Thanksgiving--Rock Band style

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! Kristopher is here visiting us. It has been two years since we last saw him---too long!

Isabel just LOVES Kristopher! When she comes in the room crying from something the boys did, she goes right past me and Jared and clings to Kristopher's leg. Yesterday we were at the Renaissance festival and she only wanted to be carried, or have her hand held, by him. Then, last night we came home from The Nutcracker. We picked her up from Natalie's house and she came in running. I got down into my usual stoop, ready to pick her up and swing her as we celebrated being reunited---oh no.... She ran right past me and into Kristopher's arms. I was shafted! :)

Thanksgiving was spent with dear friends, the Bigneys and the Paces. And before our dinner, our wonderful friend and next door neighbor, Emily brought over her first-ever pumpkin pie for us. Isabel ran from the other room right into her arms. She is such a delight! We love Emily and Kurt.

This year Thanksgiving was tradition, with a twist. We had four of the most amazing turkeys ever cooked. Two cajun deep-fried, some kind of berry-infused brine turkey, and a jalapeno garlic turkey (courtesy of Jared, of course!). They were all sooooo good!

After stuffing ourselves with all the delicious food, the men-folk "retired to the den" to play Rockband. It was clear from early on that the planned board game was never going to happen, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We all had a lot of fun singing and playing as 10 children under the age of 10 ran around us. Good times.

The next day we traveled to Plantersville, TX and hour and a half away to join in the festivities of the Renaissance festival. It was like medieval Disneyland. Great fun. The boys got swords and were swordfighting amongst each other all day. Ethan is really into the whole knight, King, Queen thing. He likes for me to "knight him." I knighted him and congratulated him for killing all 'ogres, dragons, creatures, and anything ugly'. He quickly reminded me, "don't forget to say 'bad guys'!" I love my kids so much.

There was food, entertainment, and just an overall feeling of being transferred in time. One funny thing was how many of the "cast" loved Jared's Thundercats t-shirt. They would call out, "Thundercats! Ho!" It was like King Arthur meets Anime.

After a big day at the festival, we spent the evening with some of our other dear friends, John and Shey Moniz. They took us to see The Nutcracker. It was my first time ever seeing it. It was a wonderful evening. Spending time with them is always fun because they have such great stories to tell. They too love Isabel and she adores them.

So, after a day of seeing men in medieval tights all day, and spending the evening at the ballet---I have had my share of men in tights for at least a year---maybe more.

I hope our Christmas in even close to as wonderful as our Thanksgiving.

Merry Christmas!

Fabulous Fathers

This post is kind of a "count your many blessings", but that was not it's original intent.

Sunday we had dinner with Jared's good friend from Palmyra, Sarah Dahneke Hedengren and family. Her parents, Marilyn and Barton were visiting which was a plus---I love them.

What I came away with was how wonderful the men in our lives are. Jared is on the high council in our new stake so after spending three hours of church with us, he drove an hour away to spend three hours of church with the branch that he is assigned to.

John was gone to an additional meeting when we arrived at their house, helping boys get their eagle scout.

As the dads came home there were the traditional, "yeah! Daddy is here!" shouts of jubilee and hugs and kisses.

Then I was so impressed to watch as John helped with dinner, cleared the table, emptied the dishwasher, played (not watched, but played) with the kids upstairs so that we could all visit.

I saw "Papa" Dahneke help with the kids outside and at dinner.

Then as we left, the kids were screaming to drive home with dad in his car and he, of course, obliged by transferring car seats over for them.

Anyway, I was just overcome with gratitude for good men who work so hard and are dedicated to doing what is right.

Pokemon Mediator: You Think Your Day Was Bad!

Today Tyler came home crying accusing Landon of trading his Marwaok pokemon to another boy at school. Landon denied it was ever Tyler's and quickly the Pokemon war ensued.

Tyler had a perfect memory of every card traded, all there names and the location, time of day, what we had for dinner that night, and what we all were wearing at the time the trade took place.

I quickly realized this was an argument for which I was of no use.

Here is a sample of a much more complicated dispute:

Landon: "No I didn't take Marwaok, Tyler!"

Tyler: "Yes, you did Landon!"

Landon: "I never traded that card with you. Why would I trade Eggcutor for Marwaok when it has a higher hp?"

Tyler: "Yes, you did! You traded Infernape, Stealix, Motham, Galade for Arceus with your friend!"

Landon (thinking): " Okay, well I gave the Marwaok to my friend for the Vespequin, but I don't have it because he stayed home from school today."

Mom: "Landon, when you get your Vespequin, give it to Tyler.