Thanksgiving activities...

The Thanksgiving holiday was very full this year even though it was "outlaw year" with all of the married kids free to join with their spouse's family.  We had just barely gotten Bean home from his mission and trying to get all of his plunder moved back into the house and get him settled.  Then on Wednesday the 23rd Paul and I celebrated our 37th anniversary.  As usual, things are too hectic about then to do much, so we plan to do something fun and call it our anniversary when it warms up and cash isn't so tight.  We did go out for Chinese for lunch...mmm good!  Later that day Brenden came over and we took him over to feed the ducks.  He's quite the little hiker and doesn't want anyone holding his hand. He can do it himself! He had such a fun time laughing at the ducks and throwing bread more at them than too them!  They were very hungry and more than happy to see us.  He spent the night with us after spending the some time playing with his good buddy/cousin Zade for a while.  It was a bit of a sad day as Moss and Christie spent it at the hospital losing their little baby.  We are so sorry for their loss.  We are also so thankful to have the Gospel to help us cope with all of these hard things that come into our lives.  We were excited for this little one, but we will hope things work out another time. Supe, Bean and Paul and I were the only ones here for the big feast since Grandma had gone to join Lou and Bryan.  Later that day other folks came over for games and the eating of leftovers and pie commenced and was continued for the next few days.

 Friday Supe and Bean treated us and Ferf  and kids to a hiking/climbing excursion to Black Rocks.  Everyone except Koen and me went up the wall at least part of the way. (I used the excuse that it was getting late and would take way too much time for me to get up.  I'll do it another time...promise.) It was a fun outing with perfect weather and so good to get outside for a little while. It was also nice that they had all the gear and know how to help everyone be successful. I don't know how we did it, but we missed getting pictures of Paul altogether. Oops! In the evening there was more eating, visiting and games.

Koen was "fast asleep" atop Grandpa until I offered gum to everyone.  His eyes popped open and he said he wanted some because it would keep him awake!

Supe setting up the climb

Brynnli went first

Tavin and some other guy heading for the top

Bean just about there

Gaige all geared up

Ferf just about there

Koen got hungry and bummed some V8 juice off Bean.  He pronounced "de-li-see-us".  None of the other kids shared that opinion.

Falls Park stop off

Saturday afternoon, despite still being somewhat lame from a turkey bowl injury, we went on a drive and beautiful hike with the Weavers.  We stopped by Falls Park outside Virgin just to take a look and then went up on Smith's Mesa and hiked around in a little canyon with an arch that they had visited over Halloween.  It was pretty cold until we got down into the canyon.  It was amazing that Eden had written her name in the mud on the Halloween hike and it was still there this time.  She thought that was pretty neat.

Other fun around the house

Family - even though I was not as relaxed as I would have liked to have been through the holiday - too busy worrying about my upcoming leadership meeting and getting Bean settled - thanks to all of you for a great Thanksgiving.  You are top on the list of things I am and always will be thankful for.