A Family Thanksgiving Weekend

The dinner table looking so dashing right before chaos hits it!

The kiddos relaxing watching Lion King or something around that -Disney anyone?

Benji and me enjoying the leaves!

Sleepover at cousin Samuel's house. Samuel, Tyler and Abby all slept in the same room and it worked out pretty darn good! How fun for them!

The adults trying to play a game - the kids raided, but we triumphed to the end of it!
We had a great Thanksgiving Weekend! Thank you to Ethan and Angela for letting us stay with them - amidst the moving - you are so sweet and thoughtful! Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Johnson for a great dinner and good company!
It definately felt like winter up there and that was fun for us because we could bundle up! Weds. night we played games and had some chit chat! Thursday was the big day and in the morning we headed down to the church to play some ball and games with the little ones (since it was raining and cold). Then onto grandma's house... The kids played in the backyard with grandpa's new playhouse,slide and sand box for the kids! They played on it even though it was cold and rainy! Turkey and all the trimmings were wonderful! Afterward we took naps (some and some not so much)! We watched movies and let the dinner settle. We took a stroll with our coats zipped up tight and our winter hats pulled over our ears! The leaves were still falling and the air very crisp - it made for fun times! Pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cookies and sundaes delight for dessert. In the evening, we had a slide show with the 'Johnson' family memories of past and then the kids put on a talent show. Some danced, some sang, some said the pledge of alligience and some recited poetry (Snakes go ssssss....);)! The next day, Friday, we had a hike up 'Thumb Butte'Mt. and the kids hiked themselves all the way to the top -the cheered upon victory-little did they know they had to hike all the way down. It was cold, but so beautiful and who doesn't like being in the great outdoors anyhow. Grandma and Grandpa provided a picnic of sloppy joes and chips/salsa! Then we had to say goodbye! Tired, but happy hearts!

Thanksgiving

Grandpa with the grandkids at the top of 'Thumb Butte'-- 1.5 miles up and then 1.5 miles down. So, go kids! I was tired so I can't imagine those little legs of theirs!

The hike up was slow, but it made for more fun times and the kids were having fun together!

Benji in the wagon all bundled up for a walk after Turkey dinner! too cute, I'd say.

Grandpa's play creation - Play, Play --Abby,cousin Bella and cousin Mason!

Uncle Jake and Aunt Tami taking a snooze after Turkey dinner. (Tami is prego so no her stomach isn't bloated from the big feast!) ;)

Jumping Cactus!

What is Jumping Cholla doing in our neighbors yard? Oh, it is the southwestern desert we live in, but that is a hazardous cactus by nature! Poor Abby - such a trooper -so brave! And can I say OUch.....

Crazy 8 Tag!

Never been tagged! But totally fun.

8 Shows I love to watch:
1. ER - watching most years
2. Life - Totally addicted
3. Grey's Anatomy - I just love Derek
4. 24 - most seasons-- Just watch the 2hour Premiere
5. Biggest Loser- Constant Inspiration
6. Glen Beck
7. Anything on the food channel
8. Design on a Dime -great ideas to design for cheap!

8 of my favorite Restaurants
1. El Rico's --yummy mexican
2. Rosa's--after the temple
3. Texas Road House -- Good Steaks and Rolls
4. Paradise Bakery -- Sandwhich and Soups --why not!
5. Rubios-- a new like, but it is good!
6. New York Pizza-- Best Pizza
7. California Pizza Kitchen -- Always the Bbq. Chicken Salad
8. Chili's -Because overall food is good and decently priced!

8 things that happened yesterday
1. Took my son to school
2. Read my book --Breaking Dawn
3. Helped my husband with school work
4. Forgot to eat lunch and paid for it later
5. Took Abby and Benjamin out to a stroll around Target and only got tights for Abby--that is so good for me in that store...no choice... no money!
6. Saw my brother, Ryan in the parking lot and chatted with him and Aimee
7. Picked up Tyler at school
8. Had family night and talked about Thanksgiving and why we celebrate it!

8 things I am looking forward to:
1.Thanksgiving dinner and visit with family
2.Putting up my Christmas decor
3.Our RS dinner
4.The Live Nativity at the church on Dec. 5th
5.My sister coming into town for Christmas
6.Benjamin crawling and picking up his own food
7.Christmas Eve
8.Christmas Day

8 things on my wish list:
1. Peace in the world
2. Health for my family always
3. Happy children always
4. Someone to clean my house -definately
5. Someday I could eat anything I want and not gain weight
6. Enjoy the small moments more often
7. Learn how to play the piano
8. Get my Master's Degree

8 People I tag:
1. Jessica Corbin
2. Jessica Hayes
3. Helena
4. Jenny R
5. Sarah F
6. Jessica W
7. Kristi M
8. Jenny B

Poka - Dot - Green Shoes!

