Thanksgiving 2010

Lil' E says (and the Gid Kid)

So I asked Esther what Christmas was all about and she said, "It's 'bout Baby Jesus. It's His birfday." Score one for the little girl. Then I asked Gideon what Christmas was about and he says, "Ho, ho, ho". Hmm, gonna have to work on that kid.

Giving Thanks Day 3

1. My friends ~ I can honestly say I have TRUE friends. Ones that won't let me down, put up with me, cry with me, make me laugh & point me to Jesus when I forget where I should look.
2. My dad ~ He was my first knight is shining armor and always told me how beautiful I was so I would never try and seek approval of other men. He showed me how women should be treated but treating my mom like an equal and taking care of her. And I can honestly say when my mom got sick, I learned to love my dad on a whole new level...he was her rock and was an example of unconditional love.
3. My new small group ~ Steve and I started attending a new small group on Monday nights and I am learning a whole lot and meeting a lot of new people, some we kind of knew, some we know really well and some we don't know at all. But it's been fun and it has child care. :)
4. Our new cat yard ~ Steve built an area outside for the cats to hang out and watch the birds that is connected to our living room by a cat door. Also we have the litter boxes outside now...It's AWESOME!!!
5. This cold, windy weather ~ It makes you appreciate those warm days and also that I am SO blessed to have a place to retreat to, unlike some people who are out living on the streets this time of year.

Fun with chalk

Giving Thanks Day 2

1. A warm house ~ It is COLD (35 degrees and dropping) tonight and what a blessing to know my family and pets will sleep peacefully and warm tonight.
2. My Honda Pilot ~ We have had it for almost a year and a half now and I KNOW my back is better because of it. Also, seat warmers....such a nice luxury on a night like tonight.
3. My dogs ~ I felt SO bad tonight since I didn't get home until 9:30 and they were outside in the cold. But they don't hold grudges.
4. My mom ~ She is constantly there for me. For recipes, advise (wanted or not), free meal on Sundays, helping me take care of my kids & the list goes on and on. I honestly don't know where I would be without her.
5. Christmas carols ~ I love the words to them. They are SO in your face. How can people sing them and NOT feel His presence? I was singing them to Esther and Gideon on the way home from my parents tonight (trying to sing them back to sleep) and I was moved to tears. I love this time of year.

Giving Thanks Day 1

So last year I posted from Thanksgiving to Christmas 10 things a day to be thankful for and I fell short. Just hard to post everyday sometimes. So, not that I am not thankful for at least 10 things a day, but I am going to post 5 and include one thing that I wouldn't typically be thankful for, but in retrospect I am...make sense?

Here it goes:
1. The add on to our house ~ Because of this room, we are blessed to be able to host all the holidays now and serve our family and friends.
2. Coupons ~ Such an easy way to save money and because of computers SO much more access. 3. Yard sales ~ I was looking around our garage and the things my kids play with and SO glad to be able to shop for used items so easily and really reuse and recycle.
4. My husband ~ Right now, he is outside putting up Christmas lights and I know that he would rather be doing ANYTHING else.
5. Our hallway bathroom ~ Even though I hate most things about this bathroom (the flooring, the sink, the bathtub), I feel blessed that we have 2 bathrooms. Some families only have 1 and it's nice for Steve and I to have our own space.

Let the Good Times Roll

Last Thursday, the human 4 of the Crandell 8 had a fun-filled and memorable day. We went to Knott's Berry Farm and had an amazing time. It was Gideon's first time on all the rides in Camp Snoopy and Esther's first ride on a roller coaster....a FAST roller coaster. Just an all around great day...and no naps (well Gideon did fall asleep for like 45 minutes in the stroller) and no melt-downs. (Oh and be prepared, there are A LOT of photos, but worth it...I think.)

Nothing cooler than the Red Baron ride. And Gideon was ready.

These pictures are a little out of order since I have other pictures of Esther on the Sierra Sidewinder further down but this one HAD to get posted. Esther was SO ready to get on this ride and not scared at all. She barely made the cut, measuring in at 42 inches (and getting measured a bunch of times to make sure) but she was in. She is riding next to Steve on the third car on the right. (if you click on the picture to made it bigger you can see her better..she looks SO little). She rocked that ride!

No Knott's trip is complete without a family ride on the Log Ride. Esther said she didn't like the first dip in the dark, but the second long drop was FUN!!

Esther and Steve in the front row of Joe Cool's Gr8 Sk8.

Gideon and Mom bringing up the second row.

Hands up, this ride is FUN!

Steve on Montezuma's taking a break from kiddie rides.

I've been on this ride a hundred times (no exaggeration), and still one of my favs. Just a quick, fun ride.

