This is #4 for Odin. His party was at the G St house with lots of friends from his Beanstalk Preschool.
This has been a busy day. LGA bike ride in the morning and two birthday parties in the afternoon – I need to learn how to be in two places at the same time.
The party was at Tricks Gymnastics & Dance.
Lenin is wearing Olaf’s reindeer antlers. Avery is jumping with cousin Jeffery.
On Sophia’s right is cousin Lauren. Lots of friends from Milestone’s Preschool were also there.
Avery is helped by grandmother Rita, who is known as Lala.
Time for pizza and birthday cake.
Uncle Leno, Rita, Thais, Lenin:
NOTE to Faithful Readers: Everytime my iPad gets too full of pictures, I get bogged down with the process of getting the pictures OFF the iPad and onto a memory card. There is no easy way, I always need to ask cousin Phyllis for help. We have to transfer the pictures onto her computer then transfer them back onto an SD card. Not being computer whizzes at all, it always takes a lot of time. Then I begin the process of catching up. And suddenly four weeks have gone by.
In a frenzy one afternoon, I attacked a couple of unpruned-for-in-six-years crape myrtles. I hope they forgive me in time. 
Moving to the other side of the yard and borrowing a ladder from Justin, and with Doug’s help, I was much more careful. Actually I was in pruning and Mom glory. Doug did all the work and I stood nearby and gave lots of advice.
Bridal-Wreath:
Meanwhile, Odin began cutting the grass in the back yard with a dull kitchen knife. He said he wanted to do the entire two acres if Daddy said it was ok. Very enterprising.
Hurray! A babysitting opportunity.
Sneaking up quietly to surprise a sister who was quietly watching something on her iPad in a living room tent.
This time, we gathered at Thais and Lenin’s house. Mom was also invited, but when I went to pick her up, she wasn’t there. She’d gone on a bus trip to see Christmas lights. Mom likes to be the first in line so she can sit in the front seat of the bus – a better view she says.
Sophia was very excited to show Uncle Justin her soccer trophy.
Odin took a liking to Sophia’s peacock wings.
Kellen found some workbooks and practiced math equations
and also managed to enjoy the iPad.
What a fun family evening. The kids got along great. We all had a great time. Thanks to Thais and Lenin for having us over.
This year, cousin Phyllis’ family gathered at Karen’s house. L-R: Josh and wife Courtney, Karen, Corey. Courtney and Corey are Karen’s daughters.
Jerry and Carol came from Bakersfield.
Rosie, Jake, Matthew, Chuck, Greg:
Johnny, Alexa, Beth, Dave:
Jerry, Justin, Greg:
Good food and family equaled another wonderful Thanksgiving.
Today , it was just the three of us.
Justin is showing Mom pictures from our trip to Regina last October.
After a couple of hours, Mom was ready to go home.
Time to get Doug on the Bay Area books. We dropped off Dick at Greg and Nicole’s – he was overdue for a grandson fix – then we went the San Francisco Hall, Local #6.
San Mateo.
San Jose.
Dublin.
And finally Martinez and home. Signing up only took 5 minutes and in between, Doug and I had a great time talking. Now, let’s all cross our fingers that Doug gets a job very soon!
Atria El Camino Gardens with Mom.
Uncle Justin is learning not to mess around with Kellen. “That kid can pack a punch. I’m going to have to stop messing with him pretty soon.”
Odin found a comfy spot.
The cooks joked about how many of them it took to put whipped cream on the pumpkin pie. I’d caught five of them watching one person with the squirt can.
Mom really enjoyed herself.
arletelouise 