Lights

So we live in San Diego right?  And it rarely rains, in fact it seems like it hasn't rained in over 180 days.  So Saturday rolls around cold, windy and rainy, yes rainy.  So natually the best thing to do on that day is....put up lights of course.  Duh!  So poor Mark put up our christmas lights in the pouring rain.  It would sprinkle than start pouring.  He was soaked but would not give up until they where done.  Poor guy.  Here he is...

You can't really see the rain but it was coming down really good at this moment. Not the best picture because I really didn't want to get wet.  I know I'm a wimp.  And would you believe the next day was dry and sunny, and the next, and I'm sure the next...

Colonial Days

Michael aslo had colonial days, he did not dress up so this is what I got of him. 

Corn Days

Savannah had Corn Days just before thanksgiving, all the students brought in something with corn.  I made corn bread, of course there was enchiladas, tostadas, tamales, seeming how the majority of the students are Mexican.  It was all very good.  There was one tamale that was berry flavored very good.  And someone even brough tin corn cake, a lot like Carrot cake also very good.  Here's my one and only picture.

Golfing

Later on Friday Mark, Michael and his dad went Golfing.  Sounds like they had a lot of fun.

And Michael actually tied Mark on one of the holes.

Black Friday

I never thought I would get up before 5 am to go shopping and let alone Wal-mart (not a huge fan) but i did.  Mark's mom and I got to Wal-mart around 5:30 or little earlier.  It was really crowded and people where already leaving so we got a good parking spot but the lines to check out where huge.  I didn't get their early enough for a couple of things but I did get something I wanted it was really good deal.  (had to take that out incase someone read this.) WE got several other DVD's as well, toys, WE actaully spent 3 hours there.  I think we did good.  I went a little later though and saw that one item was cheaper, not one I bought so I thought that was interesting.  It was fun and not as bad as I though tit would be I think I'll go next year.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful thanksgiving and I hope you all did too.  Mark's parents came so it was nice to have family.  It was just the 8 of us, but we had enough food to feed 20 people.  Mark's mom was a great help.  I had read a story earlier to my kids this week and it was about the pilgrms and the 5 kernals of corn.  IF you don't know that story the legend is during the "starving time" somedays all they would have is 5 kernals of corn to live on each day.  Later after their crops started doing really well each thanksgiving they would put 5 kernals of corn, each one represented something they where thankful for. 
Here is mine:
1.  My family
2.  My Savior Jesus Christ
3.  A free country
4.  Good home to live in
5.  Our health.
Of course there is many more.  But I loved that story and want to read it each Thanksgiving.  Those who first came to this country made many sacrafices and we own them our thanks. 

Here our some pictures of our feast.

Us starving and ready to attack the turkey Cullen style.

each year I brine our turkey this year I used a different brine recipe I thought it was really good and will probably use it again.

Our gravy came out so dark, I had to take a picture, it was so rich and good.

And Thanks go Grandma Dedee for providing the kids Sees chocolate turkey's, they loved them.

Visiting Teaching...

Do you ever get stuck and think I need something new for visiting teaching?  Well I found this great little store that has the best idea, they also have a blog.  Each month they have a new idea for Visiting teaching.  This is the link The Pioneer Party and Gift store, this is the November idea.  They also have other stuff.  Some of the things we could probably make but they are so cute.    Just thought I would share this with you.  The blog is on my list called Pioneer Party.  Just thought I would share, I'm sure those of you in Utah have already seen things like this but they are simple and always incorporate the message of the month.