It's all about the turkey

It's all about the Turkey...

and the mashed potatoes... and the pies...
and playing games...
and Sam doing dishes!!!

I am thankful for an awesome family and amazing food and I'm very thankful that dinner was not at my house (o: !!!

Photo Fun

Literary Crack

That's what the lady at the pool last summer called it, and she is so right. As far a great Literature goes Twilight is pretty juvenile. That's not an insult considering who the target audience is. And no matter how old you are, its good be a little juvenile at heart. Which is why women of all ages (and any men who give it a chance), are in love with Twilight. "In love" is too mild a term for some of us. Dare I say, "obsessed" or perhaps even "addicted". At first I was a tad embarrassed about my addiction, but I've decided to come clean and embrace it. I have read the first 3 books twice. I was present at the mid-night release of "Breaking Dawn". We even wore shirts and hats proclaiming our team of choice. I even experience a minor case of PTD, Post Twilight Depression, when I was done with book 4. I've been watching trailers for the movie over and over on line for the past... I don't know how many months, And finally I went to the mid-night premiere of the movie. We got there 2 hrs. early to insure optimum viewing. I went to see it again last night with Sam, and I can't wait to go see it again tonight with my mom, and anyone else who wants to come. Karen?... Andrea?... Anyone?
It's only been the past couple of years that I have discovered the joys of reading just for fun and I'm so glad I did. Being able to escape into a book every once and awhile has saved my sanity on on more than one occasion. I can't get enough of books like "Harry Potter" and now "Twilight", but I also have read some more grown-up books that I love too. Most recently, "The Kite Runner". It was fabulous, in a heart breaking, reminding me what a charmed life I have, sort of way.
After re-reading this post I feel the need to express the fact that I really do have a life, really.

To all of my "All because two people fell in love" kind of friends. I still love you, and the fact is I don't really think that it's as bad as I make it sound (I just really like saying "gag me with a spoon"). But really I think it's nice, (for you). I've just never been very romantic that way. Did you see the movie or even the previews for the movie, Nights in Rodanthe? Remember the scene where Diane Lane is showing Richard Gere the wooden box she made? She tells him "it's to keep special things safe". He looks at her (you know the look) and says "Who keeps you safe?". All I can say is if some guy, I don't care how wonderful or hot he was, said that to me I would crack up laughing. I'm not sure what that says about me. Maybe I'm emotionally immature or maybe I didn't receive enough love as a child (just kidding mom) or maybe I'm just too sarcastic to appreciate romantic gestures and expressions of love. If my man will do the dishes and clean a bathroom every now and then, that's all the romance I need.

Words of Wisdom

I love vinyl lettering. I use it a lot in my home. In the kitchen I have a sign that says "I kiss better than I cook". I tell people,"It's true... and I'm a verrry good cook." Okay, so I'm not that good of a cook but it's a nice conversation piece. Over the dinning table I have a quote by Ronald Reagan "All great change in America begins at the dinner table", most people really like that one, but when Sam's super liberal Democrat aunt saw it she made a point of telling me what a horrible family man Ronald Reagan was. Oh well. "Bless this home with love and laughter" is on the fire place mantel, "Welcome" on the front door, and many others.
Have you seen this quote? It's usually hanging over a family picture or pictures of people's kids, "All because two people fell in love". Maybe you have this quote in your house. If so please don't be offended but every time I see it, it makes me think of another quote, "Gag me with a spoon". You could argue that I'm just not as "in loooove" with my spouse as you are, but really I think it's just because I'm more realistic. Over my shelf of family pictures I'm thinking I'll put "All because two people had no idea what they were getting themselves into".

Routan Babymaker

Okay, just for fun go here , upload your photos and make a baby. Here are a few of mine and Sam's babies. Luckly we make cuter babies in real life.

Oh what a night!

