Thanksgiving in Valencia!

This year we drove to Valencia for Thanksgiving. It was great to be able to catch up with family and spend time together. The occasion was not only Thanksgiving but also a Young family reunion so all of Hunter's siblings and their families were in attendance. These are some family pictures taken before eating the big bird!

The whole party

Terry and Janelle


Children and spouses



Our family

On Friday we went on a hike as a family. The weather was just perfect. That afternoon the kids had fun at the park with a pinata. Camilla quickly learned how to grab as much candy as possible. She also mastered the art of unwrapping candy by herself... So needless to say she got her fair share of candy!

Hunter and his twin brother Travis

We had such a great time. Thank you to the Penrods and Browns for coming and spending Thanksgiving with us. Also thanks to each of Hunter's siblings for being there. And finally, special thanks to Terry and Janelle for hosting such a wonderful and fun family reunion. Camilla (and us of course) loved spending time with both of you. Here are some precious moments caught on camera.

Camilla and Grandma

Camilla and Grandpa

Sometimes I wish I were my husband...

... If I knew THIS was waiting for me after work:

Hearty chicken noodle soup

(It looks better in a bowl, but I had already done the dishes and I was not about to wash anything else!)

And these:

Warm homemade rolls

AND this:

Freshly baked apple pie

Well, wouldn't you want to go to work too????

And then I realize that I would probably not enjoy the 50 min commutte each way, nor the long hours, nor the fact that Hunter has driven about 800 miles between yesterday and today, getting up at 4.00 a.m. both days (I mean, last time I checked most people enjoy sleeping--myself included) because of work.

So I think I'll just continue to be happy to be able to stay here at home, and cook meals like the above :)

Halloween 2009!

This year Hunter's parents (Terry and Janelle) came for Halloween weekend. It was a lot of fun spending time with them, and Camilla sure loved the extra hugs and kisses. She would get so excited when I'd tell her we were going to go see Grandpa and Grandma.

On Friday night we carved pumpkins. We didn't do that last year so this was a first for Camilla. She loved her "happy" pumpkin (a very simple and happy jack-o-lantern), and had fun watching daddy taking out all of the seeds. Grandma helped too!

On Saturday morning we went to the zoo for a nice family outing. We met Hunter's sister Jennifer (and her family) and Grandpa and Grandma not long after the zoo opened, and the parking lot was already full! I guess the zoo is a popular place on Halloween. We had no idea! Tons of kids (and adults) were dressed up; it was very cute to watch the little ones in their costumes.

Here are some pics taken at the zoo:

Lemurs

Petting goats...

For dinner, we drove to Livermore to have a nice get-together with Jennifer and her family, Terry and Janelle, and Hunter's aunt Leanne and her roommate Marne. It was fun! After that we took pictures with the kids all dressed up. Camilla was a fairy again... and this time she didn't throw such a big fit when I put the tutu on her (candy was still needed as a bribe though:) Then we were off to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood.

Janelle, Camilla, Terry, Megan, Nathan and Kate Daily

We had such a great time! Thanks to Terry and Janelle for driving up this way and spending Halloween with us (also Leanne and Marne!). And extra thanks to Jen for opening her doors and being the perfect hostess :) Gotta love family!