Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, Dan's family was in town. 

I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my house and I am so glad I did. 

We all had a great time together. Our days were filled with letting the kids play and baking. 

Our evenings were filled with talking and playing games.

We also celebrated my niece Emi's birthday on night.

We had a great time with everyone in town!

We're Here.

Just a quick post to let you know we are here!

We have had a lot of things going on, events, family in town, running, going here and there, etc. 

I know I am behind on blogging and I missed Hannah's month 31. 

We have so much to be thankful for. Until then, here are a few pics to hold you over!

The Christmas Tree

Christmas is my favorite holiday. 

I love the lights on the houses.

I love the smell of Cinnamon and Clove. 

And, there is NOTHING more refreshing that a fresh cut Christmas tree in your home. 

Each year, we go get a Christmas tree. 

When I lived in Ohio, my family would always go to my Grandfather's farm, because that's what he did. He was a tree farmer in Chesterland, Ohio. He just recently retired and sold the farm, moving to CA. 

I have very fond memories of many Christmas' that began with the fresh cut of our very own Christmas tree.  Having a real live Christmas tree each year, is something that Dan and I have talked about doing every year. Hannah really loves being outside and she enjoyed looking for one this year. 

After all, we did find the most perfect tree!

Hannah at 31 Months

Well, as usual, there is a lot going on with our sweet Hannah. 

She is talking more and more. We are loving her sweet personality unfold.

She is very particular and likes to be in charge, giving commands.

10 Pounds Down!

So, I am 10 pounds down and feeling great.

Once again, some pictures to keep track!

Family Fun

As usual, (and I love it) my husband is always up to something, 

brainstorming fun things for Hannah to do in the house. 

He decided to put up a swing in the house.

It's a really neat one from IKEA. 

Hannah loves to swing and this is perfect. 

It also comes down easily, a plus for when we have company :-)

First Family Thanksgiving

We meet with our First Family {Church Small Group} on Tuesdays.

We decided to have a Thanksgiving meal together this year. 

Everyone brought their favorite Thanksgiving dish and we had Roasted Chicken. 

We also built and decorated gingerbread houses together. 

We all had a lot of fun. The little kids, wanted to eat candy, and they sure did!

{candy+kids=craziness!}

St. Martins Day

St. Martins Day is celebrated on the 11th of November each year. 

We have decided to celebrate and incorporate all the German holiday festivities into our family.

St. Martin was a saint who, "started out as a Roman soldier. He was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold. That night he dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away. Martin heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clothed me."

The Zoo

Our friend Jen and Maddie invited Hannah and I to the zoo for free, since they have a membership.

We headed out yesterday about 10:30 and got home around 2:00. 

The kids were so exhausted, but had a fun time!

The Great Outdoors

Hannah has figured out how to blow bubbles very well. 

She loves bubbles.

21 Days!

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. 

I remember reading in college, several books for classes in which the emphasis was how to become an effective manager of skill and time. One of the books I read was called, The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson and a few others. 

They say," It takes 21 days of conscious effort for your brain to create neural pathways to support the new behavior and turn it into a habit."

I think a few weeks back, I talked about my new "lifestyle" that I very much wanted to become a "habit".

Well, it has. Here I am 22 days later and I am stronger now than 22 days ago!

Happy Hannah

I have many days where I feel all I do is discipline...discipline...discipline. By the time nap time comes, I feel guilty for being frustrated about how the morning went.

Today, has been a relief. Today has just been fun. Not sure what we have done differently.

I guess maybe the fact that we stayed home ALL morning made a difference.

Halloween

We were up at 7:00 a.m., as usual for our morning run. 

{We are now on day 20...(running 15 of those days) takes 21 days to make a habit right?}

A nice perk of running early in the morning is that the sun is not completely up yet, 

no direct heat, cool breeze and fresh air!