Thanksgiving Week

 Cora likes to be our activities director, and having a week off school makes her think hard about all the fun we could be having.

On Monday, we had plans to play with Juliana and her girls, but we were fighting colds and so were they, so we put that plan on hold. Lucky for Cora, Sue texted to ask if Cora could come over and play, so she had an impromptu daylong playdate with Sophia. Meanwhile, Violet and I went to Costco with my dad to shop for Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, Cora begged for another playdate, and it worked out for Sam and Riley to come over and play. We went up for a walk on the hill; Violet and I stayed behind a bit, because Miss Independent was eager to be out with her friends without her mama around.

 It was a gorgeous day, and the colors on the fall trees were stunning.

 Later on Tuesday, we met up with our church small group to help out with an organization that feeds the hungry. Help the Children takes food donations and is set up like a grocery store, where those who need assistance can come in and shop for little to no money. We all helped out, carrying groceries and bagging them.




After helping together, we went over to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. We noticed that it might be before Thanksgiving, but the shopping center was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

We returned the next evening for a nice hot drink together, the start of Stace's four-day holiday weekend.

 On Thanksgiving Day, we went up to Ventura to celebrate with the family. It was a fun day of family and food...

... a lot of family! Joining us were some of Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty's friends from Washington, and their extended family. It was a great day.