Thanksgiving in Utah

We had quite the adventure over Thanksgiving, traveling to Utah and back in 5 days. It actually went pretty smoothly, with a few hiccups along the way.

First off, we tried to leave early Tuesday morning (around 4am) and only made it about 45 minutes when we learned the highway was closed over the pass and we wouldn't make it out that night. We kept the car packed and used Tuesday to get some more things done and then tried again early Wednesday morning. This time we had clear skies (although some icy roads over the pass) but made great time considering the season. I really think I should write a book about long car trips with kids. Well, I guess every family and every kid is different so the book would really only apply to us, but still--I feel like I have this thing down to a science. Or, maybe it's just that our kids are so used to traveling that they are easy in the car. Who knows.

(Here are a couple of tips if anyone would like a little preview to my book: 1)Try to pack healthy snacks to eat in the car. This will help prevent many messes and also makes everyone more pleasant to be around in my opinion. We've done the fast food route and I personally think it increases the likelihood of grouchiness and/or car sickness mishaps. Older kids are probably fine with burgers and fries (heck, that's all we ever had in the car when I was growing up and I did fine) but I think it's too much for young kids. Plus, kids will eat up anything like it's candy during a 12 hour car trip when nothing else is available, including raw broccoli. 2)Bring extra plastic bags! They are essential, whether as trash bags, car sickness bags, or blowout-containing bags. OK, I'm done with my schpiel.)

Now, when I tell you about our little incident in the car on the way, I think I will lose all credence as an expert mother type....

We unintentionally brought along a hanger when we grabbed Natalie's snow coat from the closet. It was one of those kind of thick white plastic hangers from the dollar store or someplace. Elizabeth was playing with it and somehow Nate got a hold of it and was playing with it, too (we didn't notice he had it). Suddenly, there is this piercing cry from the backseat. I look back to see Nate, with the hook part of the hanger IN HIS EYE and he's trying to pull it out himself and just yanking on his eyelid. (Shivers) It still makes me sick just thinking about it. I reach back and get it out. The first pull on the hanger didn't even get it out, it took another little turn, but we got it. Needless to say, Joe and I are freaking out and Joe pulls over to the side of the freeway. We get him out of his seat and I hold him. He had some brownish tears come out at first and he took a little bit to calm down but after that he was completely fine. Man, we were sure he was going to be blinded forever or something. His poor eye was swollen and draining that day and the next but since then he has been fine, thank goodness.

His swollen right eye

But, aside from that, we had a good drive. Here are some pre-incident pictures from the car...

He loved when Lizzie would read him books:

He also loved playing his favorite game on Daddy's iphone.
I think it's so funny to watch a little 1 year-old using an iphone.

He really is the best baby in the car. That is a blessing. Our DVD player just broke so I was nervous about this trip but he did great. I seem to remember the girls being very difficult in the car at his age, forcing us to watch whatever their favorite video was over and over just to keep them happy.

Anyway, we made it to Utah and the girls wasted no time to begin their pleas to play out in the snow. It was like in the teens when this next picture was taken but you couldn't tell by looking at them:

We had a great Thanksgiving with Tom, Lorna, Richard, Jace, Jon, Jaime and family, at Lori and Dustin's beautiful home with their family. They were wonderful hosts and we enjoyed a delicious meal. One main purpose of our trip was to finally meet our little nephew Jace. He was so adorable. He is about 2 1/2 months younger than Nate and I think a little bit bigger!

A little bitter about it...
(just kidding--he was mad because I pulled his thumb out for the picture)

Nate with his older cousin Todd

They were cute together this trip.

Friday night we all met at Temple Square to surprise Marsha. Our other main reason for coming out was to celebrate her 60th birthday.

Despite some hints from the kids, she says she was still surprised:

By the beautiful Christus statue

I just thought this one was funny...

(Poor Natalie's chin got all dry and chapped in Utah)

Grandma with some of her progeny:

That's with 5 kids missing!

It was freezing cold but fun to see the beautiful lights.
With Uncle Richard in front of the temple:
Our family:
I forgot to take off my hood so I look a bit ridiculous. Oops.

Some of the kids by the temple:
The scene in the backseat only minutes into our drive back to Jon and Jaime's:

Some other highlights of our trip:
-Seeing Brad and Kelli and kids and their new beautiful home. Oh, and Cafe Rio. Yum. No pictures, unfortunately. We're still sad they left CA but glad for chances to visit.
-An adults-only party for Marsha Saturday night with everyone together. We ate delicious Filipino food and had a karaoke party. We had so much fun. There is some video floating around but I think we're all hoping it goes away. :) Some of my favorite moments from the night include Tom singing "Ice, Ice Baby", Joe nailing "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble, and a rousing "I Will Survive" by all the girls.

All in all, a great trip and we're so glad we decided to go. The trip back took longer than expected when we hit holiday traffic in the mountains (the roads were dry, at least). We are definitely looking forward to our FIRST travel-free Christmas in 4 years. Now if we could just make it through finals...

