Cute outfit and Gingerbread House

These are from when we were in Alabama. This was an outfit we put Haven in for church. I happen to think it is so super cute. This was the first time we have done a Gingerbread house with Justus. He and Neil had a great time engineering it! I love Holiday Traditions!

Alabama

We had so much fun while in Alabama! It is always great to see my parents. The kids got to experience the great outdoors like not possible in Fresno. They got to go to a Cracker Barrel. Tons of fun and good food! But most importantly, they got to spend time with Grammy and Granddad!

Alabama Starbucks Funny

This is something I thought Id never see - but then, you see it all in Alabama! I hope you can make out the picture. It is a truck hauling a flatbed in the Starbucks drive thru. I was truly aghast!

Atlanta Trip

While in Alabama we also took a few days to go visit my Aunt Carolyn who lives in Atlanta. It is always fun going to see Aunty. Her home is beautiful and there are so many breakable things and priceless items she has. That would sound like a nightmare to bring small children to, but she also has stairs. My kids loved it!! Up and down, up and down, all day long! And of course Aunty had bought tons of toys. We got to go eat at some yummy places like Buckhead Diner and waffle house! I do love me some waffle house! My aunt had arranged for the kids pics to be taken so we went to http://www.carolynwhitmore.com/home.php to have the kids portraits taken. She has a beautiful studio which is an old historic home. Very beautiful! We had a great time!

Thankful for Family

Thanksgiving day was so much fun!! When we visit Alabama, first and foremost we are visiting my parents. But all of my dad's family live close by - they stretch from Birmingham Al, to Atlanta Ga. He comes from a family of 10 kids and he is number 8 in the lineup so I have second cousins my age. We are a close-knit family and they have all been getting together every Thanksgiving since the beginning. Growing up in California, we didnt get to experience it often, but when I lived there for 8 years, it was always fun. We have every age. Haven was the youngest this year, but one is on the way with one of my cousins. Then of course my dads bro Ladsen is the oldest - Im not sure how old tho. It is always encouraging being with my family. Another cool thing is we always can invite friends. Often there are boyfriends/girlfriends that come or neighbors or just friends. No one wants to miss Thanksgiving! This year we had 58. We all claim Christ and there is so much love and support among us. I am thankful to have such a great family!

Yummy Food

We had so much yummy food! Everyone brings their favorites. There are always lots of casseroles - sweet potato, broccoli, vegetable (I didnt see a green bean, but that doesnt mean it wasnt there) tons of turkey (3 to be exact), ham, dressing, Chicken and dumplings (a Southern favorite and only certain people can make it!), baked beans, I cant name them all. It was a whole lotta food! Then of course the desserts - Coconut cake, pies all kinds, chocolate stuff - tons. I made a chocolate pizza - Thanks to Michelle Temples blog. All so super yummy!

Playing at my parents

We were in Alabama from Nov 13 til the 29th celebrating Thanksgiving with my family and visiting my parents. The kids had so much fun. There is so much room for them to roam and play in. My parents live on an acre and 3/4. All the lots in their neighborhood have tons of room. Justus had so much fun exploring with Granddad. I would take them out and let them play near the house, but all the big gross bugs (not to mention ticks and snakes) kept me from taking them to far from the house. However, Granddad is not afraid and he would take Justus all over. One day the neighbors were pouring some concrete (about 54 yards -which is quite a bit) and Dad took Justus over to watch. They had a great time. The men who were pouring let Justus be right in the middle of it all. They spent at least an hour out there if not longer. So much fun!! My parents bought a red trike for Justus to ride, but mostly he played with the toy golf clubs. Haven just dug in the dirt and picked up pine cones and pine needles. They truly had a blast.