We went on a train ride through the woods of Berkeley with our cousins and Auntie Megan. All had a great time. After the train ride, we visited the small farm up at Tilden Park. Cows and stinky pigs were great entertainment and a chance to run around and explore the world. We had to take advantage of Daniel's week off school.
Grandma and Grandpa with all nine grandkids. There will be at least one more next Thanksgiving.
Auntie Nikki organized a cute turkey and pilgrim hat cookie craft for the kids. There was only a little snitching and snickers.
The kids had their Thanksgiving dinner first then Grandma's office was turned into a movie theater complete with popcorn and Polar Express. This held their attention long enough for the grown ups to eat.
Kia sent out feathers to all of us a couple weeks prior to the feast. We all wrote what we were thankful for and she assembled this Thanksgiving Turkey. We have so much to be thankful for. It's difficult to keep perspective on how very much we have, an abundance of family, food, shelter and love. When I consider that the great majority of people in our world live on less than $10 a day, many have no access to safe drinking water and so many more hardships, I am humbled by the abundance that we have been entrusted with...to share with those who need what we can give to just live one more day.
We visited the Aquarium of the Bay this week while Daniel had the week off of school. Thanks to the library for giving us free passes through Discover & Go! We had a great time seeing all of the aquatic life, jelly fish and petting rays, starfish and anemonies.
Gavin is so excited to be three, and to be celebrated and to finally have his special day after watching both of his brother's have their birthdays. It seems like he's been waiting forever for this day to come. Gavin brings so much joy to our home. He's also our alarm clock waking up regularly between 5 and 6 am almost every morning. He's 37" tall, a great napper and very cuddly. He loves his brothers, cousins and buddies. He can spend an hour or so solid playing with legos and has great dexterity for his young fingers.
We celebrated all week. A few of his cousins and aunties came for a little celebration on Saturday. Auntie Megan brought this awesome Lightning McQueen cake.
Gavin loves his newest cousin, Travis. Seen here is Gavin's new camera smile...with utmost sincerity.
On Sunday, we celebrated Thanksgiving along with Gavin's birthday with Raena, Melody, Faye. Gavin won the wishbone split.
There was lots to explore and discover at the Exploratorium. The kids and moms all had a fun time. Yay free tickets from the library!
Yay Gavin! He is a champion at using the big boy potty! So after roughly 22,000 diapers over the course of 6 years I've just had my first week without changing diapers. Yes, this is the first time in over six years that I haven't had a kid in diapers. I'm loving it. And I'm so proud of Gavin. He's all ready to turn 3 now.
Lassen Peak
By the end of October, most campgrounds in this area were already closed for the winter. We camped on the shore of Lake Almanor and had the lake to ourselves but for a few scattered boats. It was a beautiful, tranquil morning on the lake. I got up to see the sun rise through mist rising endlessly from the still waters.
The boys enjoyed some skinny dipping in the chilly water on a brisk autumn morning. Just minutes before, Daniel was in tears pleading to stay in the motor home because it was too cold to go on an adventure outside.
Vincent led Gavin on an early morning expedition while George finished cooking bacon and eggs on the shore in his long johns...because that's what you do when you have the lake to yourself (except for the mansions on the other side belonging to the likes of Chuck Norris) who may or may not have been watching our activities through high powered telescopes.
