The Ceramic Pumpkin

Each year at Golden View the art teacher has a special ceramic project. In first grade, the kids get to make a ceramic pumpkin.

Here's Bailey with her handmade pumpkin

Here's a close-up!

Hmmm, I wonder what next year's project will be??

The Little Visitor ~ Stuffs

While we were at Bachan and Grandpa's house, Bailey lost her tooth...Last night she placed it in her tooth box and look what she found this morning!

The tooth fairy filled her tooth box with quarters! She was just thrilled!

Gregory wanted to share his blue tongue

Here she is with her treasure!

Now, they are working on making more ornaments for our tree

We're taking it easy today...Tomorrow is back to school

Thanksgiving in LA

On Tuesday morning we packed up our van and drove down to beautiful southern California! (And it was actually pretty nice this time ~ we usually bring RAIN!) We had a short visit, but filled it with lots of fun times. We even spent a day at Disneyland! We've never seen the Christmas decorations at the park so this time we decided to take the kids for a day and check things out. We got there at 8am when it opened and left around 5pm. Squeezed in about 14 rides, brunch, parade and even some just sitting on a bench resting time! (Eating allergy free POPCORN!) We had dinner at the Storybook Cafe in downtown Disney and drove on back to the hotel for some much needed rest...

Thanksgiving dinner was at the Taketomo's house. Auntie Lynn and Bachan cooked up a storm. We ate, chatted, crafted, played games and just had a really great time! (Lauren got me hooked on a new card game! Actually Gregory loved it too. It's called SLAP. I think I'm gonna teach her Pounce next time! :))

[Insert a little reminder tip - DO NOT stay at the Doubletree in Commerce the day before BLACK FRIDAY! The Citadel outlets have a HUGE event that starts Thanksgiving night. UGH!]

We drove home Friday night after dinner. Gregory wanted to stay another day, but I think we are all very happy to be home! Vacations are fun, but it sure is always nice to crawl into my own bed!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!

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Playdate with The Kochis!

Today Megumi, Derek and Blake came over for a very fun playdate!

Here's Blake!

Gregory and Derek having fun in the sponge pit

Bailey joining in on the fun

Another shot of Derek

And here's Gregory

We had a great time playing at Super Franks! Can't wait for them to come again. Gregory and Derek already have their next playdate planned out so hopefully we will see each other very soon!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like....

Now what in the world did Daddy drag in from the garage?? :)

Last year we had our tree up for only 3 days so this year we are making up for it!

Bailey primping the branches

Working on an "ornament idea" they had while waiting for Daddy to bring in the ornament boxes (notice the Christmas quilt they are working on?! I finally finished it Friday night!)

Setting up the Christmas tree always is one of my favorite days of the year! I LOVE IT!

And so does the rest of the family!

Daddy working on the top

(Oh gee, guess I better color my hair tomorrow! )

Sweets

Stockings are hung...

Our little sweeties

I even set up our Disney Christmas village this year! NO more playing ball in the house!

Our 2011 tree...isn't it just beautiful!? I love it!