Happy Belated Thanksgiving

I'm finally getting a Thanksgiving post up,

only three days late.

You'll have to forgive me, we hosted

Thanksgiving at our house this year,

and I came down with a bad cold/flu

that has hung on for over a week.

So as you can imagine, I took the

few days I had off to recuperate.

 

Despite being a little sick,

Thanksgiving went off without a hitch.

I decided to try a cheese plate this year,

which was a new adventure.

I had never created anything like it before,

but was inspired when we had one at

our anniversary dinner in September.

We displayed the goodies on our new

homemade side table.

It worked out perfectly

(now I just have to wait for it to warm up

so I can stain the table).

I bought some fabulous cheese throughout

the past month, then added grapes,

candied pecans, prosciutto, crackers,

olives and salami.

 

 

I also made two homemade floral arrangements.

They looked okay, but I have some

things that I would like to change next

year if I decide to make them again.

I made the hole in the top of the

pumpkin too big,

so all the flowers had to be cut shorter

in order to be more compact

and fill the large hole.

It made the arrangement look a little stubby.

 

 

Everyone arrived around 3 PM,

and we were ready to eat by 3:30 PM.

The only thing that held us up was that we

did a second turkey that was deep fried,

so we had to wait until 4 PMish to actually sit down to dinner.

I had the timing of my baked turkey down this year...

that was something I struggled with last year.

And the Thanksgiving meal looked fantastic.

Everyone pitched in and brought a dish,

and let me tell you, we have some fantastic

cooks in our family!

 

 

The gathering was small,

only 11 of us, but it was so nice to be

able to talk and visit with everyone

and not have to worry about making the rounds.

Smaller gatherings are my favorite!

 

We all enjoyed the wonderful food,

 

the great conversation,

 

and being with family.

 

 

I truly do have a lot to be thankful for,

and couldn't be happier to share our

home with the people we love most!

Thanksgiving Funny

Weekend Fun

We had the best Saturday ever!

The kids came home from college this past Friday,

and we had a fun Saturday planned.

We had family portraits planned at 9:30 AM.

This was only the second time we've taken portraits.

The first time we took them, Lexx

was a week old, so it's been a while.

We had so much fun, and are hoping

that we didn't look like total goofballs.

There may have been some Zoolander poses

taken during our hour shoot.

 

After we were done taking pictures,

we headed to The Red Apple Café for some breakfast.

 

 

It was such a beautiful and perfect day

we decided to eat al fresco.

 

I took the opportunity to take

some pictures of my good looking kids.

 

 

Since we were in the Camino area,

we had to stop by Apple Hill's Boa Vista Orchard

and grab some apple donuts and/or apple fritters.

 

We may have gone a little overboard.

We end up getting a dozen donuts,

some dumplings and a strudel.

 

We took our goodies, grabbed a

 picnic table and pigged out.

 

When we finished eating a couple of goodies,

we headed to Boeger Winery. 

 

 

 

The winery looked so beautiful

with all the fall colors.

 

 

There were picnic tables placed

in the middle of their orchard,

so you could take your bottle of wine

and some food/snacks that you brought

and have an awesome little meal.

We obviously didn't picnic, since we had

just had breakfast and treats,

but maybe next time we visit

it might be a nice little option.

 

 

While Todd, Austin and I wine tasted,

 

 

Lexx shopped.

She got the cutest little Christmas ornaments.

 

 

Todd purchased two bottles of Moscato,

and then decided to head home.

It was a pretty long day, and our

 feet were starting to hurt.

 

 

To end the day perfectly,

as we were heading home, 

 

 

 

we saw a stagecoach roaming

around the town of Placerville.

 

It was such a fun day with the kids.

I love spending time with my family

and making memories to cherish.

It doesn't hurt that there was food and wine involved!

Robb & Amber's Wedding

 

The wedding was beautiful,

and very much Robb & Amber. 

 

It was full of love,

 

and smiles,

 

 

and excitement!

 

 

Amber looked like a princess,

and was beaming.

 

It was overcast during the ceremony,

but it made for beautiful pictures.

At one point there was a rainbow

behind the bride and groom.

 

 

After the ceremony,

everybody gathered and the party got started.

 

 

There were lots of pictures taken.

 

 

 

At one point it started to sprinkle,

but that didn't slow any of us down.

 

Most of us grabbed someone...

and then a drink,

 

 

and just enjoyed the beautiful celebration.

 

 

There was dancing,

 

 

and speeches,

 

 

and as usual at most McComb get togethers...

shenanigans!

 

 

My family took this opportunity to snap

a few pictures while we were dressed up.

 

And this is where the pictures started

to become blurry, and were of random objects.

A few too many libations were had.

 

I did manage to get a few pictures

of the cake and venue...

or maybe it was Alexxa who took these,

I don't remember. 

 

 

As the evening progressed,

 

The night became even more magical. 

 

Everyone was laughing and dancing and singing.

 

 

But as all things must,

the night came to an end.

Some people decided to continue the party

at another venue, but my family went home.

It was after 10 PM for goodness sake,

and two of us are over 40..

 

It was truly a beautiful celebration of

two people's unconditional love for each other.

And we couldn't be happier to welcome

Amber and her kids into the family.

Robb & Amber's Wedding - The Preparation

As I was looking back on my blog,

I noticed that I never posted pictures

from my brother-in-law (Robb), and now

sister-in-law's (Amber) wedding.

I'm a little late to the game, as they

were married this past June,

but hey, better late than never!

 

The wedding took place at

my Father-in-law's house.

Robb and Amber are building a house

so they made the smart decision to

have the wedding at Dennis'.

His house is beautifully landscaped

and sits on top of a mountain -

or maybe it's a hill

(I'm not sure I know how to differentiate).

It has a beautiful view,

and honestly, you probably would

have trouble finding a place

that is more picturesque.

Top that off with not having to pay to

rent a hall, or a hotel,

and you have a WIN situation.

 

Amber started set up the day

before the wedding.

She adorned the tables with decorations

she had made a few months prior

(see this blog post). 

 

It turned out so well.

It matched perfectly with the landscape,

and more importantly, with the theme of their wedding.

 

 

There were burlap table runners

and cute little "Mr & Mrs" signs.

There were little burlap bows on

the arch, and flowers hanging behind the arch.

 

 

Just as everything was starting to come together...

 

 

It started to rain.

So what did we do?

Went inside and ate.

 

 

Dennis and Anne hosted the dinner.

 

and all of the bridal party was there.

 

 After dinner, the rain stopped, so Amber

quickly rounded everyone up so that they

could rehearse the next days event.

 

 

Apparently whatever Amber was telling everyone

was enthralling because she had everyone's attention.

 

 

Rehearsal went well,

 

 

and there may have been some shenanigans....

 

 

or two...

 

 

or maybe even three.

Amber was so excited to get married

that she did a little dance down

the rehearsal aisle.

 

The evening came to a close,

the rain had stopped,

 

and it looked like we were in

for a wonderful and beautiful

 time the following day.