Thanksgiving in Utah

As we were packing up the car with suitcases and the kids I couldn't help think how different this Thanksgiving was going to be. It would be the first time in years that I hadn't cooked the dinner. The kids always helped me make cute little place settings of some sort and we would set the table with my best china the night before Thanksgiving. I would start cooking anything that could be done ahead of time the day before with help from the kids. A lot of times I would have to work Thanksgiving so I would get up really early and prepare the turkey before I went to work. Mike would than put it in the roaster and finish up the rest of the food while I was at work. When I would walk into the house after work Dinner was ready and the house had all the wonderful smells and feeling of Thanksgiving. If I was lucky enough to have off work, I would spend all Thanksgiving cooking with the kid and enjoying the company of my family. Samuel and Eliza were 22mon and 4mon the last time we had spent Thanksgiving with Mikes Family. They don't remember ever having dinner at their Grandparents with all of their aunts, uncles and cousins. Everyone was excited to have this rare opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with extended family. As we drove to Utah the kids worked on the 2 weeks of homework they had gathered from their teachers before we had left.

We stoped a Cabelas on the way and then spent the night in a hotel before finishing the long drive.

When we got to Utah,Eliza made her first snow ball of the season.



Mikes parent always make huge Delicious breakfasts every morning for us when we visit. It is one of the things we all look forward to.

It was really weird not to cooking Thanksgiving dinner . So Mikes Dad was kind enough to let me and the kids do the yam casserole so I didn't go through total withdrawal.

The table looked beautiful with Mikes Mom china and gold silverware. It took up the whole room. By the time everyone arrived the whole home was filled with family. It was so nice being together.

After dinner We celebrated Samuel's and Ronald's Birthday.



and sang karaoke, taught Mikes parents how to do the wave to music from the 70 ,and Mary Ann and I did backup singing.

And of course the cousins had fun hanging out together

It was a great Thanksgiving. It was wonderful being surrounded by family even though some seats were empty. My heart couldn't help but long that Sarah, Layton, Isaac, David and Paul could have been there with us enjoying the fun. Eliza wore the little Butterfly pin from England that Isaac had given her for her birthday, and for Ronald's birthday Sherry crochet him a Afghan out of yarn Paul had picked out. ( Paul passed away 2 1/2 months ago unexpectedly, so this gift was extremely sentimental) These things helped us bring them a little closer even when they couldn't be with us at this Thanksgiving.

I am so grateful for my family and my deepest prayer is that not only will we be able to spend time together here on earth but we will all be together in heaven . I am so grateful that families can be eternal.My family is my greatest blessing and joy.

Let Freedom ring

Since before time, Satin has done what ever he could to try to get our freedom. He tries to persuade us to give our freedom up on our own. Satin wants us to believe that our freedom is of no worth or wants us to ignore it until it slowly slips away from us. If we Cherish our freedom Satin will try to take it away from us forcibly. Freedom is one of our greatest gift that God has given us. Benjamin Franklin said " Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have nor do they deserve either." I am so grateful for the freedoms I have as an American and I am extremely grateful for those who have and continue to fight so not only Americans but other may also be free. I am so grateful for those who have molded our country. Freedom isn't free and the sacrifice is great.
Our service men and women are forever changed when they are asked to fight for us. The lest we can do for them is show our thanks and love for their sacrifices. I feel so proud that Isaac has chosen to serve his country. I am so proud of the veterans I help care for everyday. May our solders have the guidance, love and eternal peace that God offers. God bless America and God bless those who fight for freedom no matter who or where they may be. Happy veterans day. We appreciate all you do.

I Love November

I Love the Idea of a whole month set aside for giving thanks. I love that it is the month before Christmas. Every time I hear someone ask " Are you getting ready for Christmas?" I am reminded of The things I need to do to be ready to welcome the savior into my life. If Christ was coming to celebrate with my family on December 25Th of this year, What would I want to do to prepare? What would be the most urgent things for me to do? Would I be ready for Christmas when It came? Do I have enough time to truly become the person I want to be when I greet the savior? I'm I going to be prepared to welcome him into my home? Is He going to be the most important part of Christmas or is the store bought gifts going to be more important then the gifts he has given us and the gifts we give him? The ones more precious then gold.I am so grateful for a the reminder of giving thanks that thanksgiving brings and the preparation it allows for the greatest gift of all.

Thanksgiving

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. I got up early and cleaned and seasoned the turkey and got the yams ready before I went to work. Mike put the turkey in the roaster and made the potato( He makes the best potatoes in the world!)He also made the fruit salad. When I got home from work Eliza and I set the table. Samuel, Eliza and I had made some really cute cookie Turkey place settings the day before. They looked so cute on the table and were supper fun to make. We all worked on finishing the meal. I love eating great food with the table set so pretty, candles,and lovely music playing in the background. Poor David had his oral surgery on Tue and had 8 teeth pulled. So his appetizer was Vicadon. He did fairly good when eating his thanksgiving dinner, even though he had to eat really slow and easy. After dinner we sang "Christmas is coming" in a round till we were all laughing so hard we couldn't stop.Mike and David then played chess while we all watched. Sarah called and it was fun to talk with her.It was a fun fun fun night.I have so much to be grateful for!