Thanksgiving Travels

This year was our California family's turn for Thanksgiving. This was Moon's last time to fly as a lap baby (which is both a bummer but really ok 'cuz he's a big lap baby). Still, though I may not have been excited about 4 hours on a plane, these guys were!

And even stuck in a large metal tube with two squirmy kids, there are lovely views here and there:

Long flight notwithstanding, it was nice to see our far-away family. Plus, it's always fun to watch kids get to know their cousins a little better.

We got to visit a horse-riding lesson. At first, neither of my boys were interested in giving it a go, but after a while, Moon had warmed up enough to sit on the little pony, Jasmine.

By the end of the visit, even Townshend was warming up to her:

And my favorite part: a visit to the ocean! Southern California was having a bit of a heat wave; we enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures and splashed in the Pacific. It wasn't so warm I'd want to swim, but it was lovely to wade into and to watch.

A little before we left, fog rolled in. It was an impressive difference and beautiful in a new way.

Then, it was time to squeeze back on the plane to head back to chilly Chicago. 'Til we meet again, California!

despite Moon's expression, they both were having fun squeezing together on the seat