What we've been up to...

Nathan eating Pumpkin Pie. Mmmmm...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. The dinner was delicious and uncle Tremayne gained the most weight at a whopping 6 pounds! (We always have a "weigh-in" contest each year). The kids had fun playing with their cousins and getting into Grandma's dress up costumes. We even got a little shopping in on Black Friday. (After 10 a.m.- I am not into insanity anymore) We have so much to be grateful for this year. I am grateful for the health I enjoy, that we have a steady job and a warm, comfortable home to live in. I am so grateful for my family and friends. They are the most important part of my life. I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel. It has gotten me through this difficult year.

Collin in Grandma's pumpkin costume.

Jason's sister came down and we had another Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday with Jason's dad. It was nice to visit and the food was good too. We don't see Jason's dad very often, so it was fun for Jason to visit with him. We put up our Christmas tree with the cousins. If you want your Christmas tree put up and decorated fast, enlist 5 or 6 kids to help! There may be clusters of ornaments and not-so-perfect pine boughs, but it will be done.

Madison helping Nathan deck the halls

In other news, we were so proud of Collin for being awarded a medal for his Visual Arts Reflections entry. He did a painting of "Together We Can Go Camping with Grandpa." He must have some very fond memories of camping with Grandpa. He put his favorite recipe as "Grandpa's Fish" in the 1st grade cook book. I really had no idea that he had ever eaten fish, so I called my Dad. Apparently, Collin and Grandpa cooked up the fish that Grandpa caught and Collin was the only kid who ate it- and loved it! Who knew?

What would November be without some serious shopping? All moms need a little shopping therapy with their girlfriends. We went on one trip in November to celebrate Erin's birthday. We had a blast! Here we are at IHOP at 1:30 a.m.! Seriously. It was crazy fun! I have the best girlfriends in the world!

One of my friends husband's organized another girl getaway for us in December. We headed south until we found palm trees and an outlet mall! We went to a fun hibachi restaurant the first night where they flip knives and cook your food in front of you. It was so good!! We rented a movie and shopped till we dropped- literally. We had great food and enjoyed the sunshine and warm temperatures. We played games and stayed up late and laughed and laughed. It was such a great time! Thank you so much Shane and Britt for your hospitality. It was a much needed getaway. We came away feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and closer as friends. I don't know what I'd do without my girls! I'm grateful to Jason for taking the kids for a few days to make it all possible. He did a great job and I even found homemade chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar when I got home.