Here we are at Jonah and Michelle's house before the race. We decided to dress up this year and be festive. It was fun and we got a number of comments, particularly about the jingle bells on our shoes, people called us the Jingle Bell Girls. 
These pictures are from during the race, they were difficult to take while we were running.
We also took a runner's view video. 
We all finished together and it was a fun way to start Thanksgiving and a beautiful morning for a jog.
Jonah, Michelle, and I did something bad today, we cut down Christmas trees before Thanksgiving. Terrible, I know. But we had the day off school and there wasn't going to be another time that we would work out as well, so what can you do? We made a trip to Calvin Crest for our trees (they gave us permission to cut them) and it was a great trip. We arrived early afternoon and got to visit with our friends Joel and Kirsten and their baby, Nathan. We decided to go on a walk and passed through the Crestview campfire area. I was the happy camper and Jonah the cool kid. It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed the fresh air and trees. Most of the fall leaves had already fallen, but some trees still had their leaves and looked great. 
Then we hiked the Shadow of the Giants trail. 
We were sad to have missed the Dogwood trees with their fall leaves, but it was still a good hike. 
Jonah and Michelle in front of one of the Giant Sequoias. 
Next, we headed to Sherwood and found the perfect tree. Michelle and Jonah got this big one plus a little one and I got a mini one. 
Fitting the tree in the car was a challenge, but once we got it in, it fit pretty well.
The car sure smelled good while we drove back to Visalia. 
This picture is not a true before picture because it shows the new windows, which are quite nice.
The first order of business was kicking out the panels at the back of the half wall/cabinet; the boys had a lot of fun with that, as did the adults in the group. It was highly satisfying to kick out a wood panel, especially since I was still wearing my skirt. 
We continued to work at tearing the rest of the half wall out and taking it apart, stopping for a break to have pizza. Things progressed well over the afternoon and we got the whole thing taken apart as well as purchasing new wood, drywall, and lights. 
Michelle and Mom got the pieces cut for the new half wall and Jonah started nailing it together. About that time we decided to call it a day and head home to cut up our bounty of wood. Everyone came over and we had dinner and the first fire of the season.