Happy Thanksgiving!

We had the best Thanksgiving! We went over to Brent and Laurie's house for the big meal. It was amazing food and tons of it. We had everything you can think of from the Turkey to all the trimmings. We had about 6 or 7 pies just for our two families. We had lots of good laughs and watched Funny Farm after. 

 We tried really hard to get a good family picture. Drew makes that really hard these days. 

 We forgive him because he's so darn cute. 

 Our kids LOVE their cousins. They can't go more than a few days with out seeing them. They are SUCH a blessing to have so close. I am so lucky to be an Aunt. It is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. 

It was crazy to think that a year ago we drove out to Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving and this year we live here. I didn't know a year ago that this place would be my home. Crazy how time flies. Laurie and I go shopping for Black Friday every year. For some reason they keep making the shopping start earlier and earlier. We left her house about 7:30 pm Thanksgiving night. We got back about 5:30 am. We had a great time like always and spent a lot of money to save alot. Ha! But it is always worth it. 

We are so Thankful to live in such a beautiful place. I can't get over how wonderful the weather is. I am obsessed with it. It is so warm compared to Utah. Its the best. We went around the table and expressed what we are grateful for.....

1. Our Family
2. Our Church and all the blessings that come with that
3. Our health
4. Finding our harp teacher and piano teacher. We are truly blessed living so close to them.
5. Living such a wonderful life with so many fun things to do and enjoy as a family
6. Living in Colorado so close to the Morrills and Egberts. We are so lucky to have family here
7. All the amazing friends we have made
8. Our amazing school that we some how got into
9. Our testimonies
10. All of the little things that are such luxuries

There are so many more things to be thankful for, but those were the ones that we said around the table.

I love Thanksgiving and spending time with family. This year, it was just as wonderful as always. We missed our family back in Utah but we all did better being away than I expected.

Sienna's Birthday party

We went to the Morrill's house to have the best cake ever and celebrate cute Sienna's 9th birthday. We love her! What can I say, Laurie and I were pure genius when we had kids so close together. All four of our kids have a cousin buddy. It's the best thing ever. It is kind of crazy when we are together and there is only four adults and eight kids. 

 I love McKenna and Aspen and feel so lucky to have my two girls. They are both playing the harp and getting ready for Christmas with 6 Christmas songs each. I love hearing them practice. 

Drew's first day of preschool

My babe started Preschool! I didn't even know what to do with myself for the three hours I was alone. It was pretty lonely   I found out about this place that has a co-op and its free. So I checked into it. Drew gets to go once a week (twice was to much for me to handle) and I help out once a month. He goes for three hours. It has been good for him. Drew is so much more attached than the other kids were. He has a hard time not being with someone from his family. He sat on my lap the entire first day. The second time he went, my friend took him. He had a hard time. The third time he did so much better. I just love this little guy so much. He tells me all the time that I am his side kick. We are kind of a big duo. And I wouldn't change it for the world. He is such a huge part of our family. I thought it would be good for him to be around kids his own age. In our home he is too spoiled. The kids give into him for everything. He has them wrapped around his finger. McKenna can't stand the sound of him crying and will do anything that it takes to make him stop. He doesn't need to learn to share, because they will give him anything he wants. School will be good for him to learn that he does have to share and take turns. 

 He was so so proud of his backpack and his own lunch. Every day he has to say goodbye to his siblings when they go to school.  He begs to go with them. He always wants to be with "his kids". 

He is at such a fun age.  He loves costumes. He wears  either Spiderman, Ironman, or Batman every single day. His world is fantasy and reality combined. We have to be careful what he watches on TV because he thinks everything is real. He is really scared of spiders and has a lot of nightmares about them and his costumes being taken away. He has the cutest laugh you have ever heard. He adores his siblings and they are such a huge blessing in his life. He worships the ground Sage walks on. He loves to copy them. At night he won't go to bed until he too practices the harp , piano, and does his "homework". He is really into giving lots of kisses and hugs. I hope he keeps that up. Drew is all boy. He loves his toys, loves boating, and horses. He has an amazing memory. He remembers so many details about when we lived in Utah. He likes to talk about his Grandparents and cousins. It makes me sad he misses them so much. 

Our little harpist

Our cute McKenna played the harp at the our Relief Society meeting tonight. She played "Teach me to Walk in the Light" and she sung along as she played. I wanted to cry. She is getting so good and memorizes her songs each week. I just love her!!

New Years Eve...And Grandpas 90th Birthday Party

We celebrated New Years Eve with one of my all time favorite people. Grandpa Ted turned 90 years old!! I love him so much. He is such a great example to everyone he meets. He has a lot of spunk, and a lot of great wisdom. I have tried to take the kids often to go visit him. He is a very grateful , humble man. He has been inspired to write many poems for his grandchildren. I pray they remember them.

Happy, Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Is he not just darling?

Nancy Jo and Tasha came from California for this special event! Caitlin and Tasha decorated the church perfectly. There was music playing from the good ol' days, and food galore. We had a nice turkey and all the trimmings.

