I'm Thankful For:

This year I am very thankful for friends that made the big hole in my heart a little smaller Thanksgiving day.

I made my first turkey this year - with many phone calls to my mother - and it turned out wonderfully! I also made three pies, stuffing and an appetizer. I hosted the dinner at my house and had eight people in the same situation I am in join me.

I couldn't believe the mountain of food that showed up! We had enough food to feed a small army! :)

After we stuffed ourselves full - we took a break and had a fun time talking, playing games and enjoying each other's company. Then we decided it was time to jump into the holiday spirit with "Elf" and tried out the delicious pies. This year I made the traditional pumpkin pie, blueberry pie and an apple pie. They were delicious!

Getting excited to eat!

Food - Food - Food!!

The table is always beautifully decorated at home, so I wanted to continue the tradition.

Carving of the turkey

Let the feast begin!

The "kiddie" table

Thankful for:

My sister listed things that she is thankful for and I thought it was a great idea! I am going to only list ten because this list could go on FOREVER!!

1) I am thankful for a great car - it has been so dependable and good to me.
2) I am thankful for my VT SC, she knows exactly what I need to hear and is hilarious!
3) I am thankful for great roommates, they really put up with some of my crazy ideas.
4) I am thankful for such a large and loving family - seriously, I love it!!!
5) I am thankful for my friends from highschool, looking back we have been through a lot together and I am glad we are still in touch!
6) I am thankful for my religion for the guidance and joy that it brings into my life.
7) I am thankful for my residents who are constantly teaching me patience, understanding, and showing me that you really end up back in highschool when you get older - oh the drama!
8) I am thankful for the freedoms I enjoy and the men and women who gave the greatest sacrifice so I could continue to enjoy them.
9) I am thankful for technology, I love that I can call anyone in the middle of the woods or video chat with my parents (at my sis's house).
10) I am thankful for loving parents who are still teaching me many lessons of growing up, loving all and forgiving me when I forget what time zone I live in! :)

Just a reminder to all - SIX days until the mountain of Utah are in my view!!

It's that time again! YES!

I love this time of year! I finally allow myself to listen to Christmas Music the day after Halloween, even though I could and sometimes do listen to it all year round! For those of you who are having a fit right now because I just said that - CHILL!

First off, can anyone NAME a Thanksgiving song?? Besides a couple of hymns! That is what I thought!

Christmas songs are about being together and being home. It celebrates what I consider to be the true "Spirit of the Season" which doesn't start after Thanksgiving, it is a part of Thanksgiving! We are giving thanks and singing praises to the person who has literally given us everything!!

So, I am giving you my standard rule for those who may ride in my car or hear my music playing... After October 31, I will listen to Christmas Music and usually sing right along, regardless if I am on-key or not. So... no apologies, just deal! As I stated before - this is my FAVORITE time of the year!

Here is a picture of my father playing the organ last year at Christmas! It is so much fun to have my dad either play the piano or organ and have my siblings join in on a couple traditional christmas songs or hymns... It is so nice that we almost forget he started playing before 6:00 AM!! :)
P.S. I will be heading to Utah in approximately 16 days!!! I can't wait to see friends, family and the mountains!