In Arizona

11/25

We rounded up as many cousins as possible to visit Santa.

This picture is to show that Auggie was there.

And this one is to show that Ollie was there.

Santa loved us.

Took pictures for Derek and Loren.

11/27

More backyard time.

11/27

Candace and Jason introduced us to this place:

11/27

And we definitely went two nights in a row.

Rachel is the best aunt and had these 3 ladies over for a sleepover.

11/27

We fished with the Hollobaughs:

11/28

Took pictures for Lindsey's family.

11/28

Trip #2.

Those cookies were amazing.

11/28

And these 2 are a very funny pair.

Mandatory pit stop on the drive home.

11/29

This trip went way too fast. So worth the long drive, though. 

Not pictured:
- Karen cut my hair.
- Drew decided he wanted to swim in Karen's freezing pool. Hung on their poolside basketball hoop and toppled it into the water. Made Jared's day.
- Visited Denica & Christian's new house for pizza night/XBox playing.
- Justin and Drew went shooting with some of his family Thanksgiving morning.
- Played 2 days of family kickball.
- Met cute niece Zayley for the first time.

Thanks

Every other year my parents host Thanksgiving for their ever-growing posterity.

This year the group was up to 50.

(including my grandparents and 3 family friends)

And this year we did "Thanksgiving on Sterroids."

Still not sure I like that name, but the idea was to step up the traditional dishes.

I was a little nervous that the results would be unfavorable, but everything was delicious.

Okay, almost everything (ahem Jacob's green beans - he admitted it).

 Derek and I battled in sweet potatoes.

His prosciutto wrapped potatoes (broiled with brown sugar and rosemary) clearly won.

I went old school with the marshmallow topping.

Mixed it up by doing them twice baked in the skin.

They were most definitely good.

But I will be making Derek's every year from now on.

After much eating, the rest of daylight was spent on bikes and playing 9 Square in the Air.

11/26

And then we shopped.

The Little Things

10/28

Winter on top, summer on the bottom = fall in Pacific Grove.

11/5

When your younger brother has to tie your tie for you.

11/7

Drew ended fall ball season with a lot of eye black.

11/9

11/10

Visit to Sally's class.

11/11

Drew is on a Survivorman kick.

This is his backyard bed.

11/12

A visit to Hacienda Hay & Feed.

11/14

Monkeys.

Teamwork.

11/14

Owen's first trip to the temple.

11/15

11/18

The bat rays were more social than I've ever seen him.

Spent almost an hour bonding with them.

11/20

Sally's class put on the cutest Thanksgiving play.

Sally was super nervous going into Ms D's class, knowing she did plays throughout the year.

But she did great and said her part loud and clear.

11/21

A sunny day and a corn dog.

So Much

10/28

Have I mentioned we got my parents for a whole week?

My mom came last summer, but Dad hadn't been here for 2 years.

It was a busy week in-between Owen's birthday, school, and Halloween.

They helped so, so much.

Above was when Dad borrowed my bike for an Ace Hardware trip.

My mom worked with Sally all week on sewing that bear and making the cardboard desk.

10/31

Sally loves crafts and I truly do not.

I am extra grateful for my mom's patience in that area.

Drew and Dad's project of the week was a safe, similar to the one Owen inherited from me.

10/31

11/1

I love the finished product and the shade of blue that Drew chose.

Not pictured:

- Walks with Mom

- Dad fixed: a cupboard, our fence (Drew threw a baseball too hard), the boys' dresser (Drew used the drawers as ladder steps), and our pencil sharpener.

- Lunch at Old Fisherman's Grotto (best clam chowder, not the best fish & chips).

- A beach trip to find sea glass while Justin and I went on a date.

- Watching "The Cokeville Miracle" after church before they left.

- Grilled fish and vegetable Sunday dinner with the Barrs (that my parents prepared).

- Dad disliked our toaster oven so much, he bought us a thrift store toaster. The slots are so small that either the bread has to be squished in there or the bread has to be cooked one half at a time. So funny.

- Morning errands with Auggie, who is extra funny in the car.

A Beacon of a Deacon

The main reason my parents came to visit was for Owen's priesthood ordination.

He was ordained a deacon by Justin on Sunday, November 1.

The following Sunday he passed the sacrament for the first time.

He looked so small up there compared to the other boys.

He was so nervous, but did great.

From Owen's last day in primary:

10/25