Happy Thanksgiving!

And happy Black Friday…I guess…I confess I bought a couple things…and I might not be done but I’ve gotta blog first 😉

Saturday I went to Cannon’s game. 

Being a former coach and a mom is a bit of a disaster! It was the Highland tournament and we played Highland for third place, so the place was pretty packed. They came out in a little 1-2-2 half court trap, and we were like pass pass layup. Pass pass layup. Over and over and over. But once we were up by like 20 in the first half, I was like come on man,  put a sub in. But Cannon and the other subs didn’t see the court until the end of the 3rd quarter then played the whole 4th quarter. I didn’t like it, I  think to bring guys a long they need to play with the guys who are a little better,  he could have got his bench guys a minute each with his horses during the 2nd quarter  when he was up 20, but…oh well. They won, Cann was happy, and I’m glad! I have to bite my tongue cuz I don’t want Cannon to be annoyed just because I was. 

My little Jean jacket for church buddy 😊

Then Tuesday Cannons team  played the same team, that came out it the same 1-2-2🤦‍♀️ It was more of the same—they had a shut out going until deep into the 3rd quarter but this time he did mix in the subs way earlier and they of course weren’t as smooth but still kept the shutout intact that long, so it was good. 

Isaac decided to paint the panels on his excavator (and ended up with enough of a circus cuz his paint wouldn’t dry that he didn’t make the game) and I ended up with just Seth and Addi at the ball game…  not the best mix of kids to try and take pictures😉
Oh well! 

And then it was Thanksgiving break! I got to sneak over to the temple on Wednesday. It was extra fun because when I walked in, I saw Jim Johnson, he was the principal of Snow Canyon but before I was there, when I was there he was over at the district office, but he was my grandma‘s bishop and she thought so highly of him and his wife. It was really fun to visit with them. I love it when you run into people you know in the temple. I guess they’ve been there in Nauvoo for 10 months already and that was the first time I’ve seen them, but it sure was fun! 

When I got home. Addi had a big bruise between her eyes but I couldn’t hardly even get a picture of it because she just smiles when I try—these are attempts like 13 and 14 but Seth said they just bonked heads and she didn’t cry—that’s all I got as far as a story.

And then there was Thanksgiving, this looks about like an Isaac Special right? 

Good thing we had a great “fake” Thanksgiving in Utah. We’d asked the kids if they wanted to do a big lunch or big dinner, they picked dinner so we just kinda laid low and Isaac decided to take his excavator to the Farnsworth’s. An all day project where he ran out of daylight. Trying to be a little lighter (I think) he had me pull the bucket up with the truck and trailer. I got there just in time to see them stuck…

I left home  just after 4:00. 

At about 7:00 I called Colt on the iPad (he and Tann stayed) and asked him how he would feel about peeling potatoes— so basically Colt and Tan the  man, took care of  the most important part of our Thanksgiving dinner. 

We didn’t even cook the ham, instead we threw some breakfast ham on the frying  pan and I was thankful that we had it in the fridge. We did make a box of stuffing and I think the kids made a pie earlier with Isaac…I can’t  remember for sure- (they did one day) and then we had some apple empanadas in the freezer that we baked up.

We’re usually good for a story! 

We have lots to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving✅✅

Saturday...was a disaster but everything worked out. Cannon missed his ball game and went to the temple. I was really proud of him (the kid has been nagging me non stop for a phone he should have asked me then! I probably would have bought one!) You always want better for you kids --he made the right choice! And I can 100% guarantee you I would have made the wrong choice when I was his age. I understood that it was a really hard for him. To Isaac it was a no brainer. One thing matters, one doesn't. He just expected him to make the right choice. Isaac didn't read the email though so he missed his ride and Isaac had to take him over to the temple. They went to lunch, stopped and ate afterward, and made a day of it. I was here with the other 4 kids and it sure was a long day. 

A random static pic of the Addster:

Sunday Tanner shared his Testimony of the temple. It was really sweet. He had kind of wanted to in Utah but he got a 2nd chance because we had back to back fast Sundays because of our new stake being formed. It was really sweet—he did a good job. 

