A Busy Thanksgiving Weekend

We have a a very busy weekend here. I can't believe we've had 5 days off and it feels like only 2. We have had a very fun time starting on Wednesday when we got all packed up and ready to go to Price for Thanksgiving. On our way we stopped to have pictures taken (below) and had a nice lunch together while we were waiting for them to get printed. Then it was off to Price. Once we got there and got all situated and checked into the hotel we decided to take our nieces DaNell and Maygun on a little impromptu date (thanks Papa for watching the kids) to see another showing of Breaking Dawn (Mike hadn't seen it yet) and to Pizza Hut for some dinner. It was a very fun outing. Once it was over we scooped up 3 of the kids (Caleb wouldn't leave Papa's) and headed to the hotel for a little sleep. In the morning we got up and got ready for Thanksgiving. Here's a pic of Faith in her cute Thanksgiving attire.

We spent the entire day at Papa's house visiting and eating and playing a couple rounds of Apples to Apples with everyone. Then it was time to put on our running shoes and hit the sales (Thanks again Papa and Grandma for watching kids). Walmart opened at 10pm on Thanksgiving night and we were there with bells on to fight the crowds. We got what we wanted (and lots of stuff we didn't know we wanted) and headed back to the hotel for a snack and a couple hours sleep before we hit JCPenny's at 4am. We were able to get what we wanted there even though I had to buy bigger sizes than expected but the good thing about that is that kids grow so they will get some use out of it and for the price, they couldn't be beat. Then it was off to Kmart. Mike and I raced in and made it to the back first to get our goodies. We got most of what we wanted there as well and one more stop at Bealls and we were done. Then again it was back to the hotel to rest a bit and pack up the room.
Once back at Papa's we headed out to brunch at the Cowboy Club with the whole family. Then we stopped by Grandma Nette's for a quick visit. We went back to Papa's and snuck in a quick power nap so we would be ready to drive home. We wanted to leave right before dark in order to stop at the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork on our way. The boys all loved it and kept pointing out things along the drive. Here's some pics of our favorites.

We made it home and did a little unpacking and watched a Sponge Bob Christmas with the boys before it was bedtime. Saturday came and we brought in all the rest of the decorations and went at it along with a little housework and some laundry in the morning. The afternoon was spent shopping for a few more gifts that would need to be mailed in the next week or so then back home to make dinner and clean up the mess we made decorating. We did manage to sneak in watching A Christmas Story with the kids as well.

Today has been spent cleaning, decorating the outside, doing more laundry and grocery shopping. I can't believe the long break is over and I didn't get all of what I wanted to done. Still so much to do and so little time. Can't the break be 2-3 days longer?

Family Pics 2011

Family photos 2011 - slideshows

On our way to Price for Thanksgiving, we stopped in Draper at a place called Fotofly to get our family pictures for the year done. It was the first time we had used them and I have to say, I was really impressed. I'll definately be going back there in the future. The slideshow is of all 53 images they took so there are a lot of the same poses, so enjoy.

It's My Turn

6 days after Caleb's Birthday, it's always my turn to celebrate my own day. It started a little early when I talked my friend Wes into taking me to see Breaking Dawn Friday night as his Birthday present to me (he's such a good sport). Before the movie, Mike came home early and we ventured out to the mall to check out the new stores and have some dinner. Saturday morning we started the day off getting ready spruced up. I couldn't resist putting Faith in this fun outfit. Somethings up with my camera on my phone so I apologize for the blurriness. She was sure ready to party though.


Mike ran to to the store and bought me my own mini cherry pie and some Pepsi for breakfast (does he know me or what?). Then he started on my first Birthday request.....putting up the Christmas tree. I seriously love Christmas and my favorite part of the prep is always the tree. I have tons of other decorations but really I would be ok if all we did was put up the tree and hang the stockings, that's how much I love it. So Mike went to work setting it up for me.

Caleb had a class mates Bday party to attend that day. Since we needed new lights for the tree, we took him and dropped him off at the party and then the rest of us enjoyed a lunch at one of my favorite burger joints, 5 guys. Then we went to Target to get the lights and do a little shopping.

