Thanksgiving in Mammoth

 We got back from Mammoth and had the best time! We made our way through Alabama Hills:

The cabin is beautiful and the dinner recommendation for pizza at Giovanni’s was a hit!

The night ended with games and the guys going in the hot tub in 30 degree weather!

We spent a day walking the 3 mile loop around Convict lake. It was BEAUTIFUL!

Then we headed to Hot Creek and had a picnic lunch overlooking the magnificent view!

The boys did some fishing at Owen’s river

while Eden and I did some crafting back at the cabin. (Having a cast on your dominant hand is not fun…)

We ended the day with Mexican food at Roberto’s cafe:

It was a fantastic day!

On Wednesday, the guys spent the day fishing:

 and Eden and I spent the day crafting at the cabin, taking e-bike rides around the neighborhoods, talking on the hammock in the snow, then walking to the village to get views from the gondola:

We all ended the day at the Dos Alas CubaRican Café and Lounge and it was SO GOOD!!!

Such fun to have days like these to make memories together!

On Thanksgiving day, we watched the Macy’s parade and some football:

Then we headed out on an adventure to find a natural hot spring to relax in!

We headed back to the cabin to cook out Thanksgiving dinner, play games and watch a movie:

We did Thanksgiving and Christmas trivia with dinner, as well as sharing the things we are thankful for. It was such a special time!

I’m so grateful for this time that we got together and the memories we made as a family. I will cherish them

always…

November books

 Here are the books I read in November:

Here’s a brief synopsis of The Wedding People by Alison Espach: I really liked the story and how it all unfolded!

Phoebe Stone arrives at the luxurious Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, dressed for indulgence—but not in the way others expect. Rather than being a guest at the week-long extravagant wedding unfolding around her, she’s booked the stay alone, without luggage, in a last attempt at self-destruction following personal and professional collapse. 

When the bride, Lila, mistakes Phoebe for part of the wedding party, a surprising connection forms between the two women. Lila, controlling and perfection-oriented in her wedding planning, becomes both confidante and unexpected savior to Phoebe as the weekend’s festivities proceed. Phoebe, in turn, is forced out of isolation and into the messy business of life, choice, and change. 

The novel blends humour and pain, exploring themes of loss, identity, grief, and reinvention. What begins as a woman’s final indulgence transforms into a fresh start—via friendships forged in unlikely places and the chance encounters that reroute our lives.  

I have a couple of books that I reread  every year or two and this is one of them. It recalibrates my thoughts and focus in a much needed way in a world and schedule that is SO full. It reminds me what is important and necessary due my heart and soul and relationship with Jesus. Comer is such a great writer and story teller so even as he gives statistics and research studies, it’s woven with personal stories and tools to turn your heart towards Jesus at a different pace… I strongly recommend it!

Thanksgiving

 From our family to yours, we hope that you have a very Happy Thanksgiving, surrounded with people you love.

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Psalm 106:1

spoiled…

Before we headed to Mammoth, we’d had some  big, full weeks, so Kit decided to make Eden and I a fancy pasta dinner… We are the luckiest!

33rd MUN conference

 This lady weekend, Ryder participated as his high school hosted the 33rd annual Model United Nations conference. His role was the Under Director General of Logistics and he did such a great job trouble shooting, navigating leading difficult people situations and helping to make sure everyone had what they needed. He absolutely killed it! 

He gets to do it with his best friends…

I got to volunteer for a chunk of one of the days and watch him in action and I loved it. 

We are so proud of this kid!

time away

 Friends of ours have a cabin in Mammoth that they are sharing with us for the week of Thanksgiving. The kids and I have never been and Kit has only been twice. 

We can’t wait for this family adventure for the holiday!