The Christmas Tree.........

I like to wait until after Christian's birthday to put up the tree but this year was so busy with things going on the only time to get it up was right after Thanksgiving. I don't think he minded one bit!

 I really wanted a real tree this year but the cost made me think twice, maybe next year. So we got the fake on out. The kids love to help, and I'll take it, it takes awhile to get it up. I usually do the lights and tinsel and it took me a little longer this year to get that all up. Actually 3 tries to get the lights on this year.........long story, you can ask Layne about it, he thinks its funny, I on the other hand do not!

Anyway, it is up and looks wonderful. It's always fun to put up the ornaments and reminisce the history of the ornaments and what they mean. I gave the kids some ornaments and the level of tree they could put them on. Julia was excited to put them on the middle of the tree this year. Christian got the bottom of the tree and was not happy. He told me, "Mom, these are the boring ornaments." Sorry pal we all had that job at least once! I also debated  putting up my second tree. I thought Christian still might have a tough time keeping his hands off the tree this year. I didn't put it up but wish I had, he is doing a good job not touching the tree this year.

Thanksgiving........

Thanksgiving this year was held at our house. So that meant I was the one to do the turkey. In my 39 years on earth, I will admit I have never cooked a turkey on my own. My mom and sister Amy walked me through the process. Didn't seem to bad until the next morning while preparing the bird. All I can say is EEWWW, GROSS! Chicken and hamburger don't bother me but a huge turkey, just gross. Anyway, the kids and Layne came out and agreed with me on the gross factor. But we finally got it in the oven and let it cook.

Everyone started to gather and we made all the last minute food preparations. The bird turned out nice and golden brown! All the food was wonderful and so was the company. It was a great day! It was a day that will be remembered. And everyone for some reason kept saying how great all the food tasted this year?! I agree, maybe we were just super hungry or maybe it was all that extra love we put into it this year :)

 Last minute prep.......

 The Kids Table :)

The rest of the day we just talked, played games, napped, watched football, ate more pie and goodies! The best part was being able to spend time together! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 Mad game of Monopoly going on!

All the Grandkids!

Foster Care.........

So instead of continuing on with proctor care we are switching gears and go to do foster care. We are looking to do foster to adopt. We are wanting to add to our family because we do both feel that our family is not quite complete and this is our best option, not only to add to our family but to also help children in the process.

So to do this we have started the process, which is a lot of paper work and a lot more training. We have all the paperwork done but now this month we did all the training, which was 32 hours worth. That meant 8 classes, four hours for each class, and they were all at night, either in Orem or Murray. I set up the schedule and made a plan so we could get all the classes done in 3 weeks. It was a hard  3 weeks on us and the kids but we did it. First week was 2 classes, the second week just about killed us, 4 classes, which means a lot of time away from home. Finally the third week we took the last 2 classes. We are done with training. We are waiting to do a home study which takes about 3-4 hours of them checking your home for safety and then interviewing your family. So it is definitely a process but we are excited!

More to come!

Fall........

This time of year is always my favorite. Cooler temperatures, leaves changing colors, football season, back to school, holidays, what's not to love!

My sister, mom and I made a trip up the AF canyon to look at the view and see the changing colors. It's always amazes me how beautiful a place we live in once you get up in the mountains. We just don't take advantage of it enough! My mom got a great shot of Christian that sums it all up!

My sister also has a very creative and keen eye for taking great pictures of just everyday things, especially nature. I just don't think to take pictures of stuff without people in them, except for an occasional sunset. She took this one on the way to school with her youngest Jane on a nice fall day!

Most of the color was gone when I was trying to get some pictures with my kids but they love to play in the leaves. So I took them down to the park and got them just playing and enjoying the day. So simple and so joyful!

Mom, I'm making a 'leaf' angel