I've uploaded all of our November photos on Shutterfly.  

 

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Enjoy!

Is it already the middle of December?!  

This year of birthdays and holidays has been a little of tradition and a lot of different.  It's been a good mix.  Everyone is learning how to live in the moment a bit better. 

 Grandma Hennings sent a turkey making kit.  The kids were very happy to make the "traditional" turkeys.  Obi and Gavin made up the frosting with a bit of help and it was all kids' project from there.  It's amazing how much easier these kinds of projects are when your kids are not all toddlers!

The kids are all very thankful for Skype, Facetime, and Google hangout.  Athan and Chiara are drawing a picture together.  

 

Cora got her present a day early.  For on her birthday we would be heading to the airport to pick up our visitors.  The morning of her birthday, Obi made pancakes for his sister (and everyone else).  He enjoys baking and does a really good job making pancakes by himself.  All three brothers helped in making Cora a cake.

 The cake may not win any design awards, but it was made with a lot of love.

Happy 13th Birthday to Cora!!!

We rode the BART to San Francisco airport to get Inger & Cami.  I was a bit concerned about getting stuck in traffic, so I opted for the train. 

The next day we took our guests to the Golden Gate Bridge, past Candlestick Park, and introduced them to the Pacific Ocean at Half Moon Bay.  The weather was a bit cool and overcast all day, so Cami got to test her cool hat from Aunt Jessica.

Cami got to meet the ocean up close and personal.

We spent the day before Thanksgiving in Sonoma and Bodega Bay.

Thanksgiving Day was spent in Santa Cruz.  We enjoyed a walk about Natural Bridges State Park, a soup picnic at the beach, and the rest of the day at Cowell's Beach.  

Cami's sandal.

 Before leaving we took a walk out on the wharf.  The sun was setting and it was beautiful.  The kids enjoyed watching the sea lions. 

 A pelican landed just beside us.  Cora asked if she could scare it.  She gave it her best try, but it really didn't care.

As we were picking out our Christmas tree, I noticed what Athan was wearing.  It was totally weather appropriate, but still funny.  

The tree was set up and decorations were hung.

 December 6th was Lodi's Parade of Lights.  It was different and fun.

 

This photo is from our walk back to our car.  It is still so odd to be getting ready for Christmas when it looks like an Iowa October outside.

The kids painting an ornament for our tree.  

The kids picked out their own ornament and their own colors.  I just got a call that they are done.  We're all excited to pick them up tomorrow to see what they look like.