We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! It was great to be with so many family members throughout the week and to reflect on the things that we are so blessed with and thankful for, the number one thing being family! We started the morning with the turkey bowl at the park, we had a wonderful turnout from our ward and our whole family enjoyed being there. We had dinner at my Dad and Mom's house with my sibling's and Nana Jackson. We watched football and took the kids to see the horses. We also played bingo! Parker and I won movie tickets and a gift certificate to Good Wood, Chloe got a horse and stable toy, Ella won books, and Jackson got an I Pod. The kids were too excited for words!

Friday we had a kids days with the Rasmussen's...the boys went dirt bike riding while Jenny and I took the kids to Jump on it, Icebergs, and to Planet 51. We pooped them out so we could play games that night!!! Saturday we had an adult shopping and dinner day. we ate at Market Street Grill...YUM! It was a fun filled week full of the thing I love most... FAMILY!!!

Parker and Chris taking down Geoff

Parker took time to let me know he loves me!

Ella strolling around the park

Chloe put on her bright pink makeup for Thanksgiving day

Ella's ready to feast!

Our beautiful table setting

mY GiRLs

I love this picture!

Complete silence is never a good thing at our house. Unless it's after 9 pm and I have a diet dr. pepper in one hand, and book in the other and my feet up on the couch. A couple of days before Thanksgiving I noticed the silence and started investigating all the rooms. I opened Chloe's door to find Ella sitting on Chloe's vanity chair while Chloe was inches from her face applying makeup. I had to laugh, it really wasn't a bad thing and I thought it was funny how still Ella was holding and how concentrated Chloe was.

"What are you doing girls?"

"We are Indian's Mom" Chloe replied.

"Wow, you make cute Indians. Why did you decide to be Indians today?"

"Because Thanksgiving is coming and the Pilgrims and Indians had a feast."

I have to say my girls made really cute Indians!!!

Tonight our family went to the church to watch Jackson race in his first pinewood derby. Jackson and Parker have been working hard on his car and loving the bonding time they have spent together. We have been counting down the days and Jackson even wore his scout shirt to school today in honor of the derby! It was fun to see every one's car's and to have such a great turnout. For those of you that don't know, the pinewood derby is a pretty big deal to say the least. We've spent weeks preparing, staying up into the wee hours of the night huddled over Jackson's little derby racer, carving every fraction of a millimeter off to get the perfect design. Tonight was the culmination of a long haul, it was the end of the journey for our little scout. When we first walked into the gym you could smell the fumes of setting glue, feel the grit of fresh graphite, and see the terrified looks on parents faces. This is a kids thing right? Race after race we watched and cheered our little Jackson on. Every time they called Jackson's name, my heart would skip a beat and my stomach would twist itself into a knot. I closed my eyes for a moment before they let his car go hoping he would win, but quickly thinking of things to say in case he didn't. They dropped the hammer.... There was silence in the gym, ok it probably wasn't silent, but it was silent in my head. In a little less than four seconds it was over. I could FINALLY breathe again! The gym erupted with laughter, screams, and excitement. Jackson had WON! We couldn't have been happier with him and his attitude throughout the night. He continued his streak and was having the time of his life. With the races completed, Jackson had won, he was the grand champion derby racer, with a perfect record! WHEW....... Finally I can relax, knowing that Jackson did well. I was looking forward to no more late nights, no more sawdust on my freshly cleaned carpets, no more worrying, just peace and ..... (Parker interrupts me about now with "Honey I'M SAD, I can't wait to do that AGAIN!") OH WELL, so much for peace and quite. He's already planning his next car with our little Jackson!

It's derby time!

All the boys did an amazing job!!!

3...2...1...GO

Jackson's car is #1

Jackson got a trophy, blue ribbon, and a movie "Down and Derby"

we're going to watch it together tomorrow!

I love my boys! and love how much they love eachother!

CONGRATS Jackson and Parker!....Until next year :)

My 21 month old has decided that she no longer needs naps! I put her down for one every day but she usually plays or talks to herself for 1 1/2 hours. I asked my pediatrician about it and he said it's a little early for her, but every child is different. I'm not giving up!!! This is how I found her the other night at 6pm...

