Thanksgiving!

We had an splendid Thanksgiving! My grandparents flew up from California, and along with my parents, brother, Jordan and the girls, we packed out our tiny house for a few days. But it was wonderful. It is incredible to me that my daughters have a growing relationship with their GREAT grandparents. How amazing is THAT!? Here's evidence of the fun...

I know you!

Raegan and Great Grandma Grace remembering last year...

And Great Grandpa remembered too!

My grandparents met Anabelle for the first time~

Love at first sight~ she crawled over and climbed right into her lap!

And smooches from Great Grampa~

Lunch anyone?

Thanksgiving Day!

Our Thanksgiving table...

Smokin' mashed potatoes.

"To me!" Raegan toasted, and Grandma was happy to agree.

My grown up girl drinking from her glass.

And a couple more special friends came for dinner:)

The whole family!

I am a blessed woman.

Snow before Thanksgiving!?

This first round of photos is from yesterday, as the very first snow fall of the year was beginning to come down. Notice, there are no visible snowflakes in these pictures. However, we caught a few on our tongues and enjoyed the phenomenon of seeing white in the sky before Thanksgiving...

And then it happened: A REAL SNOWFALL, and it stuck! It's cold out there, but Daddy and Raegan got all cozied up in their snow-gear and made a big snowgirl. Anabelle and I warmly watched mostly from the window inside. All four of us put on the finishing touches and then made some yummy hot chocolate in our snowman mugs! I LOVE this time of year, and what a treat to get a few inches of early snowfall... Ahhh...

Oh, and this of course goes without saying: Christmas music has been blasting all day!

8 months old.

Anabelle is our little explorer these days. All over the house, scooting around with her terrific little army crawl. And the way she smiles is completely breathtaking. Her face slowly transforms into a sunbeam when you look into her eyes. Really, it's like slow motion, all the muscles in her face working in conjunction to put on the most incredible display of pure joy anyone's ever witnessed.

Her eyes aren't exactly blue, but not quite green... guess we'll have to wait and see! Her hair has lightened, but is still a bit darker than her sisters was. I love how much they look alike, and I adore the differences.

Every day I try to cradle her rock her with the consciousness that she won't be a baby very much longer. Notice how I said try? That's not because I'm too busy or forgetful, it's because she's a squirmy little wiggle worm! But the end of the day is a sweet sweet time between us.

And look who I found, standing in her crib?

WHAT?!

She was JUST born!!

Or maybe that was about 8 months ago...

Eight months!

Sigh.

SF Giants win the World Series!

It's the first time in my dad's lifetime that HIS team has won the World Series. So, not only was there cheering at our house last night when the team flooded the field, but there were also a few tears shed across the state at my parents'.

GO GIANTS!

(homemade sweet chili, cornbread muffins and lemonade)

Brian Wilson's arm cross, right after his winning pitch!

Wanna know what his sign means? Click here!