November 19'

Santa Clarita 5k
Saturday, November 2nd we did the Santa Clarita 5k. Erik and I were still recovering from the Marathon so we ran/walked it with the kids. It was a "personal record" for Jadyn and slowest time for the rest of us but we finished as a family :)

 What do you think about getting up for a nice cold run on Saturday morning?

 Our dedicated/cold fans

 Breakfast at Mimi's Cafe after the race

Grama Jean's Birthday

We celebrated with a Nothing Bundt Cake on Monday. Saturday, November 9th we piled into the van and went to Chipala Mexican Restaurant in Santa Paula followed by a quick trip to the Santa Paula Cemetery, for fun :)

 I don't think Grama Jean is impressed with our singing ;)

 You guys having fun? Cause we are!

 Lunch at Chipala, Santa Paula

Erik has a BACHELOR'S DEGREE and a NEW JOB!
Erik finished all his coursework for his IT Bachelor's degree this month, just in time to start his new job with Shield HealthCare! We are so grateful for how everything worked out. He's worked so hard finishing his online courses in record time (with straight A's) just as he got the interview/job offer.
His new job is just 8 miles from home, less management responsibility, pays a little more and most importantly Erik is really excited for the new opportunity!
Thursday, November 7th we had a surprise family dinner at Lucille's to celebrate his graduation.
I was finally able to give him his graduation gift that I had been keeping a secret since August! We're going to Oahu and Kauai in January instead of Palm Springs!

Surprise!

Some of the table decorations...

Saugus High Shooting
We are grateful for the good news we get to share each month but I would like to give an update on the shooting that took place at Ethan's high school on Thursday, November 14th. Three students (including the shooter) died and 3 others were injured.
Ethan was on campus with some friends before school when he heard gun shots from the quad. He ran into his class nearby and was in lock-down for a few hours before the room was cleared, students were escorted to a church down the street and taken by bus to Central Park where I was able to pick him up. It was a very scary day that we will never forget but we are all doing well. Our hearts go out to all of those more deeply affected by the tragedy...

Lights lined our street in honor of Grace Muehlberger and Dominic Blackwell who died in the shooting. The Muehlberger family and Addison Koegle (who was injured) live in our neighborhood.

Yap Weekend

Thank you to Honey, Bubba and Erik for allowing me "girl time" at Yap Weekend in Fallbrook.

This was the 10th year in a row! It was shorter than usual but always nice to take a break...

 Lunch ran into Happy Hour that ran into dinner!
We never stop eating yummy food, and drinking :)

Crafting. I painted a hamster rock for Jadyn

Joan, Betty, Sue, Susan, Jane, Elaine, Solveig, Lora, Joetta, Torey

LA Auto Show
Wednesday, November 27th Bubba, Ethan and I made our annual trip to the LA Auto show and had lunch at Fatburger.

 First "cars" of the day. Old Man cart race!

 Lego Bugatti: over 1 million Legos and its drive-able!

 Thought Jadyn would like this one :)

Selfies and sleeping selfies???

 

 Ethan likes the Camaro, like his mom at his age ;)

Ethan is too big for actual "trunk shots" anymore :(

"Homeless guy" photo bomb?!
Oh wait, that's Bubba!

Net bridge at the Ford display, it was the best part of Ford :)

A few of our favorites...

Happy Thanksgiving
My favorite holiday! Family, friends, food and no gifts!
We played Sequence, Rubix Race and a few fun Thanksgiving games that Jean had prepared (word search, word scramble, name that Christmas song...) Of course the food was fabulous and we all ate too much :)

 I love that they love to get dressed up!

 

Jadyn beat everyone at Rubix Race

 Let's eat!

 Jadyn couldn't wait to get the Christmas decorations out!

She decorated the whole tree the day after Thanksgiving.

Ugly Sweater/Bunco Party @ the Lande's
Nothing quite like starting out the Christmas season with the Lande's and friends!
Best $10 we ever lost ;) I'm not sure how Bunco turns into "couples sweater racing around the house!"

 Ethan L, Kaylee, Chris, Vera, Bart, Angee, Torey, Erik, Angela, Jarrod, Tamzin, Scott

 

 Everyone got a turn in the "couple sweater"