San Diego, North Carolina, Maryland, Oh My!

Back in Maryland, at the end of November - after a month of travel - we cut down the perfect 2011 Bates Christmas Tree.

 

Photo Credits: Noah Bates

 

We spent Thanksgiving in Chapel Hill, NC with family - four grandsons all together!  Here are Grey, Ian (both 2) and Cameron (1) rub a dubbin'.

Beyond eating and visiting, we got Christmas trees, took hayrides and kept up with the Twilight movie series!

 My sister, Carly and her family.
  Cam - below in his blue hat.

 My new slipper duds!

 Grey

 Signature look by Ian

 The last night in NC, Carly and I got together with my UNC ladies over margaritas and Mexican at our old stomping grounds - Monterrey's.  We took many a 'study break' here while at Carolina!

Right before Thanksgiving, Connor and I may have lost our heads for a moment and decided to squeeze in a quick trip to San Diego (Connor was  there for work and I joined while the boys played with Grandma).  Del Mar, La Jolla, Coronado Island, downtown San Diego, Torrey Pines Park - we hiked down to  beaches, sat by fire pits, toured, and hung out with some of our best buddies who were also in town!  Definitely a memorable time.

 

 

 Halloween 2011 was also very memorable - we spent it in Chapel Hill, NC with family.  The first house Ian hit, he ran straight in and to the back.  Welcome home!  He is doggie below.  Cameron is the dinosaur.