family adventures in red pea coat, part two

one of my favorite family adventures of the year has to be the annual trip to the christmas tree farm to select the tree of our dreams. there's drama. there's debating. there might even be a few tears shed (okay not really) but we always end up with a winner. the best part about the whole thing is probably the annual penguin picture (just you wait), but it really is overall just a grand time. now enjoy some pictures that capture that good time. 

and so it begins. family news: michael and i are the same height. awesome.

 though they make for good pictures, we have opted out of the 'bushy tree' club.

 dad picks up trees with ease.

 what's christmas tree shopping without a few awkward pics?

 and really sweet decor.

 remember that one time dave knocked a tree down and tried to blame it on jenn?

more trees!

 

 completely candid contemplative composition. 

 more contemplation...

 while mom tried to decide between the two best, the rest of us found other things to do...

 sisters

 well isn't this tree just the perfect height!

 more candid. picture preparation.

 getting wild with a wreath

 love these ladies. 

 after a good while we finally decided on this guy,

 and brought it home only to realize it was just a titch too tall. more drama ensued. 

but it all worked itself out, and we have one beautiful tree in our family room and plenty of pictures to prove it. hooray hooray for the Christmas season. 

and now, the bodine family goes penguin:

great great things.

i love family adventures.

merry christmas season to all!

family adventures in red pea coat, part one

i like family.

i like adventures.

i like my new red pea coat.

this particular day we ventured a ways out of our city, San Fran to be exact, so we could go on a little excursion across the golden gate. for some reason i had never actually stood on the bridge, only driven across, so i was excited for the event. and it proved to be everything i hoped and dreamed it would be. 

looking at that city

we actually paid to use one of these. exciting

 moms and pops

 pretty city

 just a typical family shot

 there she is

 yet another typical family shot

why do i have to be the one behind the camera?

 angled?

 love these two beautiful ladies. 

 jenn risked her life avoiding some serious bikers to get this shot

 i just like this

 the coin collector's dream

 oh how i love adventures

 guess who

 getting a little bridge crazy

 sibs

 watch out, getting artsy

 another fam shot minus one. 

 woah. too much artsy?

the police man pulling over rogue bikers was humorous. 

 lots of bridge.

it was a great adventure. and it was actually really neat to get out on the bridge and look out at the city. and matching the bridge was a nice treat too. prepare yourself for part two: yet another picture overload. 

thanks

1. i'm thankful for my faith

i'm thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. i'm thankful for the knowledge i have, for the joy it brings me. i'm grateful that families are forever. 

2. i'm thankful for love

i'm so thankful to be in love with the best person i know. i'm thankful that he loves me back. i am so thankful for my Anj and everything he does for me. he lights up my life and makes me so happy. 

3. i'm thankful for my family

my family is one of a kind. i love that we love to spend time together. i am thankful for each person in my family: my dad for being so wise and generous, my mom for being so willing to listen and crazy fun, j for still matching with me after all these years and just being my best sister, dave for keeping things real and making me laugh, and mike-n-ike for loving me so much and for being so kind. 

4. i'm thankful for my best friend

mindy, mindo, mind, minderfeen, mindelicious, mindle, minds is the best friend and roommate i could ask for and i am so grateful to have her around. i'm grateful for a friend who i have so much in common with, for a friend who will just be crazy with me and for a friend who shares everything with me. i'm thankful for mind's fabulous family too. 

5. i'm thankful for my body

my eyes that can see, my ears that can hear, my voice, my legs, my heart, my health. i'm so thankful i have the ability to appreciate all the wonderful things this life has to offer.

6. i'm thankful for fun

and for all the friends that make it possible. i'm thankful for disco skating, for long chats with the roommates, for treat nights, for football games, for hot dates, for skip bo. i'm thankful for all of the wonderful people i know who make life so much more enjoyable. i love them all.

happy thanksgiving to all,

and thank you!