End of October and November

The fall around these parts is the rainy season. In the Summer we had NO rain; Kind of a strange concept for this Florida girl. Truthfully, it has been a nice change of pace for us to have some different weather (Not that we didn't LOVE 70 degrees with clear skies all the time!). The girls liked going out in the rain and splashing around, playing cushion jump (I think they call it) and doing some indoor activities.
For Thanksgiving, my Sister, Wendy and her husband and daughter came to visit. It was such fun to have them with us!!! This was my first year making the Thanksgiving meal. We have always been at Kenneth's parents' or somewhere else. I enjoyed the culinary challenge and Kenneth made me feel fabulous all weekend with his rave reviews of the food. I think my favorite part about this time of year is kicking of the Christmas season. Sure, I like Thanksgiving alright, but I LOVE the Christmas season. And, as soon as Thanksgiving is over it's time for Christmas!!! I probably enjoy the season more than the actual day itself I think! This year we kicked off the season by going to the lighting of temple hill in Oakland. It was fun to attend the musical program and to see the lights on the first day of the season. So, enjoy our November in review:

Emma and Arianna playing in the rain in our backyard.

Is that the face of pure joy or what?!

Painting: a favorite rainy day activity

Arianna was really quiet one day and I went to find out what she was doing and this is what I found! She was putting shoes on all of her animals! At least she wasn't destroying something!

Come join the cereal party! This is usually the scene in our house circa 6:05 am.

Riding bikes on the back patio. One day Emma ran her bike into Arianna's tricycle and said- boy there's a lot of traffic out here! (Can you tell we have been in DC and The Bay area the last 1 1/2 years of her life!?)

Here is Emma on her new bike. It took her 3 months to earn it! (Sticker charts and learning sight words)

Pillow jump!!!

Future MD?

The girls helping to make treats for Thanksgiving weekend.

Grant got a hold of one in the process!

Arianna snuggling Uncle John.


Emma snuggling Uncle John watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He was a popular man around here.

While we (my sister, my neice and myself) were busy doing this on Thanksgiving. . .

Emma was doing this!!!!

Mikelle looked over and said, "Do you want her doing that?" Luckily nothing broke.


Be. . Our. . . Guest! Be Our Guest! Put our Service to the test! Here is our Thanksgiving Feast!

Here we all are sitting down to eat.

My sister Wendy and I with my Uncle Dwight and Aunt Amelia. They came down to see us all the day after Thanksgiving.

The children covering Daddy with the Christmas fabric. (Grant is getting a molar, can you tell?)

Lights at the Oakland Temple

Here we are in front of the temple. It happened to be pretty chilly that night.