Sunday I also got to sneak over to the cemetery with the cute Hilton family and take a few family pics. We love the Hilton's, while neither of us would have picked to share that sacred place, I think we’re both glad to share that sacred place. I told them about my covenant path analogy and Brittany text me either on or just after Caleb’s birthday and we made it happen for them. 😊

Monday I jogged over there after school and the deer hunters were parked there and they'd left the gate open and they cows had messed up the boys pumpkins and pooped on Rizzy's grave and it was a disaster. I was glad we'd been there the day before. 

And, I saw a pretty good looking buck when I was walking home just across from our mailbox—Cannon was jealous. He’s kind of bummed out, They haven’t got anything yet this year.

The weather has been awesome for saying its Nov--if only it could stay!

Cannon had 4 away games this week. I went to Brookfield Tuesday. We didn't go Thursday because it was an 8:00 start time and even though it was hard to know he had a game and not be there I was glad--it was too late and they got killed and he said he didn't play until the 4th quarter anyway. He hated riding the bus home though. 

Isaac went to watch his team play tonight (he didn’t get in at all so that was kind of a bummer) and I will go tomorrow. 

His team has Hudl…I really like showing him things on film. We haven’t done a ton but…I just think it’s so good for him to actually see it! 

Wednesday was our nephew Brandon's neck surgery so we were just hanging on the updates! We have been praying hard and we are so thankful it seemed to go well. 

What else? It feels like a busy week but I'm not sure what all we've done. 

I watched President Ballard funeral online today. It was good, it was really good to see and hear President Holland! It's been a while! As for President Ballard l, I distinctly remember him giving  devotional address at BYU-Hawaii where he promised us that he and the other leaders of the church “would not lead us astray, they would not, they could not." It struck a chord with me, I knew it was true, I then subsequently took a teaching of the living prophets institute class when I came back to Dixie and fell in love with those guys, the work they do, and through their testimonies I know the Savior whom they share a special witnesses of! Their words are truly how I #hearHim.  So he played a significant part in the development of my testimony. It’s been fun to reflect on his life and teachings. -honey bees-the old ship Zion-stay in the boat! -what matters most- just to name a few. I’m also glad we listened to his biography driving across the country last summer! 

And today I had basketball practice with Tanner's group. My dad distinctly told me "Don't coach your friends kids" ...maybe he should have said "don't coach you own kids" One of the kids told Tanner he traveled. I don't know, I didn't see it. We were just doing chase layups.  It was early on in practice and but it was game over for Tanner. He sat on the side and sulked the entire time. I was livid. But just went on with practice. Oh well, it won't matter in 100 years. (I keep trying to remind myself of that.) 

I dunno what else. 

A few random pic:

Colt wanted Breakfast burritos…I said “remind me”

Family football…if Tan takes care of Cann Colt only has Seth to beat 😉

Tan struggled today, but he crushed it in world kindness day! 


She doesn’t like to lay down in the mess she made—even if it’s to get it changed—so she does this every time…kinda silly. 

Isaac has a couple of good helpers! Seth found the leak! 

Goofs! 

When I started blogging 13 years ago I didn’t have 5 kids to get to bed! Yikes! I have a lot to blog! I guess I better just get started:

The first thing that happened Saturday morning, was Isaac ditched me and went back to the temple by himself…I was so mad that it made the blog a full week later so…there’s that. 

Saturday was  gramas donut party -she says it was the last one… I don’t blame her a bit… But I also might not believe her🤣

Aunt Kami made homemade donuts this go around too! 

They were pretty dang good! 

And Grampa got a tooth!! 
 

Isaac went riding motorcycles with his cousin that day so he wasn’t  around for the circus—probably for the best. It was weird and WONDERFUL to be there when the weather was so nice. In the summer he always had to go super early if he wants to ride but this was just whenever it worked out for Phillip in the afternoon. 

Sunday we had a little Thanksgiving dinner— Perfect! It was so delicious and now I can feed my kids cold cereal on Thanksgiving if I want, right? We’ll see.

The goblets (or goblins as Seth calls them) were a hit! They’re so funny they just love them! 

