Longest Thanksgiving Weekend Recap EVER!

Thanksgiving this year was action packed to say the least. We hosted all of Randy's family at our house. After much stress and anxiety about it, I believe it turned out beautifully. My sweet mama let me borrow her table decorations so thanks to her, it looked amazing. However, I wasn't prepared for cleaning the turkey out...

MOST DISGUSTING THING I'VE EVER DONE! I'm cringing at the thought all over again. Freaking giblets, what's the point really? Oh and the neck... sick! Maybe becoming a vegetarian might be a good option for next year.

For a rookie turkey cooker it turned out really good. Oven bags are totally the way to go when cooking a turkey.

This is me realizing the electric knife didn't have a blade in the box. Good thing we had a mountain man on hand (Scott) to carve every last morsel of meat off the turkey. We went old school and just used a regular knife, no big.

Of course I had to snap a pic of the table before we started eating. A wise woman once said "We love each other very much". She may never live that phrase down and it will be recited every time we get together.

Kids table minus Mino-man, he was napping for the first part of dinner.

He woke up refreshed and happy.

Jenni and Lynn

Collette and Rusty

Kat and Dan (not to be confused with my sister Kate and her husband Dan)

Jeri and Grandma Dot (very grateful to have Jeri feeling better)

Hostess with the mostest, Mino, Randy, and Rick

Jeri, Scotty, and Maxi


Rick and Griff

My kids love DYS!

Very captivating conversation

I have no idea what they are discussing here, I just wanted in on the picture, obviously.

Best dish washers, EVER.

For the record, I offered to get out a more manly apron, but he declined.

After the dishes were done, the party really got started! "Carry on my wayward son"


Can't remember what he was singing, but I'm sure it was awesome.


Almost as awesome as my robot!


Dys and Kunz getting in on some rock band action!

Yes, she is just a week past major surgery, rocking out! Go Jeri!

No words...I laugh every time I see this picture of Griff!

Me and my band were off the chain! "NOW TESTIFY!" I totally killed it.

Hank, jamming out to Smooth Criminal

Hank LOVES hanging with Ricky!

Oh Max-i-mino! I should have a post dedicated entirely to him. Yes, his tongue is sticking out while he drums. I have noted on previous posts his love for music, however he has taken it to a new level this weekend. He sat by the extra drum set for 2 1/2 hours while we acted like fools. He didn't move from his post. He sat through hours and hours of loud rock band mayhem and I've never seen him more content.

He hadn't eaten much all day so I fed him while he played the drums. I knew it would be torture trying to get him to go to bed.

I'm quite confident he would still be in this position if I let him. He screamed bloody murder when we took him upstairs for bed. He had to sleep with his drum sticks.

Susie and Justin made and appearance as well as Cookie and Nicki. No one wants to miss out on a party at the Griffin's, trust me.

By the end of the night, I lost it, as you can see from this picture! I'm not sure why I'm posting it, but it makes me giggle a little.

The party wrapped up around 1 am and you can see I'm DONE. I was so tired but proud of pulling off a wonderful Thanksgiving day feast. I am so thankful for everyone who joined in on the festivities. I have so much love and gratitude for the other half of my family who wasn't there as well. I really missed you all! I have the best family and friends ever.

We spent time at Jeri's with the Portland crowd. Max and Rusty had some quality bonding time sorting beads.

Hank learned about rocks.

Rusty and Collette stayed at our house so we had lots of time together.

Everyone came over to watch the BYU/Utah game last night. Go COUGS!


Griff also stayed at the Hotel Griffin, and reconnected with Hank on toon town.

We celebrated Colby's birthday later that night at Jenni's. Happy Birthday Colbs! Love you buddy!

Max loves his "cream".

We had good times last night, laughing until close to 2 am. I have CRAZY in-laws and there couldn't be a more perfect family for me to marry in to. We always have fun and it was my pleasure having them all here. I feel like settling in for a long winters nap, but crap, Christmas is right around the corner!

