This is how you do warm and cozy...

In the left corner, we have milk chocolate and dark chocolate hot cocoa mix, peppermint sticks, and marshmallows.  The milk was being warmed up on the stove and whip cream stayed chilled in the fridge.  Then there are chocolate covered peppermint creme sticks (tastes like Peppermint Patties), Pumpkin Spice chocolate covered pretzels, Harvest mix caramel popcorn, Cappuccino caramel popcorn and Chocolate wafer sticks.

I made little paper cones for them to fill up with the goodies.  So fun!

 S'mores cake pops!  These turned out so good. Chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting for the cake balls, dipped in chocolate (melts) and rolled in crushed graham cracker.  

 Stephanie can make herself comfortable anywhere. =)

 Naomi loved getting in the festive mood.

 Some of the ladies and girls relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  I see you Danielle! ;)

Marco and Luca enjoyed their time together. He goes back to Germany soon, so I am so glad they are getting a chance to play and catch up. =)

Lots of churches either re-arrange their schedule or cancel their mid-week service because of Thanksgiving and lots of families are already out of town for the holiday.
We decided to have a get-together at our home for whoever could still come.
I am so glad we did. It was such a nice time that we had.  We ate, fellowshipped and then spent some time listening to my husband (Pastor Marco) talk about giving thanks in all things - in any circumstance.  It was short and to the point.  We also shared prayer requests and then prayed over them right then.
I am so thankful for our small church and for my friends.  They are like my family and each person has a special place in our hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!! God bless you!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
18 In every thing give thanks: 
for this is the will of God 
in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Fall, family, food and fun!

We got some yummy bread bowls from Panera, so I made homemade cheesy potato soup to go with them. Yum.

 I wanted to make some homemade potato soup and searched the internet for a recipe that would call for the items I had on hand.  I also knew that I wanted cheese and bacon to be involved. haha.  I found this recipe and then tweaked it a bit.

 After Halloween, I was cruising the clearance aisles at Target and found a fun little cake pop kit that was about $2.  It came with some cake mix, candy melts, frosting mix, and sticks. I couldn't believe how easy it was and how nice they turned out!

 Marco couldn't wait to bite into his. It was a definite hit with everybody. The kids took some to school for their teachers too. 

They turned out really moist and not too sweet!

 We got a chance to go to the Annual Insect Fair and Pumpkin Festival at Cal Poly Pomona.

Naomi was pretty brave about holding the insects.

 My insect boy, Marco, loved it all, but he was especially intrigued by the honeybees. 

 Taryn, a girl after my own heart, appreciating the vintage smoker that the bee keepers used.

 Hannah, also like her mama, handling a tarantula. =)

 I had to get in on the action. 

 Do you see the web he's pulling out of the tarantula?? So cool!

 My two guys. =)  Marco has a little cricket clicker on his head. Silly boy.

Here are my kiddos.  They are my life. I am blessed beyond measure!