Guess Who

I gathered baby pictures of everyone in our family from dusty boxes in the basement.  Most of the pictures were taken at 6 months and I made a collage that's framed and in our hallway.  The kids had fun finding their pictures and guessing who was who.

Conner went through and guessed pretty well until he got to me.  He looked at it and said, "Someone from another family with a shag."  My mom wasn't into the whole take a picture at 6 months old thing- so I'm not bald like the rest of 'em because I'm around 18 months.  Thank goodness I changed them all to sepia too, because I was orange.  No kidding- I was allergic to everything so I lived off of carrot juice until I was like 5.  The carotene in the carrot juice made my skin orange.

Another clue- the boys don't have bows...

Another Broken Bone...

So Terrence wanted to make sure Kacey wasn't alone in the broken bone department and decided to join her.  Terrence, Kacey and I were jogging along the beach Thanksgiving Day and he had on new shoes and a different terrain than what he was used to.  It caused a stress fracture that just kept going and finally snapped a bone on the ball of his foot in two.  Who knew a little bone on the bottom of your foot could cause so much pain!?  

Conner has really stepped up to help and so have Sam and Brooke.  Conner heaved the Christmas tree upstairs (thank goodness for those 8 inches he grew this past year) and everyone joined in to haul all the Christmas stuff from the basement.  My kids are used to having house lights every year, but there was no way Terrence could get up there with his foot and the kids were pretty disappointed.  Terrence's brother Ty put lights on the house for us with Conner and his friend Tappin's help.  It wouldn't have happened without them.  I heard Brooke call a friend and tell her, "We have lights on our house now!"  A week behind what we're used to but all the symbols of Christmas surround us now and IT FEELS GREAT!  (I think it might be time for me to break something when it's time to take down.)  Terrence is such a help that when he's out of commission the impact is huge.  Well, Merry Christmas to everyone and have fun with all of your Christmas traditions.

Thanksgiving at the Beach

We had a really great Thanksgiving in Carlsbad hosted by Terrence's sister Lisa and her husband Jim.  It was warm and wonderful.  Terrence's mom, Linda, was there too and her dressing was once again, amazing!! We spent it eating, visiting with loved family and new friends, skateboarding, biking, jogging along the beach, swimming at the beach, biking, and saw the movie Tangled (which I'd recommend).  The kids loved being with their cousins and can't wait until we get together again.  It was truly a time to be Thankful for.

Brooke and Sophie                            Tommy and Conner

                           Lisa, Jim, Tommy and Sophie                        Kinsey and Kacey

Dinner

Day at the Beach

And then home to this...

I am grateful during this time of thanksgiving for wonderful family and the beautiful things God has given us.  I am thankful for my Savior and the opportunity he has given me to progress eternally and live forever through his atonement.  I am thankful for Jim and Lisa and their generosity and graciousness to open their home to us and share such a special holiday.

Outsmarted, AGAIN!

The other night Conner and Sam were having an "oh so rare disagreement".  There was some overreaction and they were sent to their rooms.  The mom in me wanted to feed them when dinner time rolled around so they were called down.  Conner came bounding down the stairs, but Sam was going to punish us by waiting it out.  I sent Conner to get her hoping they could make up.  To keep from having another fight I told him not to come back unless he had her with him.  "In fact", I told him, "Be like Nephi and go and do!  Don't come back without her."  He quickly said, "Really mom? You know what Nephi did to Laban?" and then ran up the stairs before I could respond.  I just had to laugh.  At least he's learning his Book of Mormon stories.  

Ouch!

Kacey has been a really good sport through all of this, but it has been painful and will be a long road to recovery to have her arm be useful again.  It was broken during a cheer stunt and put back together yesterday.  Aunt Cari said it perfectly when she saw the xrays, "CRIKEY!"

Before-

After-

2, 4 inch plates and 12 bolts later.

Utah Fall Sunset

Yummy Pumpkin Seeds

 (Notice what a help Sam is being throughout...)

 (Helping out by striking a pose or two...)

 Doing what she really wants to do, getting her dad to help her with drivers ed.  One step closer to her license!

Pumpkin Seeds

2 C Seeds

1 T Worcestershire Sauce

2 T Butter

1-2 T Salt

Rinse seeds, set aside.  Melt butter, add worc. sauce, salt and seeds.  Mix well.  Bake at 250 for an hour and a half, stirring occasionally.  Eat em while they're HOT. YUMMM.