Catching Up

I thought I'd share some of the highlights from my "week off". It was very relaxing and full of God's blessings.

Josh surprised me with roses and candy for Evelyn's birthday. He walks up to me at home and says "I need to go do some stuff." Me- "What kinda stuff?" Josh- "Stuff." I laugh. He comes home a half hour later with a dozen roses (12 months since Evelyn's birth) and a box of See's candy. What a man! 

The Saturday before Thanksgiving Josh and I helped organize and pack Thanksgiving dinner for over 600 needy families. Our church organizes this every year and every year it gets bigger. The pictures above show only a fraction of the amount of food donated by our church members. It was fun seeing everyone work together and help get things done. I was pretty sore the next day from carrying boxes and kneeling over and over to stack cans, but it was totally worth it.

Josh and I have started frequenting a local diner for breakfast every once in a while. It's so cozy. There's not many things nicer than people-watching at a diner while sipping on a cup of tea with your husband's arm around you. We enjoy the atmosphere, the food, and the good conversation. I think this will be a nice family tradition. The sign in the picture above is over the cash register. Ain't it the truth?

I got a very simple recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes from a friend. I gave her my recipe for chocolate chip cookies in exchange (the best cookies in the world, I've been told). I think the world might be a happier place if we used recipes for currency. Anyway, they were very well received at Thanksgiving. The few leftover unfortunately got dropped in our driveway while getting out of the car. Bummer. I'm sure I'll be making them again though.

And of course, Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful California day. 

Josh was asked to pray before the meal. I don't think there's anything more handsome than a good prayin' man. Especially one as cute as him. 

Here's a few more pictures from Thanksgiving. We love our family!

Top left: Josh's dad carving the turkey. Top right: me and my dad. Bottom left: Josh's parent's and sister. Bottom right: me and Josh's sister.

Top: Me with Josh's cousins and sister. Bottom left: Josh's cousins. Bottom right: Us with Josh's cousins, uncle, and sister.

Top left: Josh and his aunts. Top right: My mom and Josh's mom. Bottom left: Josh's grandpa. Bottom right: Josh's uncle.

Left: Josh's aunt and cousins. Top right: Josh's dad and grandma. Bottom right: Josh's aunt.