In spite of being away from family this year, we still had a rather enjoyable Thanksgiving. We invited two other families over from the ward to share Thanksgiving with us. One family with three children, the other family with six children. All the kids played together rather well, allowing the adults to have time to chat and relax. Eric made the Turkey for the whole party, and it turned out wonderful. The winter has started up here, and we got our first snowfall the day before Thanksgiving. But three days prior, it was up in the mid 70's. It was the last of the fall, and that evening a whole dozen homes in the neighborhood put up their Christmas lights. We still had our Thanksgiving lights up, so we couldn't be apart of the Put Up the Christmas Lights Party with all the neighbors. It was really funny to see, every street you looked down there where ladders up and lights being put up. But now that Thanksgiving is over perhaps we will attempt to hang up our Christmas lights, in spite of the freezing snow/wind weather. Yesterday was the start of our Christmas Holiday season. We watched Santa light up a big Christmas tree at our local outdoor mall. As we had free cookies and hot cider drinks and listened to a band playing Christmas music. After watching Santa light up the Christmas tree, the kids for the first time, wanted to go visit Santa. So we waited in line, about a 25min wait, to have them sit on Santa's lap, and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Liahona was really the main reason why we waited, she really wanted to see Santa, so when it was our turn she wanted to go first. She told Santa she wanted Art things. Then Tamara was next to go, she was a little nervous, however I reminded her that Santa was just like a nice big grandpa. This must have helped her because she went next. And she told him that she wanted a cat, but I however had to remind her that Santa knows we can't have a real cat right now, but perhaps he could bring her a toy cat.=) Than last but not least was Caleb, usually in the rear of the group, he likes to hang back and see if his siblings are really going to go through with doing things, because if they don't he won't. But since both of his sisters went, he too went. And he told Santa that he wanted battleship game. We were rather amazed with their growth within the past year. Now we can make plans to go to Disneyland in three years or so when we have the time and money, and they won't be screaming and crying when they see people dressed up in costumes. HOORAY!! They are getting so big, we are so proud of them. Anyhow Hope everyones Thanksgiving went well. Happy Late Thanksgiving!!
