Dai Family Thanksgiving...

A small, intimate Thanksgiving of just our immediate family this year.  We are scheduled to leave on vacation two days after Thanksgiving so we couldn't have a house full of leftovers.

Waking up to this happy boy

Warm enough to spend a little time outside

Happy Momma

Lorelai insisted on helping Daddy fry the turkey

I keep a safe distance with a fire extinguisher close by!

Master Chefs!

Candied Yams!  Daddy's favorite

chopping onions

Turkey is done!

Beautiful bird!

Joseph's very first Thanksgiving turkey.  Last year he was on a strict liquid diet!

Scarlet's 3rd Birthday!

Scarlet turned 3 on November 18th.  Her birthday party, unfortunately, is going to be held late on December 8th but we still wanted to do a little celebrating on her actual birthday.  She opened a couple of presents from family, had some cupcakes for dessert, and we had a balloon dance party before bed!  A great day!

Loves her Frozen pillowcase 

Scarlet's pride and joy!!  She adores her new double stroller!!  She hasn't stopped playing with it since she got it! And did you notice the matching diaper bag?  Such a little Momma!

Evelyn had a great time with the balloons too!

School Pictures 2018

Finally I have all three girls' school pictures.  It took a while because Lorelai needed a re-take....(again)…
Lorelai's forced smile is getting much better and all three pictures turned out rather well!

Lorelai 1st Grade 2018

Evelyn Pre-kindergarten 2018

Scarlet Preschool 2yr old program 2018

Santa Visit...

We have a busy few weeks coming up so we are checking off our visit to Santa rather early this year. The plus side is, there were NO kids in line so Santa spent a lot of time with the girls and Joseph.  Lorelai and Evelyn weren't shy at all and talked his ear off.  Joseph liked his beard and had no problem sitting on his lap.  Anyone who knows Scarlet knows she's incredibly shy and introverted in social situations and around new people.  When she's excited you can't tell.  She gets very straight faced and won't speak, won't smile.  Sometimes you can get a simple nod out of her.  It was a struggle to take her picture but we were able to capture a small smile that worked.  Afterward, she got her candy cane from Santa and I said to her, "Did you tell Santa what you wanted for Christmas?"  And she looked at me and shook her head subtly.  So I said, "Well, you better go tell him!"  She looked at me, wide-eyed, and walked right up to him and became this chatter box asking him for a "zebra toy" (whatever that is).  And she just chatted away with him.  He was so patient.  A great Santa.  The entire time Joe and I are looking at each other thinking "who are you?"  It was hilarious.  Hopefully she is breaking out of her shell!

Tunnel fun...

Just some fun in a tunnel...

ALL SMILES

Bernheim Forest

The kids and I had a play date at a National Forest near our house called Bernheim Forest.  It...is...BEAUTIFUL!  There are several hikes and a nice playground area with trees and logs for the kids to climb on.  I took just a few pictures...

My twin...Joseph has a lot of my features

Lorelai and her best friend

New phone...portrait mode

So I spent way too much money on a new phone, but I have to say, I am very pleased with the camera.  It has a "portrait mode" for when you are taking pictures of a person close up.  So I tried it out on the kids.  Beautiful pictures in all kinds of lighting.

Joseph's very first lollipop!  I think he likes it!

Sweetest picture ever.  She is such a Daddy's girl.