So we’re back home from our little Thanksgiving beach trip and it was just delightful.  I foresee a possible new Kelley Thanksgiving tradition.  The beach was amazing and the wee Kelleys had a grand time.  I took so many pictures with my camera and my phone.  I was kind of Instagramming it up.  If you’re on Instagram come find me: pitterpatterart

I love how sandy Sol is in this pic.

I adored having my new camera for beach pictures too.  It is actually the exact one I broke…Canon Powershot G12…I may never buy another camera…ever.  It’s true love.

I know this picture doesn’t look like much, but it is sooooo Huddy and Sol.  Always together.  No matter what.  Just sitting in the middle of the sand…having a snack…luring in the birds.

We had tons of fun at the beach, but also with Nina and Baba.  It was beyond great to just be with and chat with both of them…to hear their stories and words of advice.  To hear Aunt Linda talk about Mom.  I loved it.  I soaked them up and made sure to ask plenty of questions.  This time I learned that my Uncle Tom used to be a big scuba diver…who knew?!?  Pretty rad if you ask me.

My Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom just spoil us.  We ate yummy food and watched movies and played and ate more yummy food.  We had homemade pumpkin muffins and banana bread almost every morning.  My kids ate an ungodly amount of muffins.  And super good lunches and dinners and desserts…it was divine.  My Aunt Linda is off the hook in the kitchen.

It was beyond wonderful for them to be with our kids too.  The wee Kelleys love their Nina and Baba.  And it was amazing Amon meeting them for the first time.  He got lots of good loven’.

We also got a fun visit from Ashley and Chris.  They were on their way back from Mississippi and stopped off at Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom’s for the night.  Chris got to meet Amon for the first time and we also did a little Black Friday shopping.  Josh and Chris both ended up with Airhog helicopters.

Josh Kelley Fun Fact #11:  Every Black Friday for far too many years now, Josh Kelley gets a new Airhog remote control helicopter.  #bigkid

We L.O.V.E.D getting to see Ashley and Chris.  I loved them seeing the kids…especially Amon.  I loved snapping a picture of them with Amon.  I saw them around this time last year and here’s the picture I snapped:

This years picture was far better…and has even more fantastic hair and cuteness.

I love that little cardboard sign.  It has done its share of traveling for sure and has such sweet memories attached to it.  It’s tucked away in a special box for Amon now.  I think I may do something with it one day, but for now it’s in a special place.  Last summer when we visited Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom we took their picture with his sign too.

It’s quite grand and amazing what a year can hold.  How much life can change in a matter of 12 little months.  These pictures are just priceless to me.  I am so truly, truly, truly thankful he is home.

Thank you so much Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom.  We had the grandest time with you and loved every minute of it.  Thank you for putting up with our crazy crew.  We know we’re not the quietest or the cleanest of guests, but we do love big.  Thanks for loving us back.

Happy Monday.