Thanksgiving weekend 2011

So my photos didn't load in order.  So here we go.  I started by working Thanksgiving.  The Tingeys are getting big enough we don't all fit in one house--even some of the larger houses.  So we tried to reserve one of the churches.  But they were already booked, so we had our dinner on Friday--meaning I ate Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with my clients.  It was wonderful!!  We had her enchilladas which are very different than the ones I've grown up with, but we enjoyed them.  I then had pie and games with family later that night.  It was fun to get to visit with cousins I haven't seen for a long time.  I also got to play some games with my girls.  It was nice to just enjoy being with family.  Friday I went to work in the morning--to find out I had worked more than I realized, so I got off at 3 and had the rest of the weekend off to just enjoy!!  What a nice surprise.  After dinner we played some games.  It was fun because we played games that we could all play together.  These videos is from a new game that Laurel taught us.  We laughed and laughed.

Getting Ready for dinner!  This kitchen wasn't designed for this many people. 

I've never!  Hilarious when you play with family.

On Friday we went with Aunt Dot and Uncle Johnny to pick out a Christmas Tree.  We went to Beaver Bark in Richland.  First we met Dancer and Prancer or was it Donner and Blixin?  The girls even got to touch their antlers.  The deer do not like it when you touch the antlers.

The girls got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.  Karla wants a cowboy.  Kylee wants another Repunzel doll.  I am now wondering if Kylee cut Repunzel's hair.... I haven't found the doll to check yet.  And Kaylyn told Santa she was Kaylyn.  Garth said he wanted a T-Rex.  Santa was so good to us.

Even Toto helped to find the perfect tree.

This is a traditional Tingey spread for Thanksgiving!!

More I've never.

Looking at the Reindeer.

Talking to Santa

Picture with Santa

Garth often tells us "my Mom." He sure loves her.

My cute Kaylyn.

I told Todd this was the Christmas tree we should get--Pink.  Todd was not excited.  Thankfully for him it is $600.  But we had fun teasing Dad about getting a pink tree.

For Thanksgiving Grandma Tingey always makes the rolls.  And they are so good!!

Don't forget the pies!!

Another Tingey tradition--layered jello.  I think Aunt Janel made it this year.  But this is the kids favorite.  And I remember it fondly from my childhood too.  Maybe I need to learn to make it and share it with the Nef's one of these days.

And it's not a Tingey traditional Thanksgiving dinner with out the nut cups.  My cousin Kirsten set them out this year.

At beaver bark, there is a neat Koi pond.  They swim right up to you too.

Garth's new girl friend, Mrs. Claus.  He's in tight!

My pretty princess!!

Karla posing for the camera.

While the adults are in the kitchen--the kids keep themselves entertained.

Better shot of Kirsten with the nut cups.

Kaylyn exploring Beaver Bark.

More of Karla's posing!!  Isn't she adorable?

Todd and Garth having fun, but not helping to pick out a tree.

"Ill be to your house Christmas Eve.  So let me eat and rest between now and then."

I didn't get any pictures of us playing games at Mom's house with Dot and Jonathan.  But that was fun too.  I got to finally give my mom a good foot rub and cut her toe nails for her.  I need to do this a lot more often!!  We even got some Christmas Shopping done.  Then on Saturday night, we had a birthday party for my cousins boys: at Chuck E Cheese.  It was a lot of fun.  The girls love going there.  And so does Garth!!  Todd and I even got to play guitar hero and a shoot the aliens game.  And it was fun to hang out with my cousins, aunts, and uncles, and gradparents.  We just don't get together often enough anymore--but when would we in our busy lives?  It was a wonderful holiday weekend full of fun and family.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kaylyn singing...some

I thought it was so cute when she did this.  I've encouraged her to continue singing I've got you babe, this way. I've had technical difficulties posting it--so I hope this time around.... you get to enjoy it.

Kaylyn building a chigga boom

"Shoes"

I decided to go get the mail.  Kaylyn stepped outside with me.  She stopped "Shoes.  I need shoes."  I told her they were by the couch.  She ran back in the house.  I decided to keep going to the mailbox.  Daddy was inside, and I wanted to get the mail before getting the girls and time was running out.  Kaylyn then runs out of the house holding her shoes.  "Look mommy, my shoes."  I had to giggle.  I don't think they did her any good because she was holding them instead of wearing them!!  But she did remember that she needed shoes to go outside in this cold weather.  There isn't a day goes by that Kaylyn doens't make me giggle or smile.  She is so darn cute!

Thanksgiving

It's that time a year when we look to the things we are thankful for.  A little while ago, a friend posted on facebook--"what if you woke up the next morning with only the things you thanked God for tonight?" It has made me stop and think.  Also, with our girls who tend to rush through prayers at times, we have made a say thanks for 3 things--atleast.  I remember hearing that we should be specific in our prayers.  Karla wants to just say thank you for the whole world.  But I think there is something to being specific. 
I remember when the mice came into the motorhome--many years ago now.  I learned then, in a powerful way, how counting our blessing can make all the difference.  So here is the start of my thankful list.

1. My faith in God.  I would not trade the hard times for the testimony I've gained and the relationship I have with my Father in Heaven.
2. His scriptures.  What a gift to read his words on a daily basis.
3. Priesthood blessings
4. The fellowship of going to church
5. A temple so close--so I can go often.
6. The blessings of the temple.
7. Todd--that he loves me so much.  He really is my bestest friend.
8. Karla and her loving, gentle ways.
9. Kylee and her keen intellect, her sence of humor, and her boystrous love.
10.  Kaylyn and the way she is still discovering and her unconditional love.
11. The new baby!!  I am excited for you.
12. My mom who has been such a support.  I do not take this relationship lightly.
13. My sisters!  I couldn't do it without you either.
14. My in-laws.  What an amazing family they are.  I feel so honored and blessed to be counted among them.
15. The ability to make an income without having to put my kids in daycare.
16. That I love my work--it makes all the difference.
17. A place to live.
18. The oppertunity to learn.
19. That Todd gets to go to school.
20. And that Todd enjoys the field he is going into.
21. Pictures.  I love pictures.
22. General Conference--and that I can watch it again and again.  The messages have brought direction and peace into my life.
23. That I was raised with the values I have.  I do not struggle with some of the things I have seen others struggle with simply because my mom raised me the way she did.
24. Facebook. I have been blessed to stay in touch and get to know others better because of this.  I have even gotten to know relatives that I would otherwise not know.
25. Blogger--it has got me to journal more consistently.  I even have one I just journal in that I don't share :)  But the blessings of journaling are amazing.
26. The internet--it really does make so many things so much easier.  Like learning new things or staying in touch.
27. Finally being able to lose weight and be more healthy.
28. The oppertunities to go to Idaho to see Todd's family--they don't come often enough, but I'm grateful for the times they do come.
29. That I live so close to my own family and don't have to travel to visit most of them.
30.  To be able to hug my children and tell them I love them.
31.  Books on CD--they help so much during the paper route.  And I love all that I get to learn.

I know this is just a start.  I am so blessed.