November Review

November started off with a men's conference for the guys at church! They had a good time of fellowship and learning. While the men went to sessions, several of us ladies enjoyed being able to serve in various ways, including working book tables, serving refreshments, meals and other jobs.



 A group picture of our guys at the end of the conference.:) They are wearing clothing with the conference logo on them that they purchased during the two day event.

 Following that, we enjoyed a visit from Grandma Campbell (Dad's biological mom)! She came down from Texas for a few days to meet her newest granddaughter!:) One of the nights she was here, we went out to dinner at Bill's Burgers!

 All of us grandkids.....

 Hannah's middle name is Elizabeth, named after her Grandma, Marcella Elizabeth!;)

Another day, she went with us to Knotts Berry Farm which was very fun!!:D We all had a good time and it was so fun to see the younger kiddos riding rides that us older ones remembered riding once upon a time.;) It also was a great time to talk and get to know Grandma better!

An awfully cute prisoner.....

Hold on! We were still in camp snoopy here...;) Grandma  and Caytlin were ride buddies for the day!

Now the ferris wheel.....which provides a good time to sit and talk. I believe Caytlin was getting to hear all sorts of stories here about Grandma's days in the air force!

Evie's favorite ride, by far was the new 3d Iron Reef Adventure Experience!:D

 Of course Hannah spent the day with Mommy in her stroller.:) Look at those eyes!:)

 Riding the carousel!

Mommy decided that this ride was her style and so we had to get proof of it! Woohoo, Mommy!;)

 At some point earlier in the year, Mom had mentioned it would be nice to have someone in the family play the banjo, so Dad found one at a good price, and Nathanael started fiddling....:)

 Dad saw this old picture from when his mom (right top) aunt (left top) and uncle (center) were younger, while visiting his Grandfather one day...What do you think? Does Dad look like his Uncle Mark (center) at all??;)

 At the end of the week Grandma Campbell left, and we had the joy and privilege to attend the wedding of two  friends of ours Justin Orman and Emily Weston!!:D They had grown up together, homeschooled in the same program, were involved in so many of the same church activities.. In the Lord's perfect timing, He led them to begin a courtship with their parents blessing, which led to an engagement and finally the wedding day had come!!:D

 It was so exciting to see Emily's dream coming true-Justin is such a perfect fit for her and more than she could have asked for! Waiting on the Lord is always fulfilling!:) I love the expression on Pastor Steve's face here!:)

This is the only picture we got together on such an important occasion as a wedding of a dear,  friend-a selfie!!;) It was a busy but, wonderful day! Emily asked me to attend the guestbook for the special day, which was a real joy! Growing up, Emily and I had talked of such a "day", in God's timing and in His way. Over the years there had been times when it seemed like such a day would never come, and yet the Lord was faithfully working the whole time, and He just wanted to teach us to trust Him no matter what!!:D Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Justin Orman!!:) (The "day" actually  came!!;)



Just a few weeks later found us celebrating Ryan's 21st birthday!!:D Mom worked hard to come up with another one of her great birthday parties. This year it was Mexican/Spanish themed!:D We had a lot of fun preparing for it and finding the necessary accessories and little finishing touches! We had some friends from church over, Ellia and Alma join us for the celebration!:)

Everyone dressed up in their finest...;)

Daniel and Isaiah manning the carne asada grill.....

Ryan worked a job at that time, that he had gotten through a friend at Liberty's, recommendation. He didn't know what to expect other than he had a birthday celebration after work that evening.:) As he walked through the gate in the darkness, just like any other work day, we shouted, "Surprise!" and the entire patio was transformed into a decorated dinning area!

The fake mustaches were probably the biggest hit of the evening!!;)

Happy birthday, Ryan!!:D We sure love you!!!:)

Before dinner, we did a few rounds of the Mexcian Hat Dance song! We has spent most of the afternoon practicing it and now the time had come, there was no turning back!!

It was an extremely short but repetitive few steps and we laughed a lot! Way to work up an appetite!

After being seated, Daniel had some Do's and "Don's" of the restaurant!:) He did a good job as the host for the evening!!:D

It was definitely a feast with much merriment!!:D

Pumpkin cheesecake for the birthday boy, while he snuggles with his little Hannah.:) He turned 21, really, he did.:) We just didn't have that many candles...:P

 The night before Thanksgiving day, our church had a special Thanksgiving service. Among several specials, and lots of testimonies, Pastor Thompson shared on gratefulness. Mr. Scott, the music director, asked me to sing in a group for one of the specials for the evening, which was a fun experience. (Our group left to right: Daryl, Myself, Mrs. Romero, Mrs. Scott (at the piano) and Mr. Scott). Below is a video of the song we sang: I Have Been Blessed.

Note: I sang the 4th verse as solo which was my favorite because the words seemed so appropriate:  

 

A mother and father,

Nurtured and raised,

Sisters and brothers-

Memories made.

Our Pastor to lead us,

This altar to pray.

Stripes that can heal us-

The blood that still saves.

 Thanksgiving day, we had Miguel and Christina over and Alma and Ellia joined us again! The girls came early to help us cook and prepare the Thanksgiving meal. While the ladies cooked, the guys took care of the kiddos.

 With our small kitchen, it's always an adventure having multiple cooks! We had fun for sure, and it gave us lots of opportunity to practice creativity!:D

 Having fun outside with cousin Miguel....

 Ryan helping us get the turkey moved!

 Christina enjoying holding Hannah....

 Helping sister have fun.....:)

 Once the food was ready and Dad had given thanks, we began to partake of the meal!!

 We turned the dining room table into a buffet line...:)

 Daddy carving the turkey....

 How much we really do have to be thankful for!:D

 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.

 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
 Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.

 And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:1-9