Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend.  We started on Thanksgiving by having the best dinner ever at my moms.  Her Brothers and Sisters were there and it was fun to see my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

We deviated from the norm this year.   I usually shop “Black Friday” with my sisters.  But this year we decided to go skiing because Jord and Taylor were with their dad and Mitch and Taesha were visiting their moms.  I certainly missed getting out of bed at 4:00 a.m. to shop with my sisters but we had a great time.  We went to a Jazz game on Thanksgiving night, it was a blast!

We sat about 7 rows behind the Jazz bench. Jeff and Chase teased me all night because they said I kept staring at Kyle Korver.  Who can blame a girl!!!  The next day we got up and went skiing.  I love skiing and it has turned into something our entire family can do together.  Chase is an excellent snow boarder and so fun to watch! I will miss him on Saturdays this winter!  I am already excited for Beaver Mtn this winter.   There were several occasions last winter when I looked around skiing and was surrounded by ALL my kids, Jeff, my siblings, my parents and all my nieces and nephews and felt the strongest feelings of gratitude. 

What an incredible time.  I always tease Jeff because he “stretches” before skiing.  What a goof ball!!  We were also able to meet up with several of Jeff’s friends this weekend.  We went to ANOTHER Jazz game with this friends.  I felt a little guilty, but should just soak if up!  Jeff has really fun friends and I love spending time with them.  Many of them live away so it was a treat to see them!

When we got home we picked up the girls and headed over to my moms house.  I love having Sunday dinner there and this Sunday the kids were being “very good”  Which can sometimes be scary.  I decided to go down and see what they were up too and they had created a “museum” with items from all of our childhood that my mom had stored away!  SO CUTE!!

Last but not least, Taesha is starting an auto body class at Bridgerland and she brought her cover alls over for Jill to measure for they could get hemmed.  She is smart enough to know I am rotten at that type of thing.  She is very talented and I am so excited for her!!  I love these pictures!

Thanksgiving at School

As most of you know Jordan is in Kindergarten this year.  I love having both of my girls in school together.  I find I am spending a lot more time at the school this year!  Last Friday was Taylor’s Thanksgiving program.  It was darling!  Every member of the class memorized a poem and they sang and did a readers theater.  Very cute.  Jeff was even in town and able to come watch. Taylor did a great job!  I also helped with Taylor’s class Thanksgiving party.  We made the cutest turkey fridge magnet.  I took the camera but was too overwhelmed with 4th graders and never got a shot!

On Tuesday both of the girls received their H1N1 shots at school.  Taylor did not want me anywhere near.  Jord wanted me to go and she did great!  Never mind that she was bribed with a Webkinz if she didn’t have a major meltdown!  I also helped with her class feast that day.  I love Kindergarten.  Jordan has grown so much, I am so proud of her!

	Above if 1/2 of Jords class.  To the left are 3 of her 4 best friends.  Her other close friend had already left town for the holiday!  What great little spirits!!

Every year on the day before Thanksgiving we all go out to lunch.  Once again, Mother of the year forget her camera.  Although, I don’t have photos it never leaves my mind how grateful I am to live so near my entire family!

The girls had a late night with some friends and I had to post these pictures.  Check out Jord.  They were having a fashion show and check out the outfit she ended up in!!   Yes!  Its a complete spandex gymnastics suit!  OH DEAR!

Simple Blessings

I don’t have my camera because its with Jeff somewhere (I believe Minnesota).  But I wanted to post without photos.  The main reason for my post is because I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude today.  Jeff is gone working but I am so grateful for how hard he works and the security that provides me.  I am grateful for my kids, beyond belief and I have had great conversation (even if its via text) with 4 of the 5 today (if you count Jeff’s kids too).   Only people who have experienced divorce realize sometimes a day or two goes by without talking to your own kids.  I have spoken with 3 of my 4 siblings and both of my parents today.  How blessed I am to live in and be so close to my family both in proximity and emotionally. 

