Day: November 30, 2010

Every year we get our tree a bit earlier than others would even consider it, a few days before Thanksgiving, but since we were out of town the day after Thanksgiving we brought it home on the 29th.  This was our first year picking our tree with Miss Bella 🙂  she did a great job p0inting out the trees she liked we just had to all come to agreement which one will actually go home with us and we believe we picked a beauty 🙂  One of the highlights this year was having my parents there at the same time picking out their tree and they gifted Bella the most beautiful first Christmas ornament, it brought tears to my eyes.   I forgot to mention that we pretty much always get our trees from Costco, they sell gorgeous trees for a very reasonable price, so if you ever wonder where to go to get your tree and not spend $50 or $60 go to Costco 🙂
It was a lot of fun to decorate it with Bella this year, that girl moves so fast we can barely keep up with her.  Somehow she managed to open 3 boxes with tinsel and get it all over the place.  She absolutely loved the tree when she saw it in the house, the look on her face was absolutely priceless, we didn’t get a camera out fast enough 🙁  At first there was a face of shock that turned into a big grin and she started jumping in my arms, it was great!!!

What a wonderful holiday of thankfulness.  There is so much I am thankful for, I don’t think I can name it all.  This year however is a special year of thanksgiving, we had a very special member of the family join us for the first time, Isabella Nellie 🙂  It was such joy to have her celebrate with us, we love that girl unconditionally.  I thanked God again and again for gifting her to us this year, we could not have asked for more.  I was also very thankful for my wonderful family and how they are always there for us through thick and thin, I feel undeserving.  I have done nothing to deserve so many blessings that God sends our way on daily basis, the roof over our head and not just a roof, a beautiful home when some sleep on the street; a table full of every dish you can think of when so many are hungry; warm and loving atmosphere when so many are cold and have no one to lean on or to even love.  This holiday comes around once a year, but what a great reminder to be thankful, to appreciate everything that God blesses us every single minute- thanks be to Him our dear Father and only Him!
On Thanksgiving Day our family went over to my parent’s house where we had beautiful array of dishes such as turkey, ham, “sunflower” salad, brussel sprouts, green bean casserole, sweet potato with cranberries, cheese spread, stuffing with mushrooms, carrot cake, chocolate pecan pie and much more.  Let’s just say it was definitely a day to wear elastic waste clothing 😉  You all should know what I am talking about 🙂  It was a wonderful family time!
The next day we went to the Griffith home in Fresno, where once again more and more food was presented and much more was eaten.  About 25 relatives have gathered and had a great time bonding and sharing a meal.  It was a lot of fun to watch Bella interact with Barry’s cousins kids, she had a great time playing with them 🙂