My Favorite Holiday

I believe that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the feel of Autumn. In Merced, the leaves are still in the process of changing colors and only about half have fallen to the ground. Everywhere I drive it is so beautiful and everywhere I walk has the musky aroma of leaf piles. On Thanksgiving morning, I ran 5 miles and it was so nice to exercise at 7:30 in the morning rather than in the dark at 5:00am. The run was quiet, with very few other pedestrians on my path. A light fog was lingering in the trees, but behind the fog was the warmth of the sun. I listened to the Great American Trombone Company and felt so satisfied by the time I returned home. I love that families gather and we feel one another's gratitude for blessings. I love that it is few days of resting and being outside and talking and just feeling happy.
Here was my contribution to the family dinner - Dutch Apple Pie, and Banana Pudding.

On Friday, Emily and I went for a bike ride. When we returned I decided to take off her training wheels. Matt tried this last Spring and she wasn't very excited about it, but this time she was ready to try. Doug and I took turns running beside her and in about 5 trips down the street she was starting, riding and stopping all by herself. She even wanted to try Tommy's old bike which is a size or two larger than her bike. After a few trips down the street and back, she was riding this bike standing up and winking at dad. I love that Emily wants to try new things. I also love that she likes boys toys....she didn't need pink or flowers and instead she was very excited to be on the rocket-ship bike.

On Saturday, she and I rode 4 miles together. Whenever she rides her bike and her legs get going, she says it feels like her "legs are pumped up". I think that is such a cute expression. She probably rode another 4 miles around and around the driveway. I love that as we rode, she looked up at me and said, "I just love riding a bike". I do too.

The boys gathered for gaming and I was so glad to hear such laughing and hollering. Especially from Matt who is going stir crazy resting his back.
We had lovely weather (although you can't judge by Doug because he wears this all the time), the boys played a lot of hoops and Matt shot off several rockets that he and Thomas have built for friends and cousins.
I am thankful for this time of year - for time to reflect on all that is good in my life. I am thankful for family and friends, my children and for Matt. I love the world I live in. My life is good.