Does this picture location ever get old?

I have absolutely no idea how many pictures I have taken at this same spot with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. It would have to be close to 50 or more. I can't help myself. I can think of at least 5 Christmas cards I have sent and each year I still think, "Maybe we should go to the Golden Gate Bridge and take our Christmas picture there." I clearly have a bit of a fetish with this particular landmark. I just never tire of it and it is always stunning to me no matter how often I see it. The bridge always seems to have that little fog at the top and I love how it is just suspended over the bay with all the sailboats around it with San Francisco in the background. Each year I look forward to the day after Thanksgiving because we head into San Fran and run the bridge. This year was extra fabulous because I actually ran it. Usually I walk with Ella and Charlie while everyone else runs but this year Nicholas wanted to walk so I got to run too and I have to say it was a real treat. The only difference is this year we were missing people. The Christensen's who usually join us were on a cruise and the John and Ann family only brought Elliott because Rachel had a soccer game and well Madeline was sleeping. They couldn't even stay in the city and eat breakfast because they had to get to Rachel's game. What high school has a game the day after Thanksgiving--come on and give the poor families a break!This is the picture you will see some version of several times a year--I can't help it!

Ella's turned out to be one of the best breakfast places I have been to. My southwestern eggs benedict were unbelievable. Ella's orange french toast was a close second.

I am grateful to live 30 min from this San Francisco landmark which takes my breath away every time I see it.

For this I am Grateful

Just look at this table! Is there a more gorgeous display of food then the Thanksgiving table. I have a tiny confession though and I hope it doesn't hurt any feelings. It shouldn't because I know secretly that everyone must think that their food tastes the best. However I am pretty sure we have the best tasting meal on the planet. I am not in any way patting myself on the back because Ann really does everything that makes it splendid. We share all the responsibilities but since it is at her house she is responsible for all the important items like the turkey, stuffing and oh my goodness let me just pause to say that her stuffing is the best. It has things that stuffing usually does not have. Things that are totally unexpected like dried apricots and dried cherries. No really I dream about it from year to year. The things I do like the potatoes and beans Tom does and well he is a bit of a chef and so they are even extra special. OK I do one thing to contribute--the rolls and honey butter and I am not going to lie they are pretty amazing. Ann the Thanksgiving chef extraordinaire and well me.

Me and my little Ella

Nicholas, Tom Benjamin, Ella and truly my live in chef Tom

Ella, Benjamin, John, Ann and Zona

Madeline, Nicholas, Rachel

Since Charlie sleeps for hours every afternoon He sort of missed Thanksgiving. I woke him up at 5:00 but he still was not quite ready to eat. Oh that's right he doesn't eat anything but cold cereal. That's right Charlie had Kix for Thanksgiving dinner. What do you do with that?

He finally perked up though and Katy put these beauties on and captured this picture. Now thats funny!

So after moving to California 11 1/2 years ago I have not missed a Thanksgiving meal over at Ann's and that is what I am grateful for today.