just another crazy saturday night

Last night was FANTASTIC!

BYU

won

the big game & there was much hootin' & hollerin' around here!!

YES

we were all thrilled & I wish I could have had a camera to see jack & his college friends storm the field in celebration... oh good times.

after that

chloe & friends dressed up for a fashion show... so funny.

They are so cute.

While Brian was gone we got a new car, tv, dog, wii & some games & other junk. The games are all old stuff to us- but new to Brian. Playing with him has been like having a bunch of new games! Last night we pulled out the American Idol wii game- so fun.

After some coaxing- Brian got the girls to play too.

Hailey got a haircut.

these party poopers refused to play...

later that night I came into the family room & look who was secretly singing...

He said he was "practicing for singing at church..." ya right.

Funny- I've never heard "Come Sail Away" in sacrament meeting?

He's hooked- I got up this morning & he was singing again- I love it!

eight for friday... wait it's saturday, but feels like a friday

1. last monday was the first real snow of the season. I think I like snow... until March- then snow makes me overwhelmingly angry. 2. After Brian spoke at church about gratitude- we had a light lunch at our house for the load of young adults & teens that wanted to come by to see him.

3. I would've been a complete mess except for so much help from my nieces & wende & brett & my girls... & the blogger moms... so many helpers- thank you!

4. this photo confirms the inevitable... I need to go on a diet in a big way. Please don't anyone send me dieting tips- I know what I need to do- but thanks anyway.

(hailey & friends)

5. The blogger moms brought pots of soup or desserts & saved my bacon (again). Janae brought mint brownies. I've wondered for a while, but now I know Hailey must have been switched at birth... no child of mine would declare they don't LOVE her mint brownies! What in the world?

6. I love that wende brought here kids because I put them right to work- I can boss them around like my own & they were so GREAT! Allie was in charge of rolls & the boys helped with chairs etc.

7. Brittany was here & trent declared her "brittany the school teacher brittany," to help with the multiple brittany dilemma.

8. Our home computer is on the blink- which means I haven't been able to blog much because I have to wait & fight for my turn on my own laptop... aaargh! I hope we can fix it soon, or that school starts or something! It's rough...

just a great way to start the season- temple square

Tonight we all bundled up & headed into the city for the first day of temple square Christmas lights. We went really early to beat the crowd- and to have time to look around. It's been far too long since we have just wandered around the visitors center.

As we were walking in - I thought- Hey, Stephanie's daughter is on a mission here? Within 10 minutes of looking around- there she was! She was talking to some people so we stuck around & surprised her. What a great sister missionary! She has a darling companion from Las Vegas. I think this is the best mission in the world for sisters & wish my girls could serve here-- but surely they wouldn't get called to their own back yards?!

It was great to be at the visitors center before it got dark. There were so many details on the Nativity scenes that we hadn't noticed in the before.

Wise men traveling from the East.

Shepherds.

The stable & the Holy Family.

We enjoyed the films & the Christis statue, all of the many interactive things to do & see in the visitors center.

It was a great opportunity to really think about or Saviour at the beginning of the Christmas season.

We walked through. Trent & I visited the tabernacle. A building the pioneers built to meet in, just outside the temple. It's where the tabernacle choir performs & gets their name.

We went into the Joseph Smith building & to the distribution center (a place to buy scriptures & church literature, pictures etc.) It was beautiful, all decorated for Christmas.

We headed out just 15 minutes before the lights went on to secure our spot.

Trent didn't want to be photographed, but did want his dog Zore to be photographed, "and blogged."

It was cold, but surprisingly warmer than we thought it would be.

and crowded... but worth it.

Especially when the lights came on!

How did you start your Christmas season, or are you still in denial?

This season has snuck up quickly!

a thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!

Marcus & Brittany
Ruthie's family and Brian... the former missionary
were here.
He has been teasing hailey relentlessly & she says he can go back any day now- in fact she says Chile isn't far enough away- hmmm? some things never change.

this year for the first time ever-

I actually bought my pie crusts.

I was at the grocery store, they were on sale, something came over me & I had one of the most stress less Thanksgiving days ever. Why haven't I done that before?

(just don't tell martha)

Brittany was a huge help & loads of fun...

you're not so bad either Marcus.

Lauren brought a friend- somehow he got out of all the photos?
Ruthie brought here prize winning pie!

The two nutcracker girls had fun.

Ruthie's daughter is in a different production of the nutcracker this weekend.

The peanut was followed by his biggest fan & cool older brother.

He's not the smiliest of little guys... but we got him to smile a couple of times.

Max on Bronco got into the Pilgrim spirit of things.

and the turkey turned out PERFecT!

It was my third year in a row of brining & roasting pioneer woman style!

Thanks to her & a laptop in the kitchen- there was no dry turkey in the house... YuM.

There is so much to be thankful for this year...

a new grand baby

the safe return of the missionary

work

family

friends

health

the gospel....

I could go on & on.

thank you for being a part of my life.