Easiest Thanksgiving yet

We spent Thanksgiving in Orem at Jerry and Leilani's house. (Steve's sister). I did absolutely no cooking. I felt a little guilty, however it sure was a treat. Leilani did a marvelous job. Everything was absolutely perfect. She's kind of like that. I was very thankful we had family to spend the holidays with.





We stayed the weekend at Little America in Salt Lake. On Friday night there was a gingerbread, Christmas event at the Grand America. It was spectacular. This was the first and it is said to be an annual event from now on. I'm glad we didn't miss it.

We were greeted in the lobby by the Jazz bear.




Check out these amazing gingerbread houses that were auctioned off.

It's FALL!

It officially feels like fall after the Pumpkin Fest. We love the Pumpkin Fest. The kids have so much fun. Here some pictures from Saturday. It was also Cedar City's Livestock and Heritage Festival. In the parade there were close to 1,000 sheep going down main street. The kids thought it was cool but it stunk. It was also SUU's homecoming. And yes I'm happy to say they won by a landslide.

Since the last post...

Jack's 4!
Yesterday was Jack's Birthday. My little boy is getting to be a big boy, a very crazy, wild, big boy! I'm not sure if he'll ever mellow out. But we definitely are glad to have him around. He keeps all of us on our toes at all times. Happy Birthday BIG BOY!


Greg, Max, and Jack at The Birthday dinner.

Megan also had a birthday on the 6th. She's back to school at BYU now, so any chance we get to see her is a special day.

Greg, Mimi and Max moved to Cedar last week. They now have the perfect babysitter. Kennedy loves that little boy a ton and he doesn't mind her either.

Soccer ended.


We had our last trip to our cabin at Navajo Lake for the year.
Jack all set to take the canoe out, unfortunately the rain didn't stop long enough for us to go out on the lake.

It rained that night and therefore we had to finish our smores indoors.

Ken's BFF Nat got to come on this trip.

The wind blew so hard the night before there were actually trees in the road when we left. Luckily they were pretty skinny and we could move them long enough to drive through.

We went to Kanab for a reception last Saturday. Kennedy and Jack are always very photogenic.

I'm not big on pictures of myself, but I have to post these because their with family I rarely see anymore. Shanna was practically my sister growing up and Cindy is her little sister which makes her mine as well.

My Aunt Georgia

Kennedy's 10!

My darling Kennedy will be 10 at 9am tomorrow morning. I could spend all day and night going on and on about how wonderful Kennedy is. She’s one of those people that others are always drawn to. She has the “IT” factor. I’m not sure where she got it but it’s there.

We had Kennedy’s birthday party early this year. A couple of weeks ago she got to invite a few girls for a swimming sleep-over at the motel. The one thing I have always been against are sleep-overs. This past year she has been invited to several sleep-overs and I’ve always let her go until about mid-night and then she would come home. I just thought that late nights are much better and safer. Well I finally gave in and let her sleep over once and now the cat’s out of the bag. I still feel it’s not a great idea, however on special occasions, such as birthdays I may give in a time or two, especially since we had our own sleep over.
The girls really seemed to have a blast. They swam until dark, had treats and then came in for decorating hats and playing games. The night didn’t end until after 3:00 am. One girl left at midnight and then returned at 5:30 am, waking all those who had just previously fallen asleep. I got a phone call from the girls at 6:00 am (I was in a room next to the two they had) asking if they could go get breakfast now. After breakfast, they went swimming until 9am. We all got cleaned up and ready for a parade that was going on that morning. After the parade I took them all home. It was really nice to have it over with.


Kennedy, I couldn’t ask for a better daughter. I wouldn’t change one thing about you. I love you with all my heart.

Rylee's new friend!

Friday a couple of boys found a snake at school and tried scaring the girls with it. To their surprise Rylee begged and begged them to give it to her. They did and she brought it home. Kennedy and her friends wouldn't even touch the thing, however Rylee was in love. She's my critter girl.

Surprise

Brian showed up last night for some sibling time he said. He drove from St.George after work and got here just before bed to take Ken, Ry and Jack to Maggie Moo's for ice cream. He stayed the night and then left at 8 am to make it to his class by 9 am. He's such a good brother.

Jack of course got cotton candy flavored ice cream. Notice the blue mouth.

One Out! Many more to go.

Rylee lost her FIRST tooth last night. It was an exciting moment, however the next morning was even more amazing when she found five dollars in her tooth fairy pillow with a special note. She can't wait for the next ones to follow.


Jack started Joy school.


And that night he fell and cut his forhead open on the bottom of his door.


Life continues.

I wasn't gonna...but I gotta!

Ok so I wasn’t planning on posting my kids off to school for the first day but they just look too dang cute not to. I got up just after 7 am to go wake them and came around the corner to find this. The two of them were sitting on our antique just as you come up the stairs, dressed and ready to go. It made me laugh.

I wish the entire year would continue this way, however I know that will not be the case.






And their OFF!

Brian's Back!

Last Saturday Brian returned home from a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Joao Pessoa, Brazil. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until he came home. I’ve always held a special place in my heart for Brian. He's one of those good people you have to love. I fell in love with him the first time I met him. He was ten years old. He was and still is an amazing boy. It’s still hard for me to say man, although that’s really what he is. We all look forward to him spending a lot of time with us. We are blessed to have him in our family. I am a much better person for being able to learn from him.

Kennedy and Max watching for Brian's plane.

Megan and Jack anxiously waiting for Brian.

He's HERE!

Kennedy and Max

Mimi and Rylee

Brian with all the little ones


The Girls

Ken, Ry, Ellie, and Siena

Jack and Claire (to bad their related, they'd make a cute couple)

My first float, We made a huge bowl of green jello salad with, what else, shredded carrots.

What are Utah mormans without Jello?

Hiking in the heat, a little CRAZY!