Thanksgiving

We had planned to spend this holiday by ourselves, nothing too big or fancy, just all the regular side dishes to make the meal different from any other. But by surprise our friends Matt and Mandy Ellett invited us over to spend the day with them. They really are so thoughtful to invite us even though they had their own family in town. The great part is Ben actually knew Mandy's family when they lived in Evanston for about 6 years when they were younger. It sure makes being friends easy and fast when you are from the same town :)
I made yummy green beans and creamed corn for sides to share and a couple of apple pies to enjoy! I thought the whole dinner was delicious and so wonderful to have the kids running around and playing chase with "cousins" during the day. We have so much to be grateful for! So many blessing we enjoy in our lives right now. Our family, home, and the gospel brings such joy in our lives!

On top of it all, the missionaries came over for dinner as well. We ate and played a famous people guessing game. It was pretty tricky when there were names I couldn't even pronounce, let alone guess! Stick with Jabba the Hut and Mickey Mouse, will you?  I didn't take any other pictures besides the dessert and getting ready to watch a movie. It was so great and wonderful be enjoy our Thanksgiving with good friends and family.

Lean to the left! Lean to the right! Stand up! Sit down and ENJOY THE SHOW!

Sunday Thoughts

“The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done,” taught Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”<sup>11

--Everyday a little better, in the process of becoming... these thoughts are such a wonderful reminder--</sup>

Brielle 18 months

She is the baby so I guess it is okay she has a post with only her pictures on it.... Just a few shots of the crazy smile lady, nutella mess making, little rockin cheezer in the family!

(this one is blurry, but I still loved her "I've been having a great time" face)

Today I was just laughing at her little walk/stomp. If you are in a different room she will come stomping over to you, jabber some nonsense, turn around and stomp out. She is busy, silly, and makes a lot of noise. She loves to read books and insists upon in every afternoon and evening before she will even consider lying down to bed. She loves to swing, and is especially thrilled when the push is from her brother Cael. We are letting the wild mullet shine in all its glory, although at times I am almost embarrassed for her and the lack of length from the top. Her smile is sweet, her giggles are great, and she is tough! We love our little mama, sweetums and Belly girl!

Brecon's Art

 

 

In my efforts to keep better record and journaling, I thought I would scan these amazing drawing from Brecon's art folder. I have put them in his binder as well, but I always want to see his beautiful rainbows and flowers and smiling boy standing on the ground. He has really made such great improvements with his compositions--- I do miss the round body/face with stick arms and legs sticking out!

Dates and Fun

BLUE MAN GROUP

 Ben and I went on a date and got our first babysitter in a long time to watch the boys. We had dinner with friends at a BBQ restaurant and had to really hurry to try to get there on time.  It is pretty great to have all these events be so close to us and the tickets are a great price as well. The performance was fun-- interesting-- gross and we even got to SHAKE our BOOTY while giant glowing balls bounced out into the audience. When we got home the boys were snuggled in bed and Brielle was sound asleep. The boys have been asking us to go on a date so they can have a babysitter again!

 These crazy kiddos were hiding from me and screaming with delight when I found them. We sure have fun together while the big boys are at school.

 Cael got a rainbow loom and has been working like crazy to create all the different kinds of bracelets for his collection. He will watch a tutorial on you-tube and get to work. At first he would forget to loop at certain times and become quite frustrated when his bracelet wouldn't work out. I was impress to watch him take a minute to be upset, then start right back again.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

 I was ready to start decorating the middle of November, but Ben made me wait until the week before Thanksgiving. This way we could enjoy our festive décor a little bit longer and not have to stress about doing it later. We all helped out... most of the kids wanted to get right in there and decorate. Cael loved doing the lights, Brecon and Connor were professional bulb placers, and Brielle was generally there for the good time. Ben was flipping and rocking her back over his legs and she was squealing with excitement! He would then bring her close and give a snuggle right into her neck, which she loved again and again! It is amazing how easy and fun a baby can have with a throw and snuggle!

Cael reading and our finished tree. It was silver, gold, white, and cream with snowflakes and beads. It was a pretty tree this year and I liked when the kids were turning on the lights every night so we had that glow in our living room to enjoy.

Hike at Storm King

ARMY football games

As a family we have enjoyed almost all of the home Army football games. The pre-game festivities are something the boys would look forward to every time we would get ready to go. We were given loads of free stuff like Frisbees, footballs, key chains, candy, and seat cushions. The team didn't do so well this season, but we had a great time experiencing the events together 

 

The first home game was under the lights. Before the game the west point parachute team dropped out of a helicopter and landed midfield to deliver the game ball. It was so exciting to watch the entire descent and their landing. I really was glad that they didn't mess up on that one. The mules were right to the left of us in the picture and every time the team would score they would run around on the field, sometimes the animals ran into each other as they trotted/galloped around. Plus the cadets would run out of the stands and do their traditional pushups  on the sidelines. I love how they are all wearing the white tops and their military hats. They spin them during kick-off and it really does look neat from the other side.

Nothing like getting some army face paint before the game. Cael looks like he is ready for a special forces mission.

Meeting Miss USA was a treat. She seemed super excited to meet us, especially since all the other people in line in front of us were "excited" pre-pubescent junior high boys. Cael wanted to ask her what state she was from but when we got right up to her and we asked if he had a question he said "no". I later asked him what happened and he said he got nervous. We have an autograph picture but it is a little to fancy, I'm embarrassed to show it. She is a very pretty lady!

"Cael why are you so mad? What did I do? Stop looking at me like that!" Gotta love that crazy face paint.

The game before Veterans day had a special program complete with the field-size flag and "I'm proud to be an American" and "God Bless America". Of course I get teary-eyed and loved the tribute to all those who have and do serve in the military.

Holding a baby in style- Brielle fell asleep during this chilly cold game- I didn't notice this but look at the screen in the background. One of the cute baby pictures of a Senior and Ben-- they match!

Our last game was a disappointing one. The team was ahead until the last quarter when the opponents stomped two touchdowns, and recovered a fumble...  we had a chance and then lost it. It was terrible to watch.