painted your cute toes a pretty gold color

That's our Arizona trip in a blog post.  We had a wonderful visit with family and feel like the time always goes too quickly.  It just makes us more excited for the next time we can all get together!