Thanksgiving and Pre-Christmas

I didn't take many pictures this year, but the lack of photographic evidence doesn't mean we didn't have a great Thanksgiving.

The main excitement this year was Alan's Amazon parrot, Carlos. Annie and Carlos became fast friends.

This picture makes it look like there was more indifference than love between Annie and Carlos. But they really did enjoy each other's company.

The kids also had so much fun watching Alan and Russell fly their airplanes.

Shauna was having Thanksgiving with her boyfriend's family, but her presence was felt through the bug house/playground that she bequeathed to Annie. Sorry to the roly-poly bugs who died in it. I hope they had fun going down the slide before their untimely demise.

Annie's politically incorrect headdress was made with some feathers Carlos shed. Even though it was Thanksgiving, I don't think Annie was trying to look like a Native American--because she said no when I asked her. This was just the design she wanted to use to present her feathers.

So, not a single picture of food. But it was delicious. And I finally satisfied the craving for bean casserole that I've been having for the last five months or so.

The kids and I actually busted out the Christmas decorations the day before we left for Thanksgiving. Kid Christmas excitement is the best thing ever.

The Benefits of Being Five

When a girl turns five years old, it means she is allowed in the hot tub at her Aunt Felicia's community pool (without that aunt lying in her behalf). Annie was very excited to reach this important milestone in her life. Too bad the pool doesn't open for another six months or so.

Annie's dream this year was to eat chicken nuggets with ranch at McDonald's on her birthday. Since we are parents in the business of making dreams come true, we indulged her. It was her first Happy Meal. Those things are WAY fancier than when I was a kid.

Earlier in the day, Grandma Dennis drove down and gave Annie a magical Princess crafting kit. This crown was one of her creations.

 The Olveras joined us and made it a real party.

We have a school-aged kid! That seems crazy. Annie and I have been doing homeschool preschool with the plan to do kindergarten homeschool next year. Recently, she realized that was the plan and had a little breakdown. I asked her why she was so sad she wouldn't be going to public school. She said it was because she wouldn't get to have lunchtime or recess. "What's recess?" I asked her. "I don't know," she said through her tears. I explained the concept of recess and then said that as homeschoolers we would have lots of time to play with friends. She allowed herself to be consoled. This week she told a relative she was five years old. The relative said, "Oh, so you'll be going to school next year?" Annie said, "Nope. I'm doing homeschool kindergarten." There was no crying, and she sounded content with it. 

Every day is another attempt not to ruin your child's life. I think that on her birthday we succeeded.

Two days later, Annie also had a glorified play-date with her two besties, Emma and Nancy. I didn't take a single picture. Motherhood fail!

My Parents Actually Left Us

I've been my parents' kid for my whole life, and usually I've been the one leaving them. I went to kindergarten and college. I got married and started my own family. I was comfortable with this I-leave-you-but-you're-always-there-in-the-same-place relationship. Ya know?

The tables have turned, people! I'm still here in Utah while my parents are in Texas. It wasn't exactly The Rapture, but I've been LEFT BEHIND! And it is a little bit strange. 

My parents had a wonderful week in the Missionary Training Center. We found out that the MTC has a napping room for senior missionaries who live locally and don't have a room at the MTC but still need a little mid-day snooze. Isn't that awesome! Other missionaries in my parents' group were going to more exotic places such as the Congo and Armenia. On second though, exotic probably isn't the best word to describe those two particular locales. The Armenia couple was going back for the third time...not because they loved it so much but because the mission president had trouble finding any other couples who were willing to go there. I'm not exactly sure why Armenia is so bad, but someone mentioned something about a lack of running water.

On Monday night of my parents' MTC week, we had family home evening at Felicia's house. It was also Grandma Sandberg's birthday, so we had a strange ice cream flavor for dessert and some strangely delicious brownies made by Felicia.

My parents were in town for Aaron's birthday, so they came and had dinner and cake with us that night. Alan was there, too. (Speaking of being left behind, Alan got a real airplane-flying job. Farewell free babysitter and totally awesome person. We will miss you.) Happy 33rd birthday, Aaron!

And then on Friday my parents treated Felicia, Kaylee, and me to the BYU Homecoming Spectacular. It was great! And I ran into Kevin Worthen, BYU President, at the water fountain. He was blocking it. But he politely moved when I asked him to. 

 Yes, that Y was strategically included in this picture.

And that was it! They drove back to the MTC, and left for Texas in the morning. As I mentioned earlier, I'm feeling bereft. Of course, I'm also so happy for them. What an adventure they are going to have. And it's great that we can call and text and email and visit them. Senior missionaries get lots of perks. They have been looking forward to this mission for many years. Really, ever since they got married. It was time for the empty-nesters to leave the nest! So fly, Mom and Dad! Turn about is fair play. 

Family Time

Earlier this month, we got to see William and Heather and family. They are such great folks. Our big activity of the weekend was boating at Pine Dell (I think) Reservoir. It was about 40 degrees and windy when we got there, but then the day turned beautiful. Perfect for wakeboarding--or so I'm told.

 The only thing better than owning a boat is having relatives who own one. This boat is Russell and Rachel's. I think they named it The Williamina.

 The girls loved the boat.

 Scotty loved the sticks.

 Jaden loved the dirt.

After our Dennis Family visit, we went up to Idaho for my parents' mission farewell! They were called to the Lubbock Texas Mission. I can't believe they'll actually be leaving! Their talks were wonderful. I loved listening to them. They are amazing people. I really admire them. I am beyond lucky to be their daughter. 

Annie will sure miss her grandparents.Fa

Lots of Hiking

Hiking is like packing/moving. It always takes longer than you think it will. It even takes takes longer than the estimate you made realizing it will take longer than you think it will. But it's still fun! I love the mountains.

Aaron and I went on a date up a gorgeous canyon with loads of pine trees and quaking aspens. On the drive to the trail head we saw a family of moose (mooses? meese?) on our way there. And a couple (of humans) taking engagement photos. And another couple (of humans) taking wedding photos. They put a damper on the natural atmosphere.

We had the trail basically to ourselves, though. We were supposedly hiking up to this lake. But the lake turned out to be a frozen glacier bordered by a small puddle. In a couple of months it will be a lake. We were a little disappointed, but it was still a beautiful spot.

 Can you see the waterfall behind Aaron? Waterfalls are so manly.

Later that week we went on another hike with many of my family members. We chose Stewart Falls...along with 98% of the population of Utah. It was Memorial Day craziness! 

 I look bald in this picture!

Afterwards, we had a picnic at the park which also served as a retirement party for my dad and mom. Way to go! I hope they call them on a mission!

Scotty's Birthday

Our little man is 2 years old. This guy has such an interesting personality. He is snuggly and clingy and sensitive to tastes and temperatures and sounds and feelings. But he can also be the biggest jokester. He loves to ham it up and then say, "Funny!"

I made muffins for breakfast, but when I went to bake them we found out the oven wasn't working. Aaron tried a few things and got it working. I think the trick was cleaning dust off the heating elements.

We ate muffins and gave Scotty a basketball hoop! He's really into that. Later we had a basketball cake and more presents.

There was something magical about the carrot cake cooked in a bowl. It was so dense and moist and delicious. We might be having more basketball cakes in the future.