THANKSGIVING MINUS MANY PICTURES

I am ashamed to write that I didn't take many pictures over the holidays when we had most of our family here. I didn't even get a picture of John in his apron with the electric knife. I am mad at myself. I loved having a house full (minus Megan and Todd---we missed you both so much).....eating good food, staying up late and visiting, playing games, laughing, watching sports, working together, and just enjoying one another. Emily and her family arrived late Tuesday evening after going on the Heber Creeper. Johnny and Brittney flew in Wednesday night.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone worked together to make the load lighter....Laurel worked especially hard making two batches of homemade rolls. They were delicious.

Laurel and Emily working that dough!

We were happy that Brittney's brother, Justin, and her niece, Melia, and nephew, Corbin, could come from Provo to spend the day with us.

Brittney is so good with Melia and Corbin

Emily and Greg ate with the DeVries family, but she made a wonderful caramel apple pie for us. We also loved having Grandma Char, Devin, and Eileen with us. We all ate too much and felt thankful for so many blessings, comforts, and family. Lorin and Braxton came later and we all played a mean game of May I. Jocey and Braxton warmed up the Wii and competed in Mario Cart.

Jocey put on her tall high heels to see if she could be as tall as her 6'4" tall brother.....they look so cute together....

Friday, the girls, Emily, Brittney, and I shopped at Tai Pan for Christmas tree decorations. We then drove to the Junction and met Laurel and Jocey to watch TWILIGHT! The theater was filled to capacity and when Edward appeared for the first time on screen audible gasps were heard throughout the room. My own feeling about the movie is that they did a credible job of transferring a book to a movie. At first I didn't think the casting seemed right, but after the movie was over.....PERFECT casting. We all loved the movie and Jocey wants to see it for a third time next weekend. After the movie, we met the boys at Texas Road House for a delicious meal. We went back to the house and played a fun new game called Loaded Questions. We all laughed and had a blast.


Crew was so good with the trees but he wanted
the balls from this tree thinking he could play with them.

Saturday we sneaked in Cafe Rio before Em and Greg headed to the Jazz game along with Grandpa D and Colton. We watched the Oregon Ducks smash the Beavers so Johnny was happy.


Sunday was wonderful church with a fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy Sunday dinner. Em and family drove back to Idaho and Johnny, Brittney, John and I went to Temple Square before heading to the airport. It was 50 degrees outside and MANY had the same idea of seeing the lights. Johnny and Brittney wanted to see their favorite Oregon/Temple Square missionary, Sister Gabut, serving from the Philippines. We entered the north gate and we heard a squeal and then a short beautiful dark haired girl threw herself into Brittney's arms. We found Sister Gabut What a delightful girl. Sadly, the time came to say goodbye to Johnny and Brittney at the airport. The holiday was over.....counting the days till Christmas time now.


I AM THANKFUL FOR:
The Savior, the gospel, my membership in the church
My husband, children and their spouses, my grandsons and granddaughter to come
My sweet mother
My extended family
My sister-in-law, Susan and her influence in my life
Good friends and fun times together
My good health and no relapses so far in 2008
Visits to California, Idaho Falls, Portland, and Seattle
Living in the United States where we are free
Missionaries and Service men and women
Too many blessings to count and very undeserving of those blessings.