Let's finish off 2008...Part 1

Okay, I am going to try to quickly finish off everything from 2008 that I have missed getting you updated on... everything EXCEPT Disneyland- that deserves it's own post- maybe next week:-)

NOVEMBER 2008:

C had his baby dedication on November 16 at our church New Life Christian Center! Our church believes that the dedication is to show that we as parents are promising to bring up our children in a church where there is faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and our church does the dedication service probably 3-4 times a year. There were lots of families in our service who dedicated their children- 2 or 3 families we knew from the past or church softball. The dedication only takes about 10-20 minutes but we were so overjoyed that we finally got to have a child up there that WE get to raise in the Christian Faith! So, when the ceremony started all the families that are dedicating children go up to the front and have scripture and a small message read to them. Then we each get to "present" our child to the church body- basically we raise them up above our heads so every one can see! Well, to say the least C was a little overwhelmed that there were so many people starring at him and he was a bit clingy with me and A; however, his name was called first and when A raised him up this is what he did:

Yes, our child POINTED out for himself and got the loudest cheers and hoots from the church crowd... He cracked every one up! (and yes, for those of you who know Stacey and Steve Parker they are the couple next to us with their adorable baby girl) :-). After church we didn't do anything too special- just went to eat some bagels at Panera with my parents, sister & Dennis, one of my best friend's, Jackie (Aunt Jackie) and her two kids Josh and Joey, and A's parents. We just hung out and talked for a 1/2 hour or so and then we went home to enjoy the day...

Next thing that happened in November would be... uh, let me see... OH YEA! Thanksgiving! How could I forget?!? Just kidding- there is no forgetting the biggest cooking day of my year! Our Thanksgiving Tradition that we started 4 years ago is to go to our Timeshare in Angels Camp, Ca. It's just a nice, beautiful area where we can go to relax and NOT be at home! All our timeshares (yes we have access to MANY, in MANY different spots at ANY time of the year- I'll explain more if any one wants more detail just let me know) have a full kitchen which is great because my mom and I prepare a ton of food for my family and A's family. Let's just say that we never just have Turkey- there are a ton of things for everyone's different tastes... It's so much work but I have lots of pride when it is all finished! Anyhow, my mom came up to Angels Camp with us the Tuesday before Thanksgiving- it was great because she helped prepare all the appetizers while A and I got to play with C and/or relax! Thanks MOM! On Thanksgiving Day, my dad, sister and Dennis, Allen's parents, grandmother and brother came up about 12:15- we ate around 2 and just enjoyed each other's company until about 6 pm. Poor C was a little overwhelmed with all the people that had "invaded" his space but he warmed up to everyone fairly quickly and then had fun running from person to person the rest of the afternoon. Other than going to Angels Camp, we have a pretty normal all-american Thanksgiving day!

This is C with Grammy (a's Grandmother- she is the SWEETEST lady ever!):

Isn't the foilage just gorgeous in the background of the pictures?

This is C with his "dada" and A's brother, Jason/Uncle Jason:

This is C with Grandma and Grandpa Alvernaz (Allen's parents)- again the greenery in the background is just one reason I LOVE going to Angels Camp!

Yea, no pics of my family from Thanksgiving weekend- when I was taking pictures my parents *refused* to take pics and my sister and uncle denny were sleeping- too much good eating I guess! But don't worry, I have a fun family pic with them from Christmas eve...

My parents spent Thanksgiving night with us at the timeshare because the day after my Godparents and their children came down to Angels Camp to hang out with us for the afternoon. My Godparents had met C a few weeks earlier but their children wanted to meet him also and they just happened to be home from college that weekend... It was so fun to catch up with everyone! I had not had the chance to see Cydney or Lucas for a very long time and it was so funny to see how grown up they were- totally adults in all ways! C was very comfortable around them and he showed off the entire afternoon!

Here is the entire family with C: Aunt Diana, Uncle Ed, Cydney and Lucas:

This is one of my all time FAVORITE pictures from this year- it was just such a happy day! Thanks for taking such a great picture Lucas and Cydney!
Okay that finishes off November... December will be my next post in an hour or so!

M