We sat and visited for a while, Isaac is always quiet I never never know what he’s thinking. I just cringe every time my brother says “damn” or anything along those lines.  I don’t know why, I don’t think Isaac cringes or cares but I always worry about things… it’s just that oil and water mix. But yeah, some memories, some chit chat—some laughs some serious. It was good. 

Oh wait I have big news Sis and Patch are friends! The 2nd pic down in Kys dog but she doesn’t care, she’ll throw a ball for any dog. 

That was about it for Sunday. We could have stayed Monday, but Isaac was A: done was being there (back to that oil/water) and B: bent on making memories together as a family. So my dad had wanted to put a few tags in cows ears so they did that Saturday morning and Isaac and BOTH went back over to the temple, I decided it was best to quit being mad and invite him along, it was ok but on a leaving day I’m always going to struggle. Anyway about noon we headed towards Vegas. 

Tanner spotted the Nellis fighter jets on the way down they were pretty cool. 

For our first adventure we went to Hoover Dam and that really was cool. Everyone liked it. 

And after that everything was “eh” if not disastrous! 
We went to some Mexican joint in Boulder city and… Basically I was miserable for the rest of the night.👎🏻 but I didn’t throw up on the plane so I have that to be thankful for —the way I was feeling I was afraid it was a possibility. 

From there we drove down to the strip…the plan had been pinball but Addi fell asleep and they could see that stupid globe and…it lured them in. Addi woke up as soon as we stopped (in some employee parking lot 🤯… which I’m not a big mental illness person but you put me in downtown Las Vegas on the strip at night…you better believe I have anxiety—it was aawful.) But we got to see the globe (Who cares? not worth it)

Isaac told me tonight he regrets not seeing a show inside there because Elon Musk said it was cool…or worth it. Too bad the yellow one is not the eye roll emoji… cuz that’s what I think of the Musk-rat. …who is also one of Gods children 😬

Anyway next we went to the fountains at the Bellagio, but not before driving around for 30 minutes and then paying $20 to park that stupid Caesars Palace which we were going to go to the Atlantis show after the fountains but we should’ve done it in the other order because we saw the fountains ..::sort of ….

They  have a big race there that’s coming up so the grandstands were all in front of the fountains…bummer. Then we walk back through Caesars Palace and we had actually parked really really close to the Atlanta show, but we missed it. The last one had just played when we got there. 

We didn’t miss the naked statues and we didn’t miss the showgirls asking us if we wanted their picture with our family 🤯🤯🤯…Not the kind of memories I was interested in… Oh, well anyways, so after that we were going to a pinball place, which I thought was the plan right after dinner but then Addi had fallen asleep and they could see the globe from the freeway —anyway so we ended up doing the pinball thing last but we got there and it was closed, another miss! Finally we just took the rental car back and got on the shuttle and then got on the next shuttle and we got to the airport like 2 1/2 hours early which was fine for me, but Isaac would’ve rather done something else memorable…I don’t know. Once to our gate, He promptly went over to the window and laid down having a nap, which was great because he was going to be the driver the whole time the next morning but it did leave me in the casino… not casino, the airport in Vegas with a casino feel and  five little kids all to myself! Tanner and Colton both ended up falling asleep on the floor too. Cannon was  a huge help with the car seat and just kind of helping me count kids. He was a tremendous help on the strip too because that was very very stressful and I only had two hands and Isaac packed Addi so  Cannon was just like the Hawkeyes to make sure we were together and everything was OK! anyway we got on the plane everybody slept. We drove home and here we are —trip over. It was good. 

Isaac had to teach all day Tuesday (which is why I let him sleep as much as he could in the airport!) Wednesday everyone went back to school and he helped with Youth activities Thursday was Colt’s GATE (gifted and talented) night. These guys build a sweet tower! 

I went for the first half but then split off the Relief Society. 

Today was Tanners Veterans Day assembly! 

They did great! 

https://youtu.be/o3hyhsyX8-Y?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/WRKoeYoS95k?feature=shared

And today we got to watch Cann play basketball! 




I think that’s it! 

