Thanksgiving at the Beach House

What a great Thanksgiving we had at the beach house. The weather couldn't have been better for November. We played in the ocean, soaked in the jacuzzi, played games, and stayed up late talking around the fire... so much fun.


The feeding frenzy


The after dinner walk on the beach


Miles and uncle Tay


"ahhhhhhhh"


"ho, ho, ho"


Gavin with cousins Caden and Trey

Candy Popcorn

I just wanted to share a recipe that my friend Amy shared with me. It is the best candy popcorn ever. It makes great gifts for neighbors.

INGREDIENTS
popped popcorn
white chocolate chips
shortening
candy canes (or any other candy like candy corn, conversation hearts... whatever the season)

DIRECTIONS

1) pop the popcorn (a little hint on getting all the kernals out... when you get the bag out of the microwave, open the slit on the top just far enough to let the kernals, & not the popcorn, fall out when shaken upside down)
2) crush the candy cane (I use my Magic Bullet blender)
3) melt the white chocolate chips and a tablespoon or so of shortening in the microwave or stovetop
4) add candy to the melted chocolate
5) put popcorn in large brown shopping bag
6) dump chocolate/candy/shortening mixture on the popcorn
7) put on some music and shake it baby!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope all our friends and family have a Happy Thanksgiving.
We are grateful for each of you.


Yesterday Gavin had a Thanksgiving Feast at school. He had been anticipating this all weekend. He'd wake up every morning and ask, "Do I have school today?" He couldn't wait to wear the hat with the buckle he had made last week.



What a messy little Miles



Decorating cookies at the Christmas Lighting Celebration at the shopping center near our house



Gavin's school photo



Gavin's teacher Miss Karen and his classmates.

Halloween...

Well, here is the crew. Miles the spider, Gavin the cowboy, Mom the one with the black wig, and dad, he couldn't find a costume :)



The fall parade at Gavin's school. This was the end of the parade where each class performed their Halloween song in front of all the parents.


There was a Halloween party at my work. The kids went trick-or-treating to all the patients' rooms.


We also went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Here, Miles took the biggest candy bar and ran.



Gavin had the most fun passing out candy at our house. At one point, he was standing up on the bench pretending to be a statue, with the candy bowl at his feet, and scaring the kids when they reached for the candy (his idea).


We also went trick-or-treating with some frineds at the shopping mall by our house.



And this is just a funny photo of Miles. He makes this face a lot. He plugs up his nose with his upper lip.