Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful holiday weekend. Thursday we went to the Bellenghi's for a family filled Thanksgiving dinner. It was the first time in a very long time where Gia played and enjoyed herself with no meltdowns. We got to visit with family and celebrate our Niece Maddie's 12th birthday. Friday I worked for a bit then we went and got our Christmas tree, decorated the house, and watch the Polar Express. I love this season! Saturday we our day to celebrate with the Shimmin side of the family, however the Fords were recovering from the flu and my dad was also sick. So we spent a nice dinner at home with my mom, Aunt, and two cousins. It was a nice night with family we don't get to see as often as we like. Sunday was a lazy day. I took Luca on a date to see the Muppets and really enjoyed being with him. He is fixin to turn 5 this December and I am just continually impressed by him and his compassion for others. We often find it hard to take him to movies because he gets so worried about others and freaks out a little bit but I love that he is so and thoughtful. Muppets was a great movie for him. Gia is also growing up right before our eyes. The things she says is so entertaining and I love that my 2.5 year old can burp on command....she is one little firecracker....

Halloween

Pumpkin Patch

We took advantage of a dry fall day and hit the pumpkin patch.....

San Francisco & Sonoma

We got to travel down to San Fran for one of Rob's best and oldest friend's wedding. It was at a swanky hotel and was probably the most intimate and touching weddings I have ever been to. I didn't take any pictures while in san fran and I am annoyed with myself for that but on our last day we decided to do a quick trip to Sonoma since we have never been to California wine country. We fell in LOVE with Sonoma. It was a darling, quaint town. We had a super cute hotel right in the town square and although we are used to driving to all the vineyards we decided to just walk the plaza and shop and taste in the tasting rooms. We will be back for a long weekend sometime soon! Here are pictures that are very much out of order!

Entrance to our hotel in Sonoma

Lobby

Our room we got some cheese and meats and wine and just ppl watched

The girl & the fig awesome lunch spot

Sonoma at night

one of the wineries

A lot of the wineries had cute little outdoor seating

The park in the middle was full of families bbqing

walkway to our favorite winery

Our hotel El Dorado

The beautiful bride and groom

Luca's first day of Pre-K

Luca had his first day of school today. I was heartbroken to learn I would be out of town on that day but thankfully my awesome family helped out and Luca had a great day. Aunt Traci drove him up in the morning from Lebanon and even took him by our house to do pictures. He was picked up by Pop pop and Maw maw and spent the afternoon with them while we drove back from the airport and to pick up Gia in Lebanon.

Luca is such a sweet soul, last year he had some problems when other kids in the class would cry (when their parents left) he would get really upset and didn't want to go back. Friday I took him in for a practice day at his new class and asked him why he got so upset when kids cried and he said because he worried about them. I love that boy. Today he said only one girl cried (the one in the purple shirt) and that he was ok because she just wanted to go home but it wasn't time to go home yet. What a difference a year makes. I am so proud to be this boy's mama and so thankful to have a great school to start off his education right! Pictures of San Fran trip to come soon!

Last day as a stay at home Mama (take 2)

When Gia was 1 I went back to work full time for about 6 months. It wasn't the right fit and I chose to stay home again. One and half years later we are going to try it again. I got a great job with The Art Institute of Portland as the Assistant Director of Admissions and am really looking forward to going back to work. We hired a great nanny and I am really hoping we all adjust well. My times at home as a stay home mom have been challenging but it has been the most rewarding experience of my life.

Football Season

It is officially our favorite time of year....football season! Sadly, our season didn't start off as we hoped but we still had a great day at my sister in law Andee's house for her Duck party.