Tree Time

We have a tradition that the first Monday after Thanksgiving we always decorate our Christmas tree. The pictures below are of the tree after the kids decorated it and how it looked after they went to sleep. Can any of you relate????

Before

After

Turkey Trot

We got back last night after spending 4 whirlwind days in the Tri-Cities. It's great having both sides of our family in one place, but it can be crazy! We did the 2 meal thing on Thanksgiving -- I honestly think I gained 10 pounds in one day! Then got up at 5:00am the next morning for some shopping with grandma. Grandma LOVES to shop and appears to be a pro at it given half the stores we went to the sales staff knew her by name! The funniest is Costco. My grandparents do all their grocery shopping there even though it's just the 2 of them! They just can't pass up a deal, even if most of the 10-gallon jar of mayo has to go in the garbage because they can't eat it all by the expiration date!

We also did the "Turkey Trot" while we were down there. This is a 5K run or 1 mile walk in Columbia Park (big park along the Columbia River, kind of like Riverfront Park). My best friend from high school was also in town, so we did it together with our families. This worked out perfectly because it gave us a chance to catch up and gave our kids a chance to get their wiggles out. They even had a big pile of leaves for the kids to run through on the course. Here's some pics:

Ally and Nicholas along the Columbia River

Ally and Alyssa (my friend's daughter)

#5 in the books!

Today was the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation at church (my 5th -- I'm trying to catch up with Lucy!) The kids were, as always, so amazing. I wish I could take a picture in the chapel so you could all see how cute they were. But let me back up a little and tell you how my morning started. My grandparents came up last night to watch the program (and because Andrew was being ordained a High Priest today). So this morning I was up getting ready and heard water running - I just assumed it was my grandma or grandpa in the shower, but NO . . . it was my dear sweet Adam who got out of bed, quietly went to the kitchen, turned on the kitchen faucet (the kind that pulls out) and shot water ALL OVER THE KITCHEN! The floor, the oven, the toaster, everything was soaked. I was so thankful my grandma was there because as I stood there in disbelief, she quickly grabbed a mop and got to work. Thank goodness we got up extra early this morning because it took us at least 45 minutes to clean everything up. Adam just sat on the counter repeating over and over again, "Wow! Look at that!" It was hard to be angry when he was so proud of himself!

Anyway, we all got to church on time and another primary program is in the books. I wonder if next year I'll be on the stand again of if I'll finally get a chance to watch a program from the pews???

The Wild Man Himself!

Laura's Lesson

Last weekend I lost a friend who I worked with on the PTG board at my kids' school. Laura was a shy, but intelligent woman, dedicated to her family. At her funeral, several friends spoke about her life. One passed on some advice Laura gave her several years ago; to take 5 minutes each night to write about the good that happened that day (Laura was a journalist). I've pondered this and realized there is something therapeutic about writing your thoughts. That's why I think blogging is so great!

So, in following Laura's advice I'd like to list some good things that happened today. First, 70 primary children made it through a 2 hour primary program rehearsal and no one cried or ran off the stand. Second, I saw a dear friend come to church today who I hadn't seen in awhile. Third, I had no meetings today and spent the afternoon hanging out with my family. And, fourth, I didn't receive ANY political campaign calls. It was a wonderful day!

4 lil' trick-or-treaters

I sat down to post a blog last night after a full day of Halloween activities and was seriously so exhausted, I couldn't type. After 5 Halloween parties, trunk-or-treat, and then having friends over for some "group" trick-or-treating, I was all "celebrated" out. The funny thing is . . . I can't figure out what we're celebrating. :-) However, as I tucked my son in last night, he whispered, "Mom, this has been the best day ever." Okay, maybe its all about having a day to be goofy, eat candy and be with family and friends. . . .

Our kids with their friends, the Hollands