Thanksgiving 2009

This is the first Thanksgiving that we have had at our house for many years. We usually travel to Salt Lake from Cedar every year and spend the weekend. This year, Mike asked his family if they would be willing to come down to Cedar for Thanksgiving if we paid for everything for Thanksgiving, and they actually said YES.

It just isn't Thanksgiving weekend without Mike playing football. This is AJ and Mike playing with a the Elder's in our ward.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. The food was great and so was the company. We really enjoyed ourselves. We all played Rock Band together and everyone got involved. I think everyone had a great time.

Angela is singing in this picture, but almost everyone took their turn either singing or playing guitar or drums. It was lots of fun. This is a picture of Angela, Anna, Joy, Fuzzy and Liz

Our drum player, AJ, enjoying himself on Thanksgiving. We have to take as many pictures of him as possible because before we know it he will be gone. We are so thankful for so many things and especially thankful for family.

SO Thankful

I know I have been much of a slacker as far as blogging, but my life is so busy with so many things right now. I do miss my wonderful blogging friends that always make my day and have great things to encourage me.

I would feel so ungrateful if I didn't post something about the many things in my life that warm my heart and that I am so thankful for.

We had a great Thanksgiving. It was at our house, which is a first in a long time. It turned out great. Wonderful food, great family and fun.

I am so blessed with so many things. Especially this year, I am focusing so much on the things that mean the most, which aren't things.

I am grateful for

great kids that are always trying to be great examples in their every day lives

great husband that has put up with a wife gone every day all day long for 12 wks

Warm and comfortable home

Great friends that have helped to make me who I am

Great family that are so loving and caring

Health and strength to continue on

An end to my dream of wanting to be a teacher, I can't believe it.

A testimony of the gospel and all the joy it brings to me.

A son with a desire to serve the Lord in a full time mission in a couple of weeks.

I am so thankful for all I have and just hope that I can continue to be strong in all that I do.

I AM SO THANKFUL

This year

This year we headed up north for Thanksgiving. We left on Wednesday morning and stayed with Mike's parents. We had a family dinner with his family for his dad's birthday. It was nice to see everyone. On Thanksgiving, Mike and the boys woke up and went to play football at 8 am. I think they are all in one piece but quite sore. After the football, we took the kids to see the movie "BOLT" at Jordan Landing. It was a very cute movie. After that we went to my sister's for Thanksgiving dinner. We had dinner about 5:00 pm. It was delicious. There is always preparation that goes into a big meal. Mike and AJ were helping Kristi in the kitchen. Mike is the official potato masher, maker.

Here is a picture of us getting ready to eat dinner. Kristi did such a fabulous job hosting the dinner and making everything look fabulous. This is the adult table. My brother and his wife and the kids sat at the other table.

Six kinds of pie, yummy. When we have Thanksgiving we always have many kinds of pie to choose from. Pie, pie and more pie. The best part.

Then we had a little entertainment. AJ, Todd, Angela and Kyle(my brother) all played Rock Band with the rest of us watching and listening. Kyle is quite a ham when it comes to singing.

Parting is always such sweet sorrow. This is a group hug, that my kids are giving my sister before we head back to grandma and grandpa's house.

On Friday(Black Friday), Mike and I did get up early and head out shopping. My kids also have a tradition of helping Grandma Glad decorate for Christmas and also watching Christmas movies. This is the kids watching "Elf".

Here is a picture of my kids after helping decorate for Grandma.

Grandma made all of us homemade scones today when we woke up and were getting ready to come home. This is the kids smothering her in the kitchen before we left to come home. Thanks grandma and grandpa for letting us invade your house and also for letting us drink all of your sodas.

How early??

I can't believe how each year the day after Thanksgiving shopping gets earlier and earlier. The stores are opening earlier and earlier and some all night long. There are even some stores that have sales on Thanksgiving day.

This is a tradition that Mike and I have had since we were first married. We go shopping real early on Black Friday also known as the day after Thanksgiving. Some years we really find a lot of great deals and it is real worth it.

I remember one year I was so pregnant and I thought I was doing fine. I was standing in a very long line and I almost passed out. Everyone around me was worried, but all I needed was a little food and to move around a little. There have been a couple of years that we have gone with my sister Kristi or her and her husband. That is always fun.

This tradition has become harder as we have moved down here for the last four years. We have to be sneaky and pack what we purchase carefully into our Expedition. Many people say that we are crazy and that they can't believe that Mike will go with me, but he always does and doesn't even complain. We go to breakfast and shop and just enjoy being together. This always gets us a very good start on what we need to get for Christmas. The older that I get I wonder if it is worth it, because it is so hard to get up early on a long weekend, but it always ends up being worth the few extra hours.

I must say that I really don't enjoy standing in long lines and that is probably one of the things that I hate most about the shopping the day after Thanksgiving.

If you go shopping how early do you go??? I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for all your comments.

Month of Thanksgiving

For the past few months I have been thinking about Thanksgiving coming up, not because I am excited for pie and Thanksgiving dinner, even though I am but because of what it reminds me of.

I remember when I was a little girl, the week or two before Thanksgiving my family would make fruit baskets and take them with a nice note to a list of people that had influenced our life for good. We would express to them of our thanks for them in our lives. I loved doing this. I think that is what this time of the year should be about. We need to be grateful for everything we have and all of the important people in our lives and show it.

I also have been thinking how many blessings that I have in my life. This has been something I have been thinking a lot about with my past set back in my health. I can't express how something that you have that is real hard in your life can make you be grateful for Everything. I have so many blessings in my life and I hope that I can share them with you this month, especially because many of you are my Greatest blessings.

Happy Turkey Month!!!! I hope you all can focus on what you are most grateful for and show your gratitude. I will post many more postings this month on this, so check back!!!!!