Once we picked Caleb back up and were back home and the lights on the tree, it was time to decorate. Me and 2 of the boys went at it. Sadly Zaden napped through most of that part. But we did save him his special Buzz Lightyear ornament that he proudly put on when he woke up .

Then it was time for the remainder of my day. We ventured off to dinner at Olive Garden, one of my other favorite places. And then it was off to the Grizzlies game. We love going to watch a couple hockey games every year so it seemed fitting to do it as part of my Birthday. I didn't take the camera with us so no pics of the game but we ended up losing 5-3. We still had fun though. Zaric who had missed nap time to decorate the tree ended up falling asleep for almost 2 of the 3 periods. It was too cute not to take a pic. Zaden was really into it this time and paid close attention and cheered and clapped a lot. That totally made my night.

It was a great day spent with my favorite people. Now it's time to gear up for more celebrations with the rest of the family in Price for Thanksgiving and Black Friday Shopping.

An 8th Birthday Party!

Well it happened. Today, my little boy is officially 8! We had a small party here at the house yesterday. It was Lego Star Wars all the way. He was so excited all day and couldn't wait to get a picture by his cake. Caleb put together the Lego ship for the top of it all by himself and was one proud little man.

Right before it started, him and Dad put on their Jedi attire.

Caleb got to open one of his presents early. We got him the Lego Star Wars movie on Blue Ray. So he could have it playing during his party.

We had some fun making up names for Star Wars food, so here's some pics of the spread. We started with Luke's Lightsabers.

And there were Clone Crackers

And of course we couldn't get along without Ewok food. It's a little trail mix those Ewok's use while hiking in Endor. I'm sure of it.

We had some Grievous' Greens. No wonder he stays so skinny ;)

And Vader Taters.

Hans Solo was frozen in Carbonite Jello.

And here's the treat table that housed Wookie Cookies and "Darth By Chocolate". It also held the drinks. Mike made some 2 liter wraps. We had Leia's Lemonade, R2Beer2, Yoda Soda, Obi's Orange, Palpatines Punch, Dooku's Diet and Padame's Pep.

And here he is blowing out his candle. He insisted on just an 8 and not 8 candles. Pretty smart thinking, it you want to make sure you get that wish.

And it was off to present time. He got lots of fun Lego stuff. More Lego StarWars stuff. Some books, a Mario hat and gloves and a fun drum toy. And of course, the NY Giants bean bag chair he's been wanting for his room.

Right after his party, Caleb and I had to dash off. My friend Wes offered us 2 of his season tickets to the Utes game to celebrate Caleb's Bday some more. So we bundled up since it was snowing outside and headed up. It was too cold to take pictures so there are none from the game. But Utes won 31-6!!!

When we got back home, Caleb put on some warm jammies and then snuggled up on his new bean bag to watch some Harry Potter. It was a good day.

I wonder what he'll want to do for his "official" Bday today. It changes everytime I ask him so we'll see.

Caleb's 8 year Old Interview

With Caleb's Bday creeping ever closer, we decided it was time to get to business on his 8 year old interview. This is something I started a couple years ago so we could keep track of how his answers change from year to year. The questions aren't always exactly the same but the mostly the same ideas. So here we go:

Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Candy
Favorite Sports Teams: NY Giants, Grizzlies, and the Bees
Favorite Toys: Lego's
Favorite Animal: Cheetah
Favorite TV Show: Johnny Test
Favorite Movie: Sponge Bob
Favorite thing to do at School: Writing
Favorite thing about Mom: She reads books with me
Favorite thing about Dad: He works hard
Favorite thing about brothers: They play with me
Favorite thing about new sister: I like holding her
Favorite place to go: The Toy Store
Favorite Book: The Zombie Zone by Ron Roy
Favorite Restaurant: Red Robin
Favorite things to do: Watch TV, Build stuff with Lego's, write stories, drawing
What Do you want to be when you grow up: Owner/manager of a Lego Store

And of course most importantly, What do you want for your Birthday this year:
NY Giants bean bag chair
Lego's
Star Wars Toys
Model car kits
Notebooks and journals for writing stories
Sketch pads
Johnny Test DVD
Johnny Test DS game
A-Z Mysteries books by Ron Roy