Family Outing!

Yesterday we decided to surprise the kids with a family outing! Eric took a half day off of work and the kids were so shocked to see him come home earlier than dinner time! We surprised them by taking them up to Salt Lake for the afternoon and evening.

Our first stop was the Living Planet Aquarium. It was a free admission day, so we thought we would take advantage of that. The kids LOVED it!

We cannot get her to keep her eyes open or look at the camera when taking pictures. But, her hand is on her hip and her bum is sticking out-that's what she calls her "princess smile".

Adam loved touching the sting rays! He spent a good 10 minutes petting them. Tessa didn't want to touch any, but helped Daddy touch a few.

The penguins were a hit! We had so much fun watching them swim around.

Adam's piranha face!

After the aquarium, we surprised the kids with a train ride on Trax into downtown!

We spent some time at Temple Square, the Church History Museum and then treated the kids to a dinner out. It was so nice to get out and do something fun together! My favorite part of our evening was while we were at one of the Visitor Centers at Temple Square. Adam asked what we were supposed to be doing and I told him just being reverent and thinking about Jesus. His reply, "Well, it's really hard to think about Jesus when you are this hungry!" I love the honesty of children!

A Very Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

We had quite the weekend! It might take several days to recover from it, but it was fun! We had lots of family activities going on and we kept very busy!

Thanksgiving day Adam and Eric played in my family's traditional "Turkey Bowl". Adam was so happy to finally get to play some football.

Aunt Katy and Eric trying to catch Adam

My cute boys!

Running for the touchdown!

Adam and Tessa tackling Aunt Katy

We had a yummy Thanksgiving dinner thanks to lots of hard work from Mom and Dad!

Tessa's dinner consisted of a roll, some mashed potatoes, and 3 pieces of candy corn. A perfect Tessa dinner!

Friday morning Eric left early to go skiing with his family and the kids and I headed up to the mall to see a very special person fly in on Chopper 5!

They were so excited to see Santa! Adam couldn't stop giggling.

We were so thankful that it was warmer than last year!

Santa came around and said hello to each boy and girl. He got a hug from Tessa Boo.

Later that day all the cousins came over to our house to play for a while. Baby Rees got lots of attention from them!

Friday night we celebrated Mamma's birthday!

All the grandkids helped blow out the candles and then had to help pull all the candles out of the cake!

Saturday we went power tumbling! The kids had so much fun!!

After power tumbling, we headed back up to my parents house to decorate for Christmas. This was always a big tradition for my family, and even though most of us have moved out, all the kids still come home to decorate for Christmas each year.

Ares and Tessa got tired of waiting for everyone, so they started on the tree by themselves. It looked like a palm tree by the time they were finished.

After decorating we always have our traditional decorating dinner and then doughnuts, hot chocolate, and egg nog.

There was so much to be grateful for this weekend! We were happy to see so much family, spend time with so many cousins, hear big announcements, and are so thankful that Heavenly Father was watching out for Jake and Angel and their family. We are so blessed to have such loving and happy families!

More Thanksgiving Fun!

We have been trying to squeeze as much Thanksgiving fun in as we can before the big day comes and goes! We have been thankful for the time we have taken as a family to think about all of our blessings this Thanksgiving season!

We played some fun rounds of "Don't Eat Tom!"

We made Indian headbands and played a fun turkey alphabet game.

For part of the game the kids had to act like turkey's.

Today Adam had a Thanksgiving Feast at school! I love helping out in his class!

Adam and his soccer buddy!

A final look at our Tom the Turkey. He got lots of feathers this year and there are many more that we could add. This week Tessa added "pancakes" to her "chocolate pudding" and "marshmallow" feathers. I love what the kids come up with!

We realize how blessed we are as a family and are so grateful that we have each other and that we get to be together forever! Eric and I feel so blessed to be parents and realize what a blessing that truly is. We couldn't ask for anything more than our beautiful children! I am so thankful for Eric and the wonderful man, husband, and father that he is. I seriously hit the jackpot with him and I will never know what I did to get so lucky! He is my rock and my best friend and I love him like crazy!

We as a family are so thankful for the gospel and our Savior and for the foundation that gives our family. I am thankful that we have the truth and that I am able to teach my children that we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior. We are so thankful for the Atonement and for the chance we have to repent and change. That is the greatest blessing of all!

I could go on and on. Our families, our parents, our jobs, Jodi:), all the things I take for granted....my list might never end. I am thankful as always for this season and the chance it gives me personally and us as a family to remember how truly blessed we are!
Happy Thanksgiving!!