What a Weekend

Cassidy's Winter Formal Group had their Day Activity.

They went to Jump Street and then to Applebee's for dinner.

Cassidy and Michael

the whole group

we found some time to make some crafts

and we even celebrated this guy's big day.

Happy Birthday, Curt!!!

and that's only a part of this jam-packed weekend!

Turkey Day 2009

We started our morning bright and early at the "Turkey Trot".

Curt, Bennett and I  helped cut up oranges and bananas for all the runners a couple of hours before races began. 

Angela, Kimberly, Tia and Clark ran the 10K

Clark's time was 43:18.

He received a certificate verifying that he beat the turkey!

Chuck and JuDene were kind enough to host

the massive gathering of 100+ people. 

We loved having Uncle Dave and Aunt Jackie's family

 to make the party complete!

(although there is still a huge uproar as to who's food is the best!)

Nick, Aubree, Cassidy

Jacob, Ally, Isaac, Jace

Lots of cute kids and babies!

and to top off the day...our own Turkey Bowl!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

In an email that Haley's seminary teacher sent today, was this quote that he shared in his lesson...

"Gratitude is deeper than thanks. 

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. 

Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. 

Thankfulness may consist merely of words. 

Gratitude is shown in acts." 

(President David O. McKay, "Gratitude Quotations," Friend, Nov 1975, pg. 39)

On that note...I am so incredibly GRATEFUL for these people in my life...I hope they know through my actions how much I love, respect and learn from them each day.  They make my life!

And what do you say about a husband and father that can have this much fun with his girls? 
We all adore him and I am so GRATEFUL for the way he provides, protects and presides over our family.

There is a special place in a mother's heart for her boys.  These guys melt my heart and have got a hold on it that I hope never goes away.

And this little man has a heart of gold.

This is what he wrote for a school assignment.  Yes, I shed a tear!

Family is very important to me. I need them and they need me. Each family member is important. Clark is a wonderful older brother to me. He sets a good example for me to follow. Tia, Haley and Cassidy are my three older sisters. They are always willing to drive me to a friend’s house or get something for me at the store. They are very unselfish. I have the finest mom. My mom is a dream mom. I’m so fortunate to have her. She does my laundry, she cooks when I’m as hungry as a horse, she cleans the house so there is not a speck of dirt around, and she cleans the bathroom for me. My dad is one of a kind. He may discipline me here and there, but my dad is so kind. With the money he earns, he bought our house and puts food on the table. He is the best dad and I can’t wait to follow in his footsteps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. If you want to read Clark's Thanksgiving thoughts from last year go here.

Sweet 16

Since the day this baby graced our family, she has been sweet!

I unabashedly tell my other children that SHE was the best baby ever. Arriving 11 months after her older sister, I needed not just a good baby, but an almost perfect one, and she exceeded my needs and wishes. Rarely crying, always smiling and in love with her pacifier, she made my life easy!

Cassidy has passed some important milestones this past year...

Just a couple of weeks ago, completely on her own, she made the necessary arrangements to receive her patriarchal blessing from her Grandpa Clark. It was a special day and one we will all cherish.

She also received her long awaited pearl necklace from Grandpa & Grandma in honor of her 16th birthday.

She passed her driver's training with flying colors from Sergant Koozer!

And today, as I held my breath and watched her park and drive...she got her driver's license!!!!

Cassidy, you have made my life sweet and I couldn't love you more!
Happy, Happy Birthday!

My Girls

This weekend these beauties...

with their momma...

went to see this! The girls had never seen it before and they loved it!

Now they want to see Mary Poppins in February...maybe, just maybe!