A Favorite Place

Today was a really good day.

We headed to Idaho just before noon.  The kids slept, the husband drove, and I read my book--uninterrupted, it was lovely. 

First stop: The Dude Ranch

My kids are obsessed with hot chocolate.
They'd drink it with every meal if I'd let them.

There are always plenty of books with helpful advice to consider while waiting for your meal...

This is one of my favorite places on earth --Emmy

Our family loves The Dude Ranch.  We were all completely starving and emotionally drained when we went to eat there after Baby Kevin's graveside service.  We were emotionally drained not just from the day itself but also from the many months leading up to it.  We filled up on lots of comfort food that day and everyone left the restaurant feeling a little better than when they arrived.  There really isn't anything special about this place.  It looks like it's right out of the 70's, but I guess that's part of the charm.  

After we finished our meal we went to the cemetery.  

The snow was deep but it was still so pretty.

And then we drove the few miles to Grandpa Moon's farm.  Lilly couldn't wait to see "Paca Moon".  She told him all about how she went to see Minnie Mouse and how now she wears Minnie Mouse panties and before anyone could stop her she was dropping her drawers to show him.

The girls gave Paca Moon his own private Christmas concert.

And here's Grandpa telling Estabon how it took him 3 years to pass the 7th grade.

Grandpa has an entire wall dedicated to a growth chart for all the grands and greats.  We hadn't recorded the kids growth since sometime in 2011 so we updated that.

Estabon wrote a little message to his Uncle Rick...

Only 4 more days 'til Christmas.

I am still avoiding my wrapping but everything else is pretty much finished.