Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving 2009


Giving Thanks for our Moms

Ofc. Holt carves the turkey

Cousins spent time together and building relationships that will last their lifetime

My father and me

Britt, Mike, Mom and Ryder enjoying each others company

My mom making her famous potatoes and Uncle Bill making the most
important item, gravy.

The family surrounding the table to check out ads for
Black Friday.

My Aunt Marsha and Aunt Shirley

Thanksgiving was a great day. I hope everyone had a time to reflect on their year and the things they are most grateful for.

What time brings...

The boys headed to Turkey Bowl

Thankful for my son

Since the first year of my marriage, I have spent Thanksgiving morning putting on a turkey with the help of Ofc. Holt, then there he goes... he is off to relive some high school memories, playing football. Every year he comes home with war stories, which has always included being yelled at by Bro. Finell, and a few others for playing too "rough". This year was a special year, it was the first year our son got to go. He is finally at an age where Ofc. Holt says that he can "handle it". I told Ofc. Holt that Bub could only go if they were going to be on the same team (I DO listen to all of those war stories). Anyway, they had a lot of fun, and if anyone's husband complained about mine, I really am sorry.

Time for giving thanks...

This is the month for giving thanks. Even though I am guilty of jumping into Christmas a little too soon, I really love the month of November to reflect on all of my blessings. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, as I have every year. I have 4 healthy children who are the whole reason I wake up in the morning. They are so important to me and I can't imagine life with out them. I am so thankful for my amazing husband, who undoubtedly is my best friend. We have SOME time alone, and when we are, we talk about life and how fast it has gone by. We still dream together, and that is the best part. I am thankful for my parents. I am at an age where I really appreciate all that they have done and still do for me. They are great. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and food on the table when so many others are struggling. I am thankful that I have a job that I love and enjoy, my dream job. I am thankful my husband has a job that he loves and talks about ALL the time :) I am thankful for my church calling. I can't imagine serving anywhere else. The young women in my ward are truly delightful daughters of God. They are examples to me every Sunday. I am thankful that I get to drive a car with heat and air conditioning, quiet, and dependable because for so many years I didn't.
I am thankful that I have had the chance to spend another year on this earth to raise my children and to continue building a life with my husband. There are so many things I have to be thankful for, but it is 2 til' four and I am going home.

Oh, one more project...

This is the time of year where I go project CRAZY! So here is something else I did. Yeah, that is my last name on my School Sweat Shirt cool, huh? Other than the fact that my students will be able to spot me across the hall. I should have rethought the sequins.

Ornaments... getting ready...

Bub, Marley, and Ofc. Holt working hard

Kennedy and the finished product.

Taylor kept reminding everyone that she takes after her mom and that she is crafty, naturally.

Marley wrote everyone's name on their ornament... FHE fun!

Tonight for FHE we made Christmas Ornaments. It was a lot of fun. I have a container of ornaments my kids have made at school, and these are the ornaments that I hold close to my heart. Not the Lennox ones that I paid an arm and a leg, or the hallmark ones that I had to sell dog for. They are ones with a simple picture surrounded by golden noodles, or painted puzzle pieces. I love these ornaments. Well the kids are getting older now and are not making these ornaments any more at school (dang NCLB). So I bought two kits from Hobby Lobby and we made our own. This was such a great way to celebrate the season approaching us. I think I even talked Ofc. Holt into putting up our Christmas tree this Wednesday. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment :)

A promise made...

The summer of 2007 we made a family vacation to Kansas. We promised our children we would go on a family vacation every year from that point forward. The following summer there were some major changes in our family and we were unable to go anywhere for vacation. We used our vacation money to keep us afloat and we survived. While Colby was finishing the academy and I was finishing grad school, we made a promise to our kids that when it was all over, we would go to Disneyland. Well the following summer came (2009) and Colby, since he was new on the job, didn't feel like he should take any time off, so once again we spent the summer at home. Colby's one year mark was August 25th, and he would be able to take some time off... so I did it, I planned a vacation that we had promised to our kids. I knew we would have fall break in October, which in our opinion is the best time to visit Disneyland anyway! So, it was set, we were headed to Disneyland Oct 20th! Woo Hoo!!!!
We had a blast. Our kids were on the go every minute of our three day visit. Disneyland wasn't crowded at all, we got on all the rides several times over! It was a blast. Here are some of our photos from our trip! Oh, and the best part: NO STROLLERS for us!!! :)

The girls and Tinkerbell

My silly family.

The Twins

The Whole Family

Just us girls.

Kennedy turns into a Young Woman

Kennedy on her birthday.

Kennedy at Disneyland 10/09

Kennedy turns 12 today. This is quite the big deal in our church. She no longer goes to primary, she is now in YW. I can't believe how fast her life has gone bye. She is so grown up and independent. She is very responsible and a great student. She is driven and wants to be a police officer like her dad. That really doesn't make me happy because I worry, but I know when she puts her mind to it, it happens. I love her and so glad that my Heavenly Father gave me a daughter 12 years ago. I have made several parenting mistakes, but she survived! I will post some pictures when I get home!