Thanksgiving break was full of travel, beach time, hiking, eating, shopping, and Christmas decorating! We decided to put up the tree early this year-- it was so nice to have the kids hang most of the ornament balls! Made my job easy! Evelyn set up our nativity scenes; Anna promptly began playing with most of these scenes and hasn't stopped since! It's very cute-- she takes Mary and baby Jesus everywhere she goes (much to my dismay!) I bought the kids their own little trees for their rooms-- big big hit.
It was such a blessing-- last month I was telling my friend that I loved my tree, but it was just too short for our new home! The ceilings are so so high and it just didn't look right! Well, coincidentally, her tree was too TALL for her home that had just this year been remodeled! She had taken down her high ceilings to add a loft on the 2nd floor, so her tree would no longer fit! She wanted to trade trees! Can you imagine my happiness as I knew Blake would not be a fan of buying a new tree! And it's absolutely beautiful...such a lucky trade!
We had a fabulous time meeting up with old friends throughout the break. The Blattmans were in town and we met up at Del Mar. Anna and Grace were fast friends. Evelyn refused to wear her swimsuit-- stating she had no intention of swimming in November. Upon arrival, she regretted the choice and jumped in fully clothed-- ha! Her favorite part was holding little Harrison-- Blattmans new baby. We also enjoyed a really fun evening with our old Brooklyn buddies... we played a new game "Ticket to Ride" SO fun! It's on our Christmas wish list! We set out a carmel apple bar and the kids loved that. So fun to reunite with these old neighbors of ours. We loved visiting Legoland with friends (Brinkleys). The Legoland pass has been wonderful this year! We've SO enjoyed our days at the park-- it's been fun to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa- and with friends. It's always a blast.
We spent a good portion of the month talking about gratitude and expressing our appreciation for all of our many blessings. We created a thankful leaf garland! I taught in the kids' classrooms and at Activity Days a fun lesson on gratitude. Then we made grateful heart rocks as reminders to have a grateful heart. I love my calling.
And speaking of grateful.... it was such a fun Thanksgiving up in Orange County and Los Angeles with Blake's family. The food was delicious, kids were so well behaved; so great to meet up with great aunts and uncles, cousins, and the like! Nancy even took the kids to a movie on Black Friday so I could shop the deals. Blake and I had a great time that night at Balboa Theatre seeing the finalists for "Last Comic Standing". So grateful for a husband who did ALL the Christmas shopping for the boys on-line! A husband who went to Target at 10pm on the Eve of Thanksgiving since I had forgotten to pack my dress shoes for the club! Ha! He face-timed me so I could choose a decent pair.
So grateful for my wonderful family -- I miss them during the holidays! So grateful for my children and for Blake's family who are so wonderful. Thanksgiving is the best.
