Thanksgiving Weekend

We spent Thanksgiving Weekend with family and two turkey dinners. Thanksgiving Day was at Mike's sisters. My mom and brother joined us.

Then we took off for our cozy cabin in Big Bear to cook our own turkey dinner and shared it with Michelyn and Derek.

See the squirrel? I put sunflower seeds out for them.

Enjoyed a roaring fire every evening!

We went to Big Bear Village to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree. It was cold so we found the patio of a restaurant with a heater and enjoyed soup, all within sight of the tree lighting.

Michelyn has taken up knitting. I crocheted and she knitted while the guys watched football. She is covered in an afghan I made about 30 years ago!

Derek and Michelyn took a hike with their dogs. Beautiful view of Big Bear Lake.

Here we are ready to dive into a yummy turkey dinner in the mountains.

My Mom holding her great granddaughter, Siena, on Thanksgiving Day.

All our grandchildren

Swinging at the park!

We are so lucky to have our immediate family within a couple hours driving distance!

Staci and Siena were coming to visit so we could re-upholster her sewing machine chair.

We had invited Aubrey for overnight to attend a family event at the Casa. The pick-up time for her mom Nicole, and Garrett, coincided with the visit. All three grandchildren would be together again. A grandparents dream.

Major photo op for me....yeah right!!!

I tried, but playing with Aubrey, almost 4, Garrett, 17 mos. and Siena 8 mos. kept me hopping. We had fun visiting the famous Rainbow Sandals, headquartered here in San Clemente and Linda Lane park at the beach, a few blocks away. Nicole and Staci took over major activities, like lunch, and driving, so I could play with the babies :)

Aubrey stayed overnight for some 'big girl' activities before the babies came.

Grandpa playing Marble Works with Aubrey.

She loves wearing her horsie costume!

Grandma doing a craft at the kitchen table with Aubrey.

The Casa Romantica event, looking out the window toward the San Clemente pier.

Swinging on the beach!

Let's all eat lunch before we venture out to Rainbow Sandals and the park.

Here I am, trying for a photo op with all three grandchildren.

This the best we can do!

California fires

The fires during the week of October 29, 2007 surrounded us. We did not have to evacuate but the air was filled with smoke and ash. I have cleaned mounds of ash both inside and outside.

We were glued to the TV and internet anxiously watching where the fires were going next.

Our home is in the front, dark portion of this photo.

This photo was taken from Dana Point. We are at the right tip of the flames.

My mom and brother were evacuated from Fallbrook and spent the week with us.

We drove to the beach for an outing. There were several Dolphins playing around the pier.

A great sight to see through the smoke filled sky.

Then we toured the Casa Romantica. It was closed because of smoke and ash but they allowed me to take Mom and David through because of my relationship with the Casa. If you want to see more about the Casa go to www.casaromantica.org.

Self photo of Mom and I on the back deck of the Casa with the pier, and smoke in the background.

Halloween party

We invited the Dawsons, our English friends visiting our area, to a party with family.

We all had fun dressing up for a photo. Enjoyed sharing a traditional BBQ and southern California hospitality.

Grandchildren, Siena (lion), Aubrey (horsie) and Garrett (cow-no utters).

Aren't they just the cutest!

Niece, Kaylee, showing her halloween stuff :)

Fall at Cabin in Big Bear

Our cozy cabin
Bolder Bay on Big Bear Lake
Beautiful fall colors on the lake in October