Thanksgiving Party #2 and #3

Our Thanksgiving celebrations got off to an early start with a breakfast/brunch with Uncle Thane, Auntie Kim and Elias. They came over around 8:30...Grandma was up early making quiche, crockpot pumpkin lattes, a cranberry-orange pastries, and yogurt parfaits. (I was supposed to be up early to help...but the girls didn't cooperate and I was up with Annaliese for a fair amount of the night...so she did everything on her own!)

 Elias and Auntie Kim

A little play time together

By 10:30, Kim, Thane and Elias packed up and headed back home. They had plans to meet up with Thane's family for the rest of the day and had a few last minute dessert preparations to do. 

We spent the rest of the day at a retreat center called Cedar Springs that was about 40 minutes away. It was a beautiful, very peaceful setting! We joined several of my dad's cousins and some of their friends for the rest of the day. There was an abundance of food, some ping-pong, a short hike and even a canoe ride around the lake!

 Ron and Karen opened with a devotional and a time of sharing some of the ways that we have seen God's provision and blessings throughout the past year.

 We also sang a few songs, including "God is so Good," a Hendricks family gathering tradition.

 Haleigh definitely enjoyed all the Thanksgiving food!

 Grandpa and Annaliese

 Annaliese wasn't so sure about Mom and Dad going out in the canoe...but Grandpa convinced her that it would be ok!

 Hiking along an old railroad tressel

Looks like Haleigh found a comfy spot for her post-lunch nap!

It is amazing to look back at this past year...last Thanksgiving we were moving out of our house in Grover Beach and into the apartment in the barn. We were planning on finding a house in Arroyo Grande or the surrounding area and thoughts of moving to WA were more of a vague idea for sometime in the future, if ever. And yet, here we are, one year later establishing ourselves in WA! Looking back, it so clear how God has been at work...living in the barn was a great experience (without the stress of a lease and having to commit to living there for a set amount of time)...Haleigh-bear made a quick entrance into our lives and has been an absolute joy!...I was more than ready for a change of work...the move went smoothly...my parents generously let us live with them...Living with them went better than anticipated...Kyle and I both were able to start working within a few weeks/months of arriving!...I found a mom's Bible Study to join...and now we have a new house!! And these are just the obvious things that have God's handprints all over them. I'm sure if I thought a little bit more about it, I could come up with a lot more subtle things as well. Regardless, I can say that I am truly thankful for everything we have been blessed with and am excited to see what God has in store for us here in Washington!