Lights on Temple Square

We went to "We Also Sing" concert in the tabernacle. It was really fun be together and listen to songs about Jesus and Love and Joy. Ross and I both really liked that they performed Christmas songs that we'd never actually heard. It was refreshing. How come I don't take more pictures of Breanne? Her life is always a party and if I had pictures of everything she does I would remember that.

Graham Cracker Houses

Let the Festivities Begin.

Christmas has officially begun.

A day with cousins is a good day!

Creativity abounds!

We got an early start his year on a fun holiday tradition--Graham Craker Houses. When we asked the kids if they wanted to do this again, we got a loud chorus of agreement. All the kids like to do it for the creative outlet. Just as many like to do it so they can eat candy.

Each of my kids ate theirs before dinner.

I coached swimming this morning, so I missed the doorbuster sales. That's not new seeing how I've never once in my life tried to shop on Black Friday. I was intrigued this year, but decided I needed to have more money in order to save as much as I'd like. After swim practice at 7am I met Courtney and Lindsay at Target just for fun and to take a peek at the crowds. If Lindsay hadn't cut in line at the check out we would have been there for 2 more hours.

That afternoon we checked out the Walmart in Cedar Hills, and we were so pleasantly surprised to get a few great deals that had not been sold out.

It was a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving

I took a few minutes to be thankful as I made potatoes, and sweet potatoes today. I decided on butter. I'm thankful for butter, and all the yummy food I ate that is made with it.

Grandma and Papa brought rolls, stuffing, and fruit salad.

Ross made the perfect turkey...again. He's become quite good at this. Did I mention that I'm thankful for Alton Brown?

Uncle Kevin brought the pies. He also played Magic cards with the boys, who were excited enough to buy their own sets of cards that they washed baseboards yesterday and asked what else they could do to earn money. Yes, I'm even thankful for Magic cards (if something motivates my kids, heck yes, I'm thankful for it).

Today I was thankful for a working oven, and the friends who came over and fixed it. I'm thankful for the new faucet my Dad installed when he came to visit in May. I'm grateful for the new dishwasher that's washing all the dishes (ever so quietly) while I write.

This is Connor, who peeled 65 minutes of extra computer time in potatoes. I told all the kids they could have 5 minutes of computer or video games for every potato peeled. Connor did them all. That was perfectly ok with the other two children who are not pictured.

We took turns expressing gratitude around the dinner table today. It's unanioumous. We are thankful for Family!

Our Christmas Card This Year

Before blogging and facebook I used to send out Christmas cards. I don't do that anymore. Now (theoretically) I keep in touch with people I love all year round. Instead of sending out family photos you can look at the blog side bar or just click on my facebook profile and see recent and old pictures.

But, I used to send out greetings about how good my life was and why everyone should be jealous of my awesome life and my amazingly talented, and very good looking children.

Now I know better. Well, hopefully I'm learning.

This has been (I know everyone already knows) a really hard year.

Recently at Time Out For Women in Salt Lake. Wendy Watson Nelson (wife of Elder Nelson) spoke about what she wished was on her Christmas card. And she said it wouldn't be all that flowery foo-foo that she was tired of reading in her friends' cards. It comes instead from the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.

I hope you'll consider this your Christmas card as well.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Like Paul we know where to look for redemption and we continue to put our faith (in the best way we know how) in Jesus. God Bless. Wishing you the best in your journey as well.