Thanksgiving Day

We are all so grateful for the family and friends that we have! This year has been good to us so far even with the few struggles here and there. Our family was so lucky that we were able to go and spend Thanksgiving with Emily, Danny and the boys. The girls had so much fun and other than who could tell more that someone was whining it was a great short trip. The turkey was wonderful! My tummy was very thankful to Emily's great cooking.

I got to see New Moon with Emily and it was just as good as the first time that I saw it on opening day. The theater was awesome and I felt almost under-dressed for that fancy movie theater. Who knew that you could order a bar drink and then go in and watch a movie??? NO.....we didn't order drinks for a girls night but you could if you wanted to because in this part of the theater only people over 21 are allowed in. The seats were HUGE! and leather too. I have been way too spoiled to think of seeing a movie any other way. Thanks Emily!!!

On the way home we stopped by the Unclaimed Baggage store in Boaz. I felt so sad driving to try and find the place. The whole outlet mall looked so run down from what I remember of it but the Unclaimed Baggage store was still hoppin'!! That store was the extent of our after Thanksgiving shopping trip. We scored some awesome deals. I found a super nice stroller for Katy. I know, I know. Isn't she getting big for a stroller?!?! Sure she is getting big, but when I take long walks all over campus for things that I need to do, she can't walk all that way and I will not carry her. She can ride in style in her stroller that I scored for a whole $20.99!! It's a really nice Maclaren stroller. Seen here ------> They retail at Babies R Us for $130!!! So I was in stroller heaven!

Ruby scored a great deal with finding a booster seat. She had to have one since she is 3 and Brett sits in one. I was okay with that since she found one for only $10! That is what we were going to get her for Christmas and well let's just say now we have to think of something else to get her.

The BEST deal of the day was finding a Singing Time DVD for the girls. The girls love this show and it teaches them how to sign. Katy was so excited to tell the lady checking us out that she had an Alex and Leah movie. They sell for around $22 from them and what did we get it for??? Only $2.08!! Yep only TWO whole dollars. I am so excited to learn new signs too.

Well that was the extent of our Black Friday shopping, but man we got some good deals! My computer time is almost up, so I will get back to posting again soon. I am so grateful that each of you take the time to read my blog. Where would we all be without blog readers. All of you are amazing!!

A few video links

Here is one of Hannah's Video's from school!



Here is another one from hannah!


Here is one of Ruby singing michael jackson

Long awaited update

Okay...Well what can I say. It is fall time and there are plenty of activities for the family to do and life just seems to speed up once my birthday is here. Seems like we blink and we are in a new year. Like for instance. Did you know that Christmas is only 7 weeks away on Friday? and that we are only 24 days away from Thanksgiving? See what I mean. It will be 2010 before we all know it. The only good thing is that I get to start playing Christmas music on my blog in 25 days!

I feel like the blog has been totally neglected but when your husband's computer gets fried for work I had to graciously let your iMac go downstairs to now be the work computer. One day we will be able to get his computer to work again or at least beg for a new one. I am missing my blog bad. Oh and another reason why is that my camera battery went dead and I couldn't find the charger. I mean who wants to read about my crazy little family with no new pictures attached??

Sorry for the side note. I am reading the start of this blog over again and I think I sound like the mom from the Middle. That new show that is on Wednesday nights. You know that one that is exactly my life. Even down to the whole part about library fines??? I swear that I just about pee my pants every week because it is my life. Anyway...back to the update.

This past weekend was so busy! I can't believe that I stayed awake for as many hours of Halloween that I did. It started for me at 4 am. Hannah and I left the house at 4:30 to meet up with her coach to drive to LaGrange, GA. The only thing about this swim meet is that we had to jump ahead an hour because of being in GA. Hannah did awesome! **See previous little post** and we were home by 3 pm.
At 3:30 pm we left for the ward Fall Festival. Holy Cow I was already getting tired, but we had to get some great use from our Halloween costumes. The fall festival turned out great and the kids had a ton of fun. April saved me by getting me a Dr. Pepper to drink. The drink was a huge welcome and gave me that second wind that I was really needing at this point of the day! Steve and I got to help decide who had the best chili since we didn't bring any. That was a fun job for Mr. Incredible and Elasta Girl.

We were all home by 6 pm and went strait to Trick-or-Treating. The girls all had so much fun and begged to come home less than an hour and a half after we started. It was getting cold, so I understand. Katy freaked out at one house. Ruby was arguing with her feet because they were not moving fast enough. Hannah just kept the rest of them going from door to door to door to door. Well you get the idea. We did finally get home after we dumped candy a few times. We did have one last house to go visit and that was the Bishop's house. Well that turned into a long visit because the kids were having so much fun and we stayed until 9! I practically passed out when we got home and I tried to watch the ball game but was not very successful. I crawled into bed and didn't wake up until the next morning. I was still not all the way recovered but it sure was a fun long Halloween!!

Hannah swimming her 25 fly. She is the girl swimming in the lane furthest way.

Today Ruby's preschool class finally got to go to the Pumpkin Patch. It has rained so much here that everything has been rained out. The kids got to go on a hay ride, play on a fun playground, listen to stories, sing songs, make a craft project, and even got a snack after all that hard work.

Trick or Treat Meet

We are still alive! I will be getting a full update on what has gone on in the last week soon! Today was the Trick or Treat meet for Hannah in LaGrange, GA. We left the house at 4:45 this morning and are just now getting home at 3 pm!! I am so tired and glad that Steve gets to drive us to the ward fall festival here in a few minutes.

Hannah was able to get 4 first place ribbons in her swimming today! and the High Point Trophy too!! Go Hannah!!

25 Free- 34.25 (lowered her time by 5 seconds!)
25 Fly- 38.01 (lowered her time by 20 seconds!)
50 Free- 1:08.66 (first time she ever swam this event)
25 Back- 32.30 (lowered her time by 20 seconds!)

Over all it was a great day! I will post more probably tomorrow b/c i am really tired today!!

Pantry Monday

Tonight is an easy version of that stuff in a box called Hamburger Helper. I hate that stuff but love the stuff that I make.

Pantry Items:
1/2 bag of elbow mac
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato soup

1 lb. Hamburger browned and drained

In one pan cook your hamburger meat and while you are doing that cook your macaroni (follow directions on the bag). Then in the pan you cooked your hamburger in add your tomato sauce, soup with a little sprinkle of salt and pepper, and your noodles of course. Cook on medium low until hot and ready to eat. Add shredded cheese on top if you want to make it taste even more yummy!!

There you go! Much better tasting food!!

One little variation that we like too. For a Mexican meal flavor instead of tomato soup, try a can of enchilada sauce and add a can of corn. Cheese is a must for this one! Add it all together like before and there you go!!