Happy Thanksgiving!

This year our Thanksgiving adventures took us to Idaho Falls. Instead of Stan and Kristi always coming to Utah, we decided to visit them up north. I have to admit I was a little anxious to take Jonas on a 4 hour road trip and spend 4 days in a "strange" environment, but he did great! He slept the whole way there and back, and, while there, he didn't seemed too phased with the new surroundings. All the boys (and Amber, who was able to join us on Wednesday and Thursday) loved hanging out. We drove up early Wednesday morning. We got there, unpacked, then headed to the ice rink to let the kids skate. Each year Katie pays for the kids to participate in a fun activity during Thanksgiving break. It's her Christmas present to her nieces and nephews. Last year, they did simulated surfing. This year was ice skating. The rink was FREEZING, but the kids didn't seem to mind...even Jonas, who fell asleep amidst all the noise and chaos. 

After a couple hours, the kids were done with the cold...but only until after a warm soup lunch. During the afternoon, it started to snow. It snowed enough to blanket the ground with a few inches and suddenly, the blanket of white became the boys playground off and on for the next couple days. Jeff and Stan took turns pulling the boys on sleds behind a 4-wheeler. I swear someone should have broken a limb or had a concussion or something! They would jump off and on the sleds while the 4-wheeler was going...sometimes other kids were still on the sleds! It was crazy but they had fun! Jonas, on the other hand, wasn't too fond of the snow. I bundled him up and took him outside for his first snow experience. We sat him in the snow, but he didn't seem to have any interest in playing with it or staying outside. That only confirms that he's my son!

All bundled up! My cute little bear.

Thursday rolled around...and so did we after all that food! Kristi did a great job hosting us for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a delicious turkey with all the trimmings. I have been wanting to shed my final 15 pregnancy pounds, but it looks like I'll have to wait until after the holidays!

Maci, Carson, Bennett, Danny, Travis

Amber, Jeff and I

Stan, Kristi, Dallin and Grant

Jonas enjoying his "Thanksgiving" meal.

The rest of the weekend was spent watching movies, playing games, going to the church to play dodge ball and basketball, and just having fun together. Oh...and we had to go to Reed's Dairy for ice cream. It doesn't matter how cold it is...Reed's Dairy is a must! We thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving weekend with family. This is what life is all about...family. I am truly grateful for the family I was born into and the family I married into. I feel incredibly lucky to have my best friend as my eternal companion. I feel blessed to be able to raise 5 beautiful children. I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. He has shown me how to live a better life. He has given me strength during moments of weakness and peace during moments of doubt and fear. He has shown me how to love and be loved in returned. What more could I ask for in life? Happy Thanksgiving!