It was Mountainside Elementary’s night at McDonalds and Kim had Young Women in Excellence so I took my kids and hers.  Doesn’t sound like a night at McDonalds with lots of kids would produce feelings of gratitude.  But  my kids and I were able to spend the evening with their cousins and friends and I was again reminded what a great community I live in.   After that I spent the evening watching Reagan, Jordan and Samantha dance to High School Musical.  This is when I wished I had the camera, again I was overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude.  What beautiful, silly girls who are blessed to see each other almost daily. 

So all in all, I realize that life has its challenges and its not always perfect.  However, I would not trade what I have for anything!  It is in life’s simple blessings that we determine our happiness and simple blessings are more than abundant for me.

Marriage, Missionaries & Memories

Mid week last week I got a call from “cousin Brent.”  He told me he was officially engaged.  It was time for a cousin dinner.  I am super blessed to live near a lot of my extended family and absolutely LOVE spending time with them!  We had a great dinner and got to meet Brent’s fiance.  Her name is Katie and she was super fun and cute!  Way to go Brent!

 

Last weekend Chase flew home because his best friend Cade was having his farewell prior to entering the mission field.  We had a great weekend.  I always say that I am so grateful for Jeff.  One of the many reasons why is being able to spend time with and love with  his friends and their families.  Here are some pictures from last weekend.  Cade entered the MTC last Wednesday and he will be an excellent missionary!

 

Notice I am either eating or talking in every photo!  No wonder my pants are tight lately.  We were the kitchen help and had a great time!   Jeff has some really incredible friends who I love spending time with.  It was so great to have Chase here. I hate sending him back to school but he will be back in a week for Thanksgiving!  YEAH!

 

Last week was “get unplugged” week at the girls school.  For an entire school week we went without tv, computer or video games.  We actually had a really good time.  By Friday the girls were ready to play so we had the Watrins down for a sleep over.  Grandpa Elden called on Saturday morning and said he was coming out with donuts.  These kids are SO lucky to have such wonderful grandparents whom they make memories with on a regular basis.

Halloween Weekend!!

I love Halloween.  I love trick-or-treating, class parties and school carnivals.  This weekend we had some of everything!  We also had a band competition to top everything off.  But prior to all that we had the ward trunk or treat.  I only got a few photos but what a great night!  Thanks to Jeff, Kim and Shea for all the help!

	Jord and Reg were twins! I did not know that one of Jordan’s best  little friends had the same outfit!  Super fun! I could not get enough of Taylor this year.  SO FUNNY!! She played the “old man” to the tee!

I am the “head room mom” in Jordan’s class.  Jord’s Halloween party was super fun and she has a darling class.  Jord’s good friend (Kim’s neighbor) is a famous artist and he came and painted the kids faces.  What a treat.  We also made “swamp juice”, pumpkin books and ate donuts.  I love Kindergarten!! Mitchy was here for Halloween and so he helped me out.  What a great helper.

	I was able to make it to the end of Taylor’s party.  She could not wear her mask but the old man wig was pretty funny!

 

Friday night the school had a carnival.  The kids had such a fun time.  We took Little A with us so Jill and Adam could work on the house.

On Saturday we painted pumpkins, we to a band competition and to visit Grandma Pickett.  It was Taesha’s final band competition of the season and my mom, dad and Kim came to support her.  The weather as great and it was really fun!  Way to go T!  Kim just could not believe T could be so serious.  She kept waiting for her to break out in dance on the field!  I love band and love watching and supporting the band.  What a blessing in my life! 

Again, Taylor is so funny!  The people at the assisted living center where Grandma Pickett lives kept saying “she looks like old Charlie.”  It was so funny!!  Check out Mitchy at the band competition.  Already pooped!

Finally, trick or treating and a trip to grandmas house for Spaghetti.  This is a tradition that started when I was a child.  We would always go to Grandma Pickett’s house after trick or treating for a spaghetti dinner.  I love being part of a tradition rich family!  Halloween is the best!  We had a great night!

Life with Jordan is never dull!  Right when we got home she asked if I thought Mrs. LaMont (her K teacher) would think it was funny if she came to school like this!

Now that Halloween is over it’s on to Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving.  However, when I went into the store today Christmas decor was up in full force!  Oh my, I am feeling the pressure already!!!