November 25th, 2012

• It was Thanksgiving this week! Throughout the month we wrote what we were thankful for and taped it to the "Grateful Wall". I loved hearing things the kids were thankful for. It always puts things into perspective. Things I'm grateful for... (really, my top six are probably always the same, and that's okay!)

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I am grateful Christ atoned for my sins.
2. Todd. What an amazing husband! Marriage can be hard but the laughter and fun Todd brings into my life is priceless:)
3. Addy, Brynn and Bodee. Such wonderful, cute, and awesome kids! They bring so much joy to my life.
4. Todd's job. We are so blessed with Todd's employment. He works so hard and it allows me to stay at home with the kids. 
5. Parents and family. We appreciate all the support and love we feel from those who are close to us.
6. Health. Turning 30 this past year and making more of an effort to be healthy has reminded me of what a great blessing is it so have a strong, healthy body and mind.

• The girls love to share a bed and sleep next to each other but I will only let them do it on nights when there's no school the next day. Such buddies! 

• There was no school on Wednesday so the kids and I met up with our favorite family, the Tongis at Nepture Park. We grabbed a $5 pizza and had a picnic there too. Once Todd got home that night he put up the Christmas lights while I started the bing cherry salad and pecan pie for the next day.
• Thanksgiving morning Todd followed tradition and went shooting with all the brothers. I made another two salads that morning and got the kids ready for dinner. Dinner was yummy and the kids really enjoy their day with their cousins. The girls ended up staying at Bryan and Suzie's for a cousin sleepover! I tried to tell Suzie to send half of them over to our house but she said "if we have one, why not have them all"! She is amazing!
• The next morning when the girls returned home their cousin Chrislyn came with. Then Chad and Terral soon came by with their other kids and Hogan and they all spent the afternoon with us. It was great to have them over and enjoy their company since we don't see them as often.
• That evening we took the kids to Mi Ranchitos and shared a huge nachos. We had a bowl of jalapenos sitting on the table and Todd double dog dared Brynn and Addy to eat one. Addy ate hers without a problem. (Not sure if it wasn't very hot or it just didn't bother her) Brynn was DYING! Her eyes started to water and she was gasping and we told her to spit it out but since Addy swallowed hers Brynn was not about to lose the bet! She finished it! That girl is tough! We bought them a chocolate truffle on the way out for eating it...Love family nights out!

• The girls are obsessed with basketball! Todd is such a good father and shoots hoops with them all the time. Here he is at the park working with them until the sun goes down. (Fuzzy picture from a camera phone)

• On Saturday night Todd wanted to drive up to Cabelas and look around. He and Bodee were in heaven. (Seriously, from now on the boys just need to have their male bonding time there). The girls did want to practice target shooting though. Todd was more than happy to teach them. Funny when you spend over an hour at Cabelas and all you walk out with is a bag of circus peanuts for the kids:)

• We put up the Christmas decorations and tree this weekend. I love how the house feels when it's Christmastime. The girls were really good helpers when decorating the tree.
• Brynn talks ALL THE TIME! She asks questions about everything! She wants to know how, why, when, and who. It drives me crazy but then I stop and realize how much her mind wants to learn and figure out. So in reality, she is a smart little cookie!
• Todd loves to wrestle. We had a very big and long family wrestling match this weekend. It ended with all three girls crying and Bodee just laughing, sitting on Todd's head yelling "MORE"! Todd, I think you have met your match.