So Many Reasons to Give Thanks!

As Mike, Adam, and I were working on Christmas letters and pictures last night, I realized yet again that I had posted very little about Thanksgiving.  I did mention our visit from the Brothers Holmstead, but I hadn't yet written a word about the Forsnes gathering.  It was AWESOME to have all my chicks, my parents, and my sister and her family in our nest for a few days.  'Twas a bit chaotic at times, but the mess and noise were totally worth the strengthened bonds of love and friendship.  I'd do it again tomorrow if I could convince everyone to come.  Y'all come now, ya hear?

It was especially awesome to have my parents back in the country.  They left for Bulgaria two years ago, just after Thanksgiving, and thus missed just one turkey day with the family.  (It seemed like more, however. . .)



The mision was good to them.  They seem healthy and happy.



Fortunately, Mom didn't forget how to quilt while she was gone.  She
helped me decipher incredibly poorly written instructions for a wallhanging.



I had lots of help preparing the food, so I didn't feel too overworked or stressed out.  I'm sure my guests enjoyed getting so many assignments, but really, many hands did make light work.  We had an awesome spread, and the buffet worked great in our new kitchen.

"Everybody smile!"

Andrew knows how to make his mother-in-law happy--take a big old bite
when she's snapping the picture and look like he'd rather be nowhere else.

Of course, the greatest joy of the holiday was the chance to spend time with people that I love.  I also very much enjoy watching my kids hang with their cousins.  I am so pleased that they have this blessing in their lives.  I have five (yes, just five!) cousins, so watching my children interact with so many people who are (a) related to them and (b) built-in friends has been new and exciting.  Five of their 33 cousins were at this gathering:

Jake, who will soon be a missionary in Argentina

Ali, who has the coolest name of all 33 cousins



Rebekah, who likes getting her picture taken about as much as I do

Emma, who's even cuter right side up

Josh, whose age will soon match the number on his shirt

One of the most popular games of the break was Bananagrams.  Adam, our most ardent sports fan, decided to challenge Mike to a sports-themed round.  I was impressed with what he came up with:

"Tarkanian" was particularly impressive

My children got together with the Holmstead offspring in October for a mini-reunion.  They laughed and recounted stories for about three hours.  The best tale they came back with was the story of the potato chip wreath.  Devyn, at age 5, saw his friends with some potato chips.  He, too, wanted potato chips, and he "tricked" his friends' mom into giving him some by telling her that his mom needed some to make a wreath.  When I heard this story, I knew we had to try and make a potato chip wreath.  Karen and I shopped for supplies, but she was the main force behind this creation:

Behold, the potato chip wreath.  They delivered it to Devyn in Provo,
and evidently, he thought it was pretty funny.

And now, on to Christmas!!  Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Oh, How I Love This Boy!

Seven months ago I lamented the fact that I had to be apart from my daughter Rachel on her birthday.  That was all a ruse to distract her while I was driving down to Utah to surprise her on her big day.  Karen, Andrew, and Aunt Brenda were in on the plan, and she was genuinely shocked when I showed up at the Red Iguana to share her celebratory dinner.  Well, today is Matt's birthday, and sadly, there will be no surprise for him.  I'm at home on a Sunday night, missing my oldest son just a little more than usual.  I think it STINKS to be away from my kids on their birthdays.

I'm so grateful for Matt.  He checked in to mortality at a healthy (at least for him) nine pounds, four ounces (despite being 11 days early).  He was a big baby, but he was also a very happy baby.  He had just a bit of nighttime colic for the first month, but once he got through that phase, he was one of the most content little guys I've ever seen.  I vividly remember him sitting on his grandpa's lap for hours, content to just watch what his big sisters were up to.  He also patiently endured the "nurturing" from his older sisters.  I used to kid him that he was "fat, dumb, and happy," in other words, the perfect baby.

Fortunately, he's grown up to be fit, smart, and, best of all, still happy.  He has such a bright outlook on life that in many ways, he reminds me of Mike.  I like his energy and his goofy sense of humor.  He knows how to be silly, and thankfully, he has also learned how to be serious and focused when he needs to be.  He continues to treat me with respect (maybe because Mike would injure him if he didn't), and he has become one of my dearest friends.  It's always awesome to have him home.

I went through our picture files and found a few shots to flesh out this post.  Enjoy the trip down memory lane:

Boise River Festival Parade, circa June 2001

Enduring torture from Mom, a.k.a working in the garden.
Maybe someday one of my kids will actually enjoy this.

Fishing with the Holmsteads

I'd forgotten his cute freckles. . .

Matt becomes a deacon

He's going to kill me for posting this one.
He was one of the boys in the Sound of Music



Circa 2006- This kid wore braces for about four years.



Age 15.  Still has a few freckles. . .

Thumbs up, baby!

First day of Matt's junior year

After his senior recital--relief

Happy to see I have had some influence on him as a mother.

Right after getting ordained an elder.

Since he turns 19 today, I'm hopeful that the last picture becomes representative of what lies ahead--a mission.  I think his papers will be in the works soon so that he can leave after his second semester at BYU.  As an obedient son and at my request, he agreed to finish a year of school before taking off.

Sure do love you, Matt!  Thanks for being an awesome son!  Happy, happy, happy birthday!