Sisters' Trip & New Years Eve!

 A rare event, these two sisters took a super-quick road trip to Central California!

Sunrise on the road.

Snow through the Grapevine. Snowy owl mascot on the inside.

First stop, Oakdale! Fun seeing our cousin and her "farm"!

Walking the trail behind her property.

Helping to round up the chickens for bedtime.

Thanks to the Turners for being our gracious hosts!

Next stop, San Francisco!

We fought hard for a parking spot on the Headlands, but the view on this beautiful day was worth it!

This was M's first time back in 20 years! She was due for another trip.

View from the top of the Lombard Street.

The fire hose-shaped Coit Tower. 

Franciscan sourdough bread bowl on Pier 39! 

Clang! Clang! Clang! went the trolley.

Photobombed by Alcatraz.

Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

And thanks to our long-time friends, the McVeys, for hosting us!

Thankful for safe travels and fun sister time!

A few days later, we got to ring in the New Year with this wild bunch!

 The family talent show was a big hit.

The Sonny & Cher act was a real crowd-pleaser. 

 Wonder Woman and her Kitty.

Ready for the countdown to 2017!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Season: Part 2

Merry Christmas!

Christmas cookie decorating with cousins!

The whole bunch together for the first time at Christmas.

Girls' Christmas Tea Party with Gigi.

So happy to have her Illinois cousins around.

Making a gingerbread house with Daddy.

Christmas Part 1 started off in San Clemente.

Nice job, Gigi, for finding matching pajamas for everyone!

Surprising the neighbors with Christmas carols.

Christmas Part 2 was a blast with family in El Cajon!

Heading to the Christmas Eve service at Shadow Mountain. 

Candlelight service.

And for L's December birthday, we celebrated with a delicious dinner at Wood Ranch BBQ in San Diego. 

Such a fun month with family!

Greek Birthday Party!

For Z's 7th birthday, she requested a Greek-themed party! Xronia Polla to our Greek girl!

The Greek corner.

Cupcakes with edible Greek flags.

Everyone's name written out in Greek (to label the cups), and Z's birthday sign in Greek.

It was a fun combo of modern and ancient Greek, including this Greek fisherman here and Greek goddesses.

Z and her cousins from Illinois!

Rockin' the Greek goddess dresses.

Yiayia and Papou, always so photogenic!

The lovely Thea "Ourania" and her brother.

The original Meadows four having fun with the Greek photo booth props.

The Greek feast.

 

Zeus made an appearance at the Olympic games and threw candy at the kids as they tried to catch him in the backyard. The kids also enjoyed a game of "Pin the Tail on the Pegasus."

 

Glow-stick ring toss! The adults even joined in on this one.

 

This "fresh-off-the-boat Greek" even accompanied the singing of "Happy Birthday" on the Greek mandolin.

Make a wish, "Koula" (doll)!

More photo booth fun.

 

Yiayia knitted hats for all of the kids, so sweet!

Who knew we could get hours of laughs out of fake mustaches?!

 

This was the cousins' first time meeting Z's Greek family!

 

 We might have had too much fun.

Opa! Happy Birthday to our Greek girl! Xronia Polla!