Moab

This past weekend we went down to Moab so Pat could run in the Winter Sun 10K. It's his first 10K since he's started running again and I think he did pretty well. He finished and that's what he always says his goal is. Here he is at the finish line. There were only a very few people tuff enough to wear just shorts and a shirt. Most had on sweats and coats. I realize that most all of his race pictures look the same - him coming to the finish line very tired. Oh well. You can see the kids standing there in their coats and hats. It was VERY cold.

We decided to stay the weekend and make a mini vacation out of it. They had a lot of stuff going on in relation to the race. We went to a craft fair where you could ride Maggie the camel. Hillary and Connor both rode. They had fun but said it was very bumpy.

Hillary sat on Santa's lap. This is the second one she's visited with - but the first who she's gotten close enough to sit on his lap. She keeps asking for make-up. Guess Santa has some shopping to do:) He listened to her then gave her a candycane and a stuffed penguin which is now her prized possesion.

Saturday night they had an electric parade. Pretty impressive for a little town like that. Lucky it wasn't very long though because not even the promise of candy could keep Hillary from expressing how cold she was. But we made it through and enjoyed it a lot.

Most of my pictures look like this - so I will spare you - but I got a couple good ones. This is actually a man on a bicycle pulling a trailing that has a giant lighted snowflake on it. You see it now, don't you?

This is the kids waiting for it to start. I know Breanna looks like she is crying but she is not - I just caught her at the wrong moment. And Connor was onery as usual. Hillary was all smiles though.

This one is for you Tasman - lighted tractors - does it get any better than this?

This is the fire engine with Santa on it.

I had big plans of hiking and visiting arches - but it was just SOOO cold that not even with our coats, hats and gloves on could we stand to be outside very long. So we just enjoyed each other's company in our little motel room.

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?