Thanksgiving...with reckless aBANDONment

We had our first visitors here in Oregon for Thanksgiving.  Mom and Dad G made the long drive west and spent a few JAM PACKED days with us.  The kiddos were super excited and could hardly wait for them to arrive.  Even little miss was excited...she didn't know why but she saw her brothers dancing around in anticipation so she joined in.

Our Turkey Day was pretty relaxed.  With only a hand full of us to feed, we made way too much food and ate too much in turn.  The boys and I spent WEEKS planning our table decorations and doing art projects for the big day.  It turned out great.  I was especially glad to use the silver gold-ware that Evus' grandparents gave us the first year we were married.  It was the first time we pulled them out of storage and it made me think of Grandma M and miss her.  I think she would have liked our table.

Black Friday we took off from "the land of mist" (that is where we live) and headed to the coast at Bandon (thus the title).  We picked the PERFECT day to go.  It was sunny and festive.  All the shops in town had live music, free samples, prizes ect.  So we sipped cider and enjoyed the music all morning.

We went down to the dock and ordered some "Little Mateys" (Fish 'n Chips with Clam Chowder).  The sun was shining and it felt so good it made the food taste delicious.  We also watched people crabbing...and we took notes so we can try it next time.  Chicken...or "nuked" turkey.  That's the trick, so they say.

The boys finally got their way and we headed to the beach with sand buckets.  We started at a rock beach and found some really pretty rocks to add to our collection.

Last we headed to Face Rock to find some tide pools.  And we found some great ones!!!  And some super cool pirate caves.  "Avast me hardies!!!" That is what Squashi said when he saw them--thank you Ryan, for teaching him proper Pirate talk.  I was so excited.  Any way--tide pools--we found star fish and annen..annemen...annenemies ;)  We were all worn out but it was a blast.

 Before we let Grandpa and Grandma go we (well, Squashi) talked them in to a visit at the Wildlife Safari and a swim in the hot tub.

Little Miss also got a test run for her birthday, in which she was thoroughly spoiled by her grandparents...did I mention that our little Diva had this strange and instant connection with her Grandpa G.  Within minutes of arrival she was resting her head on his shoulder--unheard of.  And she was more sweet than usual in general.  It was like they secretly planned it to shock and amaze us all; they were insta-buddies and it was great.