Thanksgiving Part 2

This is the first year we've done Thanksgiving on our own. I decided it was high time I started a few of my own traditions seeing as how my daughter is already almost 15. The first thing we did was get up and go participate in the Turkey Trot in Orem. It was great fun and everyone ran/walked in something. Pat did the 4 mile. Bre and I did the 2 mile. Connor was in the 1 mile and Hillary was a quarter mile. Everyone finished. It was cold and we were busy getting everyone to their starting lines so I didn't get any pictures. But we had fun and will definitely do it again next year.

Then we came home and I started the turkey. The kids decided they wanted to make it a game day so we bought a few new games and they got out a couple of stand-bys and they played games pretty much all afternoon. It was great fun.

I put Breanna and Hillary in charge of table decor. They made this cute little Turkey crayon bucket and covered the table in paper so we could draw on it. It was actually a lot of fun. Hillary spent a LOT of time coloring - especially after dinner when the table was cleared.

Hillary and Breanna's artwork.

Connor's artwork

I vowed to get the tree up in a timely manner this year so we went on Saturday and got a real one. It's been about 5 years since we had a real one or got it up early. Hillary loved decorating it with sparkly purple ornament and loves the lights.

Thanksgiving Part 1

Hillary's pre-school had a lovely Fall Harvest Feast on the day before Thanksgiving. Before we ate they told the story of the first Thanksgiving. Hillary of course played an Indian -Duh. But she has developed a BAD case of terminal shyness which resulted in her not being able to wrap up in the blanket like the other Indians. But she was still cute.

Here they are teaching the Pilgrims how to plant food so they wouldn't starve to death.

They are supposed to be joining hands in thanks - but Hillary refused to touch the boy next to her so she was holding her coat out for him to hold on to.

These were the table decorations.

Hillary served us bread and soup.

She ate while she did it.

Watch for part 2 tomorrow........

New layout...

I finally finished putting up the Christmas decorations including the blog. Enjoy. I have updated my playlist to Christmas music. Also enjoy that - or just go shut it off as it's mostly Kenny and Neil.

Finally....

Hillary is 4 years old and we haven't had a family picture taken professionally since she was a tiny baby. So I finally got around to it. And yes - those of you who I know would like one - one will be on it's way to you soon. Here is just a sampling of my favorites. I think they turned out better than I had hoped.

There is a full color version of this one in which Breanna's hair actually looks red because of the sun. She likes that one better - but I like this one as we don't all look as orange.

Breanna's turned out REALLY nice. She has decided she looks like a model.

Connor has been announcing to anyone who would listen how hot he is in his picture.

Hillary is of course cute as usual.

She did a really nice one of Pat and I too. However I don't think either of us could be a model or even considered hot. Oh to be young again....

If nothing else I got my money's worth in self esteem for my two older kids. But we actually couldn't be any happier with the pictures either. If you live in the Utah county area I would gladly recommend Jody Hancock. Check out her blog - jodyhancockphotography.blogspot.com.

First Snow

Last weekend we had the first snow of the year. You can see there's not much and it was gone pretty quick. But there was enough for a snow angel and I think one large snowball (sadly not pictured.) This was my mom's snow angel from last year. Hillary reminded me about it so I dug out the picture and posted it. She was able to do it all by herself which if you know about the accident - is quite the achievement.
Snow Angel skills must be in the genes...

Am I totally lame because I just bought the Glee season one soundtrack and REALLY REALLY like it? Or are you lame because you are REALLY REALLY jealous of me?

Pumpkins and costume stragglers

Another Halloween and I was dreading the idea of carving pumpkins. So much so that I wasn't even going to buy a pumpkin. But I love pumpkins so I gave in and let the kids get one at the store. Sadly I waited until all the reasonably sized ones were gone so we had to get big ones. Then I came up with the brilliant idea of painting them instead of carving. So enjoy the results.

Hillary's is on the right. Then Connor's in the middle. He created a one-eye'd monster. Then Breannas is on the left. Her's is the one-eye'd monster's girlfriend.

Pat went as a pirate. Don't be jealous. Argh, matey!
A cute one showing her kitty nose and whiskers.
This is Hillary's pre-school class. And Ms. Teri of course.
Breanna and Connor went out trick-or-treating without parental supervision this year. A few of Breanna's friends came over to go with them. Connor was excited to be included and felt very grown up. Bre was glad he came along as she is a touch too old to trick-or-treat and they just kept telling everyone they were with Connor.

This is Shelby, Seth & Bre.

This is Whitney, Bre & Seth. (I believe he finally admitted to being dressed as Edward Cullen.)

That should be the last of the Halloween pictures. I'm off to change my background too. Hopefully I can find something fall-ish I like as I'm not ready for winter yet. Neither is Utah though since the weather has returned to wonderful fall-like temperatures. Yay.