Give Thanks...

Thanksgiving. I think it is my favorite holiday when it comes to the whole family. I love sitting around my table looking at the ones I love the most. Smiling. Thankful. Happy. Full. The past couple of weeks, as we drive to school, the kids and I have been coming up with at least 3 or 4 things we are thankful for. It's so sweet to hear what is in their hearts (even if it's the wii and skateboards). As they get out of the car and I watch them trot along to school, my heart is full. I am truly blessed. The same goes for my husband...as I watch him rock my baby to sleep I realize that there is nothing in the world that can take those precious moments away. I am thankful. This past Fall was one of the most beautiful Fall's I can recall. I am thankful for the beauty of this world. I am thankful for health, small fingers wrapped around mine, a kiss goodbye, a shoulder to lean on, knowledge of the plan that is waiting for me when I pass from this life to the next, parents who love and care, a smile on a not-so-good day, friends stopping by to talk "just because", the words I love you, warmth, comfort, extended family that cares and loves my own little family, kind words, the way the sun shines through the clouds, my life. I am lucky, I am blessed, I am thankful.
Now...onto the DAY OF FEASTING...
A little pre-feast ride around the block...are we REALLY letting her drive that??

Watching the game...

Let the FEASTING begin...

Love around the table...

Which pie to choose??? No need...just have a slice of each!!! Thanks for making the delicious desserts, Mom.

Oh....my belly is full!!!

But never too full for Grammy's homemade pumpkin pie!!

Aaahhhh...my tummy is full of pumpkin and sweet potatoes...YUM!!

But I could still go for a carrot...Hey, Frost, how about you share your nose??

Cheers!!! By the look on Tiare's face we wonder what was in that bottle!!! Don't worry it was sparkling cider!

The official "cleaner upper"...now who wouldn't be thankful for that...or for that cute guy there as their husband!!!

Until next year...Happy Thanksgiving!!

Must Be Love...

Nothing like a Dad and his baby girl!

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Tai. And even though his Mom told him not to, he grew. He grew and grew and grew until it was November 17, 2008 and he turned 9 years old. Well, his Mom showered him with hugs and kisses on the morning of this special day, as he begged her to stop, and she even smiled and enjoyed seeing the happiness surrounding him throughout the day. She enjoyed bringing him pizza and a Jamba Juice to school for lunch, picking up the Baskin Robbins birthday cake he requested, buying him balloons and Krispy Kreme doughnuts for breakfast, wrapping his new Ripstik and University of Utah attire, taking him out to dinner at Bonsai with his family, and singing Happy Birthday to him. BUT, as she tucked him in at night, she got a lump in her throat as she remembered how these 9 years have flown by and in 9 more years he will be 18 and ready to make his way in this big, wide world. So, she hugged him tightly and kissed his little cheek, and prayed to remember every moment she spends with him. Happy Birthday, Tai!

In the Still of the Night...

As we slept in our warm cozy beds last night, a familiar (friend?) paid us a visit. During the quiet of the night, it snowed. This picture shows what I woke up to as I begrudgingly dragged myself out of bed at 5:45 am to get our day rolling. I truly do NOT like the snow. Well...I guess I like it up until about January 2nd, and then I am SO ready for it to go. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas for me unless it was a white one, and watching the kids turn into white marshmallows as they become covered in snow in their snow-suit clad bodies brings me such joy. And then there is the peace and quiet. There is NOTHING so peaceful as sitting in my home, fire place aglow, surrounded by family as a snow dumps from the sky. So...here it comes, the shoveling (okay, well, watching Kione shovel), the slushy roads, the dirty cars, the wet floors as kids tromp across the house in snow boots, cold fingertips, red noses, and trying to find a place for our dog to go "potty" without getting buried. However, we also get, cozy nights by the fire place, snowball fights, skiing in the beautiful Utah mountains, cuddling up in a blanket with hot chocolate or hot apple cider, Christmas lights on the house shining through a blanket of white, and homes that look like little gingerbread houses covered in sugar. Aaahh...enjoy.

Just Because We Like to Make Fools of Ourselves...

She's Eating What?!?

What kind of Mother am I to give my 6 month old popsicles and lollipops? Well, just for the record, I did NOT give her these things. However, her dear old Dad finds it irresistible to share his goodies with her and is introducing her to cavities at an early age, before she even has teeth!