Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my sister Janay's house.  There was a big group this year, almost my whole family...plus some extras!  (Missy got a new job so she and her family didn't make it.)

 The good ol' family picture spot, before heading out.

 I took pictures before we started eating, but I didn't get a picture of everyone that was there.  I think it was something like 39 people total, so you could say it was a BIG GROUP!

Janay and Michelle

 Alan and Chris

 Dad and Mom

 My nephew Connor and Janay

 Jett and Alyssa

 Jennifer and ME:)

 Megan, Alyssa and Jett

 Reese, Boston, Morgan, Skye, Sunny (Michelle's nieces) Jett, Alyssa Kate and Brock

Ashley and Jess

 Chris and Jenni

 Kate and Alyssa

 Janay, ME, and Jennifer

 Awe...Gentry and I

 Jaron and CJ

 Jess and Maren

 Gentry and his parents Cyndy and Kim

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

WINNER WINNER!!!

Alyssa and the boys wanted to do an entry for the Reflections contest.  I was trying talk them out of it...luckily I didn't because Alyssa ended up winning, and continuing to the next round.  She wrote a poem, and I didn't make a copy of it, so I will have to post that later. We were sure proud of her!

 Boston and Brock both got a certificate of participation...which included a free ice cream at Menchie's, so we got an ice cream later to celebrate!

Gentry Decided to put up the Christmas lights before it snowed.  He had his biggest cheerleaders on the grass cheering him on.  I could hear them yelling. "Dad, that looks so good!" and "Dad, you are so good at this!"  I couldn't help but smile listening to them.

 Of course it felt a little too bright so the kids used their hands as sunglasses.

The kids have loved having my nephew Connor babysit.  (Which I'm sure he does to be nice.) But he always does something really fun with them.  One week they made lizard necklaces and the next they made tie dye shirts.  This last week they made masks...Boston is on the left, Brock is on the right.  Alyssa didn't make a mask, she opted for a necklace. She didn't want to mess up the hat she got with Grandma Cyndy. (Thank you Cyndy! She loves it and hasn't taken it off.)

The kids LOVE Connor!

Double Digits!!!

Alyssa had her birthday yesterday.  I can't believe my baby girl is 10.  Wow, time flies!

So on Sunday Alyssa was begging to open a present.  I told her no about a million times.  She wrote on sticky notes around the house "PLEASE CAN I OPEN A PRESENT".  Literally they were EVERYWHERE.

So finally Gentry decided to let her open a present.  But when he brought it down I didn't recognize the wrapping...and I looked to him and he winked.  So I knew something was up.  Anyway Alyssa proceeds to open the "gift" and when she opened it, she found a candy toilet...that was already eaten.  I saw her face drop at the same time I hear Brock yell "HEY THAT IS MINE!".  I started laughing, which automatically stems Alyssa's crying.  So needless to say I felt bad and let her open a present TWO DAYS EARLY! (I swear she gets the impatience from me.)

This is before opening the fake gift.

 After a few tears we let her open a real gift after all.

 

She woke up at 4:45 but we made her wait til we got back from the gym...at 6:00

 Now she can keep up with her brothers since she got her own scooter.

 We took the boys to school and let her pick where she wanted breakfast...she picked Chick-fil-a of course!

 I made a cake...and it tasted lots better than it looks.

I forgot to call everyone to come over for cake, because we were leaving to meet Gentry...but I had just cut Matt's boys' hair and I told them to stay for a minute.  Grandma and Grandpa Mikesell had just stopped by too...

We took trax to see Dad at work, and he picked us up and took us to dinner.  The kids thought the trax was AWESOME!!!

 She picked Cafe Rio.

 A little popcorn from Dad's work.  She had a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA WE LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Anniversary!

This year was our 12th anniversary.  We agreed that we weren't going to get each other anything...and we would just go shopping together.  We ended up celebrating the day before because he had to work on Saturday.  It was one of the funnest anniversaries! 

We started out going to breakfast at Chick-fil-a with the kids.  My nephew Connor and my sister Janay met us there.  It was fun to visit for a little bit before taking the kids to school.

 Brock found Gentry's old football uniform and pads, and hasn't taken them off.  He thinks he is really cool.  He wore them to Chick to "show Connor".

Once the kids were at school we decided to go shopping.  We found a couple fun things.  It was just nice having time alone with Gentry:)  Later that afternoon my nephew Connor came over to babysit.  We went to see the movie Tower Heist.  (We both loved it...go see it.)  Then we weren't sure what to do for dinner.  We didn't want to wait at a restaurant...so we called Connor to see if he and the kids wanted to go to Chick for dinner.  (Lame I know, but we actually felt like a salad.)  The kids wanted to stay with Connor and have his special, Totinos Pizza and Mac and Cheese....so Gentry and I went to dinner alone at Chick...romantic right? Actually it was one of the best anniversaries ever!

Gentry had to work on Saturday, and so did I.  But later in the afternoon I was cleaning my closet and someone came to the door.  I was kind of annoyed I had to interrupt my cleaning for some idiot who was probably selling something...but when I answered the door it was flowers.  I read the note and I couldn't help but laugh.  Gentry sent them, and his note was one of our inside jokes.  I love that he always keeps me laughing.  I didn't take pictures the whole day we celebrated, so last minute Saturday night I made Alyssa take a few.

Blanding...to see my BABY!!!!

OK OK OK, so maybe it is Adrienne's baby.  Adrienne had her baby Locklyn, and I was dying to see her.  I finally made a trip to Blanding so I could visit.  Locklyn was almost 2 weeks old when I finally got to see her.  She is adorable, and I'm sad I had to leave.  Luckily I think I have Adrienne convinced she needs to come to Riverton soon...so hopefully it won't be long before I get to see them again.

 My little Locklyn.  She is so tiny I couldn't get over it. 

 I love how little her legs are...so adorable!

 I swear I was flashing the camera every time I held her.  She was a good sport letting me take so many pics.

 She smiled for me but my dumb camera was too slow...so this is the "after smile".

Adrienne gave me this necklace.  I LOVE IT!!! 

It says: "FRIENDSHIP: make a wish and put on your necklace, true friends give us something to hold onto, and help us stay afloat, wear your necklace as a reminder that you are my anchor...

  I got to go with Adrienne to Locklyn's 2 week checkup.  Adrienne's dad is her doctor.  (How fun is that?!?)

Adrienne thank you so much for letting me come visit!  I can't wait to see you again soon!!!