December in San Diego

I continue to count my blessing that we live in this amazing place.  How grateful I am that we can go out of the house in Crocs, shorts, and short sleeves in the month of December.  Gordon and Ruby keep trying to tell me that jackets aren't necessary, although Lily knows better.  This funny little peanut refuses to take her jacket off.  Smart girl! 

Rubism

Ruby: When my Baba coming to my house?  I so worried about her.
Me:  Why are you worried about her?
Ruby: Because I just like her so much, I worry about her because I like her.  Because I'm thinking about her all the time.

Gordon's 1st Basketball Game

Gordon is playing basketball this year and he is number 2 and on the Cavalries.  He was a little disappointed he wasn't on the Warriors but I think he may be over it now.  He had a great first game and hustled his little heart out.  After the game he said he wished he could stay and play some more.

These were his 3 cheerleaders!  Eric flew home the day before to attend a funeral for a close friends father so I solo at the game.  I can't tell you how many people came up to me and asked me if these were all my children.

Ruby's Thanksgiving Preschool Performance

 Eric went to Ruby's Thanksgiving program at Ms. Anne's house a few days before Thanksgiving.  He said it was a darling little performance and Ruby enjoyed signing.  How grateful we are for Ms. Anne, her teachers, and the program she runs there.

Mr. Book Worm

Dally loves going to Ruby's room, sitting on her chair, and reading books.  Let's hope this never changes.  He is such a little love!

Sleeping Rue

I love this little girl more and more with each passing day.  There is something extra magical about a sleeping child.  Here Ruby is napping at "Bobbie's" house in her favorite butterfly shirt that she wears 6 out of the 7 days of the week.  Love you precious Rue!

Road trip cuties

Here are a few of my favorite car pictures while driving back from Santa Rosa.  Since we leave so early in the morning we keep the kiddos in their pajamas, which makes them extra cute!

Eric enjoys getting a drink half way through the trip to keep him alert.  However, now Gordon and Ruby think that they should be able to have one too.

Thanksgiving Day

 On Thanksgiving day after we ran the Turkey Trot we headed to San Mateo where my aunt and uncle live.  They host Thanksgiving every year and are very gracious hosts.  Driving through the city was so clear on this day too.

 So many yummy desserts!

They sprinkled hay in their backyard for the day because it had been raining quite a bit in the days leading up to Thanksgiving so their yard was pretty muddy.  The kids thought the hay was the greatest invention ever!

 I loved looking at Dals in his flannel shirt and his corduroy pants.

 Sweet Lily girl

The Annual Football game at the park didn't turn out to be one of Gordon's favorite Thanksgiving memories.  One of the players on the other team tried to get the ball from Gordon and in doing so slipped and completely tackled him.  Let's just say he was all tears and just about quit.  After the game he kept saying, "I did not have fun one bit!"  Hoping next years game will be a little more mellow.

The Turkey Trot

Eric, Uncle Justin, Gordon, Ruby, and myself participated in the Montecito Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day.  It was awesome and I'm so glad we did it.

 The kids were not quite sure about this turkey but they agreed to take a picture with her anyway.

 Gordon started to have second thoughts about running the race and wanted Eric to hold him during the race.  Luckily after a few minutes he warmed up to the idea of actually running.

 Ruby was a little runner too, she was super cute in her layered attire, a pair of shorts, a skirt, a dress, and a jacket to top it off.

Justin and I did the 10K fun run that was great.  It was wonderful to be able to jog and talk like old times.  I wish we lived closer to each other.

Lexia and Dreambox Master

 When Gordon puts his mind to something he is full speed ahead.  During the middle of November we had Parent Teacher Conferences with Gordon's 1st grade teacher.  He had mentioned that Gordon's Lexia username had gone missing and that they just recently found it.  His teacher said that he hoped that Gordon might be able to make it to level 9 by the end of the school year.  Well in the last 4 weeks Gordon is already on level 5 and does not seem like he is slowing down any, it's awesome.  With Dreambox he gave us access to it as well and in the last 4 weeks he started with 0 coins and is already up to 69.  Go Gordon Go!  I'm proud of this sweet boy of ours and his hard work and determination.

Gordon put on Eric's work glasses to help him out this first go around.

Snack time on the kitchen floor!

These little twins just get more fun with each passing day.  They are walking, talking, signing, and snacking all of the time.  I gave them each a little bowl of pretzels and they decided to move their picnic onto the kitchen floor.  Listening to the two of them "talking" and laughing just about melted my heart.  Their voices are just so adorable.  I still can't believe we have twins, it really is amazing!  God is good!

Great Friends!

While I was home for Thanksgiving I got to see some of my best buddies from my childhood.  It's so fun to see these ladies and reminisce about the "good ol' days."  I love that we can always just pick up from where we left off from the last time.  So blessed to have wonderful lifelong friends.

 Carol has been like a second mother to me.  All through elementary school, high school, college, and even today she has always made me feel so welcome in her house.  

 Aunt Shannon just chillin' with the twins!

 Iffy playing a little ping-pong at the parents house.

Emi

Iffy - Shan- Me

Gordonism

As we are driving home from picking up Ruby from Ms. Anne's preschool.

Gordon: "Mommy when are we having our next baby?"
Me: "Oh honey, we are not going to have any more babies."
Gordon: "Mommy you can't say that, you don't know. Remember I prayed for twins and we got twins."
Me: "Well, you are right about that, so I'm pretty sure we aren't going to have anymore babies but hopefully someday you will get to be a daddy and have a baby.  How many do you want?
Gordon: "I want 100 babies, 50 boys and 50 girls, that would be soooo cool. Mommy do you want 100 babies."
Me: "No sweetie, 4 is plenty for me!"
Gordon: "Well I hope I get to have 100."

Rubyism

3 year old Ruby says this to me most days and it never gets old.

"Mommy I like you everyday." or "Mommy I like you sooooooo much!" or "Mommy I like you pretty hair, you pretty shirt.  You nice mommy."

Thanksgiving in Santa Rosa

We headed back to Santa Rosa for the week of Thanksgiving to spend time with our families.  The weather was brisk but not too rainy and we did get to see some sun too.  We were able to spend time at Eric's parents house and at mine as well.  We headed to my Uncle Scott & Aunt Kristin's house for Thanksgiving dinner and it was nice to see some of my mom's side of the family.  I'm grateful for my family and for the many rich blessings they bring into my life.