The Davenport...November 26, 2011

After we got home from the "holiday" fireworks, Ben suggested having a little "stay-cation" at the Davenport. This is one of my favorite places to visit, especially around the holidays. I love the history and how it has been restored. When I lived in California, I loved to visit the Mission Inn. It all looks so traditional and I love it! We took Taylor to stay at her grandma and grandpa's with her cousins (Kimberly and Yeo Won), so we knew she would be having lots of fun too! We checked in and then walked around downtown, did a little shopping and had appetizers. The Davenport boasts very comfy beds. It's true, they are quite wonderful. I did love the European soaking tub and the nice big shower...
For dinner we walked over to the Steam Plant. Great service and great food!

We then walked around the hotel and took some pictures by one of the ball rooms.
A nice sunny morning...

We were very impressed with this "Boody Mary" bar. The nice gentleman there walks you through all the options. First you pick your vodka which ranged from flavors like bacon, salmon, cucumber, etc. Then juices tomato, spicy tomato, clamato, all the different spices and veggies. Very impressive.
We had a nice little breakfast and headed over to pick up our girl.
When we arrived, Kimberly and Taylor were playing a game.
I loved my little stay-cation with my favorite guy. It was great to have such a nice time and then not have to drive to far to get home. We should do this more often.

Kick off to the Holiday Season...November 25, 2011

The day after Thanksgiving, we went over to grandma and grandpa's house, where everything is always a picture perfect moment. Taylor was outside with her grandpa and the horses and her cousins were there too, Kimberly and Yeo Won. Grandpa was helping Taylor on Trinity.

I don't know a lot about horses, which is really not much of anything at all. Taylor loves them! Her grandpa and grandma have four: Pepsi, Buddy, Trinity, and Shilo. Taylor usually rides with her grandma on Pepsi, but today she was on Trinity.

I'm loving my new camera, which isn't an expensive camera, but has some nice features and I feel like I'm capturing some nice photos of one of my favorite faces of all time. This is how I get behind on my blog. I want to include my favorite photos and I have so many favorites that it takes so long to upload which really I don't always have enough time for, sadly. However, I do love this little face and I love taking pictures of all she does.

My little 5 year old leading Pepsi down to the corral. These horses know Taylor, and grandpa says this is okay, and Pepsi is allowing this, so there she goes.

Now Taylor's on Pepsi.

One of my favorite things to do to kick off the Holiday season is go to the fireworks downtown. I would love to watch the parade too, but Ben's not a big fan of the downtown crowds, so I'm usually lucky to get him downtown at all. Sometimes the weather is bad, so I don't push my luck. It was a wonderful day and I'm so excited we are heading downtown early...

We went to the Beacon with Uncle John, Aunt Jan, Grandma and Grandpa and watched the parade through the window. It was lots of fun!! I even made hot chocolate for Taylor to sip on, which she enjoyed.

Here we are as excited as can be...

Holly and Matt met us at the Beacon and we walked over to find our place to watch the fireworks.

Family photo. Not always easy to get.

Matt helping Holly to "see" better.

Our "after fireworks" family photo, with pink cheeks and noses. A great evening! I love it when we are all together.