Thanksgiving Day Re-cap

We had a busy Thanksgiving but it was one of my favorites. Thanksgiving morning was spent with my family for brunch since some of my siblings were unable to come later in the day for dinner. The cousins all had a great time watching movies and playing together. The adults were able to hang out and visit.


The kids table. Dylan and Adam had already eaten breakfast before we came so they were off playing.
Greg making the pancakes, and Aaron the waffles.
Later we headed over to Greg's Grandparents house for Thanksgiving dinner. Half the fun for us at any dinner at Grandma's is visiting during the making and clean-up of the meal. This day was no exception!

At the top is Jim and Karie working to dissect his traditional fried turkey. Then Grandma Haws and Laurie working on the roast and gravy.
Adam showing off his do.Brave Dave bringing in the rolls.
The Pope's went to the cabin (other side of the family) for Thanksgiving dinner so Dylan didn't have any of his regular playmates. He was really good about it and luckily Dylan and Adam had each other to play with and sit at the kids table together. While we were waiting for a few stragglers Jim started the group in giving thanks to each one in the family. We started with Grandpa and anyone was welcome to tell him what they were thankful for him about. Then Grandma, Brock, Erin, Becca, Behave Dave and Connie were next. We then ran out of time but it was wonderful to all stand together and give thanks to these wonderful family members that mean so much to us all but that maybe we don't tell as often as we should. This was the Thanksgiving group of about 40. It was wonderful to see everyone and visit - not to mention the amazing food that I'll be working off until Christmas!

View into the dining room....View into the kitchen....
Dylan and Adam at the "kids table".Even Dylan got a piece of the clean-up action!Adam is a very social little guy and loves Grandpa Haws (Grandma Haws too, but he seeks out Grandpa). Almost every time we see him Adam will take something too him. Probably more than half the time it's to share some half eaten snack, so luckily for Grandpa this time it was a magazine with animals. :) We stayed with the Haws side of the family until after dessert and then headed over to my Aunt and Uncles house to let the boys play with their cousins and to visit. Again, the kids had a great time watching a Christmas movie projected on a big wall and eating treats. We finished off the night at home putting up some Christmas decorations and the boys had fun decorating themselves.
I'm sad to see this wonderful Thanksgiving weekend come to a end! We had a great time with family, food, and a little more family. We feel so blessed to be able to be so close to many on both sides of our families, and that we were able to spend time with both!

Random Pictures

I just downloaded the pictures from my camera and thought I'd share a few. They are really random.

One of Adam's favorite games to play with Grandpa Smith.
Saturday's family project of cleaning out the flowerbed at the townhome. It was freezing!
Dylan reading a book to Adam.
A new hiding place. Looks like we'll be placing another child lock on the cupboard for my peace of mind.
I gotta say I was a little jealous that it wasn't me holding this little guy while he fell asleep.

1. Thankful for that everyone in our family is healthy right now (knock on wood).
2. Thankful for simple family outings, like a trip to Costco, that can be so fun to do together.
3. Thankful for technology making it much easier to stay connected with families and friend, no matter the distance between you.

1. Thankful for FM100 Soft Sunday Sounds (radio station that only plays church music on Sunday).
2. Thankful for nursery. Adam loves it and I enjoy being able to sit and listen in Sunday School in Relief Society. Every once in a while I even get to sit in Sunday School with Greg when he's not attending to other things. Double bonus!
3. Thankful for Sunday naps.

1. Thankful that Adam woke me up bright and early (6:50am) calling "Mommy!" so that I didn't have any excuse for not going to the gym. Especially when they have daycare, that the kids love, starting at 8!

2. Thankful that I finally figured out the recipe for the Gluten Free Chocolate Chips. I've always made the dough too runny not realizing that I can just add more flour, as I do any regular chocolate chip recipe.

3. Thankful for a fun morning shopping with my sister and a yummy lunch (tomato basil with orzo soup and half ultimate grilled cheese sandwich) at Zuppa's.

1. Thankful for the amazing weather we are having in Utah today. Perfect for playing with friends and a nice walk!

2. Thankful that it is Friday and movie night. Tonight's movie: Polar Express with GF Chocolate Chip cookies for a treat.

3. Thankful for the Book of Mormon. I've really been trying to be better about reading every day. Some days I do and some I don't quite make it, but the feeling that I have when I do is amazing. Today I read Alma 49 where the Lamanites are trying to invade the Nephites under the command of Moroni. The Lamanites are stunned of how prepared the Nephites are for their attack, and that their once weak cities have now become fortresses. I love to read this part of Alma and find myself thinking about it (just like I would any good book) throughout the day.

Grateful for 8 Years.....

.....married to an amazing man. We've had our ups and our downs, but we got through it all together and for that I am very grateful.

November 19, 2001
2002 - Pope Cabin for Grandma and Grandpa Haws' 50th Wedding Anniversary.
2003 - Thanksgiving time at Huntington Beach Pier.

2004 - Christmastime in California
2005 - Christmastime in California.

2006 - Christmastime in California

2007 - October dressed up for a Halloween Party. I'm 5 months pregnant with Adam.


2008 - December in Pasadina seeing the Rose Bowl Parade Floats as they were being made.
2009 - September at Girls Camp for Bishopric Night

I Love you Greg. Happy Anniversary!