Gratitude

"Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight.  It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure.  It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent.  It forges bonds of love and fosters loyalty and admiration."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Thanks to my sister-in-law Carolyn who emailed this beautiful quote.  I think being  grateful is so underrated.  I hope I can raise grateful children.  I know that the more gratitude we have for the life we are given, the happier we can be.

Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving

What a fun-filled Thanksgiving.  We started off with the Cottonwood Heights Turkey Trot 5K.  And, since I really need to get my bird in the oven, we went really fast (otherwise I would have probably taken my time!).  It was great, the kids even managed well.  We got Ian out of the stroller for the last 25 yards so he could run across the finish line.
Wendy, Ryan and family came for dinner (I did a bad job of taking many pictures).  It was so fun!  We made the kids little Indian Headresses.  Meggie and I made little turkeys out of oreo cookies and candy corn to put at everyones place setting.    The dinner turned out well, no dry turkey thank goodness.  However, if anyone is craving mashed potatoes, please feel free to visit.  We have enough for about 80 people!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy Birthday to Kevin!

Today we are celebrating Kevin's birthday!  He started his morning out with a 4.5 mile run and then headed off to work (I'm sure treating himself to an egg mcmuffin along the way).  The kids and I have been making his cake and wrapping presents, along with other errands.  Thanks to Auntie Rogierre, Kevin and I are going on a date tonight while she takes the kiddos.  

Here are the Top 10 reasons that I am grateful for my hubby:

1)  Besides the Lord, he is the one who has brought me peace through the loss of our little David.  We have grown so much closer and found a greater love and appreciation for each other and the tremendous blessings we have been given.

2) He is ambitious, he always has a goal he is working towards.  Right now it is attending Police Officer Standards Training so he can add that to his resume.

3) He is a phenomenal father.  He is so good about playing with the kids when he gets home from work.  They play hide and go seek, steal the bacon, red light green light and wrestle every night!

4) He is hilarious.  I mean really hilarious.  We laugh all the time, and for anyone who knows me, you know I love to laugh!

5)  He is a peacemaker.  He cannot stand the thought of anyone in his family, especially his wife, being upset.

6)  He is such a good gift-giver.  his gifts to me are always totally creative.  Like, for instance, last year I had been complaining about what a pain it is to cook for a picky eater (i.e. Kevin).  So, for Christmas, he had an award engraved with "Best Home Chef 2007" then my name and a thank you on it.  What a guy!

7)  He is always encouraging me to spend money on myself and take "me" time.  I know, crazy!

8)  He's a great kisser!

9)  He has REALLY nice legs.  I love to be behind him on hikes so that I can watch his calf muscles flex!

10) He is a great provider, giving us a lot of peace during these tough economic times.

Thanks for letting me rave about my main man, I think he needed to know how much I adore him!

Happy Birthday my love!

p.s. I used this picture because Kevin looks so stinkin' buff!

Hair chopped and raking leaves

We went to Chels and Cody's this weekend for a haircut and so that Ian could be a HUGE help to Uncle Cody while he was raking the leaves.  The kids had a great time messing up Cody's beautiful piles!

I got my hair whacked!  I do this after every pregnancy.  I was feeling totally frumpy, so I had Chelsea chop it off.  It feels sooo much better!  Kevin always likes my hair long and curly, but I think he's okay with this, too.

Halloween 2008

Ian finally decided on being a "Bad Guy" (i.e. whatever costume looked fearsome at Target, which ended up being a red power ranger).  He got a "sword" from the police department, thanks to Chief Russo.

Minnie Mouse.  She was sooo proud of herself.  She kept prancing around on her tip-toes, just like a princess.  I just know that in her mind she was saying "I'm so cute, I'm so cute, da da di di da!"