Now the ferris wheel is another story. I may be smiling (trying to be brave for Esther), but I am freaking out. I hate heights.

Good ol' Log Peeler...the kids has a blast screaming their heads off.

One of my favorite pictures of the day...both faces, priceless.

Look, Mom, no hands.

This was another ride that Esther barely made it on, and LOVED! You can click on this one and make it bigger too. Love the faces.

Of course, I had to ride it with her too.

Finally meeting the big guy. Esther loves that silly ol' dog...and so do I.

Esther loved that big Snoopy hugged her little Snoopy.

Me and my kids and some crazy old men.

So here is Esther getting ready to ride Sidewinder...doesn't she look SO little? People kept asking her if she liked it. They couldn't believe she was brave enough. Or crazy. Oh and did I mention she went on it 4 times in a row, in addition to the previous 2 times. Gotta love no lines.

Probably one of my favorite rides in Camp Snoopy. You can't help but laugh on this ride. And Gideon agreed.

One last picture with Snoopy before leaving. What an amazing day....and the whole day cost us a whooping $30.02. It was Salute to the Armed Forces, so Steve and I got in for free and Esther was $15. Then there was parking and a $2 soda refill. And the rest went to Esther's obsession of those flatten pennies...cheap souvenirs if I do say so myself.

Lil' E says

Esther looks at me cross-eyed and says, "Look two mommies".

A warm fall day that warmed my heart

A couple of weeks ago, my brother and his family came down for the weekend and it was a gorgeous fall day. We sat out on my parent's back patio and hung out and visited while the kids played and played. It was even warm enough that the kids got the water guns out....hence, the missing pants on Esther.
The boys kicking it on the swing.

It's funny how what we think as a chore is fun for the kids. They had a blast racking up all the leaves in my parent's yard.

Matilda showing off her "skills".

And while they were here, we were able to celebrate Colt's 8th birthday.

Of course they weren't going to let Colt go at the candles alone.

I know I have said it, and I will say it again, I LOVE watching my kids and Eric's kids play together. There was a time when I just didn't think it would happen. I didn't even think we would have kids, or when we did, there would be such an age difference that they wouldn't really get along much less play with one another. So it warms my heart so much to hear all the giggling and screaming and rough housing....I really don't think there is a sweeter sound.

Lil' E says

Today, as we were headed to MOTs, Esther asked if she would see Amma or Appa there since MOTs is at our church. I told her she would probably see Amma but not Appa. She asked why not, and I said, "Appa has jury duty this morning." Esther says, "I do not like jury duty. But I like Fresh Easy and Target. At Target I get smoothie and popcorn and Fresh Easy has samples." So, I am not sure what she thinks "a jury duty" is, but she knows it's not a "good place"....and she's got THAT right.

Lil' E says

We were driving on the freeway the other day and we saw a big cement truck. Gideon said "fire truck" and I told him no, it's a cement truck. Esther says, " I don't like ment truck." I said why? She says, " I don't like ments, I like cough drops better."

A Spooktacular Weekend

Well our weekend of candy, games and fun started on the Friday night BEFORE Halloween. Since Steve was working Sunday night (Halloween), we decided to hit up Trinty church in Redlands. They put on a HUGE (and I mean HUMUNGOUS) carvinal and since we hadn't been since Steve and I were dating we thought we would hit it up.

The kids all ready to go. Saying "Arrrg, Matey!"

Our sweet Air Force pilot. Maybe someday huh?

Hitting up the carnival. It was INSANE. Not sure we would go again anytime soon.

What is it with kids and fire engines? If there is one in a 10 mile raduis, my kids will find it!

A GREAT photo op.

They had this really cute section called Trick or Treat Trail. They had all these tents set up and kids could go around and trick or treat. Cute and clever.

We also met some friends at the carnival and had such a good time watching the kids hang out together.

Our church was hosting a carnival as well, but on actual Halloween night. I signed up to bring some cupcakes for the cupcake walk and I think they turned out pretty cute. :)

Esther and her friend, Pastor Don. They had JUST hugged prior to this picture. Wished I could have captured that on camera.

Fishing for treats.

Esther was SO stoked to catch up with her friend, Griffin who was also dressed as a pirate. Griffin was a bit camera shy and Esther kept trying to get him to say "Arrg, Matey" and get him in the spirit.

Awww, another fire engine and my kids are happy.

A fun little hay ride around the church with Amma.

After all the fun to be had at YCC, we went over to our friends house and had chili and cornbread and went trick or treating. This is Gideon's first official trick or treat experience. Too bad the people giving out the candy, kept saying what a cute little army guy he was....UGGGG.