Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. 

I love what it represents and the way that it is spent. 

Four days of family time, eating great food, shopping, playing games, decorating for Christmas, and just relaxing. 

This year was a Cook year. It ended up being a really small group, but we had a 

wonderful meal and enjoyed visiting and playing games together.

Thanksgiving evening we went out to my parent's home. 

This was Ty's first year back from his mission and we couldn't miss out spending some time with the whole family. Of course we had to snap a picture to show the difference two years makes. 

2012

2014

Friday, Jason braved the crowds and was able to pick up a few Christmas gifts.

That night we attended the Grover Thanksgiving dinner and ended the night bowling. 

Saturday we went out to Mountain View Nursery and picked out our fresh Christmas tree.

Saturday night we attended the Ogden light parade, followed by fireworks and 

Christmas Village. 

With Thanksgiving behind us, let the Christmas Season begin.

I hope the next 25 days pass slowly and that I'm able to embrace the Christmas Spirit and

keep focused on the true meaning of the season:) 

Thankful...Part 2

"It is not happy people who are

Thankful

It is thankful people who are

Happy." 

On this Thanksgiving Day I have so much to be Thankful for, 

but the thing that feels my heart with gratitude the most is

this little family of mine. 

I have two beautiful and healthy children that call me mom

and an amazing husband who works so hard to provide for our family and who is my best friend. 

Happy Thanksgiving from our 

family to yours. 

(As a side note, I'm Thankful to finally have updated family pictures.) 

Thankful

I find it very fitting that National Adoption Awareness month 

happens to fall in November. 

I think adoption has been the biggest blessing in my life and the thing that I'm the most THANKFUL for. 

Without these amazing birth parents I wouldn't get to experience 

Motherhood. There is not a day that goes by that I'm not

Thankful for their unselfish love and big hearts.

Weekend Words

Winter is still over a month away, but with the 

temperatures and snow this past weekend it felt

 like it has already arrived. 

Kyler was pretty excited to show Khloe snow for the 1st time. 

Friday night was the Warren Miller Ski Movie.

Along with the movie you receive a voucher for 5 day passes

to 5 different resorts. When I heard this I knew I wanted to include my family (at least the ones that ski or snowboard) and figured it would be a fun way to spend a few winter days together. 

Jason was pretty excited to start this tradition with Kyler.

He has fond memories of attending this with his dad and brothers. 

I thought it was very fitting that a snowstorm decided to settle in as the show was getting over. I think this added to the excitement of the night. 

With the crazy cold temperatures we decided to break out

all the winter gear. 

On Saturday while Jason was gone to the USU football game, 

Kyler and I started decorating for Christmas.

I'm one of those people who like to have it done before Thanksgiving. 

(especially on years when Thanksgiving is later in November.)

I figure for the amount of work that it is, I want to enjoy it for 

more than a couple of weeks. 

Jason also surprised Kyler and picked up his ski rentals for the year. Here's hoping that the mountains get some more snow and they can start using them. 

Families Can Be Together Forever

One of my favorite parts about adoptions is having the privilege of taking that sweet infant into the temple to be sealed as an eternal  family.On Friday, November 7th we had Khloe sealed to us in the

Brigham City Temple. 

It was a day that I had anticipated for 8 months.

It was also a day that I worried about. 

As a mother of a 5 year old and an infant you never know what you are going to get.

I had prayed that we would all stay healthy and that Kyler would be reverent in such a sacred place.

Khloe woke up that day with a fever and didn't feel the best, and

Kyler was really good at the temple, but struggled with his emotions during dinner.

Although things weren't perfect the sealing ordinances are.

I feel so blessed to have these two beautiful and healthy children forever. 

8 Months

 Khloe 8 Months old. 

Well another month has come and gone and it was a BIG month for this little girl.

We finalized her adoption.

Gave her a name and blessing.

Had her sealed to us in the Brigham City Temple. 

She celebrated her first Halloween.

Met her uncle Ty for the first time.

She has learned to sit alone.

She said her 1st ward "Ma-Ma"

She hasn't learned how to move her hands to crawl, but that doesn't keep 

her from getting around. 

She continues to sleep through the night 10:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m.

She loves to eat, especially fruits.

I love the picture above. It captures a few things that she always does. 

Her little toes are always curled under, she loves her fingers, and she is always 

playing with her ears.