thanksgiving

Ricky, Shelle, Me, Robyn

 I started my day with these guys at the Mesa Turkey Trot.  

It was a perfect day for running, a little overcast and cool.

Eric, Haley, Robyn, Quinn, Mimi

I spent most of my day with these guys (above) and this guy (below).

They're the best!

Robert

Aunt Phyl's Rolls

I had a few too many of Aunt Phyl's rolls.  

Robert made a little much.  

He used 42 cups of flour!  

That makes 4 1/2 pans worth of scrumptiousness! 

Pumpkin Pie

After the rolls, I had some pie.  

I made these two pies, but I didn't stop there. 

 I ate some of Karen's apple pie and Grammy's lemon pie. 

 I didn't eat again for hours.  

I probably should have put days in between.  

I didn't.  

I woke up hungry!

Angel Pie with Chocolate Filling

 I am always thankful for what I have.  

It's nice to set a day aside to reflect on these things.

chicken

Quinn:  Mom, let me smell you and see if you smell like yucky chicken.

Me:  Okay.

(She then leaned over as close as she could without kissing me and sniffed.)

Quinn:  Yep, you smell like yucky chicken.

Give me a wide berth today, because I smell like yucky chicken.

flowers

I bought myself flowers today.

I liked it.

I might do it again.

keep your fingers crossed

Shelle & Mimi

 When I took this picture I didn't notice Mimi's fingers.

I had seen earlier in the day that her fingers were crossed, but I didn't realize that she was doing it ALL DAY.

Later, when she was reading a book, I noticed her fingers again.

I also saw that she wasn't uncrossing her fingers.

We asked her why she was doing that.

She gave a very simple answer,

"My friend at school, Seve, told me to keep them crossed all day."

She did.

twelve years old

 Eric is a 12-year-old now.

These are some of the things we love about Eric...

Grammy said Eric is a great timekeeper.  

At Cousin's Camp he kept everyone scheduled.  

Also, he is a super person to play games with.  

He is always up for a game at Grammy's.

 Grandma Thomas said he is kind and thoughtful.

She loves that he is so good to her.

Grandpa said he loves Eric's smile.

He also loves that he is good natured and organized.

 Robert loves that he will eat almost anything! 

He also said that Eric is the nicest brother that anyone could ever ask for.

Kim loves that he always gets his work done and never has to be reminded to do things.

He is an excellent student.

 Robyn loves that he is always nice to everyone around him, especially his family.

 Quinny said she loves playing with him.

Allison said he plays things with her.

Haley likes his sense of rhythm.

Mimi said he is athletic and loves soccer.

 After the treats, Eric got a good dog pile.

Later that week on Saturday, Eric invited four of his friends over for some good food and a football game.  Robert took the boys to the ASU vs. UofA game.  

Eric, Caleb, Nate, Parker, and Peter

weekend fun - part 2

Lawrence, Grandpa, Grammy, Haley, Quinn, Mimi, Eric, Robyn, Allison, and Shelle

 Here we are at my niece's volleyball game.  Kristin plays for Dixie College in Utah.  They were playing against Grand Canyon University here in Arizona.  The players are really incredible.  I would not want to be on the receiving end of one of the spikes!  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Kristin.  At almost six feet tall, she is average height for their team!  They make me feel pretty shrimpy.

Quinny entertained herself for part of the time by taking pictures of everyone.  I don't know why her pictures always make me laugh, but they do!!

Shelle, Allison, and Robyn

Karen

Rod, Karen, and Quinn

Shelle

Robert Heywood

Mimi

Shana

Eric

Grandpa, some guy in the background that moved away from Quinny, Karen

Me

Robyn

Grammy

Haley

My teeth

Robyn

weekend fun - part 1

 Since the kids had the day off from school for Veterans Day, we all headed to the zoo.  We didn't anticipate it being chilly, so when we got there a few items were purchased.  Eighty dollars and three sweatshirts later the kids were warm.  Haley wore her sweatshirt for a total of about 20 minutes.  I guess she wasn't as cold as she thought.  Eric thinks it still feels like summer.

 Eric did NOT want to ride the carousel.  Haley on the other hand is never too old.

 This picture made me laugh.  I didn't know Robyn was playing peek-a-boo until I saw the picture at home.  Hi!

 I made Robyn make flipper hands for this picture.