A very Happy Thanksgiving!

It's 2:30pm and I'm enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of a very peaceful, quiet Thanksgiving! 

Jason and Rhiannon are watching a football game on TV, Cowboys vs. Raiders.  Rhiannon just asked me who Garth Brooks is, ha- ha!

Wade is upstairs chillin'.  He instigated a "popcorn party" earlier while we played a board game called Blokus.  We're really excited by popcorn right now because we bought some Kernel Seasons to sprinkle on it--we've got Nacho Cheddar, Garlic Parmesan, and Kettle Corn, and they are ALL gooooood.  Looks like I need to stock up on microwave popcorn...

I'm sitting at the computer, half-listening to the game and commercials but mostly mesmerized by the smell of the turkey cooking in the oven--YUM!  The bird is tucked in a Reynolds oven bag, which cuts cooking time by at least 2 hours, and it's stuffed with limes and onions and covered in a concoction of Mrs. Dash seasoning and water.  Grandma Deb and Jaymie shared that with me a long time ago--I love it!  Holy cow, it smells good!  Have to give myself a pat on the back--I've come a long ways from almost passing out from turkey prep.  Now, hey, it's "no big thang."

This morning we started a new tradition, too!  We drove up to the community college and the whole family, dogs included, did the 5K Turkey Trot, sponsored by the Over The Hill Track Club.  It was fun!  And there were a lot of people there!  We were really proud of Rhiannon and Wade because they weren't too excited about participating, especially since their parents were making them do it.  I think they had a good time, though.  I walked with the dogs the whole way and did just fine, but my lower back is sore.  Sleep should come easily tonight! After we got home from the 5K, we all got in our swim suits and jumped in the hot tub--score!!!

In a couple hours our good friends Howard and Sandi will join us for dinner.   We've been cooking for this dinner for 2 days now--can't wait to dig in!

Happy Thanksgiving!

800th Post: Halloween 2013

Halloween was fantastic this year!

Jason:  Chicken Hat man
Verity:  bag of Jelly Beans
Rhiannon:  Dr. Who
Wade:  Ironman (make sure you know it's the Ironman 3 one!)

We had a good time at 3rd Ward's trunk-or-treat, seeing old friends and passing out candy.  Fun!

For Dr. Who lovers:  the Tardis, River Song, Dr. Who, and a weeping angel all in one parking lot!

Ridgecrest turns 50!

Small town living has its appeal!  On November 2nd we helped our town of Ridgecrest celebrate 50 years!  It was a big weekend, with a big parade, time capsule ceremony, and incredibly successful street fair.   We sat on the sidewalk at Home Depot to enjoy the parade, and then we walked to Balsam Street for the fair.  We saw so many people we knew, and even more that we didn't. 

 

This picture below of crowds from the street fair makes me sentimental for another reason, too. 

 

Just a week earlier, our sleepy desert town had been turned upside down on a Friday morning when a very disturbed man committed murder, drove near a school shooting guns out his car window, and was pursued by police down to Kramer Junction, about 45 minutes out of town, where he was shot and killed when he started shooting at officers and at the people he had trapped in his car trunk.  People were terrified, schools went on lockdown, it was seriously insane.

 

So, to see this huge turnout the following weekend meant a lot, a WHOLE lot.  

 

Wade's Fall Piano Recital

Wade did a great job at his fall piano recital the first weekend in November!  We're looking forward to the Christmas recital in a few weeks--Rhiannon and Wade will be doing a duet to Jingle Bells, among other pieces.  I love this time of year, when the house is filled with the sounds of Rhiannon and Wade playing Christmas music.  It's awesome!!!!!

Waiting to go inside--love this pic of the kids in red! :)

Alma 30:44

Facebook comes alive with "gratitude posts" in November.  I've been doing my fair share.  This was from November 12th:

"At 6:00am this morning, the sky looked like a scene from Independence Day, cloudy, black and gray, creepy, like an alien invasion was rolling in. But 5 minutes later, after Rhiannon and Jason had left for school and work, I took the dogs for a walk and saw a truly breathtaking sunrise--the sun lit those clouds up in pink and orange and purple and it was amazing!!! It lasted for maybe 2 minutes, ...and then it was over. I'm thankful for those tender mercies and reminders from God, that He loves us, is aware of us, and is fighting for us. Reminded me of part of this scripture in the Book of Mormon, Alma 30:44, "...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." A wonderful start to my day."

 

Jason took a wonderful picture of it!

 

 

 

Cool places: Horseshoe Bend

This world is filled with beautiful places.  One of those places is definitely Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona!  After the 1/2 marathon, we went there with the Tomlinsons and Whitings.  It was a little trek through soft sand to get there, but so worth it!

A HUGE accomplishment

Back in October Jason did something really, really big.

He completed his first 1/2 marathon!!!!!!    He did 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 16 minutes!!!

We made a family trip out of it and traveled to Lake Powell in Page, Arizona to see him do that.  It was inspiring to watch him cross the finish line, especially knowing that he'd gotten injured early in the race.  What a trooper!  His friends Rob and Crystal Tomlinson, Ridgecrest friends and Ragnar buddies, also finished the race.  We had a great time with their family.

Early start--they're ready to go!!!

Here's a fun little video of the start line!

Greeted by Rhiannon just after Mile 7

A few feet from the finish line!

THEY DID IT!!!!!  WAY TO GO, GUYS!

Inspired and impressed?  Why, yes, yes we are!  So happy for Jason!

 

Here was Jason's report on the experience:

 

"I really did it! My official time was 2:16:00. I was as close to the middle of the pack as possible, #107 out of 212 finishers, 7th out of 13 in the male 35 to 39 group. Not bad for having to run for 8 miles on what probably is a mildly sprained left ankle and only getting in 5 weeks of quality training. I learned a lot doing this, one thing is that there is a reason you don't see many 220 lb runners, this was tough for a big guy. Mainly I learned that I can set goals and do hard things. I don't think a full marathon is in my future, but I think I'll run a half again sometime! Kudos to the Lake Powell Half Marathon organizers for putting on a great race."

What an experience, and what a great example for his family!  Love you, babe!



Wade celebrates a DECADE!

I've got some catching up to do!  For starters, this awesome guy turned TEN!  For his actual birthday he got 10 balloons on sticks greeting him when he woke up that morning, we brought Oreos to school to share with his class, got pizza for dinner, and celebrated with presents and cake!

Love this kid so much!  Can't believe he's a decade already!!!

 

 

Wade got lots of wonderful gifts for his birthday, but I think my personal favorite was the one he got from Rhiannon.  She wrote him a long, nice letter telling him she loved him and threw in a 25-cent Iron Man giant eraser.  She'd asked me what she could do because she didn't have a ton of money at the time, and I told her a hand-written note would work!  Glad she took me up on it, because it made Wade really happy.

 

Baskin Robbins cake special!  Yum!  It was the perfect size, too, but a little heavy on the frosting/icing for everyone in the family except me.

 

 

10 things we love about Wade:

 

1.  Responsible

2.  Intelligent

3.  Funny

4.  Kind

5.  Clever

6.  Respectful

7.  Lego/Movies/iPod/Video Game lover

8.  Good friend

9.  Makes good choices

10.  Makes us happy!

 

Love you, buddy!