We had a program given by Ed, Jeff, and Nancy Jo. They retold his wonderful life. I could not believe how well Drew did. He sat and listened so well for only being the little two year old he is.

Grandpa really wanted a talent show. Sage played the piano, Tasha and Hallee sang. Lindsay did a puppet show, Raegan and my two girls danced, and I played a song on the harp. Grandpa ended it will his own little solo. It was hilarious.

McKenna and Aspens dance might have been the cutest thing you ever did see. We made big hearts with pictures of them with Grandpa on it. The song was "Last Christmas I gave you my heart". They ran and gave their "hearts" to grandpa with a big kiss. It was darling. Nate and I were very pleased with our beauties.

I had not played the harp for two years, so needless to say it was a bit rough. I am excited to start playing again. It inspired me to have McKenna take harp lessons. We are so excited about it.

The party was a hit. Everyone had a great time. I love the cute mustaches they had for everyone. Cause good ol' grandpa always sports the cutest mustache in town!

Cute Nate and Grandpa

Grandpa danced with all his girls.  I kept thinking how badly I wanted to freeze time.  What a special man he is, and what a special part he has in my heart.  

Aspen and Mckenna with their "hearts" that they gave him. 

Family Christmas Party

With all of the family in town, we decided to have a party.  What better way to celebrate the Holidays right? Right.  Nate rounded up all the fun toys from our house.  We brought Drew's new little car he got for Christmas so he could drive his little heart out.  We all got together at Ed and Lorna's church.  Family mixed with great food is going to turn out fun.  And so it did.  We brought the Xbox and Just dance.  We had everyone playing and trying to out dance each other.  Nancy Jo and Ed competed against each other.  It was hilarious.  

McKenna, Sage, Tate, Addie, and Drew

McKenna and her darling dad Nathan

The Fam: Jason, Eden, Brooke, Ed, Lorna, Tasha, Matt, Nate, Katie, Drew,
Abby, Lindsey, Addie, Hallee, Raegan, McKenna, Aspen, Sage, Tate

Raegan, McKenna, and Aspen danced all night long. 

Aspen and her Daddy

I love my girls!

I seriously don't know what I would do in this life without my Sage. 

Katie and baby Drew.  Yep he is two but he is still baby Drew to me. 

I love this man! I am so grateful as the year comes to an end that he is still by my side.  We have been  though so much and I am so grateful we are loving each other and raising beautiful children together! 

Temple Square

I love Christmas time! One of our favorite things to do is to go down to temple square and look at the lights. We went with Ed, Lorna, Jason, Brooke, and all of our kids. It was FREEZING. Went went to JB's after for some good ol' hot chocolate. Drew about died and went to heaven.

McKenna, Raegan, and Aspen

I really don't think there is a word to describe how cold we were! Thank heavens I had just gone to Dicks and bought my new puffy coat. Nate has a thing for puffy coats and really wanted me to buy one. It was a good day to have it!

I am so greatful to live buy this beautiful temple. We are so blessed to live in Salt Lake City. I love this city and all the wonderful things it holds. We are having a wonderful Christmas season. There is nothing like the spirit of Christ during this amazing time of year.

Aspens Birthday

Happy Birthday to our Aspen!  I am so grateful for my little beauty.  We don't know what we would do with out her.  Aspen is so smart and with it.  She gets the big picture and is so wise for her age.  

Here are some of our favorite things about this darling girl...

1. She is sharp as a whip and nothing gets past her

2. She knows what not to eat.  She has always known that chocolate gives her headaches and that red dyed     candy does the same thing.  She knows how to limit her self with sugar and treats.  She worries about her food and if it is healthy.

3. She is our rule follower.  She does not deviate from what she has been told to do.  She is very much black and white.

4. She is determined

5. She has about the cutest laugh you have ever heard

6. She is an amazing sister and daughter.  She loves her parents and siblings.

7. She is very talented and I can't wait to see all she does in her life

8. She loves to cuddle

9. She is sugar and spice topped with some sass

10. She is so beautiful and is such a standout

11. Every year her teachers confess she is their favorite kid in class

12. She is very serious.  She is always thinking deep. 

13. Life would not be worth living without our Aspen

 We had a great party for Aspen.  We love living at Highland Pointe and it has been an adventure.  One of the major highlights is all of the friends Aspen has made.  Lucky for her, there are about ten little girls her age.  We invited them all over for a pinata and cake.

Aspens friends are seriously some of the cutest girls ever.  We love them and I hope she always remembers this summer with her great friends.

Aspen, McKenna, and Brinlee

Ashley has been a huge blessing for Aspen.  She had a hard time leaving her darling group of friends behind from Navigator Pointe.  Ashley loves Aspen and invites her everywhere and her mother is a godsend and takes Aspen all over the valley doing fun things.  They have totally become two peas in a pod. 

Aspen with the twins

Aspen and Everly

Aspen and Raegan.  We are so happy Aspen and McKenna have a cousin so close to their age and someone who they both love and adore. 

Aspens very best friend at the apartment, McKenzie

There is nothing like a darling little girl and her handsome daddy.  They both put smiles on my face.