Wonderful Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Jim and Amy's house. It was the first Thanksgiving in 35 years that my parents haven't hosted Thanksgiving, so they sure deserved a break! Mom still did tons of work by making the turkeys, 6 pumpkin pies, providing the dishes, decorations, helping clean up, etc.... We all had a great time, ate lots of amazing food, and had fun playing with the little kids. It is always so great to have little Mia in town - she is precious, and our kids just adore her. We also love seeing Jack and Elie who are so cute and so smart!! Thanks to Jim and Amy for hosting!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today is one of my very favorite days of the year - I love Thanksgiving. I love getting up early, lighting candles, turning on piano music, reading my Bible, drinking delicious coffee, and then making a list of 100 things that I'm thankful for. This morning the sun was brightly shining through a break in the clouds - it was beautiful. I am thankful for so many things this year, and I'm reminded each morning by a little saying on our mantle to try not to take things for granted. Here are a few things on my list...My relationship with God, having Peter as a faithful husband, the kids saying they love each other, my amazing parents, going on walks with Peter and my friends, having money to buy groceries each week, coffee shops, having healthy kids who are able to play sports, playing games with Mary, watching cooking shows and taking cooking classes, hanging out with Amy, Starbucks mugs, farmers markets, cooking with my preschoolers every week, apologies, laughing with my dad, being able to send our kids to Westside, going to family camp each summer with our great friends, taking trips to Wisconsin to see our family, having a washer and dryer and heat for our house (many of the families I work with don't have these...), journals, family trips at Easter time, girls' getaways, family dinners, our kids' friends, cousins, prayer, etc., etc., etc. I'm looking forward to a relaxing day with family, having the Hearings over for some game time and then going over to the Guses who are hosting our big Thanksgiving dinner. We are truly blessed!

First Annual Moores' Girls' Getaway!

We just got back from our girls' getaway night - we had so much fun!! We played games, went swimming, ate good food, went shopping, got pedicures, etc. This morning I had a couple hours downstairs by the fire while the girls slept in :). We are looking forward to doing this every year, just as my mom has done for me and my sisters for many, many years!

Our whole family worked together at the Village Cafe today - it was so fun to all work together. 

First Girls' Getaway

Two weeks ago I surprised the girls with an invitation for our first girls' getaway. We are heading off to Skamania Lodge tomorrow and then will go out for lunch, shopping, and pedicures on Monday. Kelsey gets to miss a day of school which is especially exciting for her. McKenzie has the week off from school, and I only work Tuesday, so it was the perfect time to get away. I'm hoping for a great time of connecting with them, making them feel special and loved, and just enjoying each other.

Peter and I had a wonderful getaway weekend to the Oregon Garden Resort!  It was so nice to have two nights away to reconnect and recharge. We explored Silverton, walked a lot, ate great food, drank delicious coffee, and watched the Ducks beat Stanford!  Thanks to our great family and friends for taking care of the kids so we could get away!  

My Gramp

It's hard for me to believe that it was two years ago today that my Gramp passed away. I still miss him so much and think about him often. I miss talking with him, getting cards from him that were always so thoughtfully written, getting his e-mails, stopping by his house just to visit, giving him Costco-size Grape Nuts for Christmas, having Peter and him talk about Wisconsin and the Packers, and giving him oatmeal raisin cookies. Thinking about him today especially reminds me of how quickly time goes and how wonderful the little things are. I miss you, Gramp, but you are still so much a part of my thoughts. Kelsey prays often for you and that you are having fun in heaven :).