Crazy Love Gamble-Style

I've got no time for photos, I'm too busy obsessively planning & pinning recipes for Thanksgiving.  It's only a week away!!  I can't wait!   I love this time of year!!  My goal for this year?  Make the dishes I cook as healthy and delicious as possible, without making all the die-hard traditionalists roll their eyes and scoff.   Good luck with that.  : ) I'm just kidding, my family does a great job cooking that way regardless, so it shouldn't be a problem.  I'm also hoping to make it a great meal for my mom who has all kinds of food restrictions.  I love the challenge, it makes it that much more fun to have to think outside the box.    I'm so thankful for our wonderful family, we've made a tradition out of spending several days together over the holiday and it is something I look forward to so very much!!  Now if only I could get it to snow....   : )

 Sunday our beach trip switched gears, the family came together to celebrate Scott's Birthday.  Here we are enjoying some s'mores down at the Surftide fire pits.  Norah offering to share her s'more with the light?  We had such relaxing days at the beach with perfect weather.  Colton dug and dug until he was exhausted.  Someones got to build the race track moat!  There was just enough wind to sort of fly a kite, which is perfect, too much wind can make playing down there way too cold and not so much fun.  Colton & Ava had the very best time together, I love their relationship! Cousins are the best.  They loved playing in the water! I think Scott had a really good time, we all did.  We hiked, played on the beach, the siblings golfed twice ...

OK, half the time I feel like this blog is a lie. Well not a lie, just a half truth. I wonder about perception & how people see us.  If THIS is what they are going off of what does our life look like?  You only see what I choose to share.  And just like in real life, I choose to focus on the good, so you won't find much bad here.  Some may seep in every now and then but that's just because HOW CAN IT NOT??? But this blog?  It's not the whole story.  It's just not.  For now, it's all about the kids. My best friend says that everyone wants my life, that it is perfect, that I am spoiled.  But the word spoiled implies that I am ruined by, not lifted up by the things I am blessed with. I am given more then I deserve.  I am so very thankful for the generosity of the wonderful people in my life. I am very happy, which I believe is a choice. I choose for my focus to be on gratitude, faith, finding the good in situat...

I'm so excited for our trip!! We leave tomorrow for Sacramento, right now I  am busy packing, making lists, organizing &  stressing over what I may forget.   It's what I do. This picture couldn't be more accurate. None the less, couldn't be more thrilled to be going to Meaghan's wedding, spending time with our family & most of all getting some much  needed relaxing alone time with John. We are beyond thankful for the wonderful people  that are coming together to entertain our kids while  we are away.  I know you will all have so much fun  together & IF I wasn't off flying on an airplane WITHOUT KIDS to sunny weather, wine & fun, there is no place I would rather be then there with you all!

Here we are, back at the beach, with my mom. It's been a really long time since we came here together, we are enjoying every minute.   Grandma & Ava, holding hands.  Playing on the beach. Sisters. Love them, love this life we have together. It's a beautiful thing.  : )