"I am thankful for..."

We did something a little different this year and went around the table and had everyone say something they are thankful for. Starting at the beginning...

Matthew is thankful for Grandma.
Grandma is thankful for her family.
David is thankful for Toby, Nick and Penny.
Chellie is thankful for her family and that everyone is healthy and happy.
Leah is thankful for turkey and Pumpkin (her cat).
I am thankful for my family.
Owen is thankful for 'dan (Indiana) Jones and Star Wars. (We think!)
Jeff is thankful for everything.
Martin is thankful for family, a job, and that he finally met someone great.

Thanksgiving here was nice and somewhat relaxing...other than the cooking of course, but we kept it simple. Good food + good company = great Thanksgiving.

Next year we look forward to seeing all of my brothers and sisters in Illinois.

And Finally...Halloween Pictures!

This Halloween, we had Matthew as our very own Buzz Lightyear

and Leah as a cheetah.

Don't forget our little "Rebel", Owen.

And of course, for their protection, a soldier. AKA David.


(All costumes, courtesy of Alana or Mom or Gamma depending on who needs her.)
Thanks Mom!!!

Yes, We Can!

I voted today...now I know some of you don't think this is not a big deal, but it was for me since it was a first for me. I was actually excited to vote and I am excited that Barack Obama has won the election.

Fun in Disneyland!

We had so much fun at Disneyland and California Adventure, I had to break it up into 3 posts...so last but not least, the details and more pictures.

We got to California on Saturday afternoon (by plane, yay!) and went to Grammy's. Michelle, Daniel and kids got in on Sunday and we all had dinner together, before Jeff and I took the kids to go stay at a hotel by Disneyland for the next 3 nights.
















On Monday we went to Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast...tons of fun...the food was great, the characters came to our table to sign books and take pictures and Goofy invited the kids up to dance every so often.















Then we headed to Disneyland...loved the Halloween decorations they had up...all the pumpkins (not real, of course) shaped like the Disney characters' heads.


This is the outside of the Haunted Mansion.

...more fun in California Adventure!

On Tuesday we went to California Adventure. Do you like candy corn??


Waiting for rides to start...

Playing around in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail!

...and even more fun in Disneyland!

We didn't get enough Disneyland on Monday so we went back on Friday for more rides, fun and fireworks!!!

After lots of rides, we were waiting for fireworks...


And due to technical difficulty, more waiting...



Finally, the fireworks...


On the way home....


The next morning...