We are thankful!!!

Here is the list of things we are thankful for this year:
Our Savior Jesus Christ
A roof over our head
Food to eat
A pretty good two year supply
Family: it keeps growing and getting better
Friends that like us just the way we are
A wonderful wife/husband that encourages me
Minds that are open and able to learn
Seasons for the Earth
Children that keep you feeling young
Friends that remind you everyday that your situation could change at any moment
Good health
Wonderful new friends

There are a lot of things on our list but for now this will do.  Here's to you and yours for a great Thanksgiving dinner.

Dog tired

Have you ever had one of those days?  I did just the other day.  After a LONG day at both jobs I was glad to get home.  I walked in two hours after hoping to be home and opened my email.  There was a note from my cousin Kris telling me that she needed to get a hold of my father because Aunt Beverly was not doing well and was dying.  I replied with his numbers and started a few phone calls myself.  It was a great message to me that my load was not more than I could bare.  I remember when my Mom passed away like it was yesterday.  Some things you just never forget.  I had a great night visiting with cousins from my past who I have not had a lot of contact with.  It was great to talk to them and get re acquainted with them.  After a few more hours of time I just crawled into bed and felt just like this.

ThanksGiving

We have been working hard to Give to people this season.  Giving doesn't always have to be something that is worth money.  Yesterday I was shopping and the lady in back of me only had two items.  I had a cart of groceries and invited her to go in front of me.  Really you would have thought I gave her $100.  She thanked me three times and wished me a good day.  With out that little gesture, I am sure we wouldn't have exchanged any words.  Also, this week I traded job assignments with one of my co workers so she could run get lunch.  I had a few extra minutes and she was working in the office alone.  She also thanked me for letting her grab lunch.  Last week in church we were talking about giving charity.  My Mom was a great example of this.  She would do what ever she could to help or give charity to others.  She didn't have a lot of money to give but she made things happen.  Today I will try to find small ways to help others.  You should try it out.  It will make you feel better about YOU!

Boo from the crew

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  Hope you all have a great halloween.  I know I will.  I get to hang out this week with some cool kids.

He's back

Last night we made the journey to SLC to pick up Elder Elliot Gillies from the airport.  After he had a long day flying to Hong Kong and then to LA he made it back to Utah.  It was so much fun counting down to his arrival.  Lena spent the night with me and we made a bunch of signs to decorate the airport and the garage.  I only got a few photos with my phone but as soon as Lena, Lori and Megan post their photos I'll add some more.  It will be good to visit with him on Sunday after he speaks in church.  Welcome Home Elliot we love you and missed you.

Lena made a great sign for the garage

Fall is back

Yesterday was a rainy morning.  Today was a rainy all day long.  While I was out running errands this afternoon in the rain my pants became wet.  You know how well cotton pants dry right? Well on my way home to fix dinner I decided today was the day.  First fire of the year.  This has usually been one of my favorite nights of the year. You know how romantic a fire is.  A snuggle buddy and a good dinner make a fire all that much nicer.  I knew tonight was not going to be a snuggle buddy kind of night because I got strict orders to let John sleep until 9:00pm but I did think a fire and a good dinner was worth the sacrifice.  I fixed an easy dinner of pork chops and bakers and started my fire.  That's the funny part.

 I figured I would use a self starting log because the hatchet is in the garage waiting for one more camping trip.  I light the paper that surrounds the log and wait.  All of the paper is burning but the log is not burning.  I light another match to start more of the paper on fire.  Still the log refuses to burn.  Here is where I get desperate.  You see, we do a lot of camping in the year and I can usually make a great fire with one match and a few pieces of wood.  I have some wood inside but no way to cut it.  I break the piece into small pieces and start my very own wood fire on the side of the log hoping it will start on fire at some point.  Good news...the log will burn once you have a very nice fire burning on it.  Note to self.  Take all of the dura flames out of the 72 hour kit and replace with real wood.

You don't have to push a hand cart

to tour the Church history museum.  It was a great thing to fill up a whole Friday night.  In fact we didn't even finish the whole thing.  The upstairs has a hands on display.  I know, its for kids.  When we saw it we looked at each other and grinned.  We tried out all of the activities.  It was supper fun and we probably looked really funny to the grown ups that were helping their kids but it was supper fun.

John trying his hand at building an ark

M gathering eggs from the hen house

Reading the fine pring on the gold plates

Having a snack with the missionaries.

This is IT! This is what we came for.  I only make it to his knee.

Look whos talking:)