Went to Nana and Grandpa's for Thanksgiving. Had a wonderful meal and relaxing day with my favorite people. Got the Christmas pictures taken!!! Yea!!! Davin was happy it only took 30 minutes. Sat down all 10 of us and did some service for a loved one. I would like to do a service project every Thanksgiving. We sure missed our recent Tennessee transplants, but they were having a wonderful day too. Then we went straight into soccer. I really wish Thanksgiving weekend was without activities because Brad takes a couple of days off and it is a nice time to just be a family - go to the park, the movie, have a picnic. I am trying to be positive though, so we are off to San Diego for a 3 o'clock game and a 7:30 game.

I felt so happy today when I woke up. A good night's sleep on a comfy bed with a week of school vacation in front of me, a crisp night and morning with the sun streaming through some clouds and half of my Christmas shopping complete seem to do it for me. Now it is dark and raining and I just feel like jumping on the couch with a bunch of blankets and snuggling! I do feel bad for the dog, he must have cabin fever. I am thinking about Thanksgiving and what kind of service we are going to do - some of the gang really only think about the food (not mentioning members by name here, but we definitely have some foodies at our house)! I am thankful for many things. When I think about how thankful I am for my family, it actually makes my insides zing!

This is Mrs. Naerbo with her 3rd grade class. Emmie is front and center in the pink of coarse. I went in on Fri and did a Thanksgiving craft and treat with them - so fun.

Also on Fri was Brody's Kindergarten songs and feast. He is dressed as a Native American, but he had the part of the Puritan minister. He repeated the line throughout a story, "praise the Lord." Not sure what we think about this, but it was just a skit haha.

Also on Fri was twin day. Brody and his classmate may not look much like twins, but they sure are good buddies.

Friday was also the turkey trot for Josie. Sadly I couldn't be everywhere, but Brad, Brody, Kellen, Grandpa, and Nana were there to cheer her to her victory and the prized turkey. Thanks again for our turkey Josie - what will I ever do when I actually have to shop for one?

So much happens in this Guinn life we live, and it happens fast. I can hardly keep up, but we love it and certainly wouldn't trade it. The dad is back - yahoo!!!! Kellen is talking up a storm, and is really aware of everything that goes on. A couple of days ago he was going up the stairs as Perry was running down, and he stopped turned and said, "cute!" Perry stopped and turned up to him and said, "what did you say?" To which he responded, "you cute." Wish I had a camera to capture the smile on her face! Brody had his school conference for kindergarten. He is young, so we really went back and forth on sending him, but according to his teacher, he is having a great year so far in academics and citizenship - way to go Brody (Mom says you are special - don't ever forget!) Emmie is getting ready to start up dance again after soccer which she reminds me of often. The mom just had to have a month off with activities for her and Brody! She has been focused on passing off her multiplication facts up to 12s, and is taking the test for the 12s as I type. She is so hopeful because then she gets to go to Math Masters with the 4th graders! Josie has long term subs in her 4 core subjects - unbelievable! The language arts and social studies is great, but the math one doesn't even give them the lesson. She is in Algebra which is such an important foundation for future math that I was starting to panic. Not Josie. She just signed up with the textbook online and takes the lessons from the textbook website. Thank goodness she is willing to put that kind of time in. Drum roll please ... Perry got her learners permit. She turned 15 1/2 on Sunday, Nov 6th and took the test Monday, Nov 7th. Drum roll please... Davin just got his first official job! He has always taken odd jobs during breaks and summers, but hasn't been able to find anything regular that would work with AP classes and basketball. He is now a ref for the Murrieta Youth Basketball League. He has 3 games on Sat., so we will see how it goes. I waited for Halloween to pass and started painting the family room and kitchen. It is finished, and we are so happy. Kellen keeps walking in there and saying "like it mom, like it". This is just the surface, I really could write a book! Oh, I forgot that somewhere in there I had a spaghetti dinner for 40 church girls and their moms at our home - 8-11 year old girls are beautiful. I love being with them! We also got college apps done and sent in last week- gulp!!! I love this life. Our family focus right now is on treating others the way you want to be treated and thinking of others first. I just can't stand it when the focus becomes following rules and obeying. Come on guys, we can do it. Our home is a much more peaceful and positive place to be when our focus is in the right place :)!

Big Brother helping out with math

(I had to take a quick picture because this is what makes me love this big family - when members help without being asked because they love each other!)

Halloween night 2011
Josie and her friends were 80's girls. I grew up in the 80's mind you. The fact that my life was a Halloween costume made me feel older than I did on my 40th bday in June!

The spooky dinner

2011 Guinn pumpkin carving

Brody exhausted after trunk-o-treating

All the Guinn kids heading to trunk-o-treating

Brody, Kellen, Emmie

Halloween 2011