It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Sunday after Thanksgiving, or the night we got back from Arizona, we broke out the Christmas tree and decorations.  It's always fun to see past ornaments over the years.  Many memories...

Thanksgiving 2015

What an adventure!!  This picture says it all as to how the first two days rolled.  We rented a minivan (last of Trent's travel points) because our van didn't sound too good for a long road trip to Arizona.  Trent sayed back, he just started his new job with MX, but will meet up later. We get up early and make it past Panguitch close to the Bryce Canyon turn off and the censor to the tire turns on, then suddenly it blows out, the rear drivers side.  Sheesh!  We were making good timing...  Because it was a rental, I had to call their services to call a local guy to help.  Waited about 2 hours and even that guy had to google how to get to the spare tire... Got the donut tire on and had to detour through Hwy 14 to get to Cedar City for a new tire.  Pretty country, and I'd love to spend time at Duck Creek, but an out of the way detour.  After another hour or so at the tire place (which was painless, thank goodness) we were on our way to Vegas.  Figured we were already late into our day that we'd stop in Las Vegas for the night (final depletion of travel points for a hotel).  

Had dinner at In-N-Out Burger right off the strip then drove around the strip to let the kids see the amazing sights.  Pretty spectacular, except for the trucks driving around with almost naked women on them for advertisment....

               

Then back on the road...Lake Mead close to the Hoover Dam

Finally we made it to Gma and Gpa's house.  We were so glad to be out of that van and walk around.

  

That night we met up with some friends or ours, the Conovers.  We knew them from college, BYU.  We also spent some time at my brothers house, checking out his new pool, and Karen did our hair.

   

Part of Rian's birthday present was to dye her hair.  She couldn't decide, so ended up with something safe for her first time, darker.  I think she likes it, but doesn't LOVE it.  Next time. :o)

      

Thanksgiving morning, was the Gilbert Turkey Trot.  At starting line we found my brother Ben and Karen and Traci, then we met up with Trevor and Ashley.

   

Jarom was too fast for me and Raegan, so I didn't catch any pictures of him.  It was a very crowded event.

Later, I picked up Trent from the airport andwe prepared for the feast and had the Conovers over too. (Dang I was bad at taking pictures of them...)

The weather was perfect for outside.  Thankful for so much.  Family, health, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, a living prophet, the gospel, temples and scriptures to help direct us through this scary but necessary world.  So so much more, like Trent's new job the kids and school and their good health...I could go on forever.  I'm thankful also for my family.  Although I wish we were closer, my parents and siblings are amazing.

Next day Tana and Matt and Jeff and Alice and our kids went on a walk to see Gma and Gpa's new house they are building.

Right now it's just a big hole dug out...

Later we had family pictures at Scott and Heathers house.  It's been awhile since we were all able to get together.  Jake is on his mission, and Riley too, and Whitney and Rider were not there.

Finally before heading back, we went over to the Conover's house to watch the Michigan Game.  It was still cold, but that didn't stop my kids from swimming...

Then we headed to the nearby park for games.

Early the next morning, we headed home altogether in the minivan.  We stopped at subway for breakfast/lunch in Beaver...I think (I'm updating this post in July 2016) and it started to SNOW!!  Yep we were back in Utah...

...It was good to be home otherwise.

Rian Gets A Job

Rian, turning 16, has the chance to get a job.  Wow, this is aging us as parents!  But it's exciting to see her grow from this experience and teaching her work ethic, working with management, schedules with school and customer service.  Fast food is a good first job.

Randomness

November had some random moments that I'm going to touch upon.  I'm updating this post from 6 months or so later, so I'm trying to catch up... :o)

Piano lesson days meant a lot of waiting around.  Raegan was working on some homework while Rian was in with Lynsie Brown.  Rae was so cute being productive...

Fall Band with Tarin and Jarom.  I happened to catch Tarin doing her evaluation at the end of the festival.

Ammon and his silly posse'.  They were on a Halloween withdrawl and dressed up in garbage bags and then went around the neighborhood trick or treating (5 days after the actual holiday).

And I have to cherish notes like these from my teen.  I love her to pieces but wonder at times if she really loves her mom... These make being a mom worth it.

First dusting of snow...

Tarin helping me out with my daunting task of cutting up chicken.  I do this twice a year and two 40lbs boxes takes forever.  So glad to have my girl help make the experience fun and go so much faster.  My biggest helper.

The school has parent days now and then.  I love having lunch with my boy.

I'm a new Bear Cub Scout den leader as of September, so this is all new to me, but excited, because this is one of few capacities I haven't served in.  These boys are great and I love working with Sara Holmer.  Her husband is in the military and came to help us with a few requirements and also to work on our flag ceremony for the next pack meeting.