Happy Thanksgiving

We hope everyone has a wonderful day!

(food, friends, my family and clothes)

Cole's Thanksgiving art work from seminary. I am so thankful he can still color :) It is nice to see he is thankful for things and that family actually made the list, and clothes is the big one that surprises me since we have a hard time getting him to wear more than shorts around the house apparently he thinks we live in a warm climate.

I am Thankful for. . .

FAMILY!

I love being around my family so the holidays are especially fun for me! We will be having Thanksgiving with Ratcliffe's this year so it is tradition that I have my parents out the Sunday before and I cook a Thanksgiving dinner so we are able to have that time together also. (We do the same with the Ratcliffe's the next year we switch back and forth. . . we always get to have 2 Thanksgivings)

It was a little strange this year to think about having my mom out without my dad so we invited my sister and her family out. Julie was the sister that taught me how to cook :) Ahh- Good Memories! She is an amazing cook so I owe it all to her (and of course to my mother since that is where Julie learned) One year Julie asked for an easy bake oven and Santa thought that was a waste of money so she got the real stuff to learn how to really cook and man-she can!!

Isn't that a great Christmas. . .This is why she ended up making all of the birthday cakes for everyone in the family!

Making the rolls. . .Yes everything I made was from scratch-NO BOXES, stuffing included!Madison was a little picture happy and took all sort of pictures (all before though)

Preparing the turkey for perfection!

Tom the turkey :)

Maddy having a good laugh with Grandma!

The clan eating!

We could not get the food on our plates fast enough. . . everyone was STARVING!!!!

Everything tasted so good!

I even made carmels and Julie brought yummy pies for dessert! We had way to much food and everyone was so full it hurt. We had a great time eating and visiting I am so grateful we are such a close family.

Our House "IS" Divided

Well for Cole's sake we are disappointed in the outcome of the game today. Brett actually had a little wager on the game (and for the first time he wanted BYU to win. . . I know weird huh?) We are true UTE fans but for the sake of a little challenge he went with the Cougars. We are happy for the UTES! 12-0 WaHoo!!!Cole with Ray Feinga (Offensive Lineman for BYU). . . He went to Hunter High Cole was so excited to met Ray. . .he tried to act cool so he didn't look overly excited but he could hardly stand that Ray was sitting right in front of us during our Twilight movie. We were able to take the picture right after the movie and Ray was so kind to us all. We cheered him on during the game! Go Ray!!

Twilight

We were "evited" to attend a party before our movie which for us is really a stretch since it has been a really long time since 10:00 p.m. is when we are starting something usually that is bed time! But we were brave and up for the challenge so we headed over to our friends house for some hot chocolate and muffins. What a fun time we had, our knowledge was tested with a "Twilight" quiz. I must say I was impressed with how well we all did. My boys really knew their stuff. Cole answered more of the questions then I did!

Our Group. . . more met us at the theater
My boys were the only BOYS at the party for awhile. . . They are great to want to hang out with so many ladies!

Madison with the birthday girl "Happy Birthday Kasey" thanks for throwing the party!! Some of my work friends . . .which are not just friends they are more like family!!!Waiting for the movie to start. . . better enjoy the popcorn and drinks since I had to stand in line for like 1/2 an hour or more. The drink machine ran out of carbonation and it was quite the dilemma for the workers. I felt sorry for them, people were not very happy with them
Our theater. . .That was a lot of people. We took up two rows of the theater :)

I did not go in with high expectations because I knew there was no way they would be able to make a movie to fit "every ones" idea of the perfect movie but I have to say I enjoyed the show, they did a great job and I think as a whole everyone was pleased with it! I would like to go see it again to see what I may have missed. (I will not however be going for awhile, I will let the crowds die down!)

"Decking The Halls"

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . My parents neighbors were concerned when my dad passed away that their house would not be decorated for Christmas like it always had been. This past weekend we went to my mother's house to set up her lights. This is something my dad was very particular about so it is quite the task! It is always fun getting together with my siblings and retelling the same stories that are just as funny today as they were when they happened. We even put up my mom's Christmas tree for her. I have good memories of setting up the tree! Our dad would not let anyone touch the tree until he had the lights and the tinsel on just right! He was such a perfectionist it was agonizing for us children! It always took him forever and he would end up mad at one of us for jumping back and forth over the lights that were strung throughout the house (this was before the miniature lights were available). I love the Christmas season and I am grateful for the wonderful memories I have! Hollie, Cindy and Julie . . . it takes 3 people to string lights? he he he

Madison and Mishay stringing lights

Arden and Brett


Mom giving direction :)

My parents only have 1 tree in the front yard so my dad created his own trees. He spent HOURS stringing lights on all of the little trees. Which is super nice for us we just bring the tree out and plug it in and Whala. . . Christmas!

Flashback Fridays

We want to wish Brett's parents a Happy Anniversary.

They have been married 42 years, such an accomplishment for anyone! I just have to say THANKS for raising Brett to be the man he is!

Flashback Fridays on a Tuesday

I know today is not Friday and I did not post last week but I wanted to use this as my Flashback Friday so we are headed back to November 11, 1989.

Brett and I got engaged 19 years ago today it is amazing how quick time flies! We were both skinnier back then and he definitely had more hair. I think we have both matured since then (I finally do not look like I'm still in Junior High) and he still makes me laugh just like he always has! I love this man and I am so grateful for him in my life! this was our second date
our first of many fishing trips. . .who knew I would enjoy it so much?
We went and had our pictures taken for fun . . .Brett had just had his "bob" cut this was the first time I had seen him with short hair. He really did have long hair while we were dating ;)

(Brett's mom had a package that needed to be used ;) )
I believe we were engaged at the time of this picture
Our first Christmas spent together. . . Go Utes!

Our Engagement picture

New Look

I just want to thank Sarah for all her efforts in teaching my how to update my blog so it's all cute and stuff. Thanks again Sarah!! :)

Secret Life of Bees

I wanted to read this book which took me a few days to find the time to read and then I woke up with the flu yesterday morning and thought maybe I wouldn't finish it before I saw the movie, since I had given Brenda (a friend since . . . really birth) a call and asked her to go see this movie with me. but I just finished reading the book in time and loved it! Brenda and I had a great time together today. We headed out to Hobby Lobby to take a look at the Christmas ornaments (OK- purchased) and then headed over to the movie. The movie was great! They did a great job keeping it close to the book. Queen Latifah is one of my favorite actresses and she did not disappoint! After we headed out to lunch, Brenda and I really only eat at 1 place "La Luna". When we were in high school and just after we would eat at "La Frontera" I swear daily and we still love it. (La Luna is the nicer version of La Frontera) I am so grateful for our friendship and for what a great person she is to be around! Thanks Brenda for being my friend!