Thanksgiving Weekend 2011

Usually we would head to sunny Las Vegas for our year with my family for Thanksgiving but this year we switched things up a bit. After some discussion with a thoughtful family considering Grandpa Norr living in Tremonton in an assisted living and me being 8 1/2 months pregnant(I hate to drive anyways) we decided to have Thanksgiving in Ogden. I was thrilled with the thought of having the entire family together regardless of where it was. The older I get the more I look forward to holidays such as these with life being so busy it is rare that we can all get together in the same house for multiple days and just enjoy each other. I really enjoyed putting together a menu and grocery shopping for the weekend...I know I'm weird. Everyone arrived Wednesday and got settled in as well as doing some of the cooking ahead of time. Hallie was so funny and didn't call everyone aunt or uncle they were all her "friends" she would ask each night after prayer if her friends would still be here in the morning...she is to fun.f Thursday we got up and had a lazy morning. About mid morning we cooked the ham, potatoes, yams, and stuffing. Pre-eating pictures





About 1 my dad arrived back with my grandpa for lunch. We enjoyed lunch and of coarse ate to much. And post eating.





Thursday afternoon after getting everyone back home we had our "Christmas" since we are with in-laws this year. The adults were pretty boring and all exchanged money. As for Hallie and Rigs they got spoiled and Hallie for the 1st time really enjoyed unwrapping presents.








We looked through the ads to map out our plan for that night and the next day. Kimber is the most into the shopping thing and mostly because of the crazy people. Later that night Nic, Kim, and Maddi headed to Target while the boys headed to Walmart and Best Buy(mostly to people watch). I stayed home and went to bed early to prepare for the next morning. The girls returned home shortly after midnight and the boys not until closer to 3:30 AM....crazy people. Everyone got what they were looking for plus being very tired. And I have been told it is now going to become a yearly tradition...if we can talk mom and dad into coming north every year. After a few hours of rest the boys headed for some "mantime" or shooting while the girls finished up shopping for fabric at Joanns.



Saturday we did family pictures. Hallie was less than cooperative but she thoroughly enjoyed Maddi and her bubble blowing skills. I just thought it was plain cute and loved that Matt captured these pics.


Saturday night Nic/Ky & Kim/Ez headed back home. Hallie was less than thrilled that they wouldn't take her and that her "friends" were leaving. We decided to make our candy turkeys that we hadn't gotten to at that point. I think they turned out way cute and even tasted better when we ate them and the building pieces.



Happy Thanksgiving everyone we hope you thankful day was as full as family and food as ours was...we are truly blessed. I'm exhausted and I think I will need a month to recover.

Early Thanksgiving

To me Thanksgiving is really just a time to get together with family and eat way to much food. Now having to split time with family who really says you have to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday..no one really. So we decided since we were spending Thanksgiving with my family this year that we should do "Thanksgiving" with the Browers early so we could see everyone. I think it was a great idea and hopefully something we can continue to do for many years to come. We had yummy food and enjoyed seeing grandma, grandpa, and the Bennetts.
Our little family
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After dinner the kids made turkeys out if gumdrops, apples, and toothpicks. Grandma helped a lot and I think Hallie liked eating her gumdrops more that the building.


Then as always we had to clean up..enough said

Sometimes I wonder why we even buy kids toys. The ottoman is always a big hit when the kids are together.

Grandma and the grandkids(minus Kaylee)

Matt and I(33 weeks)

30 Weeks come and gone

Somewhere in all the excitement of Halloween we passed our 30 week mark. Less than 10 weeks til we meet this little girl.We are now 31 and a half weeks.

Halloween Happening

Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays it seems to be getting blown out of proportion and over shadows Thanksgiving(or maybe everyone is to busy to give thanks anymore?) But with Hallie getting older holidays as a whole are more fun. One upside is there were several fun activities to do...so here we go.
Thursday was trick or treating with the residents at the nursing home. Hallie is always a little hesitant with the elderly until she realizes they are nice and the candy just made her realize that that much faster. She did very well at saying trick or treat and thank you and then off to the next person in the line.



Then on Monday(actual Halloween)Hallie and I ventured out for several different events 1st the library had a fish pond, golfing, pin the nose on the ghost, stories, and snacks.


2nd off to Maceys to get some groceries and free snacks(namely maple glaze donuts!)

3rd-Treehouse Museum has awesome educational activities and even more activities around the holidays..Halloween was no exception with crafts, stories, and singing.
After the story time Hallie had to ride the horse including the hat I thought it looked adorable with her spider outfit.

Currently her favorite thing to do..use the scissors. She is getting really good with her control.


Last, but not least, off to daddy's office to do our final trick or treating.


I had to include this pic although dark its the only pic I got of mine and babies costume. Mommy and baby skeleton!


After this point we were tuckered out and headed home for a nap. And after a long nap we colored and carved pumpkins to eat for dinner and went to bed early.


What a Halloween!

Fall Pics...almost forgotten

So I have to remind Matt every so often to upload all the pics off of his phone. After seeing this array I need to ask more often...heres to randomness.
I hesitated to put this one one here but I think we can always use a good laugh...wonder what Matt does while I'm at work?! haha


With Fall in full swing there were so many fun things going on. In this pic we were at a chili cook off with our good friends but I think Hallie enjoyed the cupcake more...she is my child for sure.

One of our favorite things to do is to go to Maceys and get soft serve ice cream. We are now to the point eberyone has to have their own cones..no more sharing!



Over conference weekend we decided to take on the task of bottling pears and I guess in all the excitement I forgot to post the pics. Matt and I both grew up with moms that canned/bottle fruit and veggies but neither of us had ever done it on our own...no better time than the present. I just have to say I love having a husband that is wanting/willing to be involved in everything. Hallie was even a very big helper(no surprise their)she took all the lids off so we could wash the jars.


And after all that Fall fun I don't think I could have said it better...we need a nap!!