Thanksgiving

Lots of people really look forward to the food on Thanksgiving. But for me, having all my seriously awesome family together takes the cake- and even pie. I'm not knocking all that yummy food. I love that too, but it's more of a perk to me.
Since mom's house was full of some of that beloved family, we stayed at my aunt Nancee and uncle Kevin's house. It actually made life a little easier for us because we drove straight to Santa Clarita and didn't have to drive at all on Thanksgiving Day. They have a beautiful and amazing house with a huge yard that backs up to a hill. My kids make the most of their time there each time we visit. This time they climbed trees, looked for new bugs and slugs (you wouldn't think we have mostly girls), played with the cat, tried to hike out of sight a few times, and most of all- pretended. Animals and characters of all sorts. I think they would be happy playing make-believe all day.
This is a leaf maze that they made for the kids. Is that a cute idea or what?

This is the side of their yard. I had to get a picture of how pretty it was. It had just rained and was so beautiful. Nancee gave us a blanket to relax on.

Emma and Sadie played with this cat for about an hour. He/she was so sweet and gentle.

Visiting California sure makes us miss all the green and flowers!

This room has lots of windows and such a warm light. This is the kid table with all the adults getting the kid's food.
Me and my sister Sally.

My grandpa brought some caviar I guess just for people to try out. Here's Amy ready to do it. And Miranda checking out the inside of the jar. I think normally I'm up for trying out new things but the 2 descriptions I heard were: "Super salty" And "extreme fishy taste" So tempting but I passed. Amy's face got a lot more disgusted after the next photo.

Yes, I know this is not the best picture of my 3 sisters trying out that caviar, (good thing they don't check my blog very often) but I love these girls. I feel so grateful to have 3 fun, funny, smart, talented sisters. And 1 very awesome brother who's had to put up with us his whole life. He was there too but I guess I didn't get any pictures of him this time.

Miranda always plays with my crazy, energetic boy and is such a fun aunt. As a mom, that is greatly appreciated!!

Mom carving up the turkey "with real bones in the bottom" as Eli put it.

Grandpa and Grandma Swan- the pair that began it all.

Kids dressed up as Indians before our trip. Holly looks a little more hula girl-ish but she hasn't hit 1st grade yet to make her own stuff. I love this picture because it reminds me of one I have with Sally and Jeff when I was a kid.

The last night we stayed with Sally down in San Diego and I didn't get any pictures but had a great time there too. I'm so thankful for family.

Our Baker

Tonight was the Third Grade musical at Highland Park. There are 5 classrooms and each dressed up as a different profession.Emma made such a cute baker. There were also plumbers, moviestars, sailors, cowboys. She has been so excited for this night and has been singing the songs constantly. It was a really cute show.

It was hard to get a great shot from the second to last row.

Emma and some classmates/friends. All very sweet girls.

Sadie was the star of the back two rows. She goes to anyone that holds their arms out to her. Slightly alarming for me but she made a few grandma's really happy. She just eats up all the attention. Then when they stopped oooing and ahhing quite as much, she started dancing! I'm thinking she may need more individual attention at home because she didn't even want to come back to our family when the show was over. They just couldn't get over how sweet and friendly she was. I wanted to say "...until you try to put her down", but didn't.
Great job sweet pea! You are such a great daughter and sister and person. Thanks for being so fun and teaching me things so often. You bless my life so much. I love you!!!

A Few Things About Me

Jill tagged me and it's a pretty easy one so I'm going for it:

4 Places I go over and over
1. Facebook
2. Blogger
3. Ebay
4. Gap.com
oh...in REAL life
1. Highland Park
2. Target
3. Gas Station
4. Bashas
Now you know why I'm on the computer alot! (hahaha kidding)

4 People who call me regularly
1. Dana
2. Amy
3. Mom Kleven
4. my VT's (they're the best!)

4 Favorite Places to Eat
1. P.F. Changs
2. Carrabas
3. Costa Vida
4. Joes Farm Grill
5. I have to add Tia Rosas

4 Places I'd rather be
1. On a trip with my family
2. On a trip with Dana
3. A Dayspa
4. New York... or a tropical island- I'm not picky

4 People I Love
What's up with this one? Who loves 4 people? I'll have to broaden it a bit
1. My Huband
2. My kids
3. My family I came from
4. Extended family and friends.
Did I get everyone? Any pets I've had even though they aren't people. Plus I REALLY loved my stuffed animals when I was little. I can't leave them out.

