Thanksgiving Break

This year was probably the best Thanksgiving we have had our whole married life. Being in your own home during the holidays is blissful! With both families here, it's always hard trying to decide where to be when, but I think we kind of figured it out and relaxed more this time. We had a great time with both families. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at Alan's parent's house this year after I ran the Turkey Trot with my family that morning. The run is such a fun community and family event. The weather is always beautiful and it's a great way to start off the day of pigging out! I have to admit, after running 6.2 miles, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep all the turkey down. That night Alan went to the ASU/USC game. It was too bad ASU lost on such a great day!




The next day, we went to the grounds of the the Mesa Temple. Because Alan's parent's were awarded "National Parents of the Year," they were asked to turn on the Christmas lights this year. They had a nice program and Glade and Carol had a few moments to share some thoughts. After that, the whole family went up to the stage and watched the temple grounds light up as Glade and Carol turned on the lights. As soon as the lights came on, Mae said "Oooooo Halloween!!!!" We MUST reintroduce her to Christmas. I don't think she remembers it from last year. Halloween is what's fresh in her mind. I'm so grateful I married into such a great family.


Right after that, we rushed to Chandler Center for the Arts to see the Nutcracker. The girls were mesmerised through the whole performance. I almost didn't bring Mae, because I thought she might be too young to enjoy it, but I'm so glad I brought her. She absolutely loved it. During some parts, she just couldn't contain herself and would stand up out of her chair and dance. It was so cute. Grace sat completely still, eyes glues to the stage. When we first walked in, she said, "Mom, is that a really big T.V.?" I had to explain what a stage was. It was fun to see some of my dance students there and it was especially fun to see one of my students who was a dancer in the Nutcracker!
During the break we also took the girls to the Disney movie,"Enchanted" on opening day. We went with my sister, Alexis and my friend, Julie and her two little girls. The girls dressed up for the occasion. We got plenty of looks and had so much fun! I don't know what I'll do if we ever have boys. Do you dress them up too and take them along for the ride? Everything we do is so girlie. I LOVE IT!
Alexis was here for a week without her boyfriend. So, I pretty much took advantage of her loneliness:) It was so much fun to have her here. The entire week we had to keep it from her that her boyfriend was coming to surprise her and propose. Saturday night, we went out to dinner with my family so B.J. could come into town and set up his whole plan at the house without Alexis knowing. He proposed that night and Alexis was SO surprised! I'm so excited to have another married sibling and I'm so excited to have B.J. in our family. They are so cute together.
Now I'm playing catch-up from partying all week. Grace didn't even have clean underwear to wear to preschool today. AAAHHH! Back to reality!


Mae got pretty sick at the end of the week. Alan was able to bond with her while she sat on his lap for two days straight. He took such good care of her. He would be a really good stay-at-home mom (or dad). Now Mae doesn't want me anymore. I went into her room when she woke up this morning and she looked pretty disappointed to see me. All she said was, "No, I want Daddy!" I sure have "Daddy's girls" and he loves it!