Thanksgiving with Annie

That weekend brought Thanksgiving with Annie. I went to Orem with my Mom to help her with Grandma's decorations. I even took William with me. However that meant that Ben would be heading to his Mom's without us. He managed just fine though. He even managed to make our assignment, mashed potatoes. 

I'm not exactly sure what happened while I was absent, I can only imagine that they ate, the kids played, and the adults visited. As pretty much everything does. 

When William and I got there, we ate a little, even though we had eaten with Mom and Grandma and then waited for the pie.

After a while, we did finally eat the pie and then got everything ready to head to the parade, my favorite part of Thanksgiving with Annie.

We found a place to park and then got all bundled up and walked over to our usual spot where we stand.

We didn't have a place saved, one year we'll think ahead, but while standing on the side walk a nice gentlemen waved the kids over and told them they could sit next to their kids on the street; there was plenty of room for them. I walked over and sat with the kids so they wouldn't be by themselves and a strangers family.

When the parade finally was in front of us, the kids were so excited. They loved seeing all the lights.

Owen was particularly excited about the firetruck. He loves firetrucks. He thought it was pretty cool that they had turned the ladder into a candy cane.

After about 10 minutes of sitting down and enjoying the parade, we were told that we could go into the conference hall of the building next to the Egyptian Theater. Regina worked there, and she was allowed to have family up on the balcony to watch the parade.

I would have been just fine staying were we were at, but they were all going and I didn't want to be left behind, so I got up, grabbed the kids and headed with them.

We missed a few things in transit, but we were still able to enjoy the remainder of the parade once we were situated on the balcony.

When it finally came to an end and Santa came by on his float, we headed to the parking structure so we could get a good spot to watch the fireworks.

When we got up there, our usual spot was gone, but we were still able to get "front row seating." The kids ran around while we were waiting and once the show started, they were hooked. They loved the fireworks just as much as I did. That's always the best part, I think.

After the fireworks were over, we said our goodbyes and walked back to the car to head home.

Thanksgiving with Nelson and Deann

After leaving Mom and Dad's we headed up to Nelson and Deann's for the Sagez get together. 

Grandma Sagez planned the get together this time. We were each asked to bring goodies to share and also an art canvas. 

Once everyone was there we visited for a while and helped ourselves to the goodies that everyone brought. 

After vising for a little bit, we notice the table that Grandma had set up with all her paints on it. We weren't quite sure what exactally she had planned. She asked us all to join her around the table and she explained what she had planned. We were making family history hand art. 

We were to paint our hands and place them on the canvas, then once it dried we wrote the last names of our ancestors. It was pretty fun. It gave me an idea of what I'd like to do one day with our kids hands and feet.

While we adults were doing our own hand art, they kids did theirs as well. Grandma helped each of the kids make a Christmas tree with their hands and then wrote the numbers of the month as a count down to Christmas. 

When we were done with our project, we all sat down and were given stories about our ancestors. We each took turns reading them. It was interesting to hear the different stories from the Sagez line.

When all was said and done, we cleaned up and let the kids play while we visited a little while longer.

Time seemed to pass quickly and was time to head home. It had been a long day.

Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's

This year's Thanksgiving festivities were at Mom and Dad's house. Grandma Shupe also came down to celebrate. 

That morning was a slow and restless morning. We prepared our side for the dinner and then decided we wanted to get out of the house. We were going to go for a walk, well a hike. Ben really wanted to hike. We drove over to the Rainbow Gardens hiking entrance and parked the van. When we got out, I decided that it was too cold for William and sent Ben and the other too on their way. 

I was right, they didn't last long either. Within 10 minutes they were headed back down the trail to get in the van. So we drove around dinosaur park to look at was dinosaurs we could see and then headed to Mom and Dad's.

When everyone got to Mom and Dad's, Mom wanted to start things off with some family pictures for Grandma. So she had Dad set up a photo shoot in the front room. It worked out pretty nicely too. They turned out pretty good as well.

My dang camera kept reacting with the flash. It turns the eyes into who knows what. They shine like stars and I can't get it to stop. Oh well.

After we were done with pictures, we took everything down stairs and sat down to eat. Everything was so yummy. We also as so much, I couldn't believe how much was left over. Food enough for another meal.

When we were all done eating and everything was cleaned up we pulled out the games. Jeff brought a new one. Bang Halo style. He loved the original Bang, so when he found Bang Halo, he was really excited. Its am awesome game and so much fun. We all got pretty into it too, even Brian who hates to play games.

Sadly we had to leave before the games were done. We had more family to visit.

Flooding basement

Had our first major fix it problem. 

Ben came downstairs to join us for family prayer one night and he could smell something. I wasn't sure what he was smelling, but it was rather musty. So after some searching, he discovered that the carpet in the hallway was wet.

We called Dad and asked to borrow his fan and ask for advice. He came over to look at our predicament and he and Ben discussed what they thought it might be. They both came to the conclusion that our water heater was leaking. We weren't sure from where, but it definitely wasn't the heater/air conditioner.

The next few days were spent airing and drying out the carpet. Once it finally dried we laid it back down, but again Ben smelled the musty smell and pulled the carpet up again. It again was wet. Here we go again, round two and then three. We were losing this battle.

Ben did a little more searching and finally found the source of the leak. The valve near the bottom of the water heater. However it was a really small leak. It didn't seem like that could be what was getting the carpet wet. Despite that, he replaced the valve and now it works like clockwork. We were afraid that we would have to replace the whole unit, but luckily that wasn't the case.

Sadly the carpet was still wet. After messing with the pipe and the drain, Ