thankful for....

Yes, this has been a very difficult year. But despite the sorrow, sadness, hard times, and fear of the unknown, it only takes a quick glance around to know there is so much to be thankful for.

One of the things I am most thankful for today was the opportunity to spend a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with my dear family. It was wonderful to catch up with aunts, uncles, and cousins whom I hadn't seen in many, many years. We are so grateful for their amazing hospitality, and look forward to doing it all again sometime soon (certainly before another two decades slip by).

Following are just a few of my favorite shots from this lovely get-together.


A fabulous dinner complete with great food, and amazing company (all 33 of us).


Running off some of the extra calories with a little game of Red Light, Green Light out in the "pasture".



Is there a better place to hang out and chit-chat (and eat pie) than outside by a bonfire?


Grandmas who aren't afraid of going on a little adventure....a good thing!


The girls had tons of fun playing with their cousins Jorja & Anna.


Fresh pomegranates right from the tree....Yummo!




An aunt, an uncle, and a little pony named Cookie who really know how to make two little girls' days!

I truly am so THANKFUL for my beautiful family. No matter what this next year has in store for us I know we will be loved and supported. And really, in the grand scheme of things, who could ask for anything more?

enjoying the splendors

Okay, I guess fall is not so bad. We're definitely enjoying all it has to offer.



Baked up a batch of these yummy pumpkin apple muffins for a "Muffin Monday" we hosted for our playgroup. So delicious.



Of course, nothing says fall like playing in the leaves. And we have plenty of them.



(Love that he can still have fun when there's work to be done!)


And then there was Halloween. Dressing up, free candy, hanging out with your best buddies....does it get any better?





Now it's time to gear up for a big Thanksgiving reunion of sorts. We are headed to my Aunt Sue and Uncle David's home in northern California. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I haven't seen my Aunt, Uncle and cousins for more than 15 years. With over 40 people planned to be there so far it should be quite the "party". As I said, I guess fall isn't all that bad....at least not this one!

FOUR!

Can't believe our little "Punkin Pie" just turned FOUR on Monday! She twisted our arms (okay, she didn't have to twist all that hard) to allow her to have a party with all her friends at Chuck E. Cheese's. The excitement on her face all evening was well worth it! It truly brought joy to my heart!



We are so proud of her for the little lady she is turning out to be, and can't wait to see what is in store for her this next year. Here are just a few snippets of what she's been up to lately:

*She has started reading, and is performing basic addition
*She continues to have a lust for learning, and truly loves nothing more than reading stories
*She has become quite the social butterfly....always quick to make a friend at the park or at other social gatherings
*Although social, she continues to be an easy-going, quiet, and conteplative child
*She started dance class last month, and is loving every minute of it
*She can't wait to attend school, and talks about it all the time
*Her memory of small details continues to amaze us
*She loves to dress up, and is really into imaginative play
*She loves all things princesses, but is also eager to run, jump, climb and play outdoors
*She adores spending time with her grandparents
*She is a great big sister

They really do mean it when they say it goes so fast. But what an amazing journey it is!