Thanksgiving 2008

We had a great Motley Thanksgiving this year, even though we were sad these guys couldn't come due to serious sickness (try viral meningitis - doesn't that sound awful? poor Nikki can attest to it's awfulness). We met our new niece/cousin, enjoyed really yummy food, played games (dad-pitch baseball, t-ball and soccer) in the yard and I became another year older.


















The Hudson doing his cool tricks (despite the screws that came loose in Chris's collar bone-yikes!). I love that he's holding this ball in the picture. He didn't like letting it leave his sight.

Ryan was very proud of his position in the middle of the kids table...originally planned to be two kids and an adult, until he convinced grandma in the sweetest voice that he could be the helper on the table.


...Yes it's Thanksgiving despite the ketsup on the table. Our nephew's favorite dip...It's okay....I put it into my Mac and cheese and use it on my scrambled eggs.







Ryan loved trying to feel his newest baby girl cousin Emma in Aunt Amy's tiny belly. Yes, she's having a baby in January and you can't tell she's prego in this picture. And she's tall, so it's a really cute belly.


















Erica and Camryn! Who is still so tiny for nearly two months old! My babies sure don't stay small for long!

















Then the next day we headed to cut our Christmas tree from Indian Rock Tree Farm (our 3rd year - after Scott's family went for over thirty years) and were excited the whole gang came to help us choose! Thanks Chris, I think he was the one who found our tree!

Of course, we had turkey sandwiches, hot chocolate and took a family picture here ...minus the Watsons. :(

Then we finished up the day with a little football and some yummy Apple Hill treats!

Ryan and Sean were having so much fun playing football, and enjoyed splitting into teams (Scott and Sean vs. Grandpa and Ryan).

Happy Turkey Day!

Just a few of the many Thanksgiving crafts this year.

We have so much to be thankful for! Hope you have lots of good family and food! We really miss our cousins who couldn't come at the last minute! We love you and sure miss you guys!

FIX IT!

Just wanted to share something that makes me laugh really hard!

How great is this?

While reading books this afternoon...this happened.

And this time, Sean fell asleep in place instead of laying down.

How often do two busy boys just fall asleep on their mom at the same time?

Love it.

Top 8 lists

I've been tagged...

hope you enjoy reading.

8 favorite TV shows

(In no particular order)

1. The Office
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. American Idol

4. 24 (Can't wait for the premiere...it's soon!)

5. Survivor

6. Like to catch up with Jon and Kate plus 8 when I find it on...

7. Pretty much anything on The Food Network, have you ever seen their Challenge shows. Like them.

8. All the shows I enjoy ususally get cancelled...(Ed, Men in Trees, etc.)

8 Things I did yesterday

1. Watched Ryan's last Soccer game this season and a highlight movie an Asst. coach made for the team...Ryan's best plays were featured!

2. Changed Kyle's real food dirty diapers. Sean asked, "Where is the mustard poo?"

3. Helped Ryan prepare a Primary Talk (he subbed for a friend so it was a bit last minute - even though they asked several days ago...oops). I felt really bad today realizing I haven't made any cute visuals for his Primary Talks - does EVERYONE do them and I'm the LAME mom?

4. Watched my big boys race around the living room (they do laps daily).

5. Got ready for my lesson today.

6. Worked on some Christmas Present Craftiness.

7. Fed my boys (occupies a lot of my time...especially now that Kyle eats people food too.)

8. Roasted a marshmellow over the stove.

8 Things I Look Forward To

1. Thanksgiving and Scott's family coming to visit - Yay!

2. Christmas and my family coming to visit - Yay!
3. End of season Soccer party at Chuck-e-Cheese on Tuesday (no I don't plan on eating their pizza...it'll be fun to visit with the families and sad to not see them weekly anymore. Our team was nice.)

4. Our Youth production - Cumorah's Hill on Wednesday!

5. Ryan's School dance performance in December.

6. Kyle to finish teething and being stuffy so I can train him to sleep... (NOT looking forward to the training part) so I can SLEEP through the night.

7. Ryan's T-ball season in the Spring

8. Getting Christmas Cards in the mail...it's so exciting to check the mail!

8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Costa Vida (Cafe Rio immitation...since I don't live near a real Cafe Rio)

2. On the Border

3. Great Wall Grill (Mongolian BBQ)

4. Panera/Boudin/a restaurant on the pier in Monterrey...has the world's BEST Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bread Bowl. MMMMmmmmmmm!

5. The Cheesecake Factory (Avocado Eggrolls, please)

6. California Pizza Kitchen (they just opened a new one here, but I usually go to Virginia to eat at CPK!).

7. Fats

8. Leatherby's Ice Cream (Alan's Black and Tan) or Big Spoon (Self serve Frozen Yogurt with a multitude of self serve toppings!)

8 Things on my wish list

1. Economy to improve

2. Obama didn't win

3. finish all projects on my list.

4. more time with Scott

5. Shopping sprees

6. more hours in the day to accomplish stuff.

7. more hours in the night to sleep.

8. all my family and all Scott's family to live close together.

So I will tag...but totally understand if it doesn't happen...I've failed some tags in the past!

Sydney, Sam, Kristen, Heidi, Aunt Gina, Catherine, Nicole

Back to our life :)

Rainy Saturday Entertainment...

After two weeks of spitting out all food, he's got it and now digs eating.

By the way he gulfs it down now, I think if he could talk...

he would say, "How did I ever survive on milk alone?"

(This is his first bite of watered down cereal)

If life were easy, it wouldn't be hard

Well, Election day has come and gone.
I'm so grateful that voters showed up in support of traditional marriage! I never got to finish all my thoughts in my last post, but the preservation of marriage will bless our lives in so many ways! Freedoms for Churches, religious doctors, Bishops, Priests, religious adoption agencies, free speech, and families have been preserved!

Unfortunately I still haven't become over elated. I guess it is because I've realized and accepted the reality of this war on the family. On election day the No on 8 campaign ran commercials specifically targeted towards The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Prop 8 Yes votes: 5,977,457...California Mormon residents: 770,000 - pretty sure that includes children who are not voters). It shocked and surprised me! Sure, the Mormons are the most persecuted church in the history of the United States, but like I said, that was history.

It's okay. However shocking it was...the world is a place where values are not held as tightly anymore. Shades of grey surround us. Those who hold strong to spiritual beliefs are a peculiar people to much of the world. That is okay. It was not meant to be easy.

Our ward's sign holding parties were rained on twice. Honestly, I'm glad! Why you ask? Especially since it was pretty chilly during the Monday night rain...let me tell you. I didn't cross a frozen river or live in Winter Quarters. I never crossed the plains trying to keep me and my family from starving or freezing to death.

The trials we face today are vastly different from those of the Pioneers. I always thought of the Pioneers trials as more and harder. My very own ancestor in 1952 said she'd rather the trials of her day than the ones that the youth were facing. Imagine what she'd think today! Honestly, I didn't think our trials were that difficult until now. We are in the midst of a spiritual war and it isn't going away. This is our test. So I am glad it rained while I stood on the street corner waving my signs to support Marriage, the Family, my children and Freedom of Religion!

So when the next battle comes...we'll be there...in the rain or snow or whatever else is required.

***I think I can now step down from the soap box. Thanks for putting up with my monologues. I had to get it out of my system. And I sooo agree with Nikki! Life is soo beautiful and joyous. I LOVE IT! I am so blessed with a wonderful life and amazing family. I guess what I was saying was, Where much is given, much is required...and I'm up for the challenge because of this wondrous life! (I could have gone on with the song quotes there...I'll go where you want me to go...but I tried to spare you on that:)