Thanksgiving Weekend

I may have fewer posts lately, but I make up for it in the amount of pictures.  I take too many and can't decide, so I post them all so they are all in my book when I print it off.  Thanksgiving was wonderful this year.  Owen & Kylee came down and stayed for a few days, and Davis & Kin joined us for most of the time as well.  Gator spent the nights at different cousins houses like she usually does.  Good thing she has so much family that doesn't get sick of her.  Willow and Steele had a great time playing, and Willow is currently snoring in the chair where she will be for days to recover from playing so much.  

Everyone except Jake and JR were there for Thanksgiving this year.  Jake is on his mission, and JR helped a friend move to South Carolina.  

I've never been a Black Friday shopper, but Owen & Kylee were gone when I got up in the morning and Gator spent the night at Blakes to get up early and head to Farmington Station.  I opted for the temple instead.  I'd much rather be there than out shopping.  

I love going to the Christmas Tree Jubilee.  Weber School District sponsors this event every year and the proceeds from the tree sales go to the Special Education department.  

Not that we needed Menchies, I had dessert planned for after dinner, but we were there and Menchies was there and you know we just ended up having dessert before and after dinner.  

I wanted to go to some Christmas lights.  Roy lit theirs before Thanksgiving, which I think it great.  So we went to the fire station and walked around the lights.  It would have been fun if we had the snow they were forecasting all week, but that never arrived.  

After the lights, we went to my house for dinner and our 2nd dessert.  No one is living upstairs right now, so we took the party up there so we had a little more room.  The kids had so much fun with the piano.  My boys always wanted to learn how to play the piano, I regret never getting them in lessons.  

Watching Owen watch football.  We were all tired.  I loved every second of being with everyone though.  It was such a fun Thanksgiving weekend.  It was sad to see it come to an end, but we have to work for a few weeks than we'll have Christmas break to hang out.  

Orem temple

 It seems all the Utah temples that were under construction are finishing up around the same time.  Gator and I went to the Orem open house tonight after I got off work.  The 2nd St George and Manti temples have announced open houses at the beginning of the new year, with Taylorsville and hopefully Layton not far behind.  

The Last Dance

This picture brought me to tears.  So many years, memories, heartaches, excitement, and blessings came rushing back to me with this picture that Owen sent me.  He has played since he was 7 years old, sometimes year round because of the indoor football league, and last night was senior night at ISU.  Owen playing football is all Gator has ever known, for 10 years both Owen and Davis played football.  Football has been a huge part of our lives.  It is over, but what a blessing it has been.  Owen will have his degree with zero debt, and will start his 3 year grad program.  It hasn't all been roses, it has been a lot of work, stress, and so much heartache, but it has made Owen who he is, and I am dang proud of this man.  

Toquerville weekend

On Friday, Gator had an appointment in Salt Lake.  She is still dealing with her gut problems.  I planned awhile ago since we were already going to be in Salt Lake, heading south, we wanted to go to the St George temple open house.  Dad and Dianne said they would join us, and they planned their family Halloween get together for the same weekend.  It was a quick trip, but good to see dad and the temple was beautiful.  We'll be going down again in a couple of months for the Red Cliffs temple open house.  

Krissy's kids watched Willow for us.  They invited us to stay this evening for dinner and carving pumpkins.  I've never carved such a cute little pumpkin.  

Jake's farewell

It was a really quick visit, but Owen & Kylee came down today for Jake's farewell.  I loved being with all my kids so much and I totally forgot to take pictures until most everyone had left.   

Puppy Love

 Davis and Kin are completely crazy and got another dog.  Jake is a Red Fox Lab and they are so in love.  Joey already let him know who is boss and bit his nose so he had to get staples, but since that incident, they've been good.  Gator is in puppy heaven.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Willow

Willow turned 2 today.   She is a spoiled loved dog.  Gator can cuss her, but she wouldn't know what to do without her.  Happy Birthday Willow.