Gilmores pack in a busy fall weekend

Friday evening we went to a wedding for our "date night." One of Ericlee's former students/basketball players and now fellow teachers was getting married. CJ Haydock married Amber Fabila at Sunnyside Country Club. The wedding was gorgeous - complete with fall colors. The October weather was a bit nippy for Fresno. This time of year is often still in the 90s but Friday night was in the 60s so the ladies all shivered in our strapless gowns. The wedding was a Fresno Christian school reunion. Ericlee got to catch up with lots of former students and even our friends, Tad and Jenny Kroeker. We sneaked in one slow dance before heading home to Grandma and our little one.

Saturday morning, Ericlee headed off early to Woodward Park for a Cross Country meet with his team. The meet featured 130 schools and provided a little preview to the State meet coming up Thanksgiving weekend. Meanwhile, Nana and Papa picked up Meilani for some quality time. Dorina had some "enrichment" time to focus on her writing. She had the privilege of attending the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators conference at Fresno State. The SCBWI is a professional organization for writers and illustrators and they have lots of useful conferences, critiques and a monthly magazine to help children's writers with their craft. The day opened with a talk by the prolific children's writer/illustrator Aliki. Her picture books, AH, MUSIC! and THE FIVE SENSES are a big hit with kids.
The most inspiring speaker of the conference was Yuyi Morales, illustrator of HARVESTING HOPE (a book about Cesar Chavez) and winner of the Pura Belpre Award. She did a presentation telling her journey into the children's book market and encouraging the audience to have courage to follow their impulses and dreams. "When we have the ability to create something, we have power," Yuyi said. She urged her listeners to create, believe, celebrate and enjoy! Dorina played host to Yuyi for the day, escorting her to the conference and bringing her to the train station afterwards.

While Daddy and Mama were busy this weekend, Meilani indulged in some quality grandparent time. She hung out with Grandma Christene Friday night and Nana and Papa Saturday. She showed off her new stunts - using the potty, saying "no," dancing and even trying on Mama's shoes. Nana and Papa took Meilani garage saling and to Woodward Park's Japanese Garden for a walk.

In this photo, Nana and Meilani share the homemade ABC book created by Dorina's friends at a baby shower last year.