I figured that would fit for this months blog happenings, since the happenings are pretty recent in origin. So here goes!!!
To start off the month, Nate and Kim hit their 7 year mark as Mr. & Mrs. Congratulations! Nate was able to get away, so they visited the big city of Seattle for three days to celebrate.
They were also able to go spend some time on the Big Island of Hawaii around Thanksgiving. Kim was the photographer for a friend's wedding and Nate went along to help and enjoy. He couldn't let Kim experience Hawaii all alone now, could he? They had a wonderful time seeing the lava flows at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hiking among the foliage of the tropics, playing in the water and celebrating with the wedding party.
Dale and I had the opportunity to help with a monthly meal called Loaves & Fishes that feeds anyone in the valley in need of a meal, or just to have an out to visit with people.
We worked with The First Presbyterian Church on this, and served a meal to around 250 people.
Dale and I worked in the kitchen, preparing food and doing dishes. I look forward to this opportunity when it comes around, it's such a great opportunity to serve alongside other wonderful caring people in the valley.
Dale sang in the AFC Veteran's Day concert. It was a beautiful tribute to honor those that have and are serving our country. I was able to usher for it as well.
Dale and I were able to attend a benefit concert that the Nashville Tribute Band played at. It was for a great cause. We were very touched by their music and felt compelled to sponsor a child in need. Our child, Akele, is 10 yrs. old and wants to be a Doctor. Maybe it's because we have a doctor in the family? Feeling blessed to live in America.
I was able to get away to Park City and spend some time with some dear friends, for our yearly Golden Girls retreat.
I rode down to Salt Lake City and watched the Sky View vs Herriman state play-off football game (SV lost) with Kathy Fishburn. We then picked up Jeanette Petersen in Bountiful, and went to The North Towne Center and walked through a HUGE Christmas Craft/Boutique Show.
Then we went to Park City and hit the Tanger Outlets the next day. It gave us a great start on our Christmas shopping and a chance to spend some quality girl time together.
I think Kathy won the prize for buying to most things, but we all got our fill. I got home and Dale had dinner ready and waiting on the table! Wow! Do you think he missed me or was just real hungry and knew I'd be coming? Either way, it was a wonderful surprise.
We did a little improvement here at the homestead. We got our driveway cracks repaired and sealed. It looks almost like new again. Thanks Top Job, for doing it up right!
Andrew participated in No Shave November while he was away at work, but it didn't last long when he got home. He realized that he doesn't have what it takes to grow a beard.
Andrew and Lindsay got busy and did some painting in the home they're buying and even got some of their things moved over to it before finalizing on their first big loan. The kids found creative ways to entertain themselves. One day when I stopped over to help I found them palying in the tub! (it was their spaceship)
The day finally came when they closed on the loan for their new house. Lindsay's brother, Dakota, was their Realtor, Garrett, was the loan guy, and Austin Truman, a family friend, was the title guy. This was Garrett's first loan closing that he's worked on while being employed by Academy Mortgage. Thanks Andrew for breaking the ice for him! Nothing better than family to make it happen, right?
After closing their loan, Andrew and Lindsay headed to St. George for a little get-a-way and some much needed rest. They spent some time in Zions National Park, getting almost got to the top of Angels Landing (Lindsay has a fear of heights).
They went to the St. George Temple.......
shopped and tried to visit/check on little sister, Danica, but she was working or hanging out with a special guy friend. Hmmmmm.
She's also been very involved in her art classes in learning new techniques and was quite thrilled with her latest project. Pretty cool, I'd say.
Dale and I watched Titan, Eloise and Punkin while they were gone. We tried to keep them entertained by playing games, doing crafts, shopping and even eating out at McDonald's. I think the kids still like us even!!
Titan's enjoying learning sign language at pre-school and Eloise enjoys going to Kid's Cares, when Lindsay is teaching.
Andrew and Lindsay didn't waste anytime moving into their new home! They were in within a week and Lindsay even had things hung on the walls, and got their Christmas tree up! Do you think they're glad to have a place to call home?
Danica caught a ride home from St. George with the neighbor girl, BreAnn Hoffman, that lives behind us. The Mallorys also came. We got caught up on what's been going on with them.
Amie went to Parent/Teacher Conference and found out that they have some pretty great kids. They're doing exceptionally well in school. Matt started coaching the Oakely HS girls basketball team and Jaxson started playing basketball on a traveling competitive team.
Danica and I helped Amie make homemade stuffing for her part for the dinner. A first for all of us. It was quite an adventure. Then they helped me make up two kinds of sweet potatoes. None of us has cooked for 50 before. We definitely planned wrong, but the leftovers were tasty!
Kennlyn was a good helper as well and frosted the cinnamon rolls for dinner the first night they were here. Many hands make light work! All was very tasty too!
She also lost her tooth while she was here. (Notice the loose tooth hanging over her lip)
We had Thanksgiving dinner with Dale's family. We met at the Nibley City Civic Center. We were blessed to spend time with family that could be there. We had Danica, Andrew & family, and Amie & family with us. Dale's family was missing the Nevada bunch and his little sister who recently got remarried, but we made the most of it and had a good time together.
We even kept the kids busy making turkey pictures and headbands....
Which made the fridge!!!
Nate and Kim enjoyed Sushi for their Thanksgiving meal while in Hawaii. I have to admit, I would of enjoyed Sushi in Hawaii for Thanksgiving as well if I had the opportunity to be there.
The next day was Langston's third birthday!! He woke up and we let him open his presents.
Then the guys went and helped Andrew put up some sheet rock and do some wiring in his basement. He's been busy working on finishing off their basement. Andrew's determined to get another bedroom downstairs for the kids before Christmas!
Then all the guys went and played basketball, racquetball and went swimming at Sports Academy while all the gals went to The Nutcracker at the Eccles Theatre and did some shopping.
We got home and Amie put the finishing touches on Langston's "Dusty the Airplane" cake and we celebrated with food and fun.
Happy Birthday Langston!!!
I think we wore everyone out, but we all had a fun, full day of fun with family.
Garrett, Zandra and little Jorie joined us for some of the festivities. That little cutie is growing fast. Look how she's changed over the month......
I love all the black hair she has, as well as her funny faces she pulls.
It does a grandma good to cuddle those little grandkids.
Garrett's loving the cuddling too!! He's a good dad.
The next day we celebrated Andrew's 28th birthday with a Triple Chocolate Cake in a little quieter manner though because all of the family left earlier in the day. He still felt pretty loved though.
Our hearts are full and we are feeling very blessed. The house is quiet again and that's ok though, because we know they'll be back!
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