Charlie meets his Gabrielsen grandparents

 Sunday was our last day with Mom. She and Paul took the girls to church, and Charlie and I stayed home. Charlie wore his dressiest outfit, but he doesn't fit into his Sunday clothes yet. We watched "The Next Iron Chef" that night.

 Paul and Mom left early Monday morning to go to the airport, then Paul went to work at the newspaper. Grace had school off for Veteran's Day, so we had a nice stay-at-home day. Here are the kids at the breakfast table.

 Charlie in his whale watching sweater.

 Hey, where'd my pacifier go?

 Grace ADORES him.

 He's impartial.

 Does this sweater make me look fat?

He loves his high contrast "book".

 Maybe he'll be an early reader!

 Grace can teach him! We hung around the house all day in sweatshirts and slippers, just chilling.

 Grace helped feed Charlie his bottle.

 Alice wanted to try too.

Sweet boy all tuckered out from a fun day. Paul taught FHE on being thankful, and Grace led an activity making thankful turkeys from toilet paper rolls. It was a nice evening together.

On Tuesday, Charlie woke up eager for some new visitors.

 Mom/Dad Gabe got in the night before and stayed at a hotel. They came over early enough on Tuesday to get Grace to school, then they helped out with Alice and Charlie's WIC appointment. I was SO glad to have their help. Paul had school all morning. Grandma Terisa loves her very first grandson!

 When Grace got home from school, Alice took her nap, and Mom/Dad Gabe played games with Grace. I love it when Grace gets that kind of attention, because there's so much she wants to do and can do, but so often we rely on her to entertain herself so we can deal with the younger kids who demand so much more. She LOVED it.

 Mom/Dad Gabe brought tons of great gifts, including clothes for everyone, and Amish dolls for the girls. Charlie slept with his sock monkey, and the girls fought over the dolls.

 Grandma Terisa and Grace were a team when playing Cranium. Paul and I took Charlie to the doctor, and his weight was pretty low. He is fine otherwise. That evening, Mom/Dad Gabe took us all to dinner at Joe's Pizza and Subs. It's so good!

 On Wednesday, Charlie was sleepy.

 He's ready for his martial arts class.

 Paul worked all day, and Grace had school in the morning, so Mom/Dad Gabe took Alice to the beach. She was really tired when she got home, but she had a lot of fun with the sea lions. Grace wanted to hold Charlie when she got home from school.

 She wants to eat him up! Mom/Dad Gabe took her to see the tide pools in the afternoon, then we all met at the Capitola Mall for dinner at the food court, and shopping at Target. They bought us a lot of great stuff that we needed, like rain gear for the girls, as well as hooded towels for all the kids. The girls were OBSESSED with them! I was excited for all my new kitchen towels/washcloths to replace my old gross ones.

 On Thursday, Paul and Grace had school all morning. I had my first time away from Charlie when I went grocery shopping. It was weird, since I've had him with me for over 9 months straight! In the afternoon, Paul and I went to Grace's parent/teacher conference - our first ever. When we got home, we all took the campus loop bus to tour UCSC.

 Paul wore Charlie in a front pack that Paul used to ride in when HE was a baby!

 Mom/Dad Gabe loved the beautiful foresty campus, the banana slug-filled bookstore, and Paul's school building. They bought us some great UCSC gear, and dinner at the Owl's Nest.

 On Friday, I dressed Charlie in his softest clothes. Grace had school, and Mom/Dad Gabe took Alice to the grocery store.

 Paul and I got the laundry done, then took Charlie in for his circumcision, poor guy. But look how he's advertising for UCSC!

 Concerned daddy.

 I tried to comfort him afterwards. He was pretty sad for the next few hours.

 Then home to find Mom/Dad Gabe cooking tons of food to leave with us. They left us with 3 casseroles, and 4 jars of chili! The girls and I ate our milk chocolate banana slugs. (They really are just chocolate - not actual slugs.)

 That evening, Paul and I (and Charlie) went on a date. The girls went to Mom/Dad Gabe's hotel for a sleepover!

 We went to Capitola Village to see the shops and the beach. It was really misty out. We got too close for comfort to 2 raccoons - yuck!

 Then to Dairy Queen for dip cones, and a romantic trip to the store for baby formula - ha! When we got home, we watched some episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, but we didn't stay up too late, since we were so tired.

 We slept in until 9:00 on Saturday! We got up slowly, and eventually Mom/Dad Gabe and the girls came home. Grace wanted to show off the stickers she got at Trader Joe's.

Mom Gabe went to the UCSC Arboretum to the gift shop sale. She brought home all sorts of feathers and decorations and birdhouses. Alice used her feather to dress up for our early Thanksgiving feast.

 Paul had to go to the harbor to get an interview for an assignment, so Dad Gabe went with him. Doesn't he look like a salty sea dog?

 They saw cool boats and talked to a crab fisherman.

 Paul with the crabbing gear.

 Don't we live in a cool place? We ate snacks and played games while Mom/Dad Gabe cooked Thanksgiving dinner.

 Alice woke up from her nap in a grouchy mood.

 Awesome hairstyle!

 Grace got into the Thanksgiving spirit.

 But Mom/Dad Gabe did all the Thanksgiving work.

 Alice and Charlie spent some quality time together.

 Grace made napkin holders for everyone, and we had a delicious feast! We cleaned up and bathed the girls, then they went to bed after saying their goodbyes to the grandparents.

The adults watched the football game and ate pie and Twinkies. Dad Gabe spent some final time with his grandson, and the grandparents were on their way. Now we're on our own - I hope we can keep up with the dishes!