Thanksgiving

Unlike last years rainy Thanksgiving, we woke up to a gorgeous blue sky! And also unlike last year (and most years) we didn't host dinner at our house. My mom flew to Utah with her sister to spend the holiday with my cousin, my brother went to have dinner with his wife's family, and we spent the afternoon with my dad.

We spent the morning down at the beach walking around the tide pools. I had flash backs of being a kid with my dad. He always took my brother and I down to the tide pools.

Will and I came home and made a few side dishes, and a turkey, to take with us. The evening was peaceful.

The girls had fun telling jokes and playing "horsey" with grandpa...even got to feed him carrots!

Visit with Grandpa Dave and Gaby

We had a nice visit with Grandpa Dave and Gaby earlier this month. It was fun to hang out with them down at the Del and the weather was beautiful. The girls enjoyed jumping on the bed in their room...one of the best parts about staying in a hotel...that is always the first thing my girls do!

Thanksgiving break so far...

We started our Thanksgiving break with a garage sale. We are so thankful for all the friends who donated items to be sold. Aiana is raising money for her 8th grade East Coast trip and was able to raise a good amount. We had the little rascals watching over the sale :)

We have been having the most gorgeous days this week. The girls and I are enjoying hanging out together and just being silly. We enjoyed a little bike ride the other day, then a beautiful day at the beach. I'm so thankful for these amazing blue skies and warm weather and 3 awesome girls to enjoy it all with! Life is good...God is good!

Today I got to play around taking pictures of Aiana and a friend of hers. They're so cute, it was an enjoyable teen moment :) (because yes...there are un-enjoyable teen moments!)

Thanksgiving feast #1

Caylin had a little Thanksgiving feast on her last day of school before break. The kids looked so cute in their little paper hats and vests, and noodle necklaces. I had a great time taking pictures to share with her teacher...and having an excuse to hang around to watch my girl play. :)

Just felt like shootin' my kids today :)

So I did just that!

I am lovin' these woodsy shots. I had so much fun taking these photos. I have a vision in mind for a family photo...now if I can just get all of us in one picture!

I'm 2!!!

Anika is 2! I can't believe we are so close to ending the baby season (ok, she's not a baby), but once she's out of diapers it will be significant! We didn't plan anything big this year. I just brought cupcakes with us to our home fellowship group, which was perfect! Anika has changed so much this year. She loves counting, and trying to figure things out and how they work. She loves giraffes and talking about their long necks. She loves singing hush little baby, and Jesus loves me. I love looking into her twinkling eyes and holding her close. I just find myself taking in every little moment of these last bits of babyness (my own word). Oh how I cherish them.

Anika shows she's two by holding up two fingers on separate hands. Then she put her fingers together and very proud said "house, I made a house".

Hair chaos

Caylin and Anika love playing in the car these days. Well today was one of those days where I got a little carried away enjoying the fact that they were playing so nicely. I was sitting on the porch reading, then suddenly realized it was way too quiet for way too long. I poke my head into the jeep to check on these little rascals and I find two little sisters sitting in a mess of band aids and hair! Then I see Caylin with these tiny first aid scissors and a ton of new bangs! She told me that her hair was in her eyes. Ironically I was just thinking I needed to take her in for a trim. She cut little pieces throughout her hair, so her hair felt a lot thinner too. After cleaning up the mess I realized that she had given Anika a cut too. Anika's cute little curl that fell right in the middle of her forehead...gone. The left side of her head had hair about an inch shorter than the other side also. So I went ahead and made appointments for haircuts to get things looking decent. Here are some before and afters, although the photos don't really show the damage.

My little orphan Annie

Anika's mug shots

being so patient

Treat time