Happy Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving was a wonderful small affair.  Kyle made a delicious turkey which the children were thrilled with.  We also had baked mac 'n' cheese, green beans, stuffing, cantaloupe  rolls and a banana cream pie for dessert.  We were all full.  We of course said things we were thankful for and finished off our Thankful Turkey seen above.  Everyone but Wendy was finished, I left her with a plate full of food, when I came back the plate was still full and she was chomping on a turkey leg.  She actually ate quite a bit of it, I thought it made for a fun picture.  Hyrum also decided to go for seconds.

There is so much that we have to be thankful for this past year, and I am looking forward to another grand year ahead.   HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Tiny Tim

We are pleased to introduce Tiny Tim.  He was found in our yard about 2 months ago, and since he is still alive and doing well, I thought I could finally do a post about him.  He likes to bury himself in the dirt, look at you with his big eyes and then hide in his shell.  He pretty much does what turtles do which is not much, but the kids like him and as far as maintenance for a pet goes, he is great.

Playing in the Leaves

Yesterday, we spent the the afternoon raking leaves.  The kids helped in the backyard, then when I went to the front they stayed out back.  I blew/raked the biggest pile of leaves and then let them come have some fun before we bagged them.  We had a great time.  We ended up with 17 bags, the past month we have spent time raking other times as well and have previously filled 25 bags.  You may think that 42 bags of leaves means that we are done, nope!!  If we look up there are still plenty of leaves left to fall.  I'm sure another day will find us playing in the leaves again.

Halloween

We didn't go too extravagant on costumes this year.  Zachary was a ghost, it was the same costume he wore two years ago.  Eric was Spiderman, it was the same costume he wore last year.  Wendy was a fairy princess, it was odds and ends from around the house.  Hyrum was a lion, his costume has been worn by every one of my children (see below).  Even though the costumes were reused, the fun was all new.  We had a great time and came back with a huge stash of candy.  

Hyrum

Wendy

Eric

Zachary

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Kyle is another year older and of course more handsome, and wise as well.  His birthday fell on a Sunday, and I had meetings from about 8:30am-4:00pm so his birthday celebration was short, but excitedly celebrated by all of us.  The cake had 32 candles, which the children put on.  He blew it out in one blow (I wonder what his wish was?).
Kyle is a wonderful husband and father.  It amazes me how good he is at helping the kids realize that they need to balance work and play.  He supports me so completely and puts up with a lot.  He also has a beautiful testimony of the gospel and willingly shares it with us.  I love him!!

All I Want for Christmas are My 2 Front Teeth.

Zachary can now sing this Christmas song and mean it.  Yesterday, he fell on the stairs at the school playground.  I got a call to come and get him, and that he had knocked out one of his front teeth and the other was turned sideways.  We went to the dentist and she pulled it because he could not bite normally.  Thank goodness there was not other damage to his mouth, lips or face.  He must have fallen directly on the teeth and they took all the fall.  So Zachary now has a new smile.  Still as handsome as ever.

Taken right after I picked him up from school.  He just wanted to go home and rest.

After the tooth was pulled.

Family Visiting Us!

Usually in order to see family we have to get on a plane and head west, last week my parents, sister and her kids came to visit us.  I loved having them!  We spent time at the zoo, in Natchez looking at some of the antebellum homes, at the children's museum, in Vicksburg at the Military Park, and just playing at home.  My parents were able to go to lunch with the boys at school, which was exciting for them.  Wendy loved having a playmate, and in her pretend stories she is still the mom, but now I have a name, "girl Abbie."  Hyrum seemed to like having someone to push around, sorry Lincoln.  Here are some pictures from our adventures. Thanks for coming Mom, Dad, and Tammie.  Enjoy all the pictures.

The Children's Museum

  Here is everyone working on play-dough creations.  Everyone's turned out lovely.

Vicksburg