So I'm thinkin' that if I can't get a nap at some point today, tonight will have to be a "take-out" night. If you know me, you know that somewhere very close to the top of my list of favorite things to do is the word SLEEP. I really really like sleep, I like a lot of sleep, and last night I did not get a lot of sleep and the sleep that I got... not so good.
At 1 in the morning McKay woke up crying, no big deal, it happens. Usually we don't even get up. All we have to do is yell from our room, "K.K. go back to sleep." Really, it usually works. Not last night. So eventually I get up and go to his room. In the dark I can see him sitting up in his crib and all of his blankets on the floor. He loves his blankets and must have all three of them when he goes to bed. He only throws them out of bed in preparation for getting out of bed himself. I get a little closer and notice first the smell and then that he is naked from the waist down. Let's try to look on the bright side. The smell I smelled was only pee. It could have been much worse. I then head down stairs to get a diaper. The diapers are in the laundry room. Also in the laundry room is our dog, that's where he sleeps. Of course then the dog wakes up too. Back upstairs I put on a new diaper and then I have a decision to make. Do I take the time to change all of McKay's bedding or do I put him in bed with me? Well, now I know, but at 1 in the morning and very very tired I made the wrong decision. I put him in bed with me. At first it was very sweet. He snuggled up close and put his arm around me and I couldn't help but think how lucky I was and how he is growing up so fast and how I wish this could last forever. That feeling wore off pretty quick when 2 o'clock rolled around and he was tossing and turning and I was still not back to sleep. With only about two feet on my side of the bed I decided to get another blanket and try curling up at the bottom of the bed. I did finally go back to sleep but woke up with a kink in my neck.
Lessons learned
1. No more two piece pjs for McKay.
2. Keep extra diapers upstairs.
3. Always, always choose changing the bedding in the middle of the night over putting the kid in bed with me.

We Love Our Troops

I wanted to post this link to my cousin Mandy's blog because I was very touched by her post. I know that we all love and support our troops but we don't always know what we can do to let them know that. Please read Mandy's post and consider sending a package or a card during this holiday season.

Right in my own backyard.

Today when McKay went down for his nap I took Max, the dog, for a walk. I'm not crazy about Max in general but I love taking him for walks. We headed down the paved walking trail by Castle Wood Canyon. I've never left the paved trail before, but today I decided we would go exploring. I had no idea that there was a path all the way back through the canyon. It was beautiful. We were the only ones there so I let Max off of his leash and he ran and chased birds and had a great time. It was so quiet and peaceful and exactly what I needed today to refuel. There are awesome "climbin' rocks" and I can't wait to take the kids with me next time. Rumor has it that we are expecting snow tomorrow, so I so glad that I got to enjoy the great outdoors today. Castle Wood Canyon is officially one of my favorite places. Next time I'm bringing my camera.

Thoughts on the Election

I feel like at this momentous time in our country's history I should say something to record my thoughts and feeling about the outcome of this election. The problem is I don't know exactly what to think or to feel. I have to say that I saw this coming, so on one hand it is nice to have it decided and over with. Clearly there are many members of this great country that are thrilled with the out come of the election and for the rest of us we need to continue to stand up for the things that are important to us and pray that our new president, and all of those who are leading this nation, will seek the guidance of our loving Heavenly Father every step of the way. Other than that no one knows exactly what the future will bring and exactly what effect our new president will have on that future. I don't think that we should be afraid for the future of the United States, but hold to our faith and continue to stand up for what is right and good. Having said all of that, as the next president of the United States of America, a country that I am still VERY proud to be a citizen of, Mr. Barrack Obama has my respect. God Bless America!!!

And before I move on...

...just a few more Halloween Pics.

K.K. the little stinker. He almost became road kill later that night.

Bryce, the glow in the dark skeleton.


Abby, a very scary Witch.

Gracie, "Meeeeooow"

Nate, The Grim Reaper

More Reasons to Love Grandma and Grandpa's House.

A Super Fun Halloween Party!!

Bobbing for Apples

Ballon Races

And a Pizza Snake!

Reasons to Love Grandma and Grandpa's House

Climbing Trees

Riding 4 Wheelers




Playing in the Wood Pile

Climbing Hay Stacks

Taking Hay Rides

Throwing Rocks in the River

Lots and Lots of Hugs...

...and Kisses.

A super big Thank You to Grandma Mary for the Awesome weekend. I know it's a lot of work and you do a great job. We had a great time.

And Thank you to Grandpa Hal for displaying patience most of the time. I know how you felt about the wasting of the toilet paper in the mummy wrapping game but you held it together pretty well.

We Love You Both Lots!!!