Thanksgiving X2!

 We started this years Thanksgiving out in Moore with freezing temps! Chelsey and her family were in town as well and the women kept busy in the kitchen. Including Rylee!

 Here's what I'm most thankful for.....Clydes 9 cube butter mashed potatoes! Just kidding....it's Chad. :)

 We set the kids table and got them their food.

 Rylee got attached to Grandpa Clyde this trip and often climbed up by him and just sat there so still.

 We left the day after Thanksgiving to Rupert so we could hit the big City Celebration at the rupert square where Santa comes and lights up the square and a big firework show follows. It's a memory I had as a kid and have always wanted to take my kiddos there. Here they are in front of Santa's house.

 The cousins stayed warm all snug in their blankets. ....

 And when it was time to travel we formed a big train. Keeping track of 9 kids in the dark was a little daunting!

 Brielle got the best seat in the house for the light show and she even got a high five from Santa that she was so excited about!

 Carter and Mollie lingered near Santa and just when I though he was going to walk right past them he turned, bent down and wrapped both of my kids in a big hug. It warmed my heart he took time for them and was trying to push through a big crowd. They were completely thrilled and I was so glad I snapped this photo.

 The next morning we took off to a Teddy Bear fundraiser breakfast my moms friend was in charge of. We had a delicious breakfast, saw the festival of trees and the kids got to sit on Santas lap! The best part is that the line was so short and it was warm and inside!

 Before we left all the kids were invited on stage to sing songs with Santa. They thought that was pretty cool and He was the jolliest Santa I've ever seen.

 Later that day we spent preparing for our turkey dinner. Grandpa D showed up and once again Rylee crawled right up on his lap and sat so contently. He kept giggling and I think it made him happy.

Adam suggested having a pie contest so each family brought a pie they made. 

 
 Justin brought PIECAKEN! 3 pies baked into a cake. It was huge, rich and delicious.

 Here's my peanut butter pie. It was pretty tasty!

 The table set and ready for hungry bodies!

Oh the misery of being so stuffed! 

All in all it was a happy weekend and we had a great time seeing family.

TOFW!

I've always wanted to attend Time Out For Women and this year I was determined to make it! My mom and 2 fabulous friends, Nannette and Michelle all went together and it was so much fun!  

 Micheal McClean opened the conference and I was wondering what I got myself into because I didn't really love him... but after that it just got better. I was spiritually fed and walked away feeling of greater worth and with a list of things I wanted to improve on. Chad kindly let me leave for the weekend and him and my dad manned the house.

 We stayed the night in a hotel and it was fun staying up late and catching up on girl talk.

                                                                     "TOFW!"

 Mercy River ran the show the whole day saturday and wereI pretty great. I loved Hilary Weeks and several of the others for different reasons.

 These ladies are the best friends a girl could have. We have so much fun when we are together and I love them because they lift me up. Until next year girls!

Big 34 For Chad

Chad turned 34 this year! He's getting old and I can't keep track of his age anymore! I had to do the math before I could write his blog because I already forgot! As you can tell the kids completely adore him and were right on top of him as he opened his gifts. 

 Each one of them made a card for him with candy taped inside of it. They were all very proud of their cards.

 As custom, we had a snickers cake to celebrate...

 And friends over for the occasion to play games and hang out.

Sure love this man of mine. He takes such good care of me and our family and is always happy to come home and help me after a long day of work. He's an incredible father and has more patience than most. He is kind, loving and thoughtful and after 12 years together (10 of them married) he still makes me incredibly happy. Happy Birthday Chad! Love you so!

Quick trip to Idaho!

It's always a great time when we get to sneak away to Idaho....and it's never long enough! But this time was especially special. At the last minute we decided to make the trek clear to Boise to go to a BSU game. Justin and Carrie let us put the babies to bed at their house and crash there later. It was Mollie's first game and she did way better than I ever expected she would. She loved it the whole time. This car was pretty sweet and Carter was drooling over it. 

 We sat down just in time for kick off! And no one got cold which made it even better than being on the very first row!

 Mollie wore a little cheer outfit and had fun pretending she was a cheerleader.

 Carter was all smiles and keeps saying that he is going to play for BSU

 I stood in line for 30 minutes for these babies! but man were they worth it. WE LOVE MINI DOUGHNUTS!

 And to top it off, BSU won! It was a fun game to be at and glad we could get away with our older kids for once.

 The next day we traveled to Twin Falls for a very special occasion. Carters best bud, Jace, was getting baptized. We were so glad we could be part of his special day.

 We love the Sorenson FAMILY!

Happy times!

Halloween 2016

I spent the morning with Mollie's class doing the room mother thing. It was fun to see her in her element and doing all the fun things they got to do. Cookies and juice was my station and a pretty easy one at that!

 Here's mol in her spider hat!

 And her kindergarten class! Wow this took a while to get them all in place!

 And after dinner we took the kids to a few peoples houses in the ward. Many people said we were their ONLY trick or treaters! I guess all the trunk or treats are taking over. But these kids STILL made a killing on candy.

It was a nice simple Halloween. Maybe some day I'll grow to like it again!

Pumpkins and a party

It was refreshing this year to not have to scoop ALL the pumpkin guts out on my own. Carter did a pretty great job and Brielle ended up liking it quite a bit too! It was her first time getting into one. 

 Mollie drew a picture on her pumpkin and Chad made it come to life. I thought it turned out adorable!

 Rylee wasn't quite sure what to think of it. But she was very curious!

 Brielle wanted a cat and I had lots of "help" from her as I carved. That's why this cat only has 1 tooth.

 And my carter man wanted a CTR pumpkin and him and dad did a great job carving one out.

 Then it was time for the ward party! There was a great turn out for a chili contest dinner and trunk or treat!

 Brielle loved telling everyone she was an elephant and Rylee loved being a cupcake! I thought she would hate it but left her hat on and everything!

 I talked Chad into being a caveman. He was a good sport. He makes such a good one!

 And I was left to do the trunk or treat in Malificent's Den! It was fun to decorate it all up and it's safe to say we had the best trunk! Happy Halloween!!!