T-day

Our Pilgrim!

The kids LOVE to get into Grandma's pantry. Especially now that it is stocked with all of her coupon deals.

This is not a very great picture of any of us. Plus one is missing, Kas.

The love of my life! Seriously can't get enough of him.

After dinner we played some soccer. I was so out of shape. But it was a lot of fun. I hope we make it a tradition.

This picture makes me hungry. Thanksgiving is my favorite meal.

The guys went fishing one day and caught thirty pound salmon! I wish I could have gone. We enjoyed eating fresh fish. Since the guys were gone we got a babysitter and went to lunch at the creperie with Kalie. Later that night we met our friends for dinner and Three Foods.

Jody took the boys to see the elk at Prairie Creek. Ammon is still slightly obsessed with deer and hunting.

We spent some time at the beautiful Redwood Park. A trip there is only complete if hippie's are smoking pot by a big tree in the back. Sure enough they were there and yes of course smoking.

I'm so irritated with myself for taking this long to post about Lindsey's visit and Thanksgiving. I hate it when I procrastinate because I've lost more of my memory after each kid and I forget those fun details. The details that actually make a post fun to read. But oh well I did my best! a

Xmas Card

At the last minute I've decided to send a Christmas card. Do you want one? Leave me your address or email it to me. I can't promise it will be there by xmas!

kellyiorg@gmail.com

Night in Bethlehem

Last Saturday night our church had a Night in Bethlehem instead of the usual Christmas party. I wasn't looking forward to it and really wanted the regular party but it ended up being the best Christmas party I've been to. Everyone dressed in biblical attire and the gym was transformed with tents and booths set up with food, games, storytelling and craft making. Everyone brought canned goods when they came and were given shillings to buy things with. Our family had a wonderful time.

Later Jody and and I were Mary and Joseph. We walked through the town looking for a place to stay but as you know nothing was available. With the curtains closed we walked up on stage were the manger was and a friend handed me Tate (Baby Jesus). Then the curtains were opened and the wise man brought gifts and angels sang. After the play the children were able to go on the stage to see Jesus. They ran up there quicker then I've seen them run to see Santa. It was great. Tate loved the attention and fortunately with all the germy kids touching him he didn't get sick. It was such a fun night and it was amazing to see how the kids really got the true meaning of Christmas. Ammon was so proud that we were Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. He just wished he could have had a part in it too.

slow down

Have I seriously not posted about Thanksgiving yet? I am so behind and such a slacker when it comes to blogging!

Life with four is busy. Crazy busy. Sometimes I can get so stressed and frazzled about a messy house, laundry and finances that I feel like just giving up but one smile from my sweet little Tate and I'm good. Did I mention he is a day away from turning three months old? It's killing me. Seriously I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his age. Yes I am waking up one or two times to nurse at night but he is so wonderful. He still sleeps a lot. Hangs out when I'm driving kids all over town all day or running errands and his sweet little coos are the cutest. Even though I'm waking up to nurse at night I feel pretty good in the morning so I can totally handle it. As long as I'm in bed by 10:30 I'm fine. Jody asked me the other day how I thought our lives would be different without Tate. And honestly I told him not much. Really three isn't much different then four because he is such a good boy.

We've been busy with Christmas coming. Parties, cookie exchanges, and decorating. I'm sad that it will all be over so quickly. I love this time of year. Jody and I are Mary and Joseph at our ward Christmas party Saturday and Tate is the baby Jesus. It should be fun.

Have I mention how family oriented our community is? I love it here. Young families, involved in their kids lives. It's great to really feel a part of the community. Last week we went to the Town Green Christmas night. Ammon's class sang a couple of songs and then we walked over to the library for crafts. There were horse drawn sleighs, train and trolley rides. Picture's with Santa. A mailbox to drop letters off to him. The stores were open giving out treats and there was just a very jolly feeling in the air. Love it here. And don't even get me started on the amazing weather and beautiful surroundings.

Before I Forget!

Jody turned 31 back in November. Alan, Linds and the fam were here visiting. Because his birthday fell on a Sunday we went out to dinner with my Mom Saturday night to my new favorite restaurant, John Ash. I had the most amazing butternut squash apple soup. There is something so fun about going to a nice restaurant with a beautiful ambiance. If I had the money I could get use to it.

For his birthday dinner I made him his favorite, chicken enchilada's (verde) and apple dumplings for dessert. If you are a fan of Pioneer Woman go to her website and try this recipe they are to die for!

It's crazy that I've been a part of Jody's life for 8 years. But then it seems weird that we didn't always know each other. I'm so lucky. He's a wonderful friend, husband and father. One of those that other woman ought to be jealous that I got him. He's thoughtful, sensitive, spiritual, caring and so very helpful with the kids and housework. Yes I'm a lucky girl.

Happy Birthday!

Yes this is my dad, not my brother! Whenever people meet my dad for the first time they can't believe how young he looks. He still hunts, fishes, snowboards, plays basketball and more. And can you believe he is 58 years old? Crazy. He's a man of faith, hard work and devotion to his family. His grand kids LOVE him, especially Ammon. He has a goofy sense of humor, believes he was meant to be a country singer (others may not agree) and has an amazing B.O. dance. He's always been a father who was there for his kids. He rarely missed one of our sporting events. I remember driving around in his beige Ford truck with my brother and sister and dying laughing at his jokes. As a teenager they weren't so funny. But Dad, now that I'm older, they've become funny again, most of the time....

Funny story, when I was pregnant with Rylee we went to Six Flags with my parents. My dad has always loved going to those booths where they guess your age (because they always guess low). So I stood next to him big and pregnant with Ammon by my side and sure enough they thought he was in his thirties!

Happy birthday Daddy-O. I love you!

missing them

I don't think I convinced Oliver to like me this trip but he sure is photogenic.

I've got lots of fun pictures to post. But a busy day ahead of me. So this is it for now.

Lindsey and I bring out the goofy side in one another. It's always that way. Every time we are together we usually do our Thara and Thindy talk. Don't ask, it's random but provides lots of laughter. We also tend to reminisce about high school and college days and all of the crazy people we grew up with and funny things we did. This time we had a little too much fun on the trampoline. But let me just say that after having kids we were having a difficult time controlling our bladder!

Family Time

This weekend we drove through the beautiful wine country to meet our Aunt Rona, cousins Jami, Lani and Keal in Napa. I just love our family. I hope everyone feels like they have the best family because that's the way I feel. We were lucky to grow up next to our cousins and they are still some of our closest friends. Even when we don't see each other for a while we just pick up where we left off. I just LOVE them!

We started out shopping at the outlets and then went to lunch at Red Rock Cafe. It's a tiny little cafe and our large party took up a good part of the restaurant. The food was delicious and the company even better. Some of our party had to sit at the bar because there wasn't enough room. I never thought I'd see my mom and Aunt Rona hanging out at "the bar" together!

After lunch we headed to Train Town. It's a cute little place. The kids all loved it. For us adults it was great to have the time to chat and let the kids play together.

Some gorgeous ladies and one handsome little man,

Lani, Jami, Keal and Aunt Rona.

On the train.

Lani was the best animal feeder. The kids were all afraid of them!

That's all of us in the mirror!

We have to do this again, soon. Love them!