Temple Trip!

Saturday soccer got canceled because it was too cold—Cannon and Isaac went hunting and didn’t get a deer! What a great day! I literally thought I got a bonus day…I can’t exactly remember what I did with my bonus day (except for work on Rizzy’s tulip garden a little) but it was a great day! 

Sunday the boys crushed it on the primary program!!! It was literally the best one I’ve ever seen!! (Back row of girls about to go into young women’s that carried ever song didn’t hurt😉) but it was so good. Colt’s school teacher came, Tanner invited Mrs Pasa the librarian (she comes occasionally because her kids/grandkids are members so when they come to visit she comes with them) but it was awesome! (Seth’s teachers didn’t come and that was hard for Mr 4 year old but I was proud of him for inviting them!) 

There was one other teacher there supporting the kids—it was awesome! We really like her even though we haven’t actually had her but maybe Seth or Addi will 

Pres Thomas, who we love, was also there kind of to say goodbye, but he told us the story of the splitting of the steak, and it was pretty sweet! And he picked a great Sunday to come, because that was an awesome primary program😉 I love Primary Sunday! 

Sunday these boys found some more fun! 

Monday…anti climatic but I did get to meet (and really like) Canns basketball coach at the parent meeting. 

Tuesday we went and visited Dad’s class! 




And skipped the rest of Halloween. On account of getting to bed early because we got up at 1:40 and headed for Kansas City! 

Oh but we did have an Art Star 

(I might have got busted for “accidentally” throwing this out so after we salvaged it we made sure to get a pic) 
And on to the plane a that pretty early flight! 

Isaac snagged this chair fro sis because she “has limited mobility” 

🤯

On one hand it was super smart-and on the other…I’m so embarrassed! If I say that though—he just says “why?!” And “because you are using that chair so someone who really has limited mobility can’t” isn’t a sufficient answer so instead I just take pics🤷‍♀️ Cann was a stud though,  manning the car seat for me through both airports! That was awesome! 

We did and off site car rental so that took an extra hour or so but by time we hit I-15 Isaac was ready for In Out burger…but it was still 10 am Vegas time so —not open. He settled for Dell Taco (we paid up on some long promised Krispy Kreme’s) and then he said “we’re not in a hurry” (I mean…he wasn’t -turn me toward home and I always am so…) we detoured to the warm springs, with no required reservation but loads of Isaac’s charm. So the missionary wrote up a little agreement promising we wouldn’t sue if anything happened and they let’s swim for about 1/2 hour.

The kids loved it but it was Isaac who was in HEAVEN! Even if it wasn’t quite as warm as he remembered. 

We stopped at the corrals to see Grampa on the way through and threw the ball for Parch a little. 

Then we made it to Grama’s, it was probably early afternoon, it just felt like midnight…so we crashed pretty early! 



The brothers and Grampa went to feed so Addi and dad hit the park. 





Thursday we went to lunch with uncle Shawn’s family, Grandma, Coy and Georgette, then my folks met back up with all of us and we got to go to the temple open house—❤️ the reason we came! It was awesome! We loved it. 

Matching scowls matching smiles 😂









After that my folks worked the next shift at the temple ushering (oh It was really fun to go on a day that the Santa Clara steak was doing it. We saw lots of people I knew.) Grandma Shawn and Lauren tended our kids at the hotel and Isaac and I headed to Cedar to do a temple session there. 

Tired? Ate too much?or truly a bad tummy??? We don’t really know but I had two of my people puke last night 😩😩 oh these two but Grama wasn’t afraid to tend the sickies! 

And we still took them hiking! 







After which Grandma Shawn and Lauren headed back to Emery Co and we headed to Santa Clara. 

Riley came for a while then Klint and Caroline night. 

Colt talked Grama into some pull taffy…I don’t like that stuff but they had fun.  


There’s more

The burm

Off roading in the rental van on our way to the hike (there was a much easier way) 

The 4+ mile hike we missed the marking sign and never really even saw Elephant Arch…oh well

Cann went for a jog with me

I don’t know what else

Hopefully I can proof read it tomorrow🤞🏻