Thanksgiving!

Here are my super belated shots of Thanksgiving. Family, food, the table, the mantle...it was sooo much fun to have everyone here. My mom and sister and sister-in-law all pitched in with the food (I only had to do the relish tray:) so there was no stress there. I was really in a "nesting" mood, so cleaning the house was easier than usual. The sleeping situation caused some stress, but only because Sam decided to scream for 2 hours at 2 am and there were lots of people in the house that were awake because of him. He did have a new tooth in the morning:)

It was so much fun to have everyone here. I am glad that they could all make the trek up here. I hope we get to do it again next year! See the pictures way, way further down this page :)

My brother does dishes?

Abby, Megan and Liz

Little Ellie

Making Cinnamon Rolls with Grandma

Dad getting ready to carve the turkey

The Thanksgiving Table!

Christmas mixed with fall decor...gotta love it!

Has it really been a month?

So, yes. I am the world's worst blogger. But the problem is that when there is time to blog in the evenings, Geo is on the computer where I can post pictures. I hate blogging without pictures! So, I haven't blogged. But, some will come. I have to tell about Thanksgiving, Levi's cute singing program, Sam's 1st birthday and all that. So, look for new stuff soon! :)

My Brother Ben

It soon will be 33 years to the day of my brother's coming into the world. Wow, that means that I am almost 30...yikes! But, I digress!

I wanted to share some memories I have of Ben for his birthday. And no birthday is complete without a JibJab movie, right? Right! So here goes...

First the JibJab movie:)
http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/3208124

Here are some of my memories!

1. Mom always tells the story when Ben and I were very young and she took us into the bathroom while she took a shower. She told Ben to watch me while she was showering. She gets out and I am IN the toliet. She says to Ben, "I told you to watch her!" And he says, "I am watching her...she's in the toilet."

2. I was greatly influenced by his choice of music. Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure and lots of others became my favorites because that is what I heard all of the time. Go 80s techno!

3. I always hated driving with him...especially to early morning seminary on icy mornings. I do believe there were many donuts done with me screaming in the passenger seat.

4. Ben and I got along great as soon as he moved out of the house:) Before then, I remember an audio cassette being thrown at my head during one of our spats. But I also remember looking forward to him coming home for family dinners every once and awhile.

5. Ben marrying Shanon was the best thing he has ever done. We have fun memories with the both of them. Their wedding, Thanksgiving holidays, doing Christmas, our family trip to Colorado, riding up that ski lift with our kids and no safety bar...

Ben, I hope you are loving your life right now and will enjoy your birthday. We wish you lived closer so our kids could get to know their "Uncle Ben" :) You are a great man and a great brother! Happy Birthday Benjy!

We love you! Anna and George and Levi, Natalie, Sam, and (soon) baby Maggie

My Husband

I just want to blog about how grateful I am for my husband. George is absolutely my best friend and I am so thankful for him. He really steps up when I need him...like when I am sicker than a dog and can't take care of kids. He thinks of my needs and takes the time to fulfill them. He is very thoughtful. He is an amazing dad to our children. I love talking to him late at night. I could go on and on!

But most of all, I am thankful for the things he has done lately for the spirituality of our family. He has always been such a wonderful example to me. He is such a joy in my life. I am thankful that the Lord has given him to me to be with forever. How blessed I am! I love you Geo!

The Square Dance

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Hilarious Video!

You have to check this out! My brother in law found this site called "jibjab" that makes this funny, funny videos...anyway, the last one that he made was of Sam and Natalie.

Here's the link:
www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/2569562

Enjoy!!

It's a.....

GIRL!!! We're so excited! Her name (right now, anyway) will be Magnolia and go by Maggie. I would name her just Maggie, but those of you who know George's preferences know that I could never get away with that. You can't name a kid a nickname!

Everything looked great on the ultrasound and we got kind of a freaky picture of her looking right at the "camera". It was perfect for Halloween...a tiny little skull face! Can't believe that I am halfway!

It's baby fever around here as my sister just had her second. Congrats, Liz! I am getting excited and feeling the baby move. The best feeling ever. It makes everything real!