I am thankful for...

-A working garbage disposal

-A working refrigerator.

-Working central heating.

Can I say I'm thankful for these things if I don't currently possess them? I suppose I should say I value these things right now. When it rains it pours, I guess.

Luckily, we haven't needed the heat--the weather has been perfect. Also luckily, the fridge part is working. The freezer is what is not working very well, along with the ice maker. If you know me, you know that I am suffering from the lack of ice and ice cream.

OK, whining over.

The kids and I started this thanksgiving jar again this year. I love it. The other day we picked the one where we make paper turkeys. We did it a little different and used colorful leaves as the feathers. I think the kids had much more fun collecting our leaves on our walk home from school than actually making the turkeys. It was fun looking at all of the beautifully colored leaves.

Elizabeth's on the right, Natalie's on the left

Gratitude

I've been kind of down lately. I'm sure it's just normal hormonal stuff but I've had a hard time shaking it. Do you ever get in a funk where you can feel that you're choosing to be negative and unhappy and you know you should just let go of it all but you can't let go? That's kind of how I've felt. I feel like when anyone asks me how I'm doing or how Nate is doing all I talk about is the hard stuff because that is what I am focusing on myself.

To try and get over this, I am trying to make a concerted effort to be more grateful, especially with Thanksgiving coming up. And, it has made a big difference for me.

The girls and I are doing this fun Thanksgiving jar. We love it so far. Not only does it help us be more thankful, but it forces us to do fun, productive things every day.

One blessing is that the little one slept six straight hours last night! Amazing. I'm trying not to expect anything like that tonight. In fact, I need to get this done quick and go to bed.

Another blessing as of late is that he is trying so hard to smile. He hasn't grinned or anything yet but we are loving his little half smiles at us. Here's the best we could catch on camera:

Don't you just want to eat up that neck chub? I know you do. :)

Here's some more pictures, just because:

I really love this outfit with the cute little track pants. I am loving dressing a boy!

And finally... Natalie posing for the camera, too:
I am very blessed.

Thanksgiving in Utah

Despite the sadness, we did have a nice trip to Utah. It was fun to get together with family, eat good food, play games, and just hang out.

Some of us took the younger kids out for a walk one day.

Cute Natalie

We had quite a crowd of little ones

Jon and RandonJoelle, Lizzie, and James--err, Batman :).
They were pretty inseparable and got along great for the most part.Little cousins

I love this picture because of (1) Elizabeth's classic sad tantrum face, and (2) Sam's belly.

The girls being cute together.

Having a picnic behind a chair

I stole these last two pictures from my sister-in-law's blog.

A bunch of the kids watching a movie

Football fun

I am so blessed. I'm so thankful for my family--for my own little family and for our extended families, too. I am so thankful for Joe. He is such a wonderful husband and father. He is such a good support to me I love him more and more each day. I'm so thankful for my beautiful daughters. They have made my life so rich and joyful. It seems weird but I feel like I can't even remember life without them. I'm so thankful for my health and that my family is healthy. I'm thankful for the temporal blessings I have. I'm so thankful for the gospel and the perspective it gives me. I'm thankful for my Savior and that he does save me from my own weakness and from life when it gets hard.

Thanksgiving Fun

We had a great holiday weekend up in Twin Falls, ID, at Joe's mom's house. We were there with Joe's brother Tom and his family, his younger brother Richard and our friend Simon from Tanzania who is in Utah going to school. We ate great food, played games and got to watch two great BYU wins (football vs. Utah and basketball vs. Louisville). Joe even got to play in a turkey bowl on his old high school football field. Warning: This post will be picture-heavy.

Hallie & Elizabeth playing with Polly Pockets and Natalie & Christine playing with cups

We also celebrated Richard's birthday over the weekend. Here is his cake, a team effort from Joe and his mom (mostly his mom).

Richard reading to T.J. & Elizabeth

Cute Matt and his bright blue eyes

Christine & Simon (who is taking a break from playing with the kids)

Grandma Marsha & the kids

Thank you, Grandma, for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

When we finally made it home, we realized that we had forgotten to turn our heat on before we left and the house was freezing! This is me and the girls snuggling under blankets to keep warm. Elizabeth's hair is wet because she had a major blow-out at the end of the car trip and needed a bath. I thought we'd outgrown those with her but I guess not (blow-outs, not baths :).

It was great to spend time with family and friends and take time to remember all that I am grateful for. I am truly blessed in so many ways. I'm so grateful for a kind, loving husband and for two sweet daughters who bring me so much joy. I'm grateful for our extended family who love and support us and set such good examples. I'm grateful for all the physical blessings I've been given and I hope that I can always remember that they come from my Heavenly Father and to be generous with those who are in need. I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope it gives me each day of my life. Life is good and I'm so thankful for that. :)