Christmas is here!

Before Laurin had to head back to school, we decided to transform our house into a Christmas wonderland. Ok...maybe not to that extent, but it was time to finally decorate. The kids helped me take down our Thanksgiving decor and put up the Christmas decorations. They especially enjoyed placing the ornaments on the tree. We have decided to make a tree full of memories. Each year, as we take vacations or big events happen, we try to get an ornament to remind us of that memory. It was fun to watch the kids reminisce as they decorated the tree. This is what Christmas is all about - family, memories, and love. I can't wait for the rest of the month's festivities!

Fun with cousins!

As I mentioned before, Grant, Carson and Bennett (Stan and Kristi's kids) have been staying with us since Saturday night. Other than one day that Danny and Dallin were at school, they have been hanging out, playing Nerf wars, shooting hoops in the shop, etc. The boys were in heaven all week! They love hanging out with their cousins! There were a couple days we took the boys out to give them a break from the monotony of Nerf wars. One day, I took them to Nickelmania. The boys had a blast playing arcade games and racking up tons of tokens. In the end, they used all their tokens to buy candy! Silly boys!

On Wednesday (before Pie Night), Jeff took the boys to see the movie Big Hero 6. Then on Friday, Aunt Katie rented out the Flow Rider at the Provo Beach Resort for all the cousins to ride for an hour. I think that may have been the highlight of the week! The kids had a blast, even though Amber left with several new bruises. It was fun to watch them. I don't think I would ever be able to stand up. Maybe I could do the body board...then again that may be a little difficult for someone as uncoordinated as I am. The kids didn't seem to mind though. No matter how many times they wiped out, they were quickly back in line to go again! It was a fun afternoon!

On Saturday, the week was finally winding down. Grant and Carson both had pitching camps at BYU so Stan's family left in the morning while we cleaned up the house. We met up at BYU for a picnic lunch then went bowling in the Wilkinson Center while Carson finished up his pitching camp. It was a really fun week. We all enjoyed hanging out and making memories!

Thanksgiving

While at times I think of this day as the "day of gluttony", I know its meaning is much more than just the food we eat. I am grateful for a day that is set aside to truly reflect and give thanks for those things we have. I am incredibly blessed! As I took a quiet moment that morning to reflect on my blessings, I felt overwhelmed. The Lord truly does love me. I know I have had my struggles and there have been moments of depression and despair, but I am not blind to the loving hand He has stretched forth to help me in my life. I have lived in and visited countries where poverty and oppression were the norm. I have seen children born into abusive homes. I have witnessed the emotional void that some experience because of a lack of truth, light and knowledge in their lives. I have been so blessed! I have an amazing family who has always been there to offer love and support. I am privileged to be married to my best friend and eternal love. I have been given material belonging that surpass my needs. I live in a free country. I have been blessed with faith and a knowledge of my Savior and Redeemer. I know there are still things (such as a child of my own) that I still long for, but I know there is so much more I have been given than what has been withheld from me. Yes, I am sincerely grateful for this day when we get to display the divine virtue of gratitude and recall the blessings we have in our lives - no matter how big or small.

Our day started like that of most others - Turkey Bowl! This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Southwicks. We had Jeff's parents, sister Katie, brother Stan (and his family), and sister-in-law Trudy (and her boys). Jeff's grandparents also joined us for part of the festivities. In any case, the boys (plus Amber) played a little football in the backyard while the rest of us prepared our Thanksgiving feast.

We ended up having our feast at lunch so that Laurin could join us before she had to race back up to Ogden for work. There were over 20 of us there...which made me grateful for the large home I have to accommodate all of us! Now if I can just figure out how to turn down the Southwick volume at times! Anyways, if any of you know the Southwicks, you know that there is never a shortage of food around...that was definitely the case today! We all feasted and still had enough to piece on for dinner that night and for days after!

After eating, we spent the rest of the day enjoying each others' company, playing games, and just hanging out at the house. It was another great Thanksgiving!

Pie Night!

Tonight was our 3rd annual Southwick Pie Night! I spent most of the day in the kitchen preparing 4 different "pies" to share. I do not confess to be a baker (or a cook), but I try...and when sugar is involved, I don't think it matters what form it comes in. I think the kids look forward to this night almost more than Thanksgiving itself! (Mostly because I don't monitor their sugar intake!) We had several people from the neighborhood, friends and family join us. Unfortunately, I was too busy enjoying everyone's company (not to mention eating pie) that I didn't take any pics of those who joined us. It was a fun night...and a great way to start the Thanksgiving weekend!

Footloose

Tonight we went to see Amber's high school musical production of Footloose! She (and the other cast and crew members) has been working hard on this production since school started. In fact, we had to start introducing ourselves to her each time she came home because it had been so long since we'd seen her! I think all the hard work paid off though. The production wasn't quite as spectacular as the previous years' productions (with fancy sets or intricate plays), but it was fun nonetheless. You could really tell that Amber was enjoying herself as well. It's sad to think that we won't be doing this again next year (unless she decides to try out for some college production). It has been fun watching her display her talents through these productions. She did a great job (as always)!

Amber with Danny, Dallin, Bennett, Grant and Carson (who came to Utah to stay with us for the week of Thanksgiving!)

Temple date

Today Jeff and I attended a wedding at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan, Utah. After the ceremony, we decided to make a date out of it. We went to lunch then went back to the temple to provide service. I am so grateful for temples. I am grateful for the peace I feel inside those walls. I love feeling my burdens lifted as I leave that holy edifice. I am especially thankful to have a wonderful, patient, loving, man who honors his promise to take time out each week for us to go on a "date". We've been incredibly busy for the past couple months and there have been a couple weeks where we haven't been able to go on our traditional Friday night dates; still, Jeff will find time to do a lunch date or Saturday evening or afternoon date. I love those times when I just get to be with him as husband and wife - not business partners or co-parents. I have the best, most perfect husband for me. Our personalities, strengths and weaknesses blend so well together that it is difficult not to recognize the divinity of our relationship and the miracle in finding each other. Jeff is truly my soulmate. Thank you Jeff for being my forever!

Season of service

Today I had the opportunity to start my day by offering a little service. I helped some of the women in my church congregation put together packets of materials to make "burrito babies" for children in need. I have this abnormal fear of sewing machines so I won't be assembling the babies, but I could help assemble the packets. I am incredibly grateful for opportunities to serve. I am grateful to belong to the largest women's organization in the world that is dedicated to providing relief to families, friends, and communities. I am thankful for this season of service. I have always loved the holidays, but they have taken on a different meaning as I've gotten older. I think the magic of the holidays comes from the service and love people offer each other. I wish that magic would last all year. In any case, here is our assembly line and final products.

Basketball

Basketball season is in full swing! I have to admit that I enjoyed football season a little more (mostly because it was over in 2 months), but I love watching Dallin play. It is fun to see him come alive on the court. Even though he's generally smaller than most of the boys on the team (and the other teams), he plays with heart. He is not afraid to move the ball down the court or run into a group of players guarding the space under the basket. He is also not afraid to defend his team's basket or stick with the player he was assigned to guard. It may be a long basketball season ahead of us, but it will be fun to watch Dallin (and don't worry, I promise I won't inundate you with pictures!).