I put her straight in bed and luckily she slept all night long. I really don't mind her being up (as long as she's happy) but I feel like her little body could use that rest! I'm going to keep trying!

Thursday we headed over to my parents house to watch as my brother Matt opened his call to serve an LDS mission. He has been so excited for this and was so disappointed when Wednesday was Veterans day and the mail wasn't delivered. I arrived at the house a little emotional but so excited for Matt. My mom had a big map on the kitchen table where you got to write your name on clear sticky tape and guess where Matt would be called. She had a jar of candy and gift certificates for whoever was closest (this is a tradition!). My Dad welcomed everyone (there were SO MANY people there) and Matt took a big deep breath and opened his letter! He was called to serve in the Curitiba, Brazil mission and will be leaving on March 31st to go to the MTC in Brazil! I am so proud of him! I watched him grow even as he opened his call. Parker's first comment was "I can't wait to go back and visit his mission when he gets back", I laughed as tears were rolling down my face (it was great comic relief). Congrats Matt, we are so proud of you!

My Dad!

These cookies were darling! missionaries, temples, book of Mormon's, and

worlds with question marks. Not only were they cute...they were delicious!

This was Matt's reaction!

Curitiba Brazil mission, portuguese speaking

Let's go to the map!

Matt had guessed Costa Rica

My Mom checking the other details!

hi Parker! I'm loving my eclaire!

I LOVE this time of year! I look forward to the changing leaves, the cooler days, getting out my fall and winter clothes, decorating my house, and of course Halloween! I love Halloween, it's right up there with Christmas for me! I get excited for my kids to pick out costumes and I love dressing up too!!! We had such a busy October. Jackson had his school Halloween parade, we went to the pumpkin patch, we had a party at my Nana's for the kids, and an adult party at the Rasmussen's. The night of Halloween was beautiful and the weather couldn't have been better! I get excited to go around with my kids and yell "trick or treat" and then come home and help them look through the goodies that they've acquired throughout the evening! This year was amazing!!! I loved every minute, now I'm busy getting excited for Thanksgiving and of course Christmas!

My kids love playing in the leaves!

We looked out the front door one morning and this is how we found Ella

Thanks Grandma for the darling Halloween pajamas

We went to the corn maze and pumpkin patch with Chloe's class.

Chloe, you are SO BEAUTIFUL!

Daddy and Chloe

and you are SO BEAUTIFUL too!!!

There aren't alot of times I get my picture taken! I like this one!

Chloe with her friends Lexi and Parker

I made this darling AND yummy treat for family home evening

Nana's Halloween Party! She made the cute ghosts behind us

Ella held so still while her face was painted.

Chloe enjoyed adding to her makeup...a bat for the witch!

Ella and Jackson taking a break from all the fun (it only lasted a second!)

The cake walk. Ella loved that everyone kept handing her candy and

prizes! The candy only lasted as long as it took to get the wrapper off.

Jackson's school parade! He had so many people tell him what a great Harry Potter

he was and that he made a better one than was in the movies!

For our adult party we decided to be swine flu and a mad scientist that found the cure!

I love dressing up!!!

Trick-or-Treating! Harry Potter, little lady bug, and the nice witch!

This is the best family shot we could get... the kids were too excited to trick or treat!

Happy Halloween!!!

(Still catching up) Last month we were on our way to the zoo to meet Jenny and Jared, we passed the graveyard where my Grandpa Hansen is buried. We stopped to visit and I'm so glad we did. My kids loved hearing about my Grandpa and seeing where he is buried. I loved my Grandpa he was such an amazing man and positive role model in my life. He died when I 12 in a boating accident and I have missed him ever since. Even though I was young I have lots of memories of him and things that we did together! I know that he would be a wonderful grandpa to my children and love them very much! I wish Parker could have known him as well! After visiting the grave we headed on to Hogle zoo. We saw a new baby giraffe, snow leopard, monkey, and 3 baby tigers. We always love getting together with the Rassy's!

Grandpa Great's Grave

Welcome to the zoo!

Chloe

Jackson

Ella

Paje, Paris, and Chloe

Twinies...Preston and Paris

Chloe the turtle