Happy Thanksgiving!

We had so much fun this Thanksgiving! Our city has had a 5K and 1 mile family fun run for the past 3 years on Thanksgiving morning. So this year we decided to go and do the 1 mile fun run. We walked most of the time but it was a great way to start the day!

It was a pretty chilly morning. Even Lauren & Brynlie got their own racing numbers.

Alyssa and Kohler waiting for the race to start.

Here we are. Kohler's missing from the photo, he's actually standing next to Alyssa (oops).

Here we come, crossing the finish line. We sprinted the last stretch. It was fun because everyone was cheering us on (even though we were almost last place)!

Kohler, coming across the finish line.

Hanna found an injured Monarch Butterfly and decided to bring it home to live in her fairy garden.

This year we had Thanskgiving with our good friends, The Becksteads and Tukes. It was so much fun. It was also really nice to split up the meal 3 ways. It didn't seem like such a chore.

Getting ready to eat, Kohler, Christian Beckstead, Bryson Tuke & Alyssa.

Trevor Beckstead & Lauren.

Jaden Tuke, Kamary, Ashley Tuke & Kevan Beckstead.


Brynlie's yummy Thanksgiving dinner!


Silly boys!


Everything tasted great!


We did a Thanksgiving craft for the kids.

After dinner we just hung out and talked. We went through all of the Black Friday ads--so fun.

Here are our hosts, Wade & Jen Beckstead! They are the best friends ever!

This Thanksgiving we had so much to be thankful for. We have been incredibly blessed. I love my family, my husband, my kids and my friends. I am so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that has brought so much peace and joy into my life. I am very blessed indeed!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

This year Lauren turned 4 and had her very first birthday party. She was so excited about her birthday. Every time we went to the store she'd add things to her "birthday list". It was nice because all I had to say was "put it on your list" and then she'd put it back and we could keep walking. By the time it was her birthday, her list was miles long!

She was so excited to have a party and have her friends come to play. We had a princess party. We started by making crowns. Then we pulled out the balloons. It's amazing what entertainment a package of balloons can bring!

Playing with balloons.

Then we made candy necklaces and dressed up like princesses.

Here is everyone dressed up.

Of course princesses need to go to the ball! So we did a little dancing. We also tried to walk with a book balanced on our head. We had some pretty graceful princesses there.

Here's the princess cupcakes.

Yummy!

Opening presents! Lauren had a great time and now she has her own Barbies and Polly Pockets to play with (much to Kamary's relief).

The kids had the day off from school and so we went to the park for a picnic. Hanna is so funny. She has true Arizona blood and wears her coat everywhere.

We were having a great picnic and then the sprinklers turned on! We had to run for it!

Lauren playing at the playground. Then we went to the movie theater and watched Indespicable Me.

Here we are ready for the evening family party.

Blowing out the candles.

Grandma & Grandpa Smith gave Lauren this Strawberry Shortcake doll. Grandma & Grandpa Wheeler gave her a Littlest Pet Shop doll. She loved them both!

Opening presents.

It was two days full of celebration and fun! She was very happy and feels like such a big girl.

Here is our sweet 4 year old, Lauren!


Fun Facts

Favorite Color: Pink, Pink, Pink

Favorite TV Show: Dora the Explorer

Favorite Movie: My Little Pony

Favorite Food: Anything with noodles

Favorite Song: Anything High School Musical

Favorite Book: Pinkalicious

Favorite Primary Song: I Love to See the Temple

Favorite Scripture Story: Adam

Fun Activities: Lauren loves music. She'll sit in her bed and listen to my ipod for hours. In order to keep her buckled up in the car, I play her favorite songs. It means that we listen to a lot of Hannah Montana and High School Musical. She also loves to dress up, paint nails, play with Barbies, Polly Pockets and little figurines. She is an energetic child full of life and personality.

We love you, Lauren and are so happy you're in our family.