Thanksgiving gone..Christmas here we come!

Thanksgiving dinner at home. The food was great and it was nice and quiet. Don't mind my messy kitchen or Derek's silly face:)

Making our famous candy turkeys. A tradition started by my Grandma Rushton.

Early Thanksgiving morning Derek killed an innocent goose:(
No, that was not on our table for dinner!

Day after Thanksgiving after I went shopping (i don't think I'm up for that anymore) we put up the tree and Christmas decorations.

Trying to get good pictures for our Christmas card. That is a challenge let me tell you! I had to bribe everyone...even the Daddy!

I'm glad to have Thanksgiving over and really excited for all that the Christmas season brings.

Happy Thanksgiving

It was fun doing these posts the last few weeks. When it comes down to it, I am grateful for EVERYTHING I have. I know it wouldn't be possible without my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the Plan of Happiness.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Remember to be grateful everyday of the year!

Thankful Day 24

I am thankful to have food in my house to feed me and my family. It is a blessing, I know. How grateful I am that my family and I are nourished and we don't have to worry about our next meal. We are extremely blessed.
I can't wait to have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Thankful Day 23

Derek's mom and husband Ian

Derek's siblings and step-mom

I am thankful for my extended family-Derek's family. They are so important to me and I love them very much. They have included me in their family well before Derek and I were married and I appreciate all they do for us. We are so lucky to have such wonderful families!

p.s. many more family members not pictured. we love you all!

Thankful Day 22

I am thankful for my brothers and sisters. We all grew up during different times and though we may not be as close as some families, I love them and I admire them for so many different things. I am grateful to be a part of a family and to know that families are forever.

p.s. unfortunately i don't have a recent picture of my siblings. we haven't been good about pictures the last few years:(

Thankful Day 21

I am so thankful for the Scriptures. I know when I read them that they were meant for me and all of us, during this time on earth. I know that I can turn to them for answers and for comfort. I am thankful to all of those brave men and women who sacrificed and had great faith in order for us to have the Scriptures today.

I want one of these so bad!! I hope I am lucky!
Go to Tatertots and Jello for your chance to win.

Thankful Day 20

Today I am thankful for modern technology. Computers, telephones and cell phones that allow me to keep in touch with family and friends far away. I love being able to pick up the phone and talk to someone miles away, or even get on Skype and see our loved ones on the computer.
I don't think I could live without it!

Thankful Day 19

I am thankful for our Thankful Tree this year. I was adventurous and made an actual tree out of brown paper! It's been fun and so sweet to see what the girls are thankful for. Some thinks they are thankful are : rain, books, family, friends, church , scriptures, teachers, food and clothes. It makes me happy to teach my girls to be grateful!

Thankful Day 18

Today I am thankful for music. I love all kinds of music: church, christian, country, pop, rock and of course Christmas music! I am thankful for those who share their talent with us so we can enjoy it. These are a few of my favorites. I love how the words from a song can cheer us up, help us through rough times, make us dance and help us feel the Spirit. I love music!

Thankful Day 17

I am thankful that I can read! That might sound silly but it's true. I love to read. I am thankful for so many good books. These are 2 that I am reading right now (one for book club and one for fun).

Thankful Day 16

South Lake Tahoe-Cave Rock

Spooner Lake-Tahoe

View of the Sunset and mountains from our backyard!

For those of you who know me well know that this move to Nevada was a hard one for me. It's been 3 years and I have grown up a lot and I really have come to appreciate a lot of things about being here. One thing I have grown to love is the mountains. We are surrounded by the beautiful Sierras and we are so close to Lake Tahoe. It is beautiful country and I am thankful for it.

Thankful Day 15

I am extremely grateful for good friends. I have been blessed to have wonderful friends throughout my life, old and new. I appreciate them each for who they are and they all make me a better person. I hope you all know who you are:) I would not be the same without you.
I love ya!

