Thanksgiving Day

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! Aleena and I spent the morning making our game plan for Black Friday shopping with Tavah's help!

Ryan got up early and participated in his Turkey Bowl and then headed to my parent's house where we had a Turkey Bowl with the kids. They loved it! The Holland family provided the jerseys and the kids loved running around and scoring touchdowns. I think it is a great tradition to look forward to every year!

We helped my mom in the kitchen. 

My Grandpa...how we love him!

The kiddos

The cute drink

The bird

Lots and lots of mashed potatoes

The yummy rolls 

These amazing people hosted nearly 50 people. My mom's kitchen got done just in time (it just needs a few finishing touches). It was the perfect Thanksgiving spent with the people we love! 

We put the kids to bed and headed to Walmart at 9 to begin our Black Friday shopping. Last year we went home frustrated and empty handed. Luckily this year was a success. We got almost everything we went for and got a big chunk of our Christmas shopping done. I only wish we would have taken some pictures! 

Thanksgiving...

I am so grateful to have this special day as a reminder to reflect on the many blessings in my life.  I have felt an overwhelming amount of sadness in the last week that has been hard for me to shake and this holiday could not come at a better time.

This year I am especially thankful for my knowledge of the gospel, temples, and eternal families. We have a void in our hearts that I have never experienced before as we are missing Ryan's dad. I can't imagine how much worse it would be if we didn't know that families are forever.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband who loves me and my children. He works so hard to provide for us and I don't think he knows how much I appreciate it. We have been through a lot this year as a family and I am thankful for the trials we have been dealt to strengthen our family and our marriage.

I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to a mother. I love my boys and am grateful for what they teach me every day. I am thankful for the little baby growing inside me that I already feel so much love for.

I am thankful for my amazing family; for a mom and sisters who are truly my best friends, an incredible dad who loves me unconditionally, and brothers who are wonderful examples.

I am thankful for extended family who love and support us in times of need. My family went above and beyond when we lost Ryan's dad and we will forever be grateful for their kindness.

I am thankful for good friends who I can go months or years without seeing but we can pick up where we left off every time we get together.

I could go on and on but I will stop there. I am looking forward to 2012 but I love this time of year when we get to spend time with friends and family!

Best Friends

Whit-Sarah-Abbey-Amber-Chelsea-Kelsey

Brad got married on 11.11.11. The reception was beautiful and I got to spend time with these lovely ladies. We are so lucky to share such a special relationship with the Robinson family. We love them!

October Recap

I am behind on pictures I really want on my blog for keepsake so bear with me while I do a recap of the month of October so I can move on!

The last 3 years we have gone to the pumpkin patch for the boys birthday with the Holland Family! We continued the tradition this year and the kids loved it as always!

My boys!

Love these pictures running towards Grandpa

Happy boy

All the kiddos

After the pumpkin patch we headed to the mall for dinner at Chick-Fil-A!

This year for the boys' birthdays my parents took them to Build-A-Bear. 

They loved it!