A time for Thanks!

About a week ago Chad's mom found out that she had Cancer.  They don't know exactly where or to what extent the cancer has spread, but we decided to go spend some extra time with Chad's parents this Thanksgiving.  On Saturday we left early and arrived in Sandy around 7:30 pm.  

It was snowing when we arrived and continued to snow into Sunday morning.  The kids were thrilled and didn't waste any time after church building snowmen with their bare hands on Grandma's porch.

For those who preferred to stay warm, game playing became the afternoon activity. 

 

Monday morning Chad and I had the opportunity to participate in a live session at the Salt Lake Temple and by the time we left to go back to Grandma's house, the snow had mostly disappeared.   Looking for other fun activities, we finished buying presents for cousins and in laws, and went bowling for Family Night.  

Carlee got so excited when she bowled.  They had this cool device that allowed her to roll her ball down a sloped guide towards the pins.  She ended up getting a strike and a few spares.

In the end, Carlee had the second highest score.  I only beat her by one.

On Tuesday we went to BYU to visit campus and take a tour.  Becca was excited to talk to our tour guide about her future goals, but the other kids all just wanted to see where Studio C was taped.

Later Tuesday evening we stopped in on a Book Signing in Salt Lake City.  Brandon Mull is one of my kid's favorite authors.  Sara and Jake were both a little star struck.  Sara was happy to tell him that she had already finished his most recent book from the 5 Kingdoms Series (2 days after it came out).  As a little bit of a spoiler, he told us that we would really enjoy books 3 and 4, but book 4 is Brandon's favorite.

On Wednesday we went over to Temple Square and while Chad and Rebecca did Baptisms, I took the rest of the crew to see the Conference Center, temple grounds, tabernacle, Christus Statue, Behive House and the Church Office Building.

 We ended the trip with lunch at the Lion house.  It was really good.  

 By Wednesday evening, aunts, uncles, and cousins began to arrive.  Carlee really liked all of the attention she received by EVERYONE, but especially Uncle Frank.  I think she felt the most comfortable with him because he looks a lot like her daddy.

Grandma reserves the church building right across the street from her house for meals when the family arrives.  After cooking all day, we went to the church for a wonderful thanksgiving meal and a few rousing games of Dodgeball in the gym.

With 25 people in one house, it gets a little tight, but we had fun bonding with family.  On Friday we celebrated Christmas with Chad's family.  All of the younger cousins exchanged gifts, while the older cousins and adults had a gift exchange.  Then siblings and parents exchanged presents and we spent the evening visiting and eating more pie.

Sadly, the fun came to an end for us as we packed up the car and drove home Saturday morning.

  I am grateful for family.  I am grateful for time.  Moments like these, and time spent together are priceless gifts infinitely greater than big screen TV's and electronic toys.  How grateful I am for the knowledge I have of a Savior and the hope His gospel provides.  I can't imagine eternity without all the people I have grown to love here on earth.  I look forward to happy reunions and everyday we have together right now.  Life is a gift, one that I am eternally grateful for.  

Carlee's Birthday

My baby is three and such a cute little princess.  We had planned to only have cousins over and a few cupcakes to celebrate Carlee's birthday, but two weeks before her big day, Olivia invited her to attend her Birthday Party.  As soon as Carlee realized that you could invite people over to celebrate your birthday, she wanted an all out Elsa party.  Needless to say, we ended up inviting a cousins and friends, making an Elsa cake, scheduling a bouncy castle, and having a piñata.  It was birthday bliss for Carlee, until she realized that the bouncy house wouldn't be there the next day and then she was a little sad, but all in all the party was a success.

 Carlee opened her presents from Grandma first thing and was thrilled to find a new Sophia outfit.

 She wore her new dress all day and so she was ready to party when her friends arrived to celebrate.  I love watching my kid's faces the first time they realize that the, "Happy Birthday song" is for them.

 Piñata's are awesome.  Carlee picked out this one from Target.  It's been a long time since we've had a party with a piñata.

 Chad and I purchased a Minnie dress for Carlee, and so when she finally opened up her presents from us, she decided to switch costumes and end the day as Minnie Mouse.  A girl can never have too many dress up clothes.  At least not in Carlee's world.  Happy Birthday Princess.

Scouting and Thanksgiving Performances

It's hard for me to believe that my cute little cub scout is going to be transitioning to the 11 year old Boy Scouting Program.  I don't know if I'm ready to send him out on all the hikes, campouts, etc., but I am proud of all he has accomplished.  He received his Webelos award and will have his arrow of light this Wednesday.  Joey is right behind him working on his Bear.  

For Chad there isn't anything more exciting than the prospect of reliving his scouting experience and so he is thrilled to have an excuse to go camping with Jake.  I think it will be fun to watch how scouting changes Jake as he works towards his Eagle, but for now I had to capture a classic CUB SCOUT moment.  

Joey is going to be my little actor.  He has more personality then I know what to do with sometimes, but it definitely makes for a good show.  In this Thanksgiving performance he is really into stuffing his turkey.  

 You can't really see Jake, but I promise he is there doing the, "Cotton Eyed Joe" dance.

And last but not least. . . Sara and her Latin drum team.  They had everyone on their feet dancing.

Halloween Fun

There are so many Halloween activities each year that it's hard to keep track and attend everything, so this year I rebelled a little bit.  The week of Halloween Carlee and I went with Cindy and Ty to pick out a pumpkin.  We never actually got around to carving our pumpkins, but it was fun running around this cute little pumpkin patch with Carlee.

We attended the ward's annual "Trunk or Treat," but on Halloween night we ditched some activities and divided the kids amongst others so that I could stay home and hand out candy.  Yaaaaa!!!

Our Favorite Bat Family!

I can't tell you how nice it was to just sit with Clarissa (my cousin) and chat all night, while Justin took the little girls out to trick or treat, and Chad took the older kids to a Halloween Party with some of our family friends.  Happy Halloween!