Happy Thanksgiving

For turkey day we took a road trip all the way down to Lodi, CA with our little guy and my sister and brother-in-law, Dana and Cliff to spend the Holiday with Mike's side of the family. This was our first holiday that we got to spend with them and it was very special. My wonderful mother-in-law graciously accepted us into her home and provided a wonderful turkey dinner. It was wonderful to get to spend more time with Pat, my mother-in-law, Cliff, my father-in-law, and Mike's sisters, Julie and Lori since we hardly get to see them being so far away. Jacob again loved hanging out with his little 6 year old cousin Alexa who entertained him to no end. Alexa also entertained me by allowing me to play with her hair and cuddle constantly. It was nice getting my little girl fix since Jacob is go go go. While it wasn't the entire Hanks clan it was so special to gather as many people as we did around the dinner table to give thanks. I'm so glad that it worked out that Cliff and Dana could come down with us and I pray that we're able to visit again soon. Thank you Pat for all your hospitality.

The gang at Grandma Hanks house

Aunt Julie and Jacob

with aunt Lori

Aunt Dana with cousin Alexa

Grandpa Hanks

Playing with Grandma Hanks' pots and pans

My two little sweeties

Heading to the park

A trip to the nail salon

Halloween

What a fun Halloween! We were able to have most of the family over and serve a great dinner before trick-or-treating. The whole family got into dressing up this year and we all paraded around the neighborhood before dinner to show off our costumes with the rest of the kiddos. I love how our neighborhood gets so into the fun. We even have neighbors who host a talking pumpkin, lovingly known as pumpkin head Fred, who comes out every Halloween and wows all the kids at how he carries on conversations with them. Jacob was a little unsure of a talking pumpkin man and decided he would rather steer clear. Oh well maybe next year. We had such a fun time but mommy can't wait till next year when my little monkey will be walking. He may be cute and cuddly but he's getting a little too big to be carrying around the neighborhood. I hope you enjoy the pics.

Such a chubby monkey

The whole gang

My sisters and I all dressed up with Grandma Alspach

My mom's dog Lily dressed up as a doggy princess

Pumpkin Carving

We had tons of fun digging into pumpkins this year. My mom always hosts such a fun pumpkin carving party and she did it again this year. We kick off the evening with a very yummy meal and follow it with getting creative with our pumpkins. We thought it would be fun to get Jacob a pumpkin this year as well, however, that just meant that Mommy and Daddy had to carve three instead of two. Silly us! We also got to have hot spiced cider and bob for apples. To finish it off we all displayed our pumpkins on the porch and stood amazed at our creativity as we lit the candles.

Jacob's scary face

Ewwww gross

What's in the Daddy?

All lit up

Pumpkins

This past weekend we went out to Maris farms with the whole family to pick out which pumpkins would be lovingly carved into beautiful masterpieces. Jacob was his usually happy self and it was fun to place him in the wheelbarrow and navigate him around the pumpkin patch. Along with getting pumpkins we also enjoyed their mine shaft slide, yummy roasted corn and great corn maze which my brothers loved running ahead and getting lost in. What a blast the fall can be and thank you God for such an amazing place we live in to enjoy all the seasons.

Mommy's little pumpkin

Oh how I love my Dad!

Jacob loves Granddad as well

My amazing great big family