Odds and Ends, and Odds

Hellooo! How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was great! (See previous posts) The above picture gives you a little window into living with Mark. 'Nuff said. ;) Yesterday, Mark had some errands to run, so he dropped me off at D.I. to look around. Of course, I went straight for the toy aisle. They must have had Bishop's night and sent out what wasn't taken, because the store was really full! There were a gazillion naked Barbies that I, being the compulsive gatherer that I am, put back in their proper bins, arms, legs, and hair straightened and tidy. This drives Mark crazy, but I enjoyed it, and an elderly male employee thanked me for doing it. That really made my morning! I managed to find a few treasures, such as a MARY ENGLEBREIT bulletin board! It was hiding under a bunch of wooden craft projects, just waiting for li'l ole me...how sweet was that?! Then, Ben and Linda stopped by on their way home from Bancroft. Linda and I made plans to get together, with all our STUFF, to make Christmas cards. How fun! (Sorry...I was so excited to see them and I forgot to take pictures :/) They said Buddy and Jewel are doing well, and they are in a HUGE pasture by the house, about a mile long, and can run full out, to their hearts' content. Linda rode Buddy and Ben rode Jewel, then 2 of Linda's brothers worked with Jewel on yielding her head (she's a bit rusty). Sometime they're going to pack them into the hills, to give them experience. Isn't that a dream come true? Linda said they are kind of like 'their' horses now, yet we get to go ride them, too. Awesome! Phillip is at Fort Bragg, N.C., for a week of equipping, etc., before heading off to Iraq. He's says it's scary, yet exciting. He has one friend from Basic that will be shipping out with him. Hard to believe that Phillip is just-turned eighteen and helping fight a war overseas. Sheesh! Where did the time go? (Sunrise, Sunset...) Seth is quieter than normal lately. I told him it's the tryptophan, but maybe it's just 'jet lag' from his visit to Justin's. Seth helped with the kids alot when they were here, taking them out to see the neighbor's goats and such. Thanks, Seth! I had more to say, but I can't remember what it was - maybe I'll add more later on. Right now, my blog is acting up a bit, so I'll close for now. (See? I started on Odd, and now this is the End, and I'm Ending on my own mixed up thoughts - Odd!)

Yay!

It's Thanksgiving Weekend! One of my favorite times of the year! And I'm posting...finally. But I have an excuse, 'cause I've had a chest cold, and I've been either resting or having fun, as in going to the Twilight movie with loved ones, who either liked it or loved it. (I'm a proud member of the latter group, for each of two viewings so far!)

First, I saw it with Mark, last Friday. Then the girls and I went on Wednesday. And on Thursday they came over with their families and we ate, talked, and watched old home videos courtesy of Megan, while the kids ran around, played with toys, ate some regular food, then popcorn and marshmallows, cried, laughed, and ran some more. It was hilarious!

Haley and Dallin came early and helped us get ready for the big day Each family brought some delicioso food to add to the feast! Lainie helps decorate Anya isn't so sure about this Lainie's crazy stockings Some of the beautiful decorations Megan arranged for us Audrey and Alaina on Grandma's lap (good picture of me - that's the kind I love :) Melinda and Haley holding babies and watching home videos Alex pauses to give Grandma a closeup Aiden chills with Dad One of the two tables full of dinner I love this shot that shows how blue Lainie's eyes are The other table full...Everyone looks happy! Dallin played outside with the kids...Look at Audrey's cute stockings! Tristan's turn with the popcorn bucket Okay, these three shots are of all the 'girlies' that were there Leto wondering who's going to clean up all these toys (our guests did - Thanks!)

Ideas About...

Our home during remodeling, without the porch railing . . . Still, isn't it a cutie?

Yesterday afternoon, Megan and her children, and Sara and TJ's Alyssa, came over to decorate for Christmas. The kids played on the little table in the family room, we played Christmas music, and we basked in the warmth of the gas fireplace. Yay! They also watched My Neighbor Totoro, a Myazaki(sp?) animated movie that is so gentle - it's a little gem! And then they half-way watched part of the Wizard of Oz. By that evening, the tree was up (not quite finished - pics later) and the place was Christmas-y and toasty warm! After some French toast, courtesy of Grandpa Doc, we used Megan's projector to watch Get Smart. It was immediately obvious that the kids were too tired and fussy by that juncture, so we sent the movie home with Megan and called it a night. While they were here, I couldn't help thinking about the fact that this house actually has 500 sq. feet more on one floor than our last home (there, the second floor was inaccessible to me). You can be in one part of this house and never know that the other parts exist. I love that! Also, we have a bigger yard, an apple tree, a fenced pasture, and a quiet, country-atmosphere neighborhood, with goats and horses and cows all around us. People grow gardens with huge pumpkins, and no one bothers your stuff here. That's important! We also have 2 full bathrooms, an extra bedroom, a craft room, and a big front porch. It's a relatively small house; it's just planned well. Oh, and it has so much southern sunshine and light, and a great view of the mountains! I just want to express my gratitude for our little, snug, older home. It has its quirks and its mysteries. It has a history. It's in an older neighborhood - and that's part of its charm (even if the basement was leaking yesterday, due to some little rubber hose from nowhere that is no longer being used...yes, we're crossing our fingers that it's not important!). I'm really grateful that this house holds our kids, grandkids, family, and friends. It gives us a place to have Family Home Evenings. It gives us a place to have fun and talk to each other while the kids play, Or...To play with the kids while the grownups talk! ;) And it gives us a place to gather at the table and give thanks. And I think that's something wondrous to be thankful for. P.S. I'm so grateful for Megan's help. I can't believe how much she got done, and how magical it makes the house feel. Thanks, Megan and Little Elf-Helpers! You did a great job!