WHAT A BUSY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!!

We hosted the big Thanksgiving dinner this year at our house. We had 18 people here and it was just about the right amount without having to move to the freezing basement. We had tons of food, lots of laughs, and just good times being together.
For one of our activities we made gingerbread houses. We put everyone into a team of two and gave them some graham crackers and a bag of frosting. Everyone was asked to bring candy for sharing to decorate the houses. Well, some shared better than others and some really got into making their gingerbread house. You can see how much fun everyone had by looking at the pictures.


This is Austin and Kae Lee's house----they even made a dog to sit in the front.

This is Michael's and Andrew's house. They decided they liked the oreo sticks crushed on the roof instead of whole. That way they could eat some of it, also.

This is Emily and Quinn making their house. Quinn was more interested in eating all the candy he could put in his mouth.

This is Brynna and Arika. Arika looks like she is just really having a great time.

Andrew and Michael teamed up to build their dream ginger bread house.

Kevin and Mom were like the perfect house builders and the winners. Just don't mess with their stuff!!!

Michael was really getting in to the decorating or was that the eating?


On Friday we went to the Blair's house and did Thanksgiving dinner again with Michael's family. We had all the regulars like pea gravy and Mom Blair's dressing.
We stayed over night Friday so that we could watch the BYU and Utah game. Too bad we couldn't bring home the win this year. We had a great time with family and missed those who weren't with us---like James. He was well taken care of and we are thankful to those people who take care of our boy while he is in California.

This is at Grandma Blair's house in front of "Stumpy" all decorated like a turkey.
This is a new addition to her collection of outfits for Stumpy. Isn't it cute?
We feel so blessed to be around family and to enjoy good times together. Thanks everyone for making it such a great weekend.

A THANKFUL HEART

Since it is Thanksgiving this week, I felt that I needed to express thanks for some of the wonderful things that I have been blessed with.

I am thankful for a wonderful and loving husband. Michael is my best friend and my life has been greatly blessed because of his great example and love for me. We have the best times together and we still love going out on dates. He makes me want to be better in all areas of my life. I feel so blessed to be married to such a great man.

I am thankful for James. I am so happy that he has chosen to serve the Lord. I am thankful that he is worthy to hold the Priesthood and to use that power to bless the lives of others. I am proud of the work that he is doing. We miss him but we wouldn't want him to be anywhere else right now.

I am thankful for Kae Lee. She is such a delightful young lady. She is always happy and always has a smile to share with others. She is such a great helper to me. She loves children/babies and she will be an amazing mother someday. I am thankful that she has a desire to attend college and get her nursing degree. She is a great example to me.

I am thankful for Brynna. She is a girl that has her life planned out and knows where she wants to go with it. She is strong in her values and always sets a great example for her family and friends. She loves her family and is always striving to serve them. She is a great young lady.

I am thankful for the Savior. I know that I take his great gift of the Atonement for granted. But without him, I would not be where I am today. I know that He lives and that He gave his life for me. So thankful for that unconditional love and His mercy for me. I know that He knows me by name and that makes Him such a personal Savior. I love Him with all my heart.

I am thankful for my Heavenly Father. He has given me everything that I have. I am so thankful that He is there whenever I need Him. I know that He lives and that someday I hope to live with Him again.

I am thankful for wonderful parents who love me and raised me in the Gospel. I know that they made so many sacrifices for our family of 8. They worked hard for us so that we could have everything we needed. They took us camping and on some family trips out of state. We had so much fun being together as a family. They are great examples to me and I love them so much. They are amazing people. They are still always giving to their children.

I am thankful for wonderful in-laws. I couldn't ask for better in-laws. I love them as if they were my own parents. They have raised their children in the Gospel and reared them in love. They love me and always make me feel a part of the family. They are the most Christ-like and giving people I know. They are people that I want to emulate.

I feel so blessed to have the life that I have. I know that Heavenly Father has been very giving to us. I am thankful to have my family coming to our home for Thanksgiving this year. We enjoy being together but we will miss those who will not be with us for this wonderful day. Hope that everyone is blessed with safety, peace and an attitude of gratitude this Thanksgiving.