Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.   I love being around family and the delicious food, and I also love that this is one of the only holidays where we focus on what we have rather than what we don't have. 

Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving celebration this year.  The last Thanksgiving we had with my siblings was 6 years ago, and with my parents, 8 years ago (they were on their mission 6 years ago). So this was a neat gathering.  We had a delicious feast followed by an afternoon of Minute to Win It games (mostly found here and here).  The games were fantastic because all age groups could compete together for most games. 

 

 

 

Today when I was getting frustrated that the computer wasn't working, Jared pointed out that this is a "First World Problem". If you haven't heard the term (and I hadn't) this is the definition: First World Problems "are frustrations and complaints that are only experienced by privileged individuals in wealthy countries".  Here is a little clip that may help you (as it did me) put my frustrations in perspective.

As we move enjoy the holidays, let us remember how blessed we are, and what really matters in life.  You may have seen the quote below before, but I thought I'd post it to remind us all to be more grateful for the little things in life.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep---   you are richer than 75 percent of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish---you are among the top 8 percent of the worlds wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness---you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation---you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful---you are blessed because the majority can but most do not.

A Spooktacular Halloween

This year we have celebrated Halloween more than most years.  Throughout the month of October, we decorated our house, made lots of crafts and treats, watched Halloween movies and had a little party for the kids' friends. Halloween night we went trick-or-treating door-to-door (no trunk-or-treating for our family, the kids have to work for their candy!).

What Natalie really wanted to be this year was a forest ranger, however we didn't have a costume for her so she decided to wear her princess dress-up. Jared made Natalie's day by bringing home some fairy wings on Halloween, she was ecstatic!

Thomas had been talking all month about being a Ninja for Halloween, so when Target had 50% off costumes I got him his Ninja costume that he wore to school.  However, on Halloween night he changed his mind and wanted to be Harry Potter.  He wore his ninja costume (minus the red tunic) and then had us paint a lightening bolt on his head.  Thomas has recently started to be a fan of Harry Potter after reading the first book all by himself (he loves reading!).

Amelia was so excited to wear her clown costume to school she kept saying how all the kids would think she was so funny and laugh.

Little Abigail is somewhat of a Tomboy.  She really loves robots, Star Wars, and the color blue.  Buzz Lightyear is a good representation of who she is.

We had a lot of fun making monsters this year.  Our craft ideas were mostly found on Pinterest (I love Pinterest!).