Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl

Thanksgiving

For some reason, I have a hard time remembering to take pictures on Thanksgiving.

Yet it is my VERY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!!!

While I watched the parade and set the table...

Mackay and Aaron played in our wards Turkey Bowl.

We went to see MockingJay Pt 2. while the turkey cooked.

One of my favorite parts about this holiday (besides that fact that it's just like Christmas - families gather, we eat a nice dinner, watch TV and relax, and everyone is happy because there are NO GIFTS!) is my Thanksgiving tablecloth.

I am grateful so many have signed it each year.

My mom was only alive to sign it one time.  It is a treasure to me.

I also love to see how my kids handwriting and answers change. 

We usually have Hans and Janice with us for Thanksgiving but due to an illness they weren't able to come.  But my sister Amanda and her family decided to come this year.  

Brett and Manda, Jane and Hayden

Aly, Kenz, and the crazy intense beagle Daisy

Manda took pictures but I didn't so I borrowed hers.  At least we have a few.

A Magical Time

I love the holiday season!

 I love the decorations!

I love the soft white lights through out my entire house!

And I love the my kids love it too.

It truly is a magical time of year.

Mackay & Josh's Birthday Party

We played a fun and EASY forced game.  

The best part was that no one had to leave their chair to play.

Here are the instructions:

1. Draw a line for a floor.

2. Draw a Christmas Tree.  Add decorations if you feel so inclined.

3. Draw a star on top of your tree.

4. Draw a fireplace with a mantel next to the tree.

5. Draw a stocking hanging from the mantel of your fireplace.

6. Draw a present below the tree.

After the six steps have been given, let everyone look at their plates.

Then have players count up how many points they received by following this rubric:

1. 2 points if the tree touches the floor.

2. 2 points if your stocking is touching your mantel.

3. 1 point if your star touches your tree.

4. 1 point if your star is above your tree.

5. 1 point for every Christmas ornament ball that is ON your tree, etc.

6. 1 point if your fireplace doesn’t touch the tree (it’s a fire hazard!).

7. 1 point if you actually drew something decorative on your stocking (or something cute, like a tiny kitten peeking out).

8. 2 points if your present is under your tree.

Scott, Jenn, Sam, and Josh were our top 4 WINNERS!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHIE AND MACKAY!!

Daisy's Cone of Shame

Daisy goes to the Vet to be "fixed"

Happily Driving there... And driving home Doped Up

She slept ALLLLL night... We giggled at how "drunk" she was.  Very sleepy.

Kenz enjoyed the surround sound with her cone.

Kenzie gets her Wisdom Teeth Out

Kiss those Wisdom Teeth Goodbye

And say Hello to Puffy Cheeks

Click here to see more from this day... 

Ellen's House

I LOVE to Decorate!!!  

My brother's darling Mother-in-Law, Ellen, asked if I would decorate her entire house.  

She felt her home was dark and needed a fresh look.  

I was tickled she asked me. 

And couldn't wait to start.  

She had some great pieces of furniture.  

I loved adding a few items to her home and making the space bright and cheerful.

A BIG THANK YOU to: 

Kenz and Mackay who spent a night helping me with the basement.  

Josh (& his twins) for helping me hang curtains and lift the heavy stuff. 

Aaron for hanging the beautiful (50 pound) mirror in the master bedroom

Ashley for your sewing expertise

And... Thank you Ellen 

for allowing me to spend a week transforming your home.  

I hope you love the new look.  

Ellen had a fun canvas from Pier 1 that she had purchased and loved.

  

I used the canvas as the inspiration for the entire Main Floor

Upstairs

Entry

Before

 After

Living Room

Before

After

Kitchen

Before --- After

Before ---- After

Dining Area

Before ---- After

After but Before Rug

Family Room

Before

After (but before extra fabric on curtains)

Before ---- After

Hallway

Master Bedroom

Before

After

Master Bathroom

Before --- After

Before --- After

Guest Bedroom

Before

After

Office

Before

After

Downstairs

Basement Entertainment Room

Before

After

Before  ---  After

Before

After

Ben & Colin - Jen & Max - Max

Before - After

Kids Area

Basement Hallway

Before - After

Basement Bathroom

Before....After

Guest Bedroom #1

Before

After

Guest Bedroom #2

Before

 After

There are a few empty spots but at least most rooms are done and ready for guests. 

It is an Amazing House!!  

The best part of the house is the one thing I didn't get a photo of... the VIEW!!!

It is stunning!!

I hope you love it as much as I do. 

Rugs - Rugs USA 

Consoles - Home Goods