Thanksgiving

I did not even take out my camera this weekend. too bad. There was lots of family, food, and shopping.
We had dinner at my house again this year. We were really hoping for a rerun of the turkey from 2 years ago...not the black monstrosity that we cooked last year. The big green egg did not disappoint us this year. It cooked an amazingly moist and delicious turkey.
And I made pies...apple, cherry, and a peach cream thing that Andrew and I made up to put into an extra crust. I love making pies for a couple reasons. I get to use the marble rolling pin that one of my dearest friends gave to me for my wedding shower. I think of her every time I use it. Then of course, I think of my grandma, master pie maker. She always made the best pies when I was little. She would make cherry for my mom and pecan for my dad. She also would do a pie of the month club for an auction at her church. I'm sure it caught top dollar with her reputation for making delicious pies. oh, and lemon meringue. I think it was Matt who always liked that kind. So, grandma, my cherry pie was a little runny this year....any ideas? more flour?
They were beautiful, though. but again, no picture.
Lindsey make some darling place mats with little turkeys for utensil holders. but again, no picture.
We had wonderful company...Hayley's family, Aunt Deb & Uncle Ross, Matt & Tanya, Lindsey and kids, Craig & Chris, and my big hurd of kids. but again, no picture.
The kids all danced for us...I do have a video of this. cha-cha slide, hoedown throwdown, hokey pokey, chicken dance.
I downloaded a bunch of songs a few weeks ago when Nate had to have some stuff for the youth dance, so my kids are getting really good at he cha-cha slide. Even Henry will do it...his dancing is hilarious. He even dances to the songs at church. He really feels it.

"It's like a time machine, I'm going back so far"...a.hoopes

I'm copying a friend's title because it made me laugh and it's quite fitting for my post today. I have not yet metioned anything about our fabulous Grannypalooza trip that we had this summer. We celebrated my beautiful Grandma Gaskell's 95th birthday at a wonderful weekend in Washington DC. There is nothing in this life that can touch the love and kinship that abound at family gatherings. Everyone from my mom's side of the family was there. I hadn't seen my cousins in years. It was great to reconnect, laugh, and enjoy time together.

One thing that I miss, living out west, is the chance for my kids to know their cousins better. But, like it is with my cousins, it only takes a minute, and you start out where you left off.

Amelia, Mallary, Elizabeth & JacksonEmma, Sam, Clay, Amelia, Mallary

We flew to Ohio then drove to DC. On the way we met Aaron and did a little kid swap for riding in the car. I thought it would be fun for the kids to have something to do in the car, so I bought some beads at a Target along the way and Mia, Emma, and Mallary each made a necklace with 95 beads each for Grandma. She loved them and wore them the whole time we were there. That made me smile. And then grandma humored us by wearing this great balloon hat. She's such a good sport.

I'd put more pictures, but I'm having technical difficulty.

I LOVE my family!!!!

Emma

I haven't had the time to share a little about our newly 5 year old girl.

Emma is sweet

Emma is direct

Emma is helpful, unless she wants to watch cartoons...then she sneaks into my room.

Emma loves to swim, go to preschool, make treats all by herself {she is an excellent brownie maker}

I have to say more about that. She made brownies the other day, and on Sunday wanted to take some to her class, so we figured how many there would be on a good day, and she asked me to cut that many brownies. Well, there was a strip of crust about 2"wide left in the pan. {can't leave the brownies out with Clay or Sam around...or Nate for that matter} So, before Emma had a meltdown, I had cut about 10 1" squares of brownie so there would be enough for her class. I just had to laugh. She was not going to go to class without them.

Emma loves babies and dolls, and playing with little kids. She is so cute with Henry, and Ryker too.

Emma is smart....very very smart. She argues so well already, I can see her as a successful lawyer. When she asked what that was, I told her it was someone who argues to help people. She thought that sounded pretty good if she could be a mom too.

She still manages to throw fits about silly things. Like the other morning, she couldn't find her money, and wanted her $3 so she could buy a doll at the store. {We weren't even going to the store} She cried in her room for 20 minutes, and only stopped because I had to put her in the car to get the kids from school.

She is funny with an infectious giggle.

I love that girl.

Henry

I had my second cousin-in-law take some pictures again. LOVE how they turned out. His personality just really comes through. You can see what a happy boy Henry is.

So, now that Henry is one he decided to walk...that is now his preferred mode of travel.

He has words...very unusually soon for my children (mia was 3).

He says mam (mom), wa (water), mo (more), and ba (ball or balloon).
He feeds himself, and drinks from a cup (when he doesn't intentionally pour it al over his tray).

When he feeds himself he'll sit for an hour in his highchair...eating.

He loves the sacrament at church, and everyone within 3 rows knows it because he watches it, yells for it, then begs for more when it passes.

He answers questions with the nod or shake of his head, even if they aren't directed at him.

He still HATES getting dressed.

He makes me laugh out loud.