Thankful. Thankful. Thankful.
We spent Thanksgiving in Reno again this year where most of our family lives. I am thankful for my husband and very thankful that my husband does the driving and never asks me to do any. I was thankful that our family friend offered her home to us while she was out of town so that we had a very comfortable place to stay (as all other places have been for us as well). I am thankful that my sister is in town from New Zealand. I am beyond thankful that despite the fact that my parents are divorced....we ALL spent Thanksgiving together in the same house at one huge table with many other loved ones as well. I am thankful for the "Egan Cup" bowling tournament that takes place the Friday after turkey day. I will try not to focus on the un-thankful aspects of the trip....like Jeffrey getting sick on the way there and staying sick the entire time....not being able to see family that we should have seen....or that selfish "i don't like myself" feeling I had the majority of the time that made me so unsociable. For now I will be thankful. I have an amazing family and I have my health...and I've heard that that is all I need!

Thanksgiving baking with Auntie Mo!

...and taste testing.

Jeffrey, Mo, Ellie

Brian, Grandma Egan, Sean Patrick

Auntie Sarah and Molly

Sarah and Paddy

Ellie smoochin Ireland

what you see is Brian kissing Marissa...what you don't know is that he was doing it because it ticked off his daughter who is very territorial over mommy and slapped his face afterwards.

Jeffrey and Sean

I love this face!

The Egan men

Becci and Dad

Mom and Paul

There's always room for dancing!

WARNING: Egan Cup 2007 --time to bowl! (yes those are dalmatians on Jillian's plaid vest that had pants to match)

gimme some shuuga!

hahahahahahahahahaha!

OH yea!

crazy...random...great outfits.

bling baby!

As it turns out Ellie is very competitive (who knew?)...and was devastated that she didn't win a trophy. She was convinced that I could buy her one at the dollar store the next day. Sigh.

Just an update:
In the past month we have had Halloween....visited the Cross families in Sacramento to help welcome new baby Cami to their clan....Jeffrey had his last football game of the season....Michael is at the tail end of his work season (praise God!)....and right now I am supposed to be packing because we are off to Reno for the Thanksgiving holiday and of course....the crazy bowling tournament. So although I am not going to write a whole lot this time (because I am "packing") enjoy the pics from the past few weeks!

Maisy's look of total humiliation and disgust says it all.

This is Cami Angelica Cross...the new sister to the three boys of the Cross family!


the picture is very blurry...but Colby and Jeffrey got to go to "skate night"

Casey and Ellie

and....the other "best buds"

~FIVE~
The baby of the family has turned five!! Ellie's day began with early morning presents and breakfast at Denny's. Grandma Ellen flew down for the day and Uncle Mark was also in town for the birthday breakfast before school! On the weekend Ellie got to have some friends join her at none other than the most wonderful (scary, loud, insane, crazy) Chuck E Cheese's for fun, games and Little Mermaid cupcakes! Ellie was so excited to finally turn 5! She got lots of birthday money to spend at her favorite store...Target! I know the blogs are becoming few and far between right now with our non-stop crazy life...but I'm doing my best! Love to everyone...hope all are healthy and happy!

Birthday morning opening presents

singing at the scariest place on earth.

Ellie looooves winning tickets.

Riley and Ellie




Turning "5" is the BEST!

SEVEN!!!
Molly is officially seven years old! She is so sweet and much of the time....reminds me of how innocent life can be with a little imagination. On the day of her birthday Molly, Ellie and I went to get pedicures and have lunch. This past weekend...Molly got to have a few of her friends over for swimming and cake and ice cream! I love watching them grow up...but can't help but feel that little tug at my heart wondering "where did the last seven years go?" Thank you for all of the wonderful cards and gifts from all of our family and friends!!! She loved them all!



ready for my pedicure!!!


Molly and her girlfriends!




I love this face




Ellie and Riley sunbathing together


...and Maisy working on her tan too.

ALOHA!!
As most of you know...my birthday present from my mom and Paul was a trip to Hawaii. Not only a trip to Hawaii...but a trip that included my sister Mo who met us there for an amazing vacation. I had so much anxiety about leaving the kids for a week...and a little guilt that I was able to go on such a great vacation while my husband was home with them...but then I got there. It was such an amazing trip. We laughed, we drank, we swam with turtles, we laughed some more. After Hawaii I flew to Reno for the weekend to fit in two baby showers...and my dad's wedding reception. Although crazy and chaotic, it was so great to see all of the family and friends that I was blessed to visit in the past couple of weeks. Back to reality now...back to work and family. But best of all...my husband is done traveling and safely home where he belongs! Praise God! Now...more about Hawaii...

When I stepped off the plane...there was a live band and hula to get me in the mood to embrace the gift of vacation.


this is where I spent most of my time. duh.


Not much could beat watching this sunset with my mom while we drank jack daniels and ice tea in our 48 oz. to-go jugs.


This is Mo. And this is where the photo shoot begins...



sisters are so fun

time for some jack daniels!!


time to lay off the jack daniels. (mom and mo)


The true feeling of Hawaii...


why I love Mo.



mom and Paul...happy in Hawaii.


it's all in the eyebrows.

What a great trip.