4 TV shows I watch
1. The Office
2. The Bachelor
3. Antique's Roadshow (when Dana's not around)
4. Read a book instead

4 People to Tag
1. Amy F.
2. Jenn
3. Jodie (if she ever starts her blog)
4. If you're reading this- go for it!

"God is Love, But Get it in Writing" --Gypsy Rose Lee

One thing that I've always had a natural talent for (if it can be considered a talent) is recording my life and having a strong desire to do so. It's something that is definetly ingrained in who I am. It's also one of the many ways I take after my dad. When he died too early in 2002, his journals became a gift for me and my whole family. When I read the pages that he put his thoughts and feelings onto, he doesn't seem so far away anymore. I assume that he was such a faithful journal writer for the same reasons I am.
First, when I need to think things through, writing it down always helps to figure things out. Also, I guess I just like to share my feelings with whoever reads it-which, so far, has always been me. As a teeneager I would tell my journal that it was my best friend. That sounds kind of weird but when you think about it who else can you say whatever you want to without having them think less of you, or not have to worry about them telling someone else?
So, as a result I now get to remember things that happened in my life with great (sometimes excruciating) detail. This can be somewhat painful. Recalling heartaches/breaks with great clarity, realizing how pathetic and naive and immature you sound when you thought you were very cool, re-experiencing needless worry, etc. But I'm hoping that from my teenage years, the pages will give me some insights to my own kids when they enter that wonderful stage in life. It's also kind of neat to pick a date in the history of my life and be able to see what I was doing usually within a week or so. I sometimes find little tidbits like this: (11/9/89)
And remember things like 10 years ago, in the middle of November 1998, when I was living the "married without kids" life, (similar to being single but more fun) Dana was bringing me flowers, I was getting a seasonal job at the GAP and was dreaming of the day we'd have a baby. When I get to revisit times like that, I feel really grateful for my impulse to write things down. :)

Bike Rider

Thanks to my sister, Emma got a new handed-down bike which I didn't realize how much she needed until I saw her sitting on.

Then looking at Emma's old bike and looking at Holly I started thinking that maybe Holly's big enough now to learn to ride a bike. So Saturday we headed over to Highland High to give it a try. Perfect weather for a bike ride.

Day 1
Ready and willing
Explaining the basics. I have to say my kids are really lucky because Dana seems to have got this down to a science and is an awesome teacher.

Starting to get the hang of it! And Sadie taking notes for the future.

Day 2

Today we went back to get some more practice.
The Experts

Yea Holly!

Every time she fell, she was eager to get back on and try again.
A triumphant smile :)
Not a pro yet but on her way!

Photoshoot for Holly

Thanks to Jill, Holly got some awesome pictures for being 4 years old now. Wow, I thought they turned out great! There are a TON more but these are my favorite ones. Holly was very cooperative since I told her she could have a treat if she was. Love those simple pleasures! My favorite thing about getting so many pictures was how fun it is to see all the many expressions that cross her face that all together make up the girl I know so well and love so much. Jill, you're the best! Okay Holly is begging me to let her write her name on here:
holly

Haunted Porch

After many days of waiting through October, Halloween FINALLY came. For Eli that meant that we got to have our long-awaited haunted porch. Hooray! For those of you who didn't get to experience it first hand, the main scary components were: This little cute "kinda like 'Scream'" masked Grim Reaper standing at the entrance, spooky music, a fog machine, a sound activated floating witch head inside a crystal ball-I wish I would've taken a picture of that one...
Emma the leopard, and part of the time this little witch and Cleopatra, hiding inside our kiddie slide with a black tarp over them spraying everyone's ankles with an air compressor. This actually made most everyone jump and was really funny. I enjoyed watching everyone's faces (especially adults) as they stepped inside trying to cess-out the situation. I found myself wanting to stay and pass out candy rather than take the kids trick-or-treating. Dana and I take turns and it was my turn for trick-or-treating this year. In the end, I'm glad I got to go trick-or-treating. It was priceless watching Sadie toddle up to doorways in her little angel costume and hold out her little pumpkin bucket.
Inside the haunted porch but lit-up from my flash. You can see the black tarp to the left. Emma decided to stay in the haunted porch the whole time and didn't go trick-or-treating at all! That's definetly saying alot.
It was a great Halloween. Thanks Eli for getting us to add some extra fun to the same old thing. I have a feeling the porch may become haunted again next year.