Jacob's 7th Birthday

It is crazy to think that SEVEN years ago today Dan and I spent our Thanksgiving at the hospital in Aiken welcoming our little Jacob into the world. I remember feeling so excited when we found out that day was THE day!

This year Jacob had Aunt Hollie, Uncle Cris, Grandma and Grandpa Larry and the Warner family to celebrate with him.

Jacob had Lucky Charms for his breakfast in bed and then spent the morning playing with his new toys: a remote control Air Hog Helicopter and Hot-wheels.

Then Dan took Jake and Tess, Benny and C.C., Hollie and Cris, and Grandma and Grandpa downtown to the Air and Space Museum. They even got to watch the planetarium show. Then everyone came home to pizza, birthday cake and ice cream.

We ended his special day playing on the Wii together. 

Last weekend we had Jacob's Birthday Party.

 I let Jake plan his party. We played the M&M game, Elephant Bowling, Junk-n-your-Trunk, pin the rocket ship on the astronaut, we had a pinata, a treasure hunt, and turkey cupcakes. Jacob loves to learn about space and has read a lot with Dan about BLACK HOLES recently. So that is what Jake decided the pinata should be and Dan and the kids had a great time making it. Dan found lots of fun pictures to tape to it...I especially liked the cow!

 Jacob and his best friend from school, Agustin.

I think Jacob had a really fun birthday this year.  He is a very special LOVED boy!

Happy Thanksgiving

Recently I have thought a lot about family and how grateful I am for their support and love.

We are loving having Bonnie and James close by. The kids love their cousins and Bonnie and James have come to my rescue with watching kids several times lately.

A couple days ago I talked to my sisters, Emily and Aimee, while they were driving from Tucson to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. Aimee and Brad completed a rode biking race together. I love that they biked the 68 miles together.  And Emily was their with her kids being the supportive sister she is. As I talked with both of them on the phone I really felt their support of all I am doing here thousands of miles away from them.

This year, with Bonnie and James just living down the street, Hollie and Cris and Grandma and Grandpa Larry decided to make the trek up here for Thanksgiving. They got here yesterday and we are really enjoying getting to know Grandpa Larry better and catching up with Hollie and Cris.  It didn't take Abby any time to warm right up to Grandpa Larry. She found herself a book, climbed up next to him on the couch, handed him the book and put her head on his shoulder ready to be read to. It was cute. I am so grateful for the family I married into.

Today Dan took everyone on a walk in the woods while I stayed home to cook. The time came to prepare the turkey and get it in the oven and Dan wasn't back yet. The turkey was his job since I am a bit squeamish with touching birds! But alas, I had to do it.  I gaged just reading instructions online about needing to pull out a heart, neck ect. I decided to call my mom for help. She came to the rescue...I think we will both laugh about this experience once I get over actually vomiting in the trash! I was so grateful she answered her phone to help me.  I never did get the neck out, turns out cooking a turkey with the neck still in it doesn't ruin it. Thanksgiving dinner was yummy and exciting.

I am very thankful for the support and love my family gives!
(Pictures to come)

The MATHEW'S

Chris and Sue Mathew's are like family to us. Three years ago they were assigned to be our home teachers.  When I was extreemly sick while pregnant with Abby Sue came to the rescue over and over. Each time I've had surgery or am in a bind with the kids Sue comes to the rescue! They are so kind and giving and the kids LOVE them! Yesterday they treated us to a yummy lunch and a fun, leaf filled afternoon.

The kids were burying Chris in the leaves. 

Tess loves Emma, their dog. Sue is really good about helping the kids adjust to and play with Emma each time we come.

Today was Stake Conference. Chris sat with us and Abby was content to sit on his lap peacefully off an on for the entire 2 hours. Jake and Tess also took turns sitting next to him.  We sure do love them!

"Trick-or-Treating"

We had a crazy but fun snow storm the Saturday before Halloween. We missed out on the ward trunk-or-treat party but enjoyed sledding and baking! By Halloween the snow was almost gone so we headed out with 3 very excited kids!!!

Jacob was an army man and Abby was a love bug! Tessie wanted to be a scary witch...I told her I didn't think that was possible.

 Abby loved every minute of our two hours trick-or-treating. She wasn't shy at all! I loved hear her saying "Trick-or-Treating" at each door (I had to work with her so that she wouldn't finish that song Jake and Tess taught her at each door. You know, it ends in underwear!) She examined each piece of candy as it went into her pumpkin and demanded to hold it's heavy contents all by herself!

 We met up with our fun cousins to do most of our trick-or-treating. It is so great to have family close by.

We have a LOT of candy and after one day with all of it in our house I am ready to toss it ALL!

Abby won't take no for an answer. She is a very industrious and smart child! She has moved chairs and step-stools to climb on counters,  gone to the potty to earn a treat from her pumpkin bucket, and cried all day long. Tess came to me more than once asking if I'd "just give Abby one more Mommy!" 

We won't be having candy in this house for long!