Family is Everything

It was really nice to spend Thanksgiving with our own family this year. We've invited families over in the past, and that was really fun too, but it was a great change of pace. We still had all the good stuff (Ethan took this picture of his plate...obviously his eyes were bigger than his stomach!) and the kids took great naps. We have a super yummy apple crisp waiting for later! Another wonderful thing, Ethan's brother Todd flew home from Georgia today. He finished serving a 2-year mission for our church. We can't wait to see him again.

We are so blessed for all that we have. We're thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and our knowledge of him, our little family, our home, friends, other loved ones, Ethan's job, that I can be home with the kids, our health... and oh, so much more!

Jaren celebrated Thanksgiving with his class on Monday. They were pilgrims, and friends in another class were Native Americans. Jaren was one of the few that still had on his costume when I came to get him. They sang a few Thanksgiving songs for the parents. Jaren did great!

I take WAY too many pictures! I just can't help it! I seriously took about 100 pictures while trying to find (or get) the perfect picture for our Christmas cards this year. Enjoy the photo shoot!

Last Friday night, as I was talking to my mom, she mentioned that she had the next week off, and an hour later, she had a ticket to fly to see us! So she flew from Seattle (5:30 am) to Milwaukee to Detroit. It took her about 12 hours. We are so grateful that she came, and the kids just couldn't get enough of her. It was sad to see her off at the airport tonight. The boys consider our spare bedroom as "Grandma's room". We wish we could see her more often! We love you Grandma!

Jaren is now a pro at getting his teeth cleaned. He did a great job. Xander was very curious about what what happening...