We are Thankful for...

FAMILY, and all that comes with it!!!

Thanksgiving weekend we had a full house....

Wednesday: The Johnson's came (Bekie-my sister, Marcus-her husband,and their 4 kids- Emmalee, Jordan, Ethan, Tyler). They also brought Tami (my youngest sister) and their two dogs, Milo and Lucy.
They arrived more then 2 hours ahead of schedule... I scrambled to get last minute errands done and rushed home to find them already in the driveway. Then the real Chaos began... Just kidding, it wasn't that bad. Luckily we had a playroom for the kids. An RV parked in the back for Bek and Marcus. And a spot for all the dogs in the garage- due to the rain. Before we knew it we were able to relax, and catch up. These guys were exhausted though. Apparently they had left at 5am, hence their early arrival.

Thursday: Thanksgiving dinner at the Cacioppo's. They were kind enough to have us all over at their house. What a spread!! SO much delicious food and tons of family around. It was great to mesh our families together and enjoy an excellent holiday! We have SO much to be thankful for.
Thursday night: Larisa and Jack arrive!! With their little chi doggie - named- Max or Flea or FleaMax.

The kids had a blast in their make-shift playroom!

Friday: San Francisco. We were tourists! Fisherman's Wharf. Golden Gate. Lombard St. and saw a bit of China town. Mase was a trooper!! He was a happy guy all the way to the end.

Tami is an awesome photographer and took all of the photos you see (except this one of course). She has done all our families photos since Mike and I were engaged.

Reese, Jack and Max. (left)

It's not easy moving around the city, with a group.

Four out of Eight isn't Bad.......(left)

I have so many photos from SF I'll have to make a slide show for the rest.

Saturday: Coloma- Sutter's Mill. Dinner at Pizzeria Classico in old town Folsom.

The weekend went by way too fast. We enjoyed every minute these guys were here. My only regret is that I hadn't taken more pictures to document it all. Mason loved all the attention he got from his Aunties, Uncles and especially his Cousins - they had him completely captivated. Can't wait to see them again.

Grammy and Grampy

Last weekend we got a visit from my parents... aka Grammy and Grampy Bowerbank. They arrived early Friday evening and it was SO great to see them!! We only had a short time with them so starting early Saturday we packed in the activities.

Sutter's Mill... we've been here a few times and didn't know they did these re-enactments...( a bit bizarre) but seeing the people in costume gave us a taste of what it was like back in the gold rush days... and we learned a lot about the different groups that migrated to the area for gold. Polynesians, Chinese, and so many others from all different races and backgrounds. It was quite a big melting pot...and explains the great diversity that is still here.

Ate the MOST delicious ice cream here! YUM.

Mom, checking out the seamstress house... pretty interesting!

Dad, lookin like he belongs here.

Gomez and Mase taking a breather.

Inside the Mormon cabin. About 10x10 feet and six guys lived here!

A replica of The Mill.

Such a pretty area... we'd like to own some land out here someday.

We later enjoyed dinner, at The Hacienda in Old Town Folsom, with my parents who love to treat us whenever they get the chance. Then with full belly's we headed to the Sacramento Temple which is absolutely beautiful!! I always love to go to the Temple with my Mom and Dad. They are such great examples to us. And it is always a treat to go to such a beautiful place and feel so much peace.

Halloween

Mason's first Halloween! What a fun day we had!

We took the left over chili Gomez made from the chili cook off and brought it to Mike's work for a luncheon they were having. We got to meet Mike's co-workers (who were all very nice) and Mason was the center of attention. We didn't dress him up though because it was 80 something degrees and his costume is a heater.
When we got home Mas took a good nap and then it was off to trick or treat with the Cacioppos.
Papa Gomez and Mimi met us there and brought pizzas! Mason was a skeleton and Lilian a beautiful ballerina. It was fun to see the neighborhood full of kids running from house to house decked out in costume.

The pea pod outfit... I bought this for him in August thinking I was so ahead of the game. I didn't take into account that he is growing at warp speed. I had to take this one back. So cute though!



Mason would disagree.... He'd rather be in his birthday suit!!