GIVING THANKS

We started out our Thanksgiving Vacation with the

"DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING PARADE"

in Loomis!

It really is the cutest parade!

We love it!

These guys were a hit as they marched up the street putting on a performance where in the end the "turkey" gets shot at!

And this TURKEY paraded around with a sign saying "DON'T EAT ME!"

But in the end. . .

SANTA COMES!

(this time we saw a little more of Santa then we had planned for when he stood up his pants were not)

My kids had a blast!

Especially since so much candy was thrown this year!

We spent Thanksgiving with all of Kyle's family.

I lost count.

I know there were 13 kids. . . who cares how many adults when there are that many kids running around in one house!

It was crazy wonderful!

Goodbye Thanksgiving!

Hello Christmas!

And this guy is just CRAZY!

Visit from Grandpa

Last week Grandpa Mangelson came to visit!

YEAH!

He had a business trip in San Jose which is about 2 hours away from us so he flew in a little early, drove 2 hours to see us, ate dinner and desert with us and then drove 2 hours back for his business trip!

NOW THAT'S A GRANDPA'S LOVE!

The kids had a great time looking at videos of Uncle Kasey in his school play on the computer with Grandpa. . .

And these two had a great time reacquainting with each other

(remember back to my Grandpa's funeral)

She loved to run and jump on him!

But Grandpa really won her over when he let her use his camera!

(She's not allowed to even think about touching mine)

Here's a quick little video of all the fun we had with Grandpa!

Thanksgiving Feast with the Pilgrims and the Indians

The stage was set. . .

The Pilgrims and the Indians all met together. . .

(in one rather small room I might add)

For the THANKSGIVING FEAST!

And this particular Pilgrim was pretty excited about the whole thing!

The FEAST included:

Beef Stew

Corn Muffins

Beef Jerky

Apple Cider

and

The BIGGEST Piece of Pumpkin Pie this 5 year old has ever eaten!

I'd say the FEAST was a SUCCESS!

Oh, and he makes a pretty fierce Indian too!

They call him

LOUD THUNDER!

As his mom, I scared to know how they came up with that name. . .

APPLE HILL

Larsen Historic Apple Tree

for our

Annual Family Picture

(Kale pointed out there were dead apples inside the hole and Kristopher just had to take a look)

You can't blame me for trying to get a picture with all three of my children at least looking at the camera right?

It was the most beautiful day - just look at those colors!

He loves her so much!

He tried to teach her how much fun it is to play in the leaves!

He's my poser! Love him!

Here we have another attempt at getting a picture of my three kids. . .

Maybe if we throw the leaves up in the air. . .

Maybe not!

I guess they just needed something to hold!

And she didn't let that apple out of her hands the entire day!

This year we found a hay maze and the kids had a blast!

And they spent forever on the Nature Trail!

And one last attempt at a picture. . .

Oh well!

But the main reason we go to Apple Hill

THE WALKING PIE!

And this year it was straight out of the oven,

look at that steam!

Another successful year!

Ever feel like this?

This past week has been a downer.

It seemed like around every corner I was hearing about someone going through something awful.

It started with a funeral last Monday,

then I had some family drama, (which makes me very sad)

then we found out our neighbor died,

then we had some friends tell us they are moving,

and to top it off

the swine flu is everywhere!

I just know so many people right now who are struggling with so many things!

I'm one who really likes to look for the positive.

It's just hard when you know it's other people who are struggling!

I want everyone to Feel Like THIS!

Who has some good news to share?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Nothing like waiting until the very last minute at our house. . .

And so we carved pumpkins on Halloween Morning!

These two had a great time!

This one. . .

not so much.

(shocker) 

I surprised everyone with Halloween donuts to enjoy while carving!

We then headed off to Kale's Halloween Baseball game!

And then to Grandma and Grandpa's for a Campfire, Chili, and Trick or Treating with these fun friends!

Kyle didn't want to dress up for Trick or Treating - 

so we compromised.

 I bought him this T-shirt (he now has his trick or treating costume from now until forever) and I found this awesome spider web cape 60% off and made myself  into what I call a "black widow"????

It was fun!

This one decided he had had enough BATMAN for this year - so Ninja it was for Halloween night!

This one found this little number tucked away in the halloween bin

and hasn't taken it off since Halloween!

(it's quite fitting - why didn't I think of it sooner?)

And this one was way too cute as a kitty cat to change anything about her costume this year!

And Grandma agreed!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!