Thanksgiving

Our annual caramel apple cranberry pie making. Isabella told Benjamin- "This is me and Mommy's tradition. But when you get bigger you can help us more."

 My assistant helping me make rolls while we were waiting for the parade to start. 

 Thanksgiving at Mom's house. 

Happy Thanksgiving!! We had a great day getting to spend time with both of our families and a wonderful break getting to have Michael home from work for several days! We have so, so much we are grateful for.

November in pictures

He loved this craft from mother's day out!

He told me we were going to the alumni homecoming dinner for work, but instead had made reservations for a date night. So fun! 

Early morning shenanigans

 Crazy sock day for red ribbon week at school 

 Nothing like trying to get dinner ready while having someone pulling on you and meowing like a cat.... :) 

Lots of camping in their new birthday tent from Aunt Julie.

Watching the Charlie Brown thanksgiving movie.

 Ice storm aftermath

Cookie class with my mom. It was so fun!!

The Bryan family

I go way back with the Bryan's. Bill and I were in 5th grade together back in the day when Peyton Fox punched me in the face and it made Bill so mad. And we met Amy through her dating Bill and all ended up being good friends and each other's weddings. I always ask what shots people want most in their sessions, and Amy said she just would really like a picture with her youngest daughter smiling because she doesn't really smile when they've had family pictures taken in the past. No pressure right?! Haha! It was fun to meet up with them and we ended up getting a few smiles out of Emily.

Bed time story

"Reading" Curious George and the ice cream truck to himself before bed and laughing all about it. I love the way he says Curious George right now. :)

OC Homecoming

It was homecoming at OC a couple of weeks ago. We went to the parade in the morning. There were some great floats this year! We went to lunch with my family and then raced home to get Isabella ready to carry the crown for the "coronation" as she had been calling it.

Our friends from the church we go to at the beach were in town to watch their daughter (#13 play). So we got to catch up with them while we waited for it to be time for Isabella to go back for her duties.

After it was over she said: I was a little nervous with all of those people looking, but MOM!! It was SO great!!

They are developing a new area on campus called "Hartman Place" in honor of my grandparents and extended family members. Isabella is standing on rocks in the dry creek bed there. Its going to look great when its all completed!

She really enjoyed herself! ("It was my first real coronation, Mom! Just like Elsa's!" My girl is very expressive and feels all the big feelings. :)