Road Trip to Vegas

Thanks to this man (Raphael Saadiq), I planned a weekend get away for Randy and I to Vegas. There was availability in our time share so I presumed it was meant to be. Unfortunately his concert was canceled a week before due to poor ticket sales. I was so disappointed and had a hard time justifying a few days away but found out we couldn't cancel our time share reservations so we decided to head down anyway. Randy and I haven't taken a road trip without the kiddies for a long time and it was very relaxing. Good times...lots of chatting, laughing and singing. Randy does a mean Tom Petty/Kurt Cobain/Paul McCartney impression.
Here are some highlights from the trip. I really slacked on my camera duties. How many pictures can you take of each other, really. Randy spoiled me rotten, again.

Trying on clothes in Anthropologie for 2 hours, check! I never buy clothes there, but with Randy, I managed to walk away with this adorable jacket and two darling tops.
We took a taxi back to our hotel and I realized I left my Anthro bag in the cab. Randy took off on a dead sprint after the taxi and actually caught up to it! I've never seen him run so fast, it was hilarious.

Golfing in 70 degree weather at the Badlands Golf Club was a real treat. The course was challenging but beautiful. I had a few holes I would like to forget but overall played pretty well. Randy played awesome. We are such cheesers!

After golf, Randy surprised me with a spa treatment at the Mirage Hotel. The spa was gorgeous and the skin treatment was heaven. I was a little uncomfortable with the swim suit optional policy for the jacuzzi. YIKES!

A trip wouldn't be complete without a signature finger point picture from Randy.

We ate this beautiful tuna steak with wasabi mashed potatoes for dinner at Mandalay Bay. Then we walked by the House of Blues hoping maybe the concert was back on, only to find out from one of the hostesses the concert only sold 20 tickets. Apparently only 18 other people think he's worth seeing in concert. I suppose it doesn't say much for my taste in music. Randy had to get his gamble on and did he ever. I think it's safe to say we are done gambling for a LONG LONG time. Lady luck was not on our side this trip.

Our trip ended Sunday morning with a trip to the most amazing grocery store ever! I had to visit the spot where all my favorite Top Chef's from this season purchased all the ingredients for their amazing creations. I ordered a beautiful egg white omelet with pretty much every vegetable known to man. I was anxious to get home to my boys but I couldn't help but wander through the isles of the store in awe. What can I say, health food stores make me sooooo happy.

Randy and I always have fun but he really outdid himself on this trip. He really treats me like a queen. I don't think it's ever convenient to take some quality time away with your loved ones but it is always worth it. Thanks again, my love! Also many, many thanks to Kate, Sarah, Mom and Dad for helping out with the kids. Max started throwing up last night, thankfully not while we were gone. Now, I will focus my energy on hosting Thanksgiving in a few days. Can't wait to see Rick, Rusty and Collette!

We Want MOM!

Friday night, Randy came home from work with plans to take the boys to a BYU basketball game and give me a night of peace and quiet. I was thrilled with the sweet gesture and all ready to cozy up to my DVR and catch up on my shows, but Hank and Max realized I wasn't coming and both started crying and pleading that I come. Seeing them all buckled up in the car ready to go, I questioned why I wasn't going and ran in the house and put my shoes on. I know there will come a time when the boys will want quality time alone with their dad and have no problem excluding me, so when they actually want me there, I can't pass it up! Someone had to document the event, right?

Hank was totally entertained and so was Max, as long as he had treats in his hand.

Yes he is going from popcorn to candy to drink. Totally my kid!

How could I miss this...

and this! We had a great time and I'm so glad I decided to join the family.

On a side note, Max is most definitely entering the terrible twos, tantrums and all.

I have to praise my sweet little Hank. He got rave reviews from Miss Molly at his latest parent teacher conference. She told me he is kind to everyone and very respectful to her, always strives to do his best, and is progressing well with writing. I'm so proud of Hank. What a great kid. We rewarded him with Nicole babysitting last night. So easy to please!

