Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with Gene's side of the family at Lorraine's new house. It is finally big enough to hold everybody though, ironically enough, this year not every one could attend. We gathered around 3:00pm and while the ladies worked in the kitchen (isn't that how it always goes?) the men sat around talking and relaxing on the sofas, though NOT watching a football game since she doesn't have a TV. I actually enjoy Thanksgiving football games, so that was a bit weird for me. I brought my Black Friday ads to sort through and plan my routes. I had fun talking with Nicole about shopping strategies and telling stories of past Black Friday experiences. The food was wonderful and everyone just hung out--grazing--visiting and enjoying the feast & company.

Afterward we drove to Felicia's so we could coordinate the shopping (which I got up at 3:45 AM to do--done by 9:30 AM!) and visit for a while. Megan slept over and Gene had to work the next day, so we all got to bed pretty early.

I LOVE Thanksgiving! This year I am so thankful for my family! Our home! Our health! Gene's work! Our freedom! And for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! On a slightly lighter note, I'm also thankful for: Jared (the other man in my life), my mother for always babysitting, Netflix streaming to our Wii, that my hair-health has improved, awesome neighbors with snow blowers and for all the wonderful family history that I've un-earthed in recent months!

Lorraine, Amanda & Lori working in the kitchen

Barbara, Gene, Verle & Mark laaaaazing around...waiting for FOOD!

A view down one side of the Thanksgiving table: Amanda, Nathan, Alex, Verle, Lori, Emma, Sarah, Megan, Hannah, Deanna, Jennifer (not pictured: Gene, me, Cody, Nicole, Brandon, Lorraine, Mark & Barbara plus other company that showed up later, renters of Lorraine's)

Yummy feast! Turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad,

sweet potato casserole, greenbean casserole and cranberry sauce.

The little kiddies table: Emmett, Gianna, Morgan & Grant

Cousin Alex reading a book to Morgan and Grant. Awww!
Hope everyone out there had a wonderful Thanksgiving too
and that you took a minute to count your blessing!

hubs b-day

My hubby turned 42 this year! His birthday happened to land on the Sunday that was Stake Conference, so we played hookie and stayed home. We made him breakfast in bed and lounged around watching movies & playing, etc. I made a good lunch and the girls gave him a "spa" (which is what they call a foot rub/back rub/braiding the hair--even on Gene). Then we went out to Lorraine's house for dinner (mmmm....Mexican!) and cake/ice cream. Gene requested that I make apple pie, which I did, and Lorraine made a chocolate cake that, unfortunately, no one got to enjoy due to an accident. It made for a spectacular conversation piece though! A couple days later my brother took the hubby out to dinner. He had a lot of fun!


Gene is the type of person who feels deeply and a little love goes a long way! At times he gets over-looked or taken for granted because he likes to "fly under the radar", but I hope this birthday showed him how much her means to everybody in our lives and how much he is truly loved!!! Happy Birthday, Gene!

The fallen chocolate cake. :( Did you know that you shouldn't put glass bakeware

on a hot glass/flat top stove? It burst and shattered ev.ery.where!

The homemade apple pie that I made (and just NOW realized that I got

his age wrong on the crust!) (Wow!)

Gene (in the green) with Cody, and all the kiddos (Morgan--peeking out on the left, Megan, Nathan, Sarah, Gianna, Grant & Emmett) singing "Happy Birthday to YOU" and helping to blow out all those candles!!! ;)

in memoriam

We've had a very sad tragedy happen at our home. Emma's dear beloved Funny Bunny has died. We aren't sure how, but speculate that one of those early frosts was too much for her, and perhaps she didn't quite have her winter coat yet? We planned on bringing her in for the winter, but it got cold sooner than we expected, if that's in fact how it happened.

All I know is that I'll never be able to forget the morning that Emma ran back into the house, after going out to feed her, screaming that "Funny Bunny wasn't moving" and was "frozen". She was besides herself with grief! Crying! Wailing! My heart absolutely sunk that day! My poor sweetie was sad-er than I'd ever seen her. She loved that little bunny! She worked so hard on her speech to be able to earn her! And Emma took such good care of her every day playing with her and even cradling her. We're doing our best to create a scrapbook of memories of Funny Bunny for Emma to always remember her. Rest in peace, Funny Bunny.

Emma with her bunny just a week before the bunny passed away.

Our little "ceremony" slash burial. Emma putting on a brave face in front of her friends.

Gene burying Funny Bunny in the back yard by the bunny cage.