Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving! We spent Thanksgiving with Chad's family. It was fun to spend the day with everyone. We had tons of food (as usual), and great company.

The girls spent hours scouring the ads, and planning our shopping route for the next day. We even took a trip to Shop-Ko to start our shopping. I couldn't believe how many people were out shopping. It was nice for us to get out of the house for a little while.

We also made gingerbread houses that evening to get ready for Christmas. The kids had so much fun. Our house had to many little hands pushing candy on very hard, so it needed a little repair (more than we could give it). However, we still brought it home to display for everyone.

The day after Thanksgiving, Kerri, Shanna, and I left the house at 3:20 to head out for the big shopping day. We had so much fun. I decided that I was on a shopping high. I loved being the first person to get things - it was great. Thank you Trevor for watching the kids (although Owen had only been up about a minute when I got home). I can't wait for the next time that we all get to go shopping again!

Of course I had to make a slide show to show you all of our pictures. This is a long one, so grab some popcorn! We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

BSU Football

I just have to share a quick cute thing that Owen did tonight. Tonight Claire and I had a girls night out at our friends house were 5 grown girls, and 7 other girls watched Hairspray. It is a fun movie. So, the guys all went and watched the BSU game. I'm not sure how the game ends (although it wasn't looking to good for Boise), but Owen sure had a great time. I went to pick him up on my way home and the whole way home he said he "watched football," in his own cute way. When I just put him to bed his last word was "football." I think he is definitely all boy. It is so much fun to watch them grow and learn new things. I think Chad has a new football watching partner.

Gratitude Journal Day 10

Today I am grateful for . . .

1. My family. I have a wonderful family. Even though I don't see them much, we talk often and have so much fun when we are together. I won't get to see them this Thanksgiving, but am looking forward to Christmas. We will have so much fun. My parents are always willing to listen when I need them to, and they are wonderful grandparents. My kids just love them (although they are constantly bribing them!). My brothers and sisters are all great, and we all get along so well. I love you guys!!!

2. Chad's family. It is so much fun to get together with all of them, and we have so much fun. I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with them.

3. Christmas music. Yes, I am already listening to it. Chad tells me I can't listen to it until after Thanksgiving, but I am in full Christmas shopping mode, so I think it is time. My favorite right now - Brad Paisley Christmas - I promise you will love it!!

Gratitude Journal Day 9

Today I am thankful for . . .

1. My dishwasher. I could never live without that thing. My hands are dry enough as it is. I really don't like to empty it, but I love filling it!!

2. Helpful children. I had a few extra kids today, and they were so helpful. I put them to work helping me clean, and the job got done very quickly.

3. Haircuts. One of my friends actually came to my house today and cut my hair and Claire's. It needed to be done so bad, and I can never get away to get it done. Thank you!

Gratitude Journal Day 8

OK, here they are. I am going to steal a few. :-) I will try to catch up the last 2 that I owe.
I am thankful for. . .

1. A break! I just finished up my Thanksgiving Feast with all my preschoolers. That means they won't be back until next week! It was a lot of fun, and fun for them to have their parents come to school with them.

2. ABC.com. Yes, this sounds lame, but I never get a chance to watch TV at night, and I do have a few shows that I love to watch. So, I watch them when I get a chance on the computer. That is the nicest thing. I guess I could break down and buy a DVR, but why when I can watch them for free??

3. Pull-ups. Yes Tania, I too have a bed wetter. Those things have saved my washing machine.

4. Nap time. I just love having a quiet time that I can pretty much count on.

5. Caller ID. Ok so I'm a screener, not that much but some. I just hate answering the phones to telemarketers, and sometimes others (not that much I promise!). It is nice to know who is calling!!

Gratitude Journal Day 5 +

So, my weekend has been crazy, and is not over yet, but I had to take a few minutes to tell you a few things I'm grateful for. I know I owe about 9, but I will do my best, and make up the rest tomorrow. Promise!! :-)

1. Church. I love my church family. About a year ago we were put into a brand new ward, and I was so excited to meet new people. I can honesty say that I have not been let down, and I love all the people there.

2. Good medicine. I have not been sleeping that well, and my kids have the worst cough ever, so last night we all got drugged up, and slept very well. Thank you!!

3. My bank. Yes, this sounds funny, but I go to the bank all the time!!! I know the ladies at the drive up teller very well, and they are so nice. They always give us suckers (for the kids), and are so much fun to talk to. My mom said she was happy to know that I have another mom here in Pocatello.

4. Great family. I am lucky to have many sister-in-laws, and sisters, whom I love dearly. We have so much fun when I am with any of them.

5. Nieces and nephews. I am happy to be an aunt, and love all of my nieces and nephews. We just had a new addition to the Clayson side a few weeks ago (can't wait to meet McKell), and found out today that we will have another new addition in June (Jess, I had a good feeling). I am also getting a new nephew on my side around Christmas. It will be fun to have babies around again.

6. On-line bill pay. (I'm stealing this from Tania). I don't know how I ever found the time before to pay bills. I love technology!!!

7. New windows. When you buy an old house, you get old things - like windows. We lived with them through 1 1/2 winters, and decided we couldn't do it again. We broke down and bought new windows, and I love them!!! My house is staying much warmer, and I don't have to worry about the kids as much.

FHE at the library

We had so much fun for FHE on Monday night. Our sister-in-law Jessica, invited us to come to their library for a family night entitled "Tractors and Treats." (I hope that is right Jess). Anyways, we drove down to Snake River, and had a great time. They have a beautiful library, well decorated, and the kids had a blast. We started with story time with Clifford. Claire was very excited about him, but she feel asleep on the way there, so she wasn't fully awake once it was time to meet Clifford. Owen loved him, and kept giving him high 5's and hugs. I had to pull him away.

After Clifford, we made some crafts with the kids, and then went to see the tractors and have "treats." We had a lot of fun. Thanks for dinner Jess, it was yummy! It is always fun to hang out with everyone!

One of the many hugs that Clifford got from Owen.
Kerry and Kate joined in on the fun.

Annie and Jessica working on their fairy catcher.

Claire and Mommy showing off our artwork.

Kate, Annie, Claire and Owen in front of a tractor. Owen loves tractors!!!