Thankful Day 14

I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. For His sacrifice for me and for His everlasting love for me. I am thankful to know that He loves me and that He and my Heavenly Father have a plan for me and for my family. I am so blessed to know these things.

Thankful Day 13

I am grateful to have a bed to sleep in. My own bed. I don't want to take that for granted. I appreciate that I can go to bed and cuddle with my....pillow! My bed keeps me warm and helps me get a good night sleep. After a day like today I've been ready for bed since I was awakened by screaming girls!!

Thankful Day 12

I am thankful for HEAT and ELECTRICITY. It has turned so cold here in Nevada and turning dark at 5pm, it is such a blessing to have working heat and electricity.

Thankful Day 11

Today I am grateful for my freedom. I am grateful to have been born in this free country and to enjoy all that comes with it. I am thankful to all the Veterans and the current service men and women who fight for our freedom every day and who have sacrificed so much, including their families. God Bless America!
Happy Veteran's Day

Thankful Day 10

I am grateful for school today. I am thankful that my girls love being at school and that they have wonderful teachers to take care of them when they are away from me.
Honestly though, I am really grateful that it allows me to have a few hours to myself!!!

Thankful Day 9

this is a funny spoof on visiting teaching. i had to share it.

Today I am grateful for Visiting Teaching. This is something the women do every month in our church and it is really a blessing. Some of my best friends have been my visiting teachers over the years. It can be hard to get motivated to take that time out of your week to do one more thing but it can be the most important thing you do for that person you are visiting.
We need to be there for each other and it really is good for both those we visit and for ourselves.

Thankful Day 8

I LOVE fall time when all the leaves are changing. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving us such beautiful nature to see and enjoy. We live in a beautiful place!

Thankful Day 7

I'm so grateful for my church. I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am grateful to live in a country that gives me the freedom of religion. I am grateful to have a building to meet in every week where I can learn more of my Savior and to feel of his love.

Thankful Day 6

So thankful for these two people. They are the best parents ever! I appreciate their love and support and their examples. I wish we lived closer, but it is nice to visit their beautiful home in Montana. Thank you Heavenly Father for sending me to these wonderful people!

Thankful- Day 5

Today I am grateful for Derek and for his job. Without him we would have nothing. He works so hard for his family and he never complains. I am able to stay home with my girls because he is willing and able to work to provide for us. We are so, so grateful that he is employed right now.

Thankful-Day 4

Today I am grateful for my health. I have been blessed with a strong and healthy body that lets me do what I need to do for myself and my family.

P.S. I wish it was a little thinner body but we'll get there someday!!

Thankful- Day 1, 2, 3

Day 3- I am so thankful for my knowledge of Forever Families. It is such a blessing and comfort to know that after this life on earth I will be together forever with my family .

Day 2- So thankful for 3 healthy, beautiful children. I love being a mom and I love these girls so much. I want them to know how much they are loved and how special they are to us and to their Heavenly Father. I always want them to truly know that.

Day1-SO THANKFUL for a home to live in. It is such a blessing to have shelter from the world outside and I hope that our home can always be a safe haven, a place of love and protection.

I've seen this done on a few blogs and I decided I wanted to do it too. Everyday I'll post something I and/or my family is grateful for until Thanksgiving Day.
It's always a good thing to think about and be reminded of all the many blessings we have been given.

Fall 2010

Bryanna and her teacher

Gracie and her friends. Gracie was a rockstar this day

Abby's Class-Her Teacher is Alice in Wonderland

Abby and her good friends

We drove a little over and hour to the pumpkin patch this year, and I was so glad we did. It was a good old pumpkin patch, not a carnival! We had a hay ride to the patch to pick our pumpkin off the vine. The girls had 2 rides on the cow train and we enjoyed some yummy pumpkin cookies.

The Chosen Pumpkin

Serious model poses here!

October 2010

Trunk or Treat at the church

A sweet bunny, a scary bride, and Alex Russo (wizards of waverly place)