A very late Thanksgiving Post

I know it is almost Christmas, but I just found several pictures from the Thanksgiving that I had completely forgotten about.

Thanksgiving week was quite eventful. First off, the Bradford's rode the train up on Monday to hang out with Caleb (and Grandma and Grandpa too, who arrived later in the afternoon)!

Here comes the train...

It was a joyful reunion, as you can see, not over-dramatized at all...

Safe and sound at the end of the journey.

Later that night we celebrated Sara's birthday. Dad made some of the best salmon I've ever eaten, and we topped it off with some red velvet birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Sara!

Early the next morning, Caleb went in for his extraction.

Getting drugged up..

The last known photo of his tooth

A day later, we parted ways for our separate Thanksgivings (really you guys, we need to plan this out a little better next time). Mom, Dad and the Bradfords had a beachy Thanksgiving in Pismo, and Tyler, Susie and Caleb drove to Visalia and had a full-on redneck celebration at a Gun Club. Actually, it was quite fun, but the downside was that I discovered that I am a horrible shot.

Don't mess with the Wilsons.

And Now back to all things Christmas...

All I want for Christmas is my maxillary central incisor...

Caleb and Grandpa are looking very similar these days. I think Tyler is trying to give us all a warning...

Timber!!!

Nosario and Pedro survey the damage after the Oak tree at the corner of the house was cut down. The root was dangerously close to the foundation so the tree had to go. Jeremiah's crew was here for two full days cutting, grinding and schredding. I have three people lined up to take the firewood - which looks to be about three cords.
Jesus did all of the high work - in the bucket if it reached - and he took down the three trees in front of the corner bedroom. The other problem tree was the big Oak that used to have the swing in it. The giant rot hole, a systemic Mistletoe problem and obvious rotted areas on both major upper limbs doomed it. The third tree had been crowded out by the other two so it was both ugly and leaning toward the house at a pretty good angle - so it went too.

After the rotted trunk was down Jeremiah dug out the treasures of the past 37 years including several plastic army men, three rubber or nerf balls, various soda cans, burrito wrappers, unidentifiable metal stuff, a plethora of otter pop wrappers - but no Yellow Cup!

Mark, the stump grinder guy, ground down all of the stumps from trees past so there is no trace of any deforestation.

So, this is what it looks like in front. However, all of the trees, including the Digger Pines, were trimmed for balance, broken limbs from the big snow of last December, dead wood and mistletoe. The place looks good but we will have to do some replanting and pouring of concrete for the corner walkway.

Fist Photo Shoot

After 12 years of marriage, we decided it was time to actually have a professional photographer take some pics of the family. We did this shoot at Leo Carillo in Malibu and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Lucky for us it was an 80 degree November day. I'm really pleased with how they turned out and wanted to show off my cute kids!