Savoring sunsets!

Our newest digital camera quit working a couple of months back and we just got a replacement from the warranty.  I am so excited to be able to take pictures again!! I was using my "OLD" camera and it just wasn't working for me! We were driving home from church Addie said there was a beautiful rainbow out her window.  It was just an amazing sunset which doesn't appear well in these pictures, but it is something I love about where we live.  It truly looked as though our generous Heavenly Father had grabbed a brush and painted it!

Thanksgiving 2009

A couple of attempts at a quick family picture.

I am NOT sure where Addie got this...I barely even eat meat and she just grabbed a fork and started on the carcass.  She kept at it for quite some time, too.  It was pretty funny!

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house where we had a full table with family and friends, great company, way too much food, and we were able to share some of the many things we were grateful for.  It was a wonderful day!

BYU Victory!!! Go Cougars!

Today was the big rival game and our family is grateful that our team won.  A BYU victory means a "happy" dad... and the girls were all ready when Larry got home from work.  I was decked out in team attire, Addie had her jersey on, and Aana had made homemade signs for the team.  Addie was changing "B~Y~U COUGARS!!!!"  We have trained them well already!

SO Much to Be THANKFUL For...

Our hearts are full as we have been thinking about how blessed we are...

This morning we have had a wonderful discussion of what we are truly thankful for, but here were some of the first responses:

Addie~ Our House, Animals, our Family, and Trees (especially Christmas trees:), Dora, and Toys.

Aana~ Food, Having a sister, School, Flowers, and our Church, and her Mom and Dad, and Clothes.

Shanda~ Health, My Family, My Savior, Jesus Christ, Opportunities, Laughter, Children, and Safety.

Larry~ Family, the Gospel, My Wife and Daughters, my Job, Health, and Friends.
As we were each talking...we were just overwhelmed by things that we were thankful for.  Those large things that affect our lives so greatly, but also those simple things that make life easier and more enjoyable. 
We are truly blessed and are grateful to our Heavenly Father for ALL that we have been given!!

Uum...yeah

My kids are talkers...just like their momma. And sometimes we like to just talk to Addie (who is two) and ask her basic questions to keep her thinking. We often pick two things she likes and say something like...what do you like better, pancakes or macaroni and cheese. Or something like...what do you like better Dora or Curious george?

She decided to ask the questions tonight and I heard her ask Aana about two things she liked...
"What do you like better, Jesus or Mommy?" and when she got no answer...she said "fine, what do you like better, Jesus or cupcakes?"

You might have needed to be there, but it made me laugh!

Indoor waterparks are the BEST when it's cold!

Larry had Monday off, so we headed to the Great Wolf Lodge to stay a night and have a little family trip. We have been there before and even used to go in Cleveland, but it is great to get out of the cold and enjoy water fun!

The kids had their own little cabin in our room with a tv, bunkbeds, and sitting area...so they loved it! (thanks to a complimentary upgrade that I nicely asked for and was shocked when they did it!)

Snowstorm to the End of the Rainbow...

We started in rain, went through some heavy show, and ended up driving through the real "END" of a rainbown on our little trip this weekend. Amazing weather!!

(And the pot of "GOLD" at the end of our rainbow was the golden autumn leaves!)

How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
- Dr. Seuss