Groups of Girlfriends

It seems with Christmastime, comes the opportunity to meet up with friends and go and get some grub. I got to do this twice with a couple groups of great girls.... or should I say women! It was great to be able to sit down and eat without having to give every other bite to Clara Jo ...thanks to Daddy! Please appreciate how I happen to be wearing the same outfit in both...sure didn't plan that!



As a fifth grade team, we decided that instead of buying gifts, we would rather take time out and go to a fun lunch together. Man, we were brilliant! We went to Texas Roadhouse and had a blast! In trying to sound neither corny nor cocky, I have got to to say that I am blessed to work with such an amazing team. They are all such great people that make going to work a pure joy and we all get along so well! We are definitely tight!



Next, we got to have a little singles ward reunion. We got a group together of the girls that were in the singles ward once upon a time. Most of us have moved wards, moved on, or even moved out of state! It was alot of fun to get together and hang out like we used to. Did I mention how much joy Johnny Carinos's gives me! Especially with a buy one get one entree free coupon! Cha Ching!!!

Game On

So it was the day that Eric had been waiting for....the game between the red and blue.... the Utes and the Cougars! Of course the big questions was..... which team would Clara Jo be sporting. So being the loving and fair individual that I am came up with a solution! Clara Jo would start out supporting the Cougars since that who was victorious last year! I happened to have a red Ute shirt on hand. Whoever is winning at the time, that is the shirt she will wear! Brilliant right? Here are a couple of pictures of Clara in her pre game outfit!





Please appreciate our after Thanksgiving Day purchase... the boots! I can't get over how cute and little Clara Jo's boots are!

Here is a family picture of us right before the game started. Eric watched the game with a bunch of Cougar fans... just the way he likes it. It didnt hurt that it was on Mama Jo's new big, flat screen television she got when she retired.



Well, as the game started and progresed, little one was still in her navy blue attire. It wasn't until almost towards the end of the game when the team in red pulled ahead. So I put on her red t-shirt as part of the deal. As it turns out, the red team won by 1 point. Here are my two favorite people in red after the game.

Lights On

The day after Thanksgiving, they turned on the lights at Temple Square. We headed down there with Sonya and her family, along with Brian's brother and their cute little family. It was fun, but a little on the frigid side. Glad that we had Mama Jo who was willing to bond with Clara at home where it is warm! Next year Clara Jo....next year!












When we got back to Grandma's...we had a quick cup of hot chocolate and then Kerrigan read Clara Jo her bedtime story before we headed home! I love these pictures....so loving!

Turkey Day

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday this year. Two of my siblings came into town (despite the crappy snowy weather) and so we had 4 out of the 5 kids together. We missed the Rushings who were on the East Coast. We had a great dinner with the Thornocks and Dredges. Then the Scott Rushings came over for yummy dessert and games. Here are some fun pictures of our Turkey Day!Most of them were taken from my sister's snazzy new camera.


This is our Thanksgiving family photo. As you can see, little one was not about to smile for us! So we got er done so everyone would know she was there! Please appreciate Chesney with her new haircut!


Aww isn't this a loving photo? Tender... simply tender!


Here is the head chef! While we all pitched in and brought things, Mama Jo did the turkey and mostly importantly...the cornbread dressing.


Steve was our turkey carver. Lets hope he is making this crusty at the football game and not another dinner guest.


The Youngs and Mama Jo


Mama Jo and her three girls


Uncle Brian and Clara Jo bonding before we had dinner. She is a fan of puzzles but unfortunately so is Chesney!


The two boys with the Thanksgiving essentials in their hands. They don't mess around.


My niece Kenzie and I in the midst of our Thanksgiving dinner! It was so yummy!


My two nine year old nieces that are just about a month apart. They love to bond with each other.

Growing Tighter

As you can tell, our furry one and little one are quite tight. Even if Chesney tries to get Clara's toys! Even if Clara tries to eat Chesney's dog food! When it really comes down to it, they are the best of friends as they are hanging out in the kennel! Don't worry, right after I took the picture, I got Clara out of there. Probably not the most sanitary place in the house!

Who Me?

Baby locks anyone?

Halloween

Well, the holiday has come and gone. We were quite festive in celebrating Halloween this year... considering I not a huge fan of the holiday anyway! We went to a dance that we got to dress up for. Thanks to Aunt Sonya and her hand me downs, Clara was already prepared to be a lady bug. I was a nurse and Eric was Elmer Fudd! I know, Eric and I go all out for our costumes! Here are a couple of pictures that we took at the dance, including one with Clara Jo's friend Sophie!






Ealier this week, we busted out a little pumpkin carving. We had a couple of couples over and made and FHE out of it. It was a lot of fun! We didn't let Clara participate in this one too much. Something about knives not being a kid friendly object. :) Our friend Christian was trying to look as scary as the pumpkin!






Since I teach part time, the Friday before Halloween just happened to fall on my day off! To that I say, somebody upstairs loves me. It is always a crazy day at school with the chittlins bouncing off the walls! However, we went up and joined in on the school parade. Clara Jo got quite alot of comments on what a cute lady bug she was! Here is a picture of Clara at the parade as well as my cute job share partner Sarah who is a keeper!





After the parade was over, we headed up to Wallsburg to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Yo! Eric's mom had a health scare a month or so ago, so we were so glad to see her home and getting stronger. Of course, we had to show them what a cute lady bug we have!



Saturday, we just chilled at home which was really nice. We put Clara back in her costume for a few more pictures. Instead of taking her out trick or treating in the rain, we opted to stay in and hand out candy while Daddy watched his U of U football game. Next year we probalby won't get away with that! We got some yummy pizza and watched a scary movie when little one went to bed. I was very brave and only had to watch one Reba episode before we went to bed to get my mind of scary things! Like I said, I was very brave!





Please appreciate our carved pumpkin!

Silver Lake

We took advantage of the warm and sunny day yesterday and drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We drove to Silver Lake and hiked around for a while! It was beautiful weather and the leaves were changing. We had a great time! Clara Jo loved riding on Daddy's back!

Family Pictures

We took some time last month to get some family pictures taken since we were about to have a one year old in our midst. Here are some of my favorites. I have to say that we have a pretty cute little girl, even if she didn't smile so much for the camera.
















I found this darling shirt that Clara Jo wore to declare to all what special day was happening!