So much to be THANKFUL for!

Last week we went on vacation - well, I did. Kenny had meetings, so Stetson and I went along for the ride. We spent a wonderful three days swimming, shopping, watching TV, and just relaxing - it was WONDERFUL! The only thing that would have made it better was if Stetson and I hadn't been sick :( Oh well, it could have been worse! Definately something to be THANKFUL for!Stetson enjoying the "big" bed at the hotel

Saturday morning I hurried home to make it to Monticello in time to hear our Relief Society General President, Sister Julie Beck. It was SO worth it to get back for that! The meeting was so awesome! The spirit was so strong for the entire two hours, and I was filled to overflowing. Sister Beck came with no notes, just her scriptures, the Proclamation to the Families, and the Conference Issue of the Ensign. She invited anyone who wanted to ask questions, and she answered them. Of course I wasn't brave enough to ask any of the questions I had, but

her responses to the questions of others answered ALL of my questions. What an awesome experience! Something else to be THANKFUL for!

Saturday night my niece Aspen Jennette Palmer was born. A beautiful little girl, weighing only 5 lbs. 8 oz., 19 1/2" long, with big beautiful eyes and tons of hair. It was an expected C-section, but not an emergency, and her daddy was able to witness her birth (the first of their 4 children). Both mom and baby are well and healthy. Congratulations Josh and Candice! Definately another blessing to be THANKFUL for!

Aspen Jennette, and big brother Zackary

On Tuesday, November 24th I celebrated 9 wonderful years with the love of my life. I honestly can't believe it has been that long, and yet I can't imagine life without Kenny. He is such an awesome example, wonderful husband and father, and shows more patience, understanding and support than I deserve. Some of the things I love most about Kenny are his positive attitude and contagious smile. When Kenny walks in with that big smile and sparkling blue eyes, everything seems right! I love you tons hon - forever and ever! Something else to be THANKFUL for!What a PERFECT time to celebrate THANKSGIVING!!! After a pretty rocky month, my family sat down together for a yummy dinner of the traditional Turkey and mashed potatoes. One of the highlights was when my mom asked us to go around the table and each say something that we are thankful for. I could have gone on all day, but instead I narrowed it down to a few things that I belive make all the others possible - the gospel, the atonement, and prayer. By the time we were done, we all had tears in our eyes. Seeing my parents sitting together at the head of the table - definately something to be THANKFUL for! 5 lb Aspen on her first Thanksgiving, next to the 16 lb turkey

Just a preview of the wonderful buffet of food we enjoyed on Thanksgiving

And finally, one more thing to be THANKFUL for - my handsome son, Stetson.

2A State Football Champions!

The early morning trip to Alta High School, and freezing in the snow storm was all worth it to watch the San Juan Bronco Football team win the 2A State Title. Way to go boys!!! The first quarter was beautiful weather, and I started to question why I had brought so many blankets and coats. But just before half time it started to get dark, and by the time the Royals and the Cheerleaders took the field to dance, it was snowing pretty hard! The girls did awesome - even though they were freezing!

I wondered for a minute if they would cancel or postpone the game, but nobody missed a beat. Some guys started shoveling the lines, reporters covered their cameras with blankets, and the boys came out of the locker room ready to play football. As I sat in the stands under an umbrella, wearing who knows how many layers, wrapped up in a warm blanket, and still shivering, my admiration for these high school boys and their coaches increased. The turf field was covered in snow, and very slippery. It was snowing so hard, you almost couldn't see - especially the guys in the white uniforms! The wind was blowing and the snow almost burned as it hit any bare skin. But the boys played as though their very lives depended on it. Under these conditions, the boys couldn't play football like they had practiced, they had to dig down deep and play with something else - HEART. It wasn't talent or skill that won this football game, though the Broncos possessed plenty of both, it was the determination and heart of a good group of young men who knew what they wanted and were willing to do whatever it took to get there. This is an awesome group of young men, and they DESERVE to be the State Champions! Way to go Broncos!!!"Never give up!" quarterback Cameron Shumway, ready to make a pass in the snow "It was all worth it!" the San Juan Broncos celebrating with the trophy

(my brother Jesse, #55, is the guy to the left of the guy holding the trophy)

A Halloween Surprise

The best part about Halloween is that we also get to celebrate my brother Jade's birthday. And this year was extra special because he turned 16! Congratulations Jade! We love you tons, and are so proud of you for your accomplishments and the wonderful young man you are becoming!Jade worked for us on the ranch this summer, and did an awesome job. So, for a thank you gift/birthday gift we had Shawn Jack make some new chaps for him. He must have liked them since he used them as part of his Halloween costume, dressed up as a cowboy. Though it didn't really seem like he was "dressed up", Jade is a cowboy, and a good one too! Happy Birthday little bro!

For lunch we got together and made a Halloween Feast, complete with pizza, bones and blood (breadsticks and red sauce), and mummies (little smokies wrapped in bread dough). It was a lot of fun, and super yummy too. The kids had a blast!

Next we went to the Quarter Final football game where the San Juan Broncos played the Kanab cowboys. The Broncos didn't play their best, but they did play well enough to win the game 13-7. So, it is on to the semi-finals next week in Cedar City. Go Broncos!

This year we dressed Stetson up as a basket of laundry, he started the day as a basket of clean laundry, but by the time we went trick-or-treating he was a basket of dirty laundry. He really wasn't impressed with this costume, I guess it was just too bulky or something. Don't worry, next year I will let HIM decide what he wants to be for Halloween. . .

. . .but this year, he had to make an announcement!Yup, it's true, Stetson is going to be a BIG BROTHER! The due date is June 1st - we are super excited! Don't worry, I will keep you posted!

Disclaimer: I ordered this shirt with plans to put it OVER a costume, but when they sent the wrong size (6 months), I had to move to plan B - make the shirt PART of the costume. I pinned it, along with lots of other clothes, to his clothes, cut out the bottom of a laundry basket, and PRESTO - a basket of laundry!