My (Julie) mom put together a fun Thanksgiving Day scavenger hunt. The items found were things to remind us what we should be thankful for in our life.
Here are two shots of the kids scavenging.
Cousin Jordin.
Family can find more pictures here.
It all started seven years ago this month! Thank you for so many amazing experiences and memories! :)
I love you Julie!!!!
Remember when wards and stakes put on insane productions, skits, and plays? My parents ward put on a version of Johnny Lingo. For some inconceivable reason I was cast as Johnny without even volunteering! So if you want to see me and several other friends dancing, singing, and pretending to be Polynesian then view the three videos below at your own risk! My parents are both in it too! I am not to be held responsible. If you’d like to download the video visit the gallery here. Hover over the video in the gallery and you’ll see a save movie option.
Am I lazy if I just post pictures without a paragraph or two to accompany them? Probably, but I don’t think these need much explanation.
A few more pictures are here.
A couple of Saturdays ago Rob and I got on a crafty kick. He’s been wanting to make this for Nate for a while.
Since Nate got something fun to play with, I decided to paint these nesting dolls for Madeleine.
These toys are super cute and I’d love to say that the kids play with them all the time. But, as it turns out, it took longer for us to make these than it took the kids to get bored with them. Oh, well.
While the paint was drying on the dolls, I put this together for our bedroom.
And anyone have any ideas for what I can do with 4 square carpet samples? They’re from Pottery Barn and super cute so I hate to just throw them out but I can’t think of what to do with them.
This is the final installment of our trip to Pennsylvania. For the last day there, we decided to spend it walking around Philadelphia. Rob and I are city walkers. Every city we visit we just love to walk and walk and walk. What better way to see somewhere new? So we returned our rental car, strapped the kids into strollers, and off we went for a good 9 hours of pedestrian fun.
We started at City Hall.
Then walked up through JFK Plaza
to Logan Circle.
We’ve always wanted to check out a big city library so we visited the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Then walked down 18th street and shared an authentic Philly Cheesesteak for lunch.
We chased and took pictures of the pigeons in Rittenhouse Square.
Then walked along Locust street, turned down the Avenue of the Arts, and then onto Antique Row.
At this point, the kids were tuckered out and each fell asleep in their stroller. Rob and I walked through Society Hill on our way to…
Independence Park. Originally, we had planned to take turns going on the tour through Independence Hall, but since the kids were asleep, we decided to try to go together. Sure enough, 3 minutes in, they both woke up. Then 6 minutes later we had to leave our tour to cross the street and find a bathroom for Nate. So, unfortunately, we didn’t get to see much of the famous building where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written.
But we did get to see the Liberty Bell.
Then we walked through Old City, passed Betsy Ross’ House, and to Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest, continuously inhabited street in all of America).
We saw the Ben Franklin Bridge, then walked a circle back to Market street. On Market street we suddenly seemed out of place being Caucasian and found ourselves amongst multitudes of “bling” shops. Not just any bling, rapper bling. And wig shops. Quite interesting.
We ate dinner at Reading Terminal Market before catching the train back to our hotel.
My favorite thing about Philadelphia is all the small, tree-lined, cobblestoned streets with beautifully painted antique doors and shutters. It’s so different from what we have here.
Our trip was great. We are SO thankful we got to visit Grandma Maria. Nate wanted to look at a map the other day and asked where Great Grandma Raines lives. It was such a blessing to be able to take my kids to meet her. They have great memories of her, which was my whole hope for this trip.
A couple of weekends ago Rob and I text messaged a couple of family members letting them know that if they wanted some quick, easy portraits taken to come on over to my parent’s house the next evening and we’d have a little photoshoot. My sister-in-law, Teresa, replied right away saying she wanted to get 3 of her 4 her kids’ portraits done. So after eating dinner at my parent’s house, we headed into the living room (I mean, photo studio) and got some cute pictures taken.
Teresa told me that she had to cancel her appointment at Kiddie Kandids TWICE because she just couldn’t get all her kids dressed and over to the store when her appointment time came. And just the thought of sitting there for over an hour in the cramped, un-fun store with the crazy kids did NOT sound fun to her. I don’t blame her!! I did that once before we started into photography and it was not something I’d ever want to do again. This was so much easier! The kids sat on the chair, we made funny faces, then got a few cute smiles. DONE! Eezy Schmeezy. Tons less stress on kids, tons less stress on mom.
Michael. Look at that smile! Soooo cute!!!
Addison. Such a sweetheart.
Justin: A handsome boy.
Addison cheesing it up for the camera.
Justin hamming it up for the camera.
Two of them with their mom.
Chase wasn’t able to be there that night, but we’ll for sure get him next time. Family can see more pictures here.
My kids’ hat hair after we’ve played outside in the snow.
The feeling I have while walking from the gym to my car after completing a challenging workout.
Finally getting the master bedroom painted.
Successfully cutting Rob’s hair into a discreet fauxhawk.
The courage to give a neighbor the Conference edition of the Ensign.
Ego-Nutella sandwiches.
Rob and I finally getting to watch The Office, Modern Family, and The Daily Show on Hulu tonight.
My mom’s turkey (and mashed potatoes. and rolls. and pies.)
Visiting Rob’s sister and family in Boise over the long weekend.
New sheets.
Pictures we take that are actually good and the enjoyment we get out of creating art.
Celebrating Thanksgiving with Rob’s family on Wednesday night. 2 Thanksgivings = pure joy.
A warm house.
Funyuns (Gross, I know).
Madeleine learning a new word every day (although her favorites are still “don’t” “stop it” and “mine.”)
Cub scouts being almost fully stocked with great leaders and enthusiastic boys.
My wedding ring coming back from the jewelers nicely cleaned and replated.
Rob allowing me to be completely honest about my feelings. Our communication is top-notch.
Nate having a bunch of friends to play with outside every afternoon.
The reassurance I get every day from knowing the Plan of Salvation and that my Heavenly Father loves me.
A couple of Sundays ago Rob and I set up a mock photobooth in my mom’s living room and invited some family members to take advantage of it. (Rob will explain how to do this in an upcoming Tip-or-Tech Tuesday post on our photography blog.)
My niece, Liz, is engaged to Zach and will be getting married next year. They’re a cute couple, doesn’t it show?! These are not official engagement pictures, but super fun shots of them nonetheless.
Congrats!
I love the look on Zach’s face in the above shot. He looks a little suspicious, haha.
