Turkey Day

We started out the day totally relaxed-watched some TV, ate breakfast, got in some morning snuggles with the kiddos.
Bailey and Dad snuggling on the couch

Then I headed for the kitchen to finish up my contributions to the big thanksgiving meal. I made 4 pies, rolls, deviled eggs and a corn casserole. That took most the morning.
Tanner helping me roll out the dough for the rolls

Then we headed over to my parents for dinner. IT WAS DELICIOUS! Seriously- best turkey I've ever had!
Check out the darling place settings Stephanie made (yes- they are cupcakes)

and our bountiful spread of "num nums"- as Tanner would say.

Then we relaxed and visited. The kids enjoyed themselves playing in the basement, in the ball pit and the cardboard box fort Uncle Joseph made.
Bailey and I in the Basement- watching Tanner and Clark play. (She'd lost her little dress by this point)

Then around 8 pm Chris took the kids home and I left for BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!!!
Stephanie (Aaron's wife) and Julieta and me drove two hours to Springfield and stayed there shopping until about 9 am. My feet and back were aching so bad. I felt like an old lady. We got home at about 11 am the next morning and I was completely exhausted. Like- I wasn't really functioning...it was bad.
Luckily- now I have slept and life has resumed as normal. Its been a great weekend and I've really enjoyed my little family. Its so nice having Chris home and have him able to play with us instead of doing homework or working on the house.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. Recently, at my parent's request, Chris and I saw the movie "Courageous" It's a little cheesy but has the best message about the importance of strong righteous fathers. (I may or may not have teared up more than once while watching it)Anyways- it made me really appreciate how lucky I am to have such an AMAZING husband. He works so hard for us ALL day, then comes home and does homework at night and then works on the house on the weekends. Isn't he fantastic?
The movie also made me appreciate my sweet babies and the time I have had with them so far. I know I complain about Bailey being a crier and being harder than Tanner- but I really am grateful to have her in our lives and so happy she is part of our family. I am grateful for the 4 months we've had so far with her. LOVE THAT LITTLE GIRL! I'm also grateful for my sweet little two year old. He makes me laugh out loud EVERY day. He's such a happy little boy that brightens the world around him.
So to sum things up-I'm grateful for my family. They make me so happy and I feel blessed to get to be their mother/wife.

I'm also grateful that Chris has a job he loves. I worried our first year here because he couldn't find his niche. But now he loves where he works and what he does and that makes it so much easier for him to go to work in the mornings.

I'm grateful for family. I don't know what I'd do without my parents. They are so supportive and willing to help out whenever we need. I love my siblings and all they do for me. And I'm grateful for my amazing in-laws. Deveney (my mil) has been here 3 times in the last 3 months just to help out. They are all awesome!

Lastly, I'm grateful for the gospel. I'm grateful for the doctrine of eternal families. I'm grateful for the blessings of the temple. I'm grateful for my relationship with my Heavenly Father and the ability to pray to him at any time and for any reason. I'm grateful for the priesthood and its presence in my home. I love the gospel and I love what it does for me and my family.

I hope you all can count your numerous blessings and recognize God's work in your lives. I know I've been blessed beyond measure!