Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, this year, was more like "Thanks but we'll be out of town this year". Kinda a bummer.

We did have a peaceful dinner with Jacob's mom, dad, and brother. And then I spent some time with the Morale family in Rockwall, Jacob was sick.

Nana turned 85 this year!

We are so blessed that she has made it thru another year. She is in her final stages of Altziemers.

So a little turkey, ham & spegehetti made the tummy full!

Happy ThanksGiving everyone.

They Can See Again! - Kinda

I have been trying for over a year now to get mom and dad to buy a pair of glasses! Both of them are far-sighted, and needless to say, the paper, menu, book, whatever just doesn't seem to move back far enough any more.

So finally after, Dad's insurance kicked in, they were able to go to the eye doctor and get their first "real" pair of glasses.

How do you think they look?
At least they can see you now! Kinda. They are not complaining about not being able to read or see, but about how the line on the bi-focal is in the way, or how they can see this, but not that. Never happy. Hopefully in a week or two they will be adjusted.

SHOOTING! & SHOOTING DISASTER!

I thankfully have been able to start shooting again. Professionally at least. I have had so much fun. I almost forgot how much fun it was. Slowly getting back into the act, since replacing my camera a month or so ago. Chyl and Amoruso were so gracious to help me put my thinking cap back on and be my first Ginni pig shoot. They did so good.

Then, I dared to do a family shoot. DISASTER Struck! Whoever said, family photography was easy, is insane!! Trying to get everyone in one place at one time - nuts. Trying to get everyone to cooperate - crazy. Then Dakota Grace, oh how I love you, my problem child! She was not into it. And when Kota decides not to take a photo, she's not going to! No smile, and barely looking at the camera. Needless to say after 2 hours of TRYING to get a good family photo. I gave up, called it a re-shoot and we went home. I did get some good practice, and few good shots. Last shot of the day.... and one of my favorites.

A TIGER SHOOT!

I was invited by a dear friend from high school, Shawna Hinkle, to join her on a Tiger photo shoot today. Pug Mark Park lets photographers come out for $50 once a month to photograph their now 2 tigers and lioness. I new that we would be close going in, but never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that I would ever get to be this close to a tiger. They were so close I could seriously reach out and touch them. But I didn't. Not only is it forbidden, they still make you kinda nervous, at least for my first time. These are just a few of my favorite photos that I was able to get this trip. Oh Yes, trust me there will defiantly be more!

HALLOWEEN!

Happy Halloween from all of us to you. How about that, Halloween was great this year! The weather included!! For Texas that is a big feat. Usually this begins our yucky weather. It does make it interesting when your trying to figure out what the kids are dressed as amongst their sweat pants and heavy rain coats. But this year...there was no guessing game, well...you know other than the, "...and what are you dear?" "I am a half dragon, half princess, half pumpkin!" outfits.

We had our very own Ankin Skywalker, Super Girl,

Spider Girl, and Monkey!

Dylan and Dad have had his costume planned since September! I thought they were completely insane for purchasing a costume 2 months in advance. Usually the kids have changed their mind a thousand times by Halloween. Not this year. He was so excited to wear it. (and so were we)
Kora, dressed as a monkey...along with accessories. Earrings! Chelsea didn't want anyone thinking she was a boy. She was sooo cute.

Mom dressed as The Scarecrow!

Brandon and Chelsea came over and joined in the fun as we took the block. Here is the devil and his Vampire woman!

Soooo many kids this year. Not as many doors to knock on, but still a lot of candy. Knock, Knock!

Kora was having fun with her glow sticks, she had a whole hand full of them. I happen to catch this photo while the others ran to the next house.

Dylan liked Kora's photo so much he wanted to do his own. Here is his version with his blue light saber.

One neighbor, around the corner, dressed as a clown and handed out balloon animals to everyone. She was fast, there wasn't much of a line, and trust me there were a ton of kids out. Here are the girls with theirs. Time to check the candy! Katie dumped out the bags going thru each individual piece, a) for opened and bad candy, and b) to make sure there aren't any peanuts for Dakota's stash.

Thank you Lord for the great weather!

Hopefully we will have it again next year!

FISH BREAD!

Fenjini Bread...

The Morale's have a family recipe for the best bread on Earth!

Made with Italian sausage & Italian cheeses. Originally made with anchovies, hence the fish bread. Though I have only had it with sausage.

I am big on a family secret, so I had to wrangle this one out of a few people.

Thanks to those who have passed it along.

I have been meaning to put together a family recipes book. This was just the start.

And oh, what a yummy one it was.

PUMPKIN EATERS!

A trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

There is a local church who puts on a pumpkin patch down the street from mom & dad's house.
We picked out pumpkins, and then took them back to mom and dads to carve them out. Of course we had to take photos!

Dylan always the poser, kept up the photo action.

Desiree and her pumpkin.

And don't for get Dakota Grace, Smile and all!!

Okay, so we set out to carve pumpkins, but our arms were bigger than our will.

Dad thankfully scrapped out all the pumpkins for us. But for what started out as a simple pumpkin carving, quickly turned into a "Kids, don't do this at home", special!

Dylan wanted to be the first open the pumpkins, and in antesipation, I knew what was coming next....

Thankfully the camera Gods warned me, and this was a result of smelling the pumpkin. MY FAVORITE PHOTO!! I still can't quit laughing. So funny! Of course sis had to follow suit... Desi helped mom carve their pumpkin, a scarey Spider. Katie and Dylan carved their's too. Though poking all the holes seemed to get everyones fingers. This was Jacob's first attempt at "Carving" a pumpkin. No triangles here.... Our Mad Scientist! A look inside maybe? Didn't we already prove that it stinks? Desi, taking a moment to pose with Mom's new puppy. After a couple hours of complaining, and a small amount of injury, we completed them all...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Mom & Matthew's Birthday Dinner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mom & Matthew!

Mom and Matthews birthdays are like a week apart, so celebrating them together is pretty natural.
Matthew turned 22!! I know I can't believe it either.
and Mom, well we'll just say 50 something.
We enjoyed dinner and cake at Nana & Papa Herndons (Mom's parents)
Time for presents! Mom got perfume & jewelry. The staples for women.
Matthew got money...that's all he asked for.

Right before cake, Dakota Grace and I had a mini photo shoot. This is my favorite, and will be one of my all time favorites for a long time. I call her rabbit, those to bottom teeth, and the scrunched up nose...I am sure you see.

Then came the cake, and it was all over.

Dylan slept thru almost all of it. Soccer is wearing him out, it seems.

Sabrinia was all excited to see the kids though.

She is N & P's soccer goaly! Trust me, you have never seen a dog play ball like her.

On Tuesday, Jacob and I took Mom and Dad out to dinner for mom's birthday.

So this is her actual B-day Photo.

For her Birthday, Mom got a new baby...

a beautiful dapple dachshund.

She has named her Cami - because she looks like she is camouflaged.