Thank you Samantha for your Poka-Dot-Green Shoes, shouts Abby! I just love them, shouts Abby again!

She now where's these everyday and loves them! They fit good and have a little room to grow!

Abby says, "Mommy can I where these always." Mommy says, "Why?" Abby says, "Because Samantha wore them, and I just love her -Thank you Samantha"!

Yucky Face!

Benji had fun and we of course had to take a picture! He loves those teething bars, but I don't always because of the mess, but we do every so often when it is right before bath! He now has 4 teeth (two up and two down)! He is sitting up and trying to crawl, but doesn't have it down yet. When he gets excited he bounces and giggles. He loves food and his bottle! Benji loves us all, but he especially loves Abby. Smiles and laughs whenever she is around. She is definately a big sister and loves, loves him. He is 8 months and counting.... It has gone by too fast so I am trying to enjoy these moments with little Benjamin.

Ode to my Mom

ok, I am probably going to embarrass my 'mom' but I wanted to do an ode to her! She is now enjoying a week in Mexico in which I am totally jealous, but she clearly deserves it so much more than me for too many reasons to list at this point! There are times and seasons for everything in life to experience and hopefully we won't miss those boats when they sail our way! This lesson I learned from my wise mother. No, it is not mother's day or her birthday, but just a normal day in my life and hers, but I feel overwhelmed to express my love to her for so many things!
When I was little I loved my family and was a happy little girl. Mom was there at every turn in my little life -- she kept me safe and tried to keep me happy! When I was a teenager things changed with me not her! Of course, I didn't see that then, but do now! She still kept me safe and tried to make me happy, but I thought I knew everything. Then I went to college and discovered really how much she meant to me! Our relationship started to change into a friendship too! I so looked forward to calling her on Sundays and in the early years of college, I would precede to cry when I got off the phone wishing I could close my eyes and be home for the 'yummy' Sunday dinner they were having while I was having white rice with soy sauce because at 19 I hadn't discovered how to shop or cook very well!

Well, I got married some years later and leaned on her even more for motherly support and her friendship through my early years of my marriage because we all know it is a learning curve at first! In my mothers infinite wisdom she was there enough all those times, but also let me live my life and have my ups and downs! And she was there for it all in the 'background'!

Ah, I became a mother for the first time years back and of course I looked at my mother with even more shock and awe --- I can't believe you mothered five of these!
Now, I am a realist and know that my mother is not perfect and wasn't of all my growing up years, but she 'in my eyes' is pretty close! She has a good heart! She has learned when to be my friend and when to be my 'mom' in this life right now to her daughter of almost 31 who is married and has three kids of her own. I look to her for her good example in so many things daily that I go through. I draw on her strength now and even way back then when I was that happy little 8 year old!
She has ultimately given me such a great gift in life - herself as my mom and friend!
Bless her always - she is such a strength to me and I love her always!

Traveling, Looking for Autumn

We found some traces of fall a couple hours away! Abby said, "Look leaves are falling off the tree! Is this fall, mommy? I said, "This is it!" Or as close as we are going to get this year! Fall is one of my most favorite season's. I think it is kinda funny because most of my life, I haven't experienced autumn in the true sense. But I have visited and lived where there is a spectacular ray of color in the mountains and you can even get 'rained on with leaves' while driving through the streets! I love the crisp air and talk of turkey and pumpkin pie!

Halloween and Too Much Candy!

So, lots of Halloween festivities went on this past week! Trunk or Treat at the church, school parties/carnivals and a family Halloween party to boot! So much and to many sugar rushes to the head! The mom is tired and the kids still coming off their 'high of halloween candy' but lots of memories.



Nana with her halloween grandkids!

Conner and Mason (cousins)- Star Wars? Where's Darth Vador?

Spooky Drinks??

Jessica Hayes(my cousin) and Reagan posing for the camera?

Nana had spiders living in her hair? Abby so intrigued...

Miss Kristin with Abby at the Halloween Carnival

Abby taking a swing at Halloween golf? Not bad...

Of course, the babies! Benjamin and sweet Em

Abby and Mason at Trunk or Treat? Can anyone say too much candy!! Ha.. Ha...
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The twosome posing again in life!