The Family That Gets Vaccinated Together, Stays Together!

You know I'm hard up for blogging material when I'm writing about getting the H1N1 shot. However, it was quite an interesting process. My mom and I waited in line at 7 in the morning yesterday to get a ticket for the vaccine and then today, pretty much my entire family showed up for shots.

I have to admit I'm a bit overwhelmed at the whole ordeal. First of all, waiting in line at the Utah County Health Department with hundreds of other suckers seemed a bit 3rd world country-ish. I would love to say I'm 100% confident that the vaccine is both safe and effective for my kids. I've been driving myself crazy reading all the material I can find about the vaccine. Then I had to decide whether or not to do the mist or the shot. Luckily the decision was made for me because of my kids runny noses. The nurse said the shot may be a better way to go. I get really anxious every time my kids get vaccinated. I want to trust the health care providers, yet I don't want to be an ignorant sheep and just put whatever they tell me in my body. Ugh, never the less we are officially vaccinated. I had to make light of the situation with a quick photo of most everyone there.

My dad, Brett, and Max escaped my camera. Dan was the only one missing out on the fun.

I was a good little girl and didn't cry, even though the nurse told me I was a bleeder.

Wish I could say the same for my boys. Max held it together pretty well. He gets over things really quick. His brother on the other hand...

was freaked out to say the least. The setting wasn't the most comforting. Seeing other kids screaming all around him certainly didn't put his mind at ease. I don't have the heart to tell him he has to do it all over again in 3 weeks. Hopefully by then, my pediatrician will have the vaccine at his office.

Grandpa made a valiant attempt to calm him down, but I feel Hank may have been milking it a bit at this point. I know many people who have reallly suffered with the swine flu and I do find some comfort in knowing the chances of my kids and I getting it are far less now. We shall see!

Halloween '09

We began our Halloween festivities on Friday with our first annual pumpkin carving contest. Sarah, Brett, Jack, and Grandma came over to get their carve on. To be honest, carving is a huge mess and really not that fun but our end result was quite impressive. Hank was the self declared winner, helping Randy with the scarecrow pumpkin.

We even got mom to join in, she carved the 'Trick or Treat' pumpkin, and entertained Jack.

Randy really wanted to stab something after carving 3 pumpkins!

Sarah thought she was so artistic and creative, opting out of using a pattern! She must be and art teacher or something. Her pumpkin...well, I'll let you guess.

Earlier in the day, Hank got to dress up for his preschool party. Jack Sparrow totally goes to Bear Hollow Preschool!

Easily the highlight of Halloween was paying my Grandma Joanne and Grandpa Karl a visit. My grandma dressed up as a movie star with long blond hair and a fur coat and totally freaked the kids out when she opened the door. We walked into the kitchen to find my grandpa wearing a wig and sunglasses! Total Keith Richards look a like! He was in excellent spirits, and his VOICE is back! To hear him talk truly made my day. He was chowing down on mac n' cheese and stealing the kids candy just like the old days.

I never want to forget this image. Hank couldn't believe grandpa's hair and his "monster truck" voice.

Lucy and Isabel looked adorable. My little monkey ate approx. 50 suckers today, thanks to Auntie Sarah.

I love my kids! They crack me up on a daily basis, especially on Halloween. I'm hoping Hank doesn't get too used to wearing eye liner.

Colby and Dyson came over and got some serious candy in our neighborhood. Max lasted two houses and he wanted his costume off. He had more fun answering the door and seeing all the kids dressed up. Everyone came over for chili, cornbread, and dessert. I was a slacker with the camera but Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Curt, the Jones family, the Ross Family, the Royster's, Grandma Jeri, Grandpa Griff and Karen, Grandma Yvonna, and Grandpa Sherm all came over.

Oh, Jack the lion...it seems like just yesterday I found the 'stork' pumpkin and realized a sweet little nephew was coming our way. Now look at you...thinking "mom what the hell are you making me wear?".