November: Thanksgiving at the Ranch

We rang in the holidays with a trip to Zoolights.  It was spectacular - lots of new light displays, and since we were there mid-week in between rainstorms, there were no crowds. There was no wait for the train, so we went for it.  We're excited for all the new zoo habitats (and new train route) to be installed in the next few years.

We went back to the zoo a few weeks later to meet Lily, the Oregon Zoo's new baby elephant.  She frolicked and skipped for us, playing with her water dish. What a cutie!  Her mama, Rose-Tu, is doing a great job.   It will be special to watch Lily grow up, just as Grandpa watched Packy grow up.

We spent a special, adventurous and delicious Thanksgiving at Sean's family's ranch in California.  Sunny had a blast with Sean's nephew Walden, and we loved the warmth and welcome his whole family showed us.  Grandma and Grandpa joined the fun, too!  We explored Hearst Castle for the first time, and I'd expected Sunny to be thrilled: a real castle!  But she slept through most of our time on the hill.

As soon as we returned to Portland, we got busy Christmas-izing. In this pic, Sunny's enjoying some apple cider at Al's Garden Center, where we found our Christmas tree.  I got it lit and decorated, and put up most of our exterior lights, before December 1st.  I was so excited: I love the holiday season with our family.