Maybe because it is not even December, that visit to Santa doesn't really count. Does it?
Although we weren't there for longer than an hour, it was a sight to see. Beautiful. Well worth the drive. And Dusan and I got a good laugh while we were at it.
She took to the decorating responsibilities immediately. She chose the tourquoise and silver bulbs (bless her vintage little heart). She was so focused on each bulb hanging perfectly. It was quite a sight to see, until she finally got a little too aggressive and the whole thing toppled over, breaking quite a few of the little beauties it had once adorned. It was a lesson for both her and I...oops!
On to my favorite piece to decorate... the mantle. Good bye Fall... (and wow this picture really magnifies the evidence of my little "oops I forgot to check the flue the first time I lit a fire, and the whole house filled with smoke" incident from two weeks ago. Yikes!
So we have had these simple stockings from Target for 4 years now. And every year I look at them and think, "Wow, those are really boring". So I took matters into my own hands this year, as well as a bottle of Elmer's glue. I embellished the stockings with some ric rac and pom pom trim and ....
Whaaaa lah! Dusan says that look like Cinco de Mayo stockings. Was that supposed to be a compliment? They are much cuter in person.
After studying Country Living magazine, I decided to go with a vintage vibe this year. Lots of pink metallics, and lime green. I even cut my own white felt icicles. 
I picked up these two cuties at Marshall's on clearance.
A closer look at the mantle tree.
While Avery was occupied decorating her tree, I hustled to get the mantle all finished up. I wanted it to be finished when Dusan and the boys got home from running around at Biola. When they walked in Hunter said, "Wow, mom its really pretty!". Davin was concerned with which "D" stocking was going to be his. Dusan walked in and said, "WoW! It looks just like the displays at SEARS!". Now I'm not sure where you are from, but I had a hard time taking that as a compliment, even though in his mind he was trying to say he loved it. If teaching ever happens to fall through, I know where to apply. ;)
funny girl...
love this one...
are you really 8 years old???
are you sure???
Now trying to narrow it down... or I guess I could just send out a mini book this year. Hopin' to get them out by the first week in December.
We celebrated in true Gram-fashion....over pizza of course.
Happiest birthday, Gram!
And this cutie pie brought home some exciting news from school on Friday....
There were plenty of cliff walls to climb, and so much sea life to explore.
The kids loved going out to the end of the jetty.
It was the perfect time of day for pictures, of course.
How lucky are we to still be enjoying the beach in November (and to have an 8 year old photographer along for the ride that insisted that we strike these poses!)
I love this picture of Avery so much, I had to post it twice.
Remember Joel, the Fullerton police officer from the Halloween pictures? (he was an 80's rocker)... yep this is him, much more presentable...
Old Town Fullerton Veteran's Day Parade. Interviewed lots of veteran's with their special hats, waved flags, admired the synchronized marching, tried to count all of the soldiers, recited the pledge of alliegance along with alot of other proud and appreciative Americans.
