Thanksgiving Celebrations

For Thanksgiving this year we stayed at home. In months leading up to the holiday, we had thought we were going to have visitors, but all plans ended up changing and we then decided to have dinner with my aunt and uncle that live nearby and their family. It was a really relaxing day and we all enjoyed the food and games.

Thanksgiving weekend continued with Chad doing the Black Friday shopping this year. After standing in one line for 3 hours last year, I opted out and Chad graciously took over. Friday night was also a light parade in Kaysville that was perfect and calm and not crowded at all. It was a bit short, but was the perfect length for kids in the cold.

Saturday night we headed to Ogden for their light parade, fireworks and turning on the lights in their cute Christmas village. Ogden was a bit crowded, but we managed to find a good spot for the parade and really enjoyed the fireworks.

It was a quiet weekend, but filled with fun times and memories. Pictures below are of the Ogden Light Parade.

The boys at a train in the Christmas Village after seeing the fireworks. They were all so happy - even McCoy being strapped into the stroller all night.

We saw this Layton City float at both parades.

The Nutcracker

Had to get this one of the local Star Wars lovers. Boston was especially excited, but honestly all of the boys loved it.

The Dinosaur Park had a Flintstone's themed float.

Basketball

We signed the two oldest up for community basketball on Saturdays during the fall/winter. They both absolutely love it and fun is all that matters at this point. Here's some pics to enjoy.

Halloween 2009

Our Halloween this year was a lot of mixed characters, but was so fun!

Kayden the Vampire

Boston as Yoda (love that shadow!!)

McCoy as Dumbo

Trick-or-Treating was a lot of fun for everyone. Chad took the crew out first and after about 1.5 hours, they came back and Boston was done. I took the Kayden and McCoy out to get more candy while Chad (the caveman) setup a fire for our trick-or-treaters to enjoy.

Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza

Our annual pumpkin carving this year was done with our good friends, the Lewis family. They used to be our neighbors in Burbank and now only live 25 mins away from us again, so we have had lots of fun together.

Kayden loved every aspect this year and cleaned and carved his own pumpkin.

Busy cleaning and cutting

Boston just enjoyed cutting all the extra pieces to bits.

McCoy thought that if the pumpkin guts are coming out, why not also put them back in. He filled up many a pumpkin and then would splash around in the gooey wonderfulness.

Our family's finished products. Chad did Jack the Pumpkin King from scratch, Kayden did the scary face and also drew my silly face, Boston wanted a spider and McCoy was excited for the train.

Main Bathroom Redo

The beginning of July, our swamp cooler leaked down through all of our walls and one of those was in the main bathroom. We had to remove wallpaper in order to dry the walls properly and since then, have been slowly taking down all the wallpaper and then picking out how we wanted to redo the bathroom. It is finally done!

Sorry, we never took "before" pictures of this room.

Sacramento Sun

In the middle of October, we took a trip to visit Chad's parents in Sacramento.

WEDNESDAY

We arrived on his Mom's birthday and celebrated that night.

THURSDAY

The next day, we went to Funderland and then the kids had a sleepover at their Aunt Mindy and Uncle Jason's house while Chad and I went to the temple and to dinner with his parents and then home to play games.

FRIDAY

Friday we took a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory, which was a hit for everyone.

SATURDAY

The next day, we took a Halloween decorated train ride in Old Sac, walked around the shops there for a bit and then everyone was ready for naps.

That night, we went to a trunk-or-treat in his parent's old stake. Chad and I and McCoy were a Caveman family, Kayden was a power ranger and Boston a ninja. Grandma and Grandpa were pirates.

SUNDAY

We headed home on Sunday, after debating on whether to travel, as sickness had gradually hit all but me throughout the vacation and we still didn't know what it was. It was one of the longest trips we've taken. We cleaned up 3 throw-ups, kids just wanting to lay on the floor at each gas station and Chad being a trooper, but definitely not doing well.

We did make it home with high fevers, but the kids just crawled into bed and were finally sleeping. Monday morning after calling the doctor, we realized they all had H1N1 and had been fighting it for a few days. We then stayed in the house for the rest of the week and 'weathered the storm'. (Looking back, we do apologize for spreading it to unknown people at Jelly Belly, Old Sac and the trunk-or-treat. We are truly sorry - we didn't realize what it was!)

Fall Adventures

Here are some cute picture updates of a few things we've been up to the past couple months.

Chad took the 2 older boys on the last camping trip of the year in September. Kayden enjoyed the fishing and Boston enjoyed the fire. They all enjoyed the outdoors!!



One night for Family Home Evening, we decided to take advantage of the rain! The boys still talk about how much fun this activity was.


For my birthday at the beginning of October, we went as a family to a Pumpkin Patch that had huge plastic slides, corn maze, train ride, blow-up jumpers, campfire, etc. Everyone was in perfect spirits and was a perfect birthday!

The boys in a corn kernel sandbox.

At the campfire in the middle of the pumpkin patch.

McCoy making his way through the kiddie maze.

Kayden after going down one of the slides.