lights at Thanksgiving Point

We started out our Christmas season celebrations with a visit to Thanksgiving Point to see the lights. It was free! We loaded the kids up in the van and drove through the lights. Then we went over to the water tower to see the reindeer. They were particularly sleepy that night. We laughed at the one whose head kept lolling to the side only to have its antlers get in the way. We finished the evening off with ice cream cones (with the most horrible customer service ever).

give thanks

We were the hosts of the Thanksgiving feast again this year. We had all of Dave's family minus Katie and a last minute addition of my parents. 23 people total. I cooked two turkeys, stuffing, chocolate butterscotch cookies, and pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting. Then, Mom made the crust for 3 pies plus a pan of mini pies and my girls and I made the filling because one must make pie for Thanksgiving. Its tradition (even if you don't like pie!).

I wasn't going to set up a nice adult table because I wasn't sure where to fit everyone. When I told Emma this, her face showed teary disappointment. Apparently, I had forgotten that she had told me that the one thing she really wanted for Thanksgiving was to have a nice table. After that there was a whirlwind of activity as we moved out a couch, borrowed a table from neighbors, located tablecloths, and gathered together miscellaneous fall decor items. I just covered the kids table with paper and set out a jar of crayons.

Who knew my girl cared about such things?

There was much feasting, conversing and playing. A wonderful day of giving thanks. 
 

P.S. Thanks to Mom for giving me her pictures since I didn't take even one!

the hat

Slade found this hat. Somewhere. Maybe in the dress up box. He decided he liked the way it looked and felt and has been wearing it fairly constantly ever since. Lately he has been sporting it with the added red head band as well. We are not sure why he is so taken with it but love that he does things his own way.

officially a teenager

We officially have a teenager in the house (and all the drama and tears to prove it!). Emma started the celebrations with French toast for breakfast and then we sent her off to school.

We brought her orange cupcakes (her favorite color) at the bus stop so she could hand them out to her friends.

Her friends made her a huge banner/poster that I hung up in her room while she was gone. It was full of fun memories and jokes that they share.

Per her request, we went to Golden Corral that night for dinner. She refused to let me have the waiters sing to her though. Then we came home and opened presents.

Thirteen Things About Emma at 13

1. She is turning into a beautiful young woman who is into fashion, hair and makeup.
2. She is anxious about getting her braces on this next year.
3. She is learning a lot through her public school experience about working with teachers, completing assignments, test-taking and making new friends.
4. She is most interested in being with her friends.
5. She is very into email, texting and Instagram.
6. She likes to bake treats. She has a definite sweet tooth.
7. She loves singing in the choir at American Heritage but definitely does NOT like violin.
8. She is adored by Anne and Ben and she can be very helpful with them.
9. She is kind and thoughtful to others (except her brothers!).
10. She has learned to enjoy being alone in her room when she is home.
11. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel.
12. She loves playing soccer but only with her friends. She isn't interested in moving up a level because that would be too much work.
13. She makes us look like awesome parents. We get compliments from her leaders all the time about how great she is.

We love you, Emma! Happy Birthday!

playing in the leaves

I asked Emma to rake up the leaves in the front yard. She enlisted the help of her friends, Eliza and Allison. They raked them all into a huge pile and then proceeded to throw and kick them back all over the yard. They had a lot of fun but the yard ended looking exactly how it started. I guess I needed to specify that the job entailed raking AND bagging the leaves in the front yard.

almost

It was good day. Almost.

Slade happily got his chores and practicing done on time. Nathan and Sawyer did not.
Emma did well on her grammar test. Slade did not.
Anne was neither whining or crazy but she was sick with a fever.
Ben took his morning nap but not his afternoon nap.
I had on a cute (well, cute for me) outfit but never left the house.
I made cookies and four loaves of French bread. However, I forgot to put the salt in the bread.
I read out loud to the kids today for an hour but Emma was already at school so she missed out.

Some days are good. Almost.

meet the challenge

Two years ago, I invited friends and family to join me for an eight week "Happy Holidays Challenge." We had a website, winners with prize money and such. I got mixed reviews from those who participated in the challenge with me so when I decided to do another one this year, I decided to go it alone. I started on Sunday and will finish on December 23. I decided to choose 8 things I want to improve or accomplish. I don't really have a way to track my success this time. I am just hoping that the extra focus will help me make good choices over the next two months. I tried to make the challenge filled with things I do instead of things I can't do. For example, while I know I should eliminate sugar from my diet, I am instead trying to increase my vegetable intake. If you would like to join me, I would love to have some company in the journey. Choose your own 8 challenge items and come along for the ride.

Happy holidays Challenge

1.   40 workouts (average 5/wk, at least 30 minutes)

2.   Increase vegetable intake to 4 servings/day or more.

3.   Study scriptures (15 min. Book of Mormon, 15 min. General Conference)

4.   Go to bed by 11, get up by 7.

5.   Do 8 deliberate and prayerful acts of service.

6.   Write on blog at least weekly.

7.   Go on a one-on-one date with each of the kids.

8.   Complete office makeover.

cornbellys

We went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point with our homeschool group on Friday, November 2. It was nice that it was after Halloween because the crowds were minimal. The kids had a good time but I am not sure that we will go again next year. They have made everything cost extra and I am not sure it is worth it anymore. We missed Emma too.