Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving started with the usual traditions.

A blank "Thankful Tree' (Art courtesy of Steph)

and pumpkin waffles for breakfast.

 

We went to see the movie "Instant Family" which was perfect for a family holiday.

Great movie with a wonderful message. 

We went to the Stephenson's for dinner which was fabulous and we played games.

I of course love it and did not take one picture.

The kids came home and needed more games.  Nothing like a stressful Monopoly game.

Sam was the big winner.

At the end of the day, the Thankful Tree was full.  We have so much to be grateful for this year.

The day was full of family, friends and all good things.

Wedding Shower for Steph

We had a fun family wedding shower for Steph.  Always fun to get together with family.  

Everyone had some fun advice for Steph & Riley:

Assume positive intent of your spouse's actions
Teamwork makes the dream work

Don’t keep score 

Keep being friends, make time to have fun  

When you have an argument say "perhaps you’re right...." 

Don’t get uptight and lower your expectations 

Life is too short to be angry 

Take care of him 

so every day he is grateful to be married to you 

Live like every day is your last, because it could be 

Keep dating each other after you’re married. 

Laugh instead of cry 

You make yourself happy. 

Take care of yourself and do things that keep you happy 

When you wanna hit or smack him, just start laughing 

Cry and you’ll get what you want 

Remember that the quality you fell in love 

with might become an irritant later 

but remember why you fell in love 

Find something you enjoy doing together 

When kids drive your crazy load up for a Family fun drive 

Vermont for Lucy's Blessing

   

 

We headed to Vermont for Lucy's baby blessing.

It looks like we were going for a month, but Steph packed a few extra bags in preparation for moving to Pennsylvania.  Riley drove up to meet us. It was a wonderful weekend with all our little family.

 

Gwen was showing us all her daily life, we went to the store.

 

We played with toys.

We went to see the Meow's

We went to the bookstore and everyone picked out a new book.

It just happened to be a "best cookie contest"  with the proceeds going to a charity.

We explored "downtown" Manchester

Rye and Steph were happy to see each other.

Played with more toys...

Uncle Sam taught her to be an airplane

We went to the Vermont Country Store!

Played fun games

Jeremy's parents joined the fun weekend! 

Luckily Katie & Jeremy have a house we can all stay in, it was a party.

The big event - Lucy was blessed.

She was blessed in the same dress that Katie and Gwen wore, wrapped in a blanket her great grandmother made.

I went to Nursery with Gwen and had fun with a cool gear toy.

Uncle Sam pushes high!

A wonderful weekend with family!

Love them all.

Girls Weekend

Girls' weekend is one of my favorites.  We used to make lots of crafts, now we do service projects!

 

 Day one:  We printed and put together little books for a children's organization in St. George.

We made over 100 books.

Always time for games and knitting...

My mother would be proud!

We take turns making the meals, Sarah made a delicious soup.

We talk and laugh and enjoy each other's company.

Day two:  We made fleece scarves for the homeless.

We love assembly line work.

When all was said and done we made over 80 scarves.

 

Jill taught us how to make yummy pretzels!

We even did a little family history!

 

 We all brought games and we learned something new and fun.

We played "the favorites" game.  Love to see what our "favorite things" are.

Did a little shopping. Found a great sale.

Some of us had a Temple outing.

All in all, a fun weekend building those family ties!