All the kids went to Papa and Grammies to get their matching cozy jammies for our adventure on the Polar Express.   Chase loved riding on train all the way to the North Pole.  He loved the boy elves, but not the girl elves.  He couldn’t wait for the “chefs to shoot the hot Coco from the machines.”  Paige loved  seeing Santa and getting her bell from Santa’s reindeer!  Ashlyn loved being  with all of her cousins.  We’re glad Parker made the good list this year. I think he wants to be an Elf when he grows up so he can eat “candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup!”

We celebrated up at Mom & Dad’s house.  When Jami was here on Sunday, she made an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.  Lucky us!  Lindsey and I cooked dinner and used some of Jami’s yummy left overs.  Mallory made Nana’s famous Chocolate Pies.  Todd was here for the week helping take care of mom.  We loved spending time with him.  

We all have so much to be grateful for this year.  As we went around and shared our blessings, family came up very often. We are all so thankful for Mom making the decision to have her surgery and being so brave!  She doesn’t complain and has such a positive attitude.  What an example she is to me!  I’m most thankful for Heavenly Father’s tender mercies.  Every day I see them in my life.  Some days I take more time to recognize them.  I know they are there everyday.  He watches mindfully over me and my little family.  I know He loves us and knows what we need to become more like He is. 

Ashlyn sent this email out today.  I LOVE her!!

Hello everyone!  I hope you are having a good Thanksgiving!! This thanksgiving, I was really focusing on the gospel and the priesthood. The priesthood because the night before my Grandma Brenda got her knees replaced, she had a blessing by my dad, grandpa and my Uncle Jeph. I still didn't feel better, so I asked if I could get one that I would be comforted that everything would be OK. Boy, Everything did!! The gospel, because it leads and guides us everyday. I was looking at the definitions of thanksgiving and I really thought about them. Here they are:

1. The act of giving thanks.

2. A prayer of expressing gratitude.

3. A public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.

I Love all you guys!! 2 things I am grateful for is yes, all of you and your kids.   For Chris and Melissa and your dogs. HA HA.  I am also very grateful for my Aunt Tracy, on my dad's side. She died from Cancer.  I hope you have a great thanksgiving!!  Oh and please Email me I check mine 5x Everyday.  My mom found out that 1 of her very best friends Cyd was moving here because I emailed her.  

LOVE YOU ALL 

Ashlyn

P.S.  Chase is grateful for water. “When four year olds drink water they burp.  Moms, Dads, Brothers and Sisters say, eww  yuck!!”

Lindsey called a couple of days ago and asked what I had planned for my birthday.  She said she thought of something fun we could go do.  She was going to pick me up at 10:30.  She came to pick me up.  I was trying to get Paige ready to go with Papa (she was home sick).  I was visiting with my dad and Linds.  Putting my lip gloss on.  Looking for my camera to take a picture of us.  I was just taking my time and enjoying my morning.   At about 11:10, I was ready to go.  I had No idea what Linds had planned and that I was taking years off her life.  We got to Dear Lizzie (a really cute cafe and shop in Alpine), I tried to look around.  Lindsey apparently was really hungry….  I got to the cafe in the back and started looking at the treats deciding what to take Brooke ( who was suppose to be in bed). She called my name, I look next to me and see Brooke, Becca, Melissa and lots of others waiting there for me.  SURPRISE!!?!  It only takes me a few minutes to realize what was happening.  This is where the WISER part comes in!!  I can't believe she pulled it off without me knowing anything!  It was so fun!!  I feel so LOVED.  I know I have the best sister ever!  You should see the invitations and the favors she gave out!  We continued the party at the hospital with my sweet mom.  We brought her yummy food from my party and curled her hair.  Thank you Linds for making my birthday one I will never forget.  I called Steve on my new i phone (thanks Steve!).  The fun continued with Chris and Melissa at dinner, movie and hot chocolate at their house!  perfect day...