A season of Thanksgiving

We love Thanksgiving. This year was different for us since we decided to stay home and celebrate with just our little family. Who knows? Maybe we'll start some new traditions this year! Thursday morning we attempted sledding. Unfortunately, we did more hiking in the snow than sledding because Lexi didn't last (we weren't prepared with proper clothing for her), but we enjoyed the beautiful sunny day in the snow anyways. As often as I say I "hate" the snow, I love it on days like that. It's so beautiful and we never had snow growing up. We had to drive more than 3 hours to get to it. The rest of the day we relaxed, the girls took naps, and we made probably the most simple turkey dinners ever.

My little snow bunnies

Rick was ahead of Keira and me on our little hike and noticed we were standing in this beautiful meadow so he snapped a shot of it. This picture doesn't do it justice!

The rest of the weekend was pretty chill as well. We painted turkeys...

...and built gingerbread houses.

The day after Thanksgiving, my best friend Sandra and I enjoyed some shopping in the late hours of the morning. And when I say late, I mean later than Black Friday hours. We went around 9 a.m. and didn't have many problems with crowds. No crazy lady shopping this year! When I say enjoyed, I mean it.

Later that day, we had more turkey with some of Rick's local extended family. Gobble Gobble! To finish off the weekend we took the girls to see "Tangled". Loved it! The girls did ok, but let's just say I'm going to hold off for awhile on another attempt at the movies with little ones.

To finish up, all I need to say is...aren't they so darn cute?

Happy Thanksgiving!

An Attitude of Gratitude

I love this time of year...I think I say that every year...because it is a time to reflect and to look forward. President Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gave a talk in the 1992 April General Conference that reminded us to keep an "Attitude of Gratitude" (click here to read it) and remember the things we have and not dwell on the things we don't. He reminded us again the importance of recognizing blessings in our lives during the most recent conference in October (read about it here). I am so grateful for:

-inspired leaders of the church who know what messages I need to hear to become a better person
-a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ
-my faith in Jesus Christ, my Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost
-my family and the wonderful relationships I have with each of them
-my little family - Rick, Keira, and Lexi - for being mine that I can have them eternally (and more to come someday)
-my friends
-a home that I may be warm and sheltered
-food on my table
-clothes on my back
-and most especially the kisses and hugs my husband and children give me that remind me that I am loved :)

I have so many more things that I could list, but what is more important than that?

WE DID IT!

We completed our first sprint triathlon. I absolutely loved it and would totally do it again. Any takers?
I was really pleased with how I did. I finished in 1 hour 32 minutes and Rick finished in 1 hour 23 minutes (he did no training...Lucky guy). It's hard to describe the feeling of running across the finish line. I felt so accomplished! I know it's not the IronMan or anything, but hey! It was fun!

Hawaii! Mukalaki shiki...

I don't know what Wayne and Garth actually say, but I figure it's close enough, right? We cashed in on an incentive Rick earned this summer and, with some help from Gramma Judy and Grampa Steve, we were able to leave the kids with them and enjoy some time together. A few guys from Rick's team joined us. We all wanted to spend most of our time on the beach or hiking. We hoped we could swim in the pool of this waterfall, but a few years ago they had landslides that made it too dangerous. I guess it was good that it was raining because we got wet anyways!

Some of the gang: Andy, Baby Owen, Kelly, Doug, Me, Rick, Cam, and Travis (Thomas came that night)
And, of course, because my husband loves me SOOOOOO much, he took me to Sushi. My Fav!
Our favorite activity we did was Scuba Diving! What trip is complete without it? This was my favorite dive I've ever done so far. It was a 2-tank dive (if you don't know, it means 2 separate dives back-to-back). The first was to a sunken supply ship from WWII. We got to swim right through the control room. It was so cool. The second dive was through archways, caverns, and along the reef. We saw 3 white tipped sharks, several turtles, a blowfish, eels, and a few octopus. I touched the head of the octopus, but Rick actually held it! Super awesome!

Per request...