giving thanks

We had a fun Thanksgiving at my parents' house, and ALL my brothers and sisters were there, with spouses/kids/girlfriends, it was fabulous!!

This is everyone! We haven't had a pic like this in years!

The kids and I got to go a week early for my brother's girlfriend's baptism. What a sweet experience that was. Chelsea looked beautiful in all white, and there was such a tender spirit there. The kids of the family sang When I am Baptized and it sounded great. (PS, she had the fanciest cake I've ever seen at a baptism! Two tiered pink zebra striped cake...pretty cool right?)
(sorry, no pictures, I didn't have my camera..sad)

Josh rocking it out with Aria clapping along

Brian and Carol hosted us again this year, with a wonderful and tasty meal, and Rockband afterwards on the PS3. Or Xbox. Whatev. All I know is..I loved singing Bohemian Rhapsody!!

Some of the cousins playing Wii in the other room.

Dad prepping the turkey...that bird was delicious!

I am so blessed to have been able to be with family, to have food to eat, and a warm place to be. Times are tough now for many, and though we've had to tighten up things a little, we are blessed beyond measure. I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me. And it's so true..."when upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

tying up loose ends

I just realized, I didn't mention what happened to our short lived snake. We never did find him. The kids were taking him in and out of the house that day he disappeared, and Shayla mentioned putting him in a bed outside, but she swears she brought him back in..soo... It's been about 2 months and no sign of him. So for those of you who were scared away, come back and visit! We are snake freeeeeee!!

Quickie Catch Up

I've been MIA, obviously right? So let's catch up. Slowly.

Shayla had her 5th birthday in November..yay! She's such a sweetie pie! She wanted "anything Hello Kitty" for her birthday, so we went all out, cake, cupcakes, decorations, presents... Hello Kitty definitely has a presence in the house now. And now that she's 5, Shayla says she's officially a kindergartner now. For sure!!

I just love that girl, she and I have the most interesting conversations. The other day she asked, "Mom, what do you make of all this Christmas stuff? What is Christmas to you?" I think we were driving by some festively lit houses at the time. Wow, um...I feel like I should bear my testimony or something, so we had a great little talk about the real meaning of Christmas. Sweet!

We have a problem Houston...

So, on Friday, I tell Josh, "Hey, have you seen the snake come out from under the rock at all today?" Nope.
Saturday. I ask Ammon, "Have you seen the snake today? I haven't seen him all day." Awww Mom! He's under that rock!
Sunday. I ask Ammon, "Will you please pull out all the rocks in the tank and find that snake?" One by one, each rock removed, and each time, no snake.
Ammon, "Now that's wierd. Where could he be?"
Yeah. Good question.

I. Am. Crazy.

Yes. I am crazy. I've been told that about a zillion times. But this time it's the truth. We have a snake. At least for now.

Our lazy cat finally caught something. I wish it was a mole, but she left a "dead" garter snake at our front door. As grateful as I was, I told the kids to kick it into the dirt, and that blasted snake started moving! So Ammon snatched it up, we checked it for injuries, and thanks to a co-op friend who has a pet snake from a summer camping trip, and my weak will for the day, we ended up keeping it.

It's not a bad little pet. He lives in our old fish tank. He doesn't poo much. No noise. No odor. He eats little goldfish about once a week, that cost around 13 cents. I could do this! I even held the little buddy.

Now to get our own Indiana Jones to hold him. (you know, because Indie's scared of snakes) Do you think I'm talking about Liam? Nooooooo..... try about three and a half feet taller...

Finally!

Finally! Aria has enough hair for piggy tails! Ok, barely enough hair, and maybe they look a little more like bug antennae, but she's still super duper cute I think. And she keeps them in! I've been using cute headbands and little flower clips to make her more feminine, but she LOVES ripping those things out. Come on Aria. Work with me.

Then this past week she was called a boy. Twice! Once with Josh and once with me. I guess all the pink isn't quite enough. Or maybe it was because she was muscling some 4 year old around. But I digress. I felt a strong need to fix up this girl's hair and found some great little rubber bands at Sally's (thanks Rose for reminding me of that place..I always forget) and with a little patience, a spray bottle, and a tiny doll comb, we came up with this. Love it?

pumpkin patches

We field tripped the pumpkin patch this year..ahh...It sure feels like fall when you go to one of these places. This year was a little bit different. It was sunny (usually rainy), dry (usually muddy) and warm (I'm usually wondering why I didn't pack warmer coats and gloves and scarves...)

It was the most beautiful day!!! Here the kids are enjoying the corn room. And..I'm finding corn ALL over the place at home now. Shoes, floor, diapers...

Liam LOVES trains. Probably right up there with the garbage men and fire fighters.

This is a cow train. Isn't it super adorable?

Shayla and her little buddy

Aria was practically pulling the stroller over to get herself on that train, so she sat with Ammon and LOVED it.

Both times.

We all got to pick a pumpkin, do duck races, the corn maze, bumpy slides, tractors, farm animals, cow train... We could've been there all day long with the activities and beautiful weather. If I would've packed more than three bananas to eat that is....