Thanksgiving in California 2011

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. 

In the 4 years we have lived in Idaho, this will be our first Christmas here, and I'm glad it will be White.

Yesterday morning my good friend Aimee came over and we baked for 4 hours (3 types of cookies, fudge, toffee, and turtles) while playing Christmas music and watching the snow fall outside.  I wrapped some presents, finished a stocking, finished Capri's Christmas dress, and right now Jordan and Calin are out sledding.  It's definitely feeling like Christmas!

But I still haven't documented Thanksgiving!  So here it goes, and FYI this is going to be a LONG post with LOTS of pictures.

We spent Thanksgiving in California this year with my family.  It was a great trip, and not long enough!

Our first day in town we did some shopping in Modesto and met up with Alan, Steph, and Troy for lunch.

We ran into my aunt twice that day. (Jordan actually spent 60sec focusing the camera over and over and couldn't figure out how to take the picture - it was a new camera - when he finally figured it out, he didn't focus it, ha)

We spent a couple more days at my mom's in Turlock and visited with my grandma and grandpa Parkinson, and Dom and Jenna, and Alan & Steph.

Then we drove up to Sonora to see my dad and Nana & Papa.  During this trip Calin decided my dad was no longer "Grandpa" but "Papa."  Which is also what Brenda's granddaughter Jayla started calling him on her own also.  Funny how kids pick their own names for grandparents! 

We had a big Thanksgiving over there with Brenda's family and the Valponi's.  Calin loved playing with Troy and Jayla!  And is there anything cuter than little kids holding hands?!  We all ate Thanksgiving dinner in the garage, and Calin kept calling out for Jayla, taking her by the hand, leading her inside, then shutting the door on all of us.  He even locked us out once.  Oh, those cute little two-year-olds! 

We also made it over to Nana & Papa's house one day for dinner.  We headed over early to help her with rolls for Thanksgiving. 

 Calin had fun playing with all the old toys we used to play with as kids when visiting Nana & Papa

While packing up from my dad's we had a little impromptu photo shoot outside

We headed back to my mom's to have Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family that Friday.  This time Calin really had a blast playing with Troy!!  Too bad they can't play together more often!  Capri did really well with all the new faces on our trip, and had a pretty good time!

We headed home on Sunday the 27th, then left again on Tuesday for Florida. We had so much fun in California, and wish we could have stayed longer!  Hopefully we will see my family again soon!  We miss you all already!