Apple Hill

The day after Thanksgiving, Freddie got up early for the only shopping day of the year he LOVES to shop and he brought home some great deals. Then we made a trip up to Apple Hill with our friends the Vavak's . The Vavak's go to find their Christmas tree and we enjoy hiking with them to find the perfect tree. Then off to High Hill Ranch we went for some yummy food and of course a slice of Carmel Apple pie. Isabelle got her face painted and we did some shopping, we even ran into Santa Clause. Isabelle was excited to talk to him, But Calista wanted nothing to do with him and preferred to be as far away as possible and not even speak of him. We had a great time and left just as the sun was going down, It was a beautiful drive home and a beautiful sunset. Freddie and I decided to make a spontaneous trip to the drive-in and take the girls to see Disney's Tangled. They were so excited! The movie was great, Both girls loved it and Freddie and I even enjoyed it.

Issy and Santa

The girls right before the movie. People tell me they look exactly alike all the time, I can see it in this picture.

Our Thanksgiving!

First thing this morning, Freddie made a run to Starbucks and the store to grab a paper to browse the Black Friday ads. Then we all curled up on the couch and watched the entire Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast, a tradition started when I was a kid that I know love to share with my girls.

After the parade, we did some prep for dinner and got things started in the oven, we ate a light lunch and we even got a nap in this afternoon.

We decided to cook our meal together this year. Freddie and I have been cooking together since we recently got hooked on a TV show called, Take Home Chef with Curtis Stone. It's no longer on TV but we have watched the reruns thanks to Netflix. We just watched the final episode which was a Thanksgiving dinner. So we decided to try a few of the recipes for our own Thanksgiving dinner.

We decided on Ham this year instead of Turkey, au gratin potatoes, roasted veggies, stuffing, pumpkin pie and I even made whipped cream. Nothing from a box or can this year.

Dinner was great, Calista thought it was someones Birthday since I lit candles. We all took turns sharing what we were thankful for and enjoyed our yummy dinner.

It was a nice, relaxing day spent together. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Before and After

Thankful!

I am thankful for God's grace and mercy each and everyday. I am thankful for His promises for good and not harm, and I hang on to that promise each and everyday.

I am thankful for my two sticky, sweet, amazing little girls. They are a blessing to me each and everyday, even when I just can't take the whining anymore. Their love is all I need!

I am thankful for a husband who loves me with everything he has each day. We truly live a real life fairytale. He makes my life easy, fun and so enjoyable.

I am thankful for my health and the health of my family, it's something I have taken for granted.

I am thankful for our home, it is more than we need. It is warm, safe and filled with hope, love and laughter.

I am thankful for a fridge filled with choices, even when I think there is nothing to eat. We have never gone hungry.

I am thankful for my family immediate, extended and those we call family. We are blessed!

I'm thankful for the real friends who are there no matter what happens.

I am thankful for traditions, some silly, some sentimental, some new and some old.

I am thankful that God provides for us each day exactly what we need and I am thankful for His forgiveness.

We are so blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving at Grandma Jenny's

Every year Grandma Jenny has a Pre Thanksgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving so the entire family can be together. We ALL look forward to this time together with the Gallardo side of our family. Grandma Jenny worked hard on making a yummy dinner with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, nopales and beans and even her signature pumpkin bread. Phina put together some fun crafts and games for the kids, everyone had a great time. We all left with bellies full and hearts happy.

A Little Sunshine Goes A Long Way...

The girls were sick last week. It was a tough few days couped up in the house. On Saturday the girls were feeling much better. Freddie took them on a bike ride and then we took them to the park, a little sunshine always makes you feel better! Unfortunately for Mommy, she couldn't stay away from the germs...

Cake Pops

While the girls were sick, I made them Cake Pops. I have always wanted to try them, and thought it would be the perfect treat to put a smile on their faces.

The pops were pretty easy to make, the cupcake pops were a little harder. The girls loved them and one batch makes a ton, I can't wait to make them again for our next kid party or maybe Isabelle's School Christmas party.

You can find the recipe here.

Calista smiled for this picture, I literly snapped one photo and she immediately said, "I try it now?" I love it!

Garrett and Cassandra's Wedding

My twin brother Garrett was married on Halloween. Garrett and Cassandra met 4 years ago on Halloween and I think we all agree Cassandra is the best thing that has ever happened to him. I haven't gotten to spend much time with Cassandra, but the more I get to know her the more I adore her. She loves my brother and is a perfect fit for him. I loved watching them on their wedding day, it's clear that they are in love with each other. I got teary a few times during their vows and the toasts, both were so fun and hysterical. The wedding was fun and very different, filled with lots of Halloween twists.

The girls were the flower girls and I was the photographer. I was so nervous that I would miss something or wouldn't be able to enjoy the wedding since I was also a guest, but it was great! The perfect combination of photography and fun for me, I have never been so relaxed

photographing a wedding. The only blip in the day was about a half hour before the wedding Calista took off her dress, one of many times in the day and the elastic broke and the dress fell apart. With some quick thinking and great sewing skills by Nana, the dress was fixed in a matter of minutes.

Garrett is a HUGE Giants fan, Cassandra isn't, but she surprised him with little details, which is another reason she is so great! Garrett had Giants cuff links and a Giants lapel pin and at the reception, Cassandra gave him an all black SF Giants hat to wear.

The Bride.

The cutest little flower girls! Garrett and Cassandra gave them these Halloween bags filled with treats and toys that they later used as their flower girl baskets to drop rose petals on the floor.

One of the many times Calista tore off her dress.

Quick family shot before the wedding!

The Hipple Family

The rings!

The first dance! They danced to All Around by Flyleaf

Issy and Auntie Cassandra

The beautiful cake!

Another Halloween twist, they used a cleaver to cut their cake!

Dancing with Daddy!

Calista hanging out with her BFF Gramps!

These girls were the only kids at the wedding and they got a TON of attention and CANDY! Calista fell asleep in Nana's arms at the end of the night!

Halloween Weekend

Since my brother got married on Halloween in the Bay Area, we drove down and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa G. We dressed the girls up in their Halloween costumes and took them to the Great Mall for a Halloween event on Saturday, the Halloween event was a bust, but Grandma and Grandpa G didn't let that ruin the day, Grandpa G bought the girls balloons at a kiosk in the mall and Grandma let them pick treats at the sweet shoppe! Then we went back to their house to watch game 3 in the World Series. Grandma and Issy made caramel apples for dessert, YUM! Thanks for taking great care of us and spoiling us Grandma and Grandpa G!

After the wedding we made a pit stop at the Vavak's on the way home and ended up staying for dinner, Game 4 of the World Series and a little trick or treating for the girls before driving the rest of the way home it was a great way to end a wonderful weekend!