Thanksgiving and the TREE HUNT 2014

This Thanksgiving went off without one hitch! Everything was so lovely and so perfect. And this Thanksgiving we have SO much to be grateful for. We're so blessed. This year was my family's year so we had Thanksgiving dinner at Kathy's on Wednesday night. What a meal!!! Kath made the Turkey, potatoes, and gravy. Janie made some incredible rolls, salad, jello, and pie. And I made the sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and ice cream pie. We had a fun dance party, played charades, had a little lesson and just really enjoyed being together. Todd is so missed. Such a big personality that's not there anymore but I see so much of him in his boys. - The next morning we woke up and watched the Macey's Thanksgiving day parade together, made more food, and headed to my moms for another wonderful meal. That lady knows how to put a meal together. She's incredible. We ended the night kind of early so we could all go home and get ready for the tree hunt. We weren't really sure what to do with Kemp and didn't know whether we should even go or not. But I felt like I had already missed so many things this year that I didn't want to miss this and I knew I could keep him safe and warm in his car seat so....up to Preston we went! Kemp was an angel and didn't cry once. Tob went and got us our tree, we had soup and salad with the cousin, the kids all saw Santa, and we had a wonderful time singing Christmas Songs at the top of our lungs both there and back...Tate included. I can honestly say this may be one of my all-time favorite traditions EVER!!!!

Cash and Toby's Birthday

This year we combined Toby and Cash's birthdays with both the Christensen's and the Down's. It was Todd's one year since his passing...so this year we really wanted to focus on celebrating Todd's life. We all met up at the Blue Lemon for lunch and then headed out to the grave for some family time. We shared memories and thoughts and feelings, we sang together and then headed up to Kathy's. Kathy gave Toby one of the most beautiful thoughtful gifts I've ever seen. It was a picture of Christ with a sweet little baby representing Kemp. On the bottom were the words, "I've already got it covered." Some words that have some really deep meaning to Toby and I. So sweet of her. That night Toby and i were able to get away for about an hour to run to dinner at Red Robin. Probably wasn't the funnest birthday for Toby but we had some good moments that day. - That friday night my dad reserved the Institute again for all of us to have a party together for both of them. I surprised Tob and invited Tory and Janie and their little family which was so fun. We are SOOOO glad they've moved here. It's been wonderful having them around. The kids had a blast riding bikes, scooters, playing ping-pong, and basketball. I love our families. I love celebrating occasions like this with them. Sunday was Cash's birthday and Elle was such a doll waking up extra early to make sure he had his breakfast in bed. We had some family over that even to have cake and ice cream with us and open PRESENTS!!! Happy birthday to my BOYS!!!

More Random Pics

Just a couple more random pics I want to always remember. Kemp with his little hat and socks, watching Signs with the family, Tate's killer smile, and Tate showing me what he wants for Christmas. I want this and this and this.....!