Our early Thanksgiving

We spent the day on the Rincon at a beach house with most of my family. It was an amazing day with huge glassy waves and porpoise to watch. Maddie and Gregory got to bond again....sooo cute. Are those the cutest cheeks you have ever seen?

This is the first time my small family have been all together...that was so exciting for me. The only bummer was my brother Steve was not here. He is now in nursing home. So glad Jon and LE flew down to visit with us!

Had a great weekend...

I only had one obligation.....that was a class I taught to first thru 5th graders about abstract collage...I have done this with adults but not kids. They did great and understood the concepts really well.

It was Earl's 3 days off week and so he and Maddie had time to play on the grass and we saw 2 movies: 007 and The Secret Lives of Bees...Enjoyed them both. We took Maddie and Jill to breakfast this morning and then I went to visit my brother Steve in the hospital in Oxnard. I thought he looked good for someone who had the vein in his neck reamed out Thurs. Love you Steve....

Here is Madison going over the menu with her sidekick, Gerry....She is getting to be one busy girl!

This is sooo cute!

Wish I could work something like this

I was awarded this honor by my blog buddy Shelly http://shellypaints.blogspot.com/

Answer the following questions with single word responses, and pass the award on to 7 other bloggers:

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? LA
3. Your hair color? gray
4. Your mother? fun
5. Your father? character
6. Your favorite thing? grand daughter
7. Your dream last night? chasing
8. Your dream/goal? live-it-up
9. The room you're in? living room
10. Your hobby? travel
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in six years? here
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? serious
15. One of your wish list items? camera
16. Where you grew up? Santa Paula
17. The last thing you did? shop
18. What are you wearing? warm clothes
19. Your T.V.? off
20. Your pets? messy
21. Your computer? Mac
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing someone? family
24. Your car? Element
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? art supply
27. Your Summer? fast
28. Love someone? YES
29. Your favorite color? all
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? yesterday

Passing some love to:
Carol http://www.faceaday.blogspot.com
Mary http://marystanley.blogspot.com/
Sukey http://www.sukey2studio.typepad.com
Tara http://tararossstudios.blogspot.com/
Shari http://www.sharibeaubien.typepad.com/
Catherine http://www.happydayart.typepad.com
Gail http://runmoremiles.blogspot.com

Queen of Arts was a success!

...and with the economy where it is right now we should all be proud .... all our hard work paid off. Some of you know I had a little extra on my plate and I was especially thankful for all the help and support. Esther and Kimberly are at the very top of my list....could not have done it without you guys. Kristen, Jill and Colleen were also right up there. Thanks for stepping in when needed. I did not get many picture at the event. I know Jan did and I think she is sending them my way at some time. But everything did look so wonderful.
Here is a pic I got of the crew in my spot...I think they all found new homes but Nelson, looking clueless in the middle, who I think I am keeping.

One of the high points for my family was the meeting of Gregory and Madison...They were born on the same day and are cousins...a couple times removed.... but they were so tickled to see each other it was really something. They will be reunited again in a couple weeks...can hardly wait.

And of course I want to show you another pic of Madison. On Halloween she was a bat like her mom and she is holding the mother and baby bat LE made for Jill last year when baby was on the way.
...and here is Earl starting the pumpkin carving ritual with Maddie.