Stuff[ed]

It's two days after Thanksgiving and we are still enjoying the remnants of the holiday {that is, we're not quite sick of the food yet}. The food was nothing short of delicious; Sandy fried two turkeys to perfection, we feasted on hors d'oeuvres all day, and the meal itself was SO GOOD! We were all stuffed when all was said and done. We enjoyed the company of my parents and my brother, Tyler, and his wife, Laurie. Getting to Skype with the Johnson's was one of the highlights as well as Sandy's phone call from his dad. The girls got to play Wii games with Tio Ty and Grandpa while the "other girls" {Mom, Laurie, and I} got to do some crafts {thanks Mom!}. Sandy was usually found somewhere in between both and Shad was content being held by anyone that would hold him.
In Sandy's family they have a traditional "Turkey Shoot" which has nothing to do with shooting Turkeys but more just shooting clay pigeon's, and whatever else they can come up with, for fun. We carried that on- the four "big" kids went out and played with guns. Tyler even brought some Tannerite {an exploding target} which was awesome!

 Ty with his sweetheart, Laurie, and their dogs, Audi and Pierre

 We did some fun shots with the guns

 Laurie aiming for the clay pigeon

 Family Picture-we had the Johnson family on Skype :)

Between all the family and food I was in heaven all day! Thanks everyone for coming/visiting/skyping/calling/texting...!!

New Look etc...

A few things, in no particular order-

1) We got family portraits- hence the updated pictures and blog appearance (duh, master of the obvious). It's been a LONG time since we've had a no kidding professional take our family picture, long over due. And, honestly, it was the least stressful family picture in a LONG time! The kids, all three, ESPECIALLY Shad, had SO MUCH FUN! *and I didn't have a monster headache by the end of it all*

2) I gave Shadrik a hair cut. It wasn't his first, that was a few months ago but really was only a trim to even things up a bit. This time was much more serious. We're talking inches. It was a little painful for me and I may have gotten a little teary-eyed-I loved his locks but it was time for the little guy to look more like a little guy rather than a shaggy rag muffin with some serious bangs :) He still has a fair amount of hair though--Sandy tried, and failed, to persuade me into giving him a "high and tight".

3) Something is going on in this household making my girls act like naughty little stinkers lately. Now, I know SOMETIMES sisters fight (Lacy and I NEVER argued, hit, kicked, or pulled each others hair, RIGHT Lace?!?!)... Eli and Livi are no exception, especially lately. Now, they have yet to get into a no kidding brawl (I still can't believe that hasn't happened yet) but they sure have the bickering mastered. I'm hoping the intensity is a phase and by next week we'll resume with the normal, less frequent disagreements.

4) My parents introduced licorice to Shad recently. He likes the stuff, especially the black (pics are pre-hair cut)

5) Thanksgiving is next week?! CHRISTMAS IS NEXT MONTH? Where'd the year go?!

Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Distance makes the heart grow fonder. If that statement has any truth to it, I am in TROUBLE!

We spent the weekend in Utah, which is always a fun little trip for us. This trip was momentous in that I FINALLY got to visit the (sorta) new Tai Pan in Clearfield! Oh GOODNESS-fun trip! Not only were all 3 kids good the whole time, but I got to shop with my mom and Sis-In-Law.
I also found out last week that a Tai Pan opened, in Boise, in September. It's fortunate for Sandy both locations are a good 1 1/2 plus hours drive from where we live. Unfortunately for Sandy, when I do get to go, it's a (semi) massive trip (I do try and behave...sort of! ) :)

The Halloween That Never Ends

You would think with Halloween landing on a Monday this year most, if not all, of the festivities would take place that day, as opposed to it being on Sunday. Well, that's what I thought anyways...boy was I wrong!
We grew pumpkins in our garden this year and ended up with about 21 total, ranging in size from little to carving size! We spent one weekend with grandparents here decorating a few with funny faces.
We took another night and carved a big one. The girls get into it more and more each year; cleaning the guts out is the funnest part for them.
Eli had her class party on Friday; Livi, Shad and I went to part of it, too.
Saturday we had a Halloween party. I was selected to host a Monster Halloween party by a company and they sent out a box of fun goodies for the party, too. That was a good time! Then, Sandy took the girls to our ward's Trunk-or-Treat that night (Shad was sick so he and I stayed home).
We even got treats in church Sunday-mostly to celebrate the Primary Program being done (hallelujah!). After church we got to enjoy a fun dinner with friends.
Monday-Halloween-Eli had another, small class party, with it being Halloween and all. Then we all went trick-or-treating that night.
And yes, one more day, Livi got her preschool party on Tuesday.
Phew! It's over, decorations are put away til next year, and the girls are already discussing what to be!

Silly face pumpkins

The cleaning of the pumpkin plus the finished result, with clean kids.

Eliana was a Lalaloopsy (I didn't know what it was either-now I do. It's a doll, quite a popular toy within her circle of friends). The one she's dressed as is known as Pillow Featherbed.
Olivia was also a Lalaloopsy (after thinking she would be a red crayon, a butterfly princess, or Rapunzel. She ultimately decided being like big sister would be best). She's dressed like Spot Splatter Splash. And now you are now in the Lalaloopsy know :)
Shad was the cutest little teddy bear. Ever.
Sandy=clown
Ann=bubble gum machine (use your imagination people!)