Our Thankful Home

Just a few photos of some of the decorations in our home this blessed Thanksgiving season....

Homemade pumpkins from scraps I've had for years...

 My sign...used mod podge and a 4x4 to create this...

Little acorns so lovingly collected in Yosemite...



I love digiscrapping!

I made this to print and put somewhere in my house. If I could DIGISCRAP all day I would!!!!!

Our Happy Birthday!

Oh my goodness time is certainly aflying...here we are into November and I am just upoading mine and Ava's birthday pictures. I have tons more to add-we went to the zoo, I've decorated the house for fall, we went to Yosemite...all of which have been SO much fun. As most people know, Ava and I share our special day on September 17th. We always have a lot of fun celebrating together. This year was no different. Enjoy the photos commemorating our special time!

On Thursday the 16th, Ava had been really wanting to get her jeep fixed. (which had been vandalized while parked at our church, sadly)

So daddy fixed it and she was quite anxious to get her mad driving skills flowing so she took Caeden out on a special trip. I jogged behind with my camera...great form of exercise by the way!!!

Here she is beaming while Caeden hides his face from the birthday paparazzie.

I couldn't resist snapping a photograph of this gorgeous crape myrtle bloom....

                              And the first glimmer of fall...(although up until yesterday the weather has resembled a full blown Indian Summer

with temps in the high 80's to low nineties) Then, while on this special birthday drive-walk-jog, we stumbled upon a garden planted in a vacant lot. Aren't these pumpkins beautiful?



That evening, we headed to Visalia, and met Nonnie and Poppy at our very favorite Chinese restaurant, Canton! We love love LOVE Canton. 

Famous and best loved "Red Chicken"

Another huge hit, "Shrimp Honey Walnut". YUM!!! 

Here is the little birthday girl sitting on Poppy's lap. I think he might be singing her a song.

After Canton's, we went to Nonnie and Poppy's house and this was Ava's special cupcake.

My cake.

Presents!

Her very own camera

ahhhhh...help for my quest for organization....

And...a fun game of CANDYLAND!!!

Ava and Me

The night didn't go by without Caeden getting a lil sumpmsumpm

I love these...singing the Happy Birthday song to herself...this last picture captures her excitement so plainly!

My lovely cake and it's way too many candles!

The next morning, there were more presents from Mommy and Daddy....

A card with $6.....

And then....we left for LA!!!!

Our first stop...

And don't forget the.....

BLOOMIN' ONION!!!!!!!

Such a pretty face....

After we stuffed ourselves like pigs, (and nearly had to sell a kid to pay the bill) we continued towards LA where we surprised the princess with a visit to.......

Was she EVER SURPRISED and EXCITED!!!!!!!

She knew just which doll she wanted...

There she is!

Ava meets Lanie...

Best Friends!

Wait we have to pay!!!

Overall, it was an AMAZING birthday for us both! I am so thankful for my little blessing Ava Katrielle and the joy she brings to my life each and every day. Her life is a symbol of grace and mercy to me; I love her so very much.