lights

 "When what to my wondering eyes did appear?..."  Rob doesn't like heights and we haven't had lights very often but this year he volunteered to hang them.  I got some of the big old fashioned colored bulbs and we spent almost 3 hours getting them up and now they look so magically awesomely Christmasy!!

 I subbed today as a roving sub, which is a very pleasant day.  Boys Town has a outreach program that they run around the globe.  Our district has been participating so today some of the teachers were having their follow up visit from the facilitator who observed them and then had a short meeting with them.  I went around with her (she was super nice and interesting) and watched as well, then subbed the class when they went out to talk.  It was easy and interesting.  What a surprisingly nice day.

This is from last night, as we were watching the fire and getting ready to have FHE. 

6TH GRADE, and Sunday

"It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them (see D&C 58:43)."

(Julie B. Beck, "Remembering, Repenting, and Changing," Ensign, May 2007, 111)

Yesterday was a good Sunday.  Well dinner was a flop but the rest of the day was good.  We had really excellent talks at Sacrament.  Bro. Alvey spoke about the Book of Mormon and then Hailey Fast, who just got back from her mission.  She gave a sweet and powerful talk.  I couldnt' sit there without tears streaming down my cheeks as she shared stories of the sweet converts and wonderful experiences and hard times she had. It is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that can make hard hearts change and broken lives whole.  What a tremendous blessing.

Sister Tilden taught the young women a wonderful lesson on gratitude. Bro Fast came in dressed as a Samarian leper, the one who came back to express his gratitude to Christ. 

Today I subbed in 6th grade.  It was a pleasant day, nice kids, fun lesson on ancient Egypt and alliteration...not the same lesson, two different ones :)

It's cold outside.  Tonight we are having soup and donuts :)  Grace went to school in shorts and no sweater.  I told her to change.  She didn't want to.  Not worth the fight but a prick in my side all day none the less. 

hogwarts

 We came home on Friday so that the boys would be home for the Ohio vs State Michigan game.  Ohio State won, fyi. Anyway while the boys watched the girls went to Universal.  Our passes are almost expired and we wanted to got to Hogwarts one more time.

We had some most delicious crepes for brunch when we got there then headed in to the park.

It was a lot of fun.  We love the castle the best and got some great photos since Hannah was willing, with some encouragement, to hop the barriers and pose in the best spots!

 It started to rain, cold and wet, by early afternoon so we headed home, first stopping for some delicious Shanghai authentic food that was spicy enough to make my eyes water the whole time but sooo yummy.

family

random pictures

We took the most random pictures this Thanksgiving, but we had a really nice day.  I picked up the girls from Dani in the morning.  We cooked and packed to leave Grandma's and hung out.  It was really nice being at their house all week.  

When Sierra got to Grandma's we went to the temple to enjoy it's beauty, to take a little walk, and to take some pictures. 

Tori and Emma came over to join us for Thanksgiving, love to see them.  Michael and JaNee and the babies came too and the Brandts came for their holiday take 2.

 Dani made a piecaken, it was so delicious! We had turkey and rolls and pies and sides and yumminess!!

 Scarlett liked the cool whip.

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a little football was watched.

These two boys are cute cousins!  River and Ethan.

Amen

and the fun continues

What did we do yesterday? My brain can't remember.  That's why I blog every day :)  It's too hard to keep track otherwise. Okay, got it.  In the morning we hung out with grandma and Papa.  We talked and ate breakfast and tried to make these cute turkey place setting things. Then after lunch we went to Val's and sat around chatting.  Grace made cookies over there and Hannah and Kenz went shopping.  We visited and it was very nice.  We left there and met Sierra at Grandma's and had a very yummy dinner then headed to the movies to see "Arrival", which I really liked.  Sierra's friend also came.  Lastly we came home and watched the dancing with the stars finale. I was happy with the winner!

 Today we got up and headed to Dani's.  She and Hannah did a lot of pre thanksgiving cooking while I played games with Penny.  Grace and Tate played together.

We went to the movies to see Moana, another thumbs up movie.

 Then we went bowling and had dinner at Dani's.

The girls spent the night there tonight and the rest of us came home to Grandma's.  It's snowing outside and there are pies to bake.  

Jordyn and Han are good friends

Another good day done.  I love being close to the family!

cutest couple :) 

french fry eating

Penny did a little dance every time it was her turn!

Ethan was surprisingly not that great.
Rob was really good though:

The End

Monday

Yesterday we went to Dani's.  Rob went fishing.  He caught a couple little fish that he released and he also spotted a beaver that played near him for a long time.  He had a great fishing trip.

 Can you see the beaver in the water?  So cute! Rob said he played by him for a long time.

While he was out Dani, Hannah, Ethan and Grace went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  The girls liked it and the boy did not.  While they were gone Penny, Marshall and I got to stay home and play.  Which was awesome!

Watching the Polar Express, between game playing, book reading and paper cutting.

When the big kids got back from the movies we went to Zupas! Seriously my favorite.  I need to go again....right now :)

Then we went to the bookstore and to visit Val.

Leaving Val's house, in the dark, and caring Penny on my back because it was raining and she didn't have shoes on, I fell down the last step and luckily didn't hurt her but I hurt my ankle and sliced my finger.  So sad.  Now I am gimpy.  Which is embarrassing.

We hobbled home, stopping by a yummy burger joint and ended the evening watching Dancing With The Stars with Grandma and then scriptures and prayer.  It was a really good day.  Despite the injury.

sunday

 Good day.  Long day.  We got up and went to church.  Grandma's ward is very nice and the talks were excellent.

After sacrament Rob and I left to take Grace to urgent care.  We thought she might have strep.  She did not.  But with all the little kids around we couldn't take any chances.

When we got home Emily and Jose and their kids came over to visit and we had a super nice visit with them.

Then they left and the Brandt's and Sierra came and we hung out for the evening playing games, eating, talking.  Fun fun fun.

 When they left they took Grace with them and then the four adults went to visit Val in the hospital.  She's doing well but it's just a hard recovery and a lot of pain.

 We got home at 11 pm and now it's bedtime.  We also face timed Jenna this evening.  It was the best kind of day, one with lots of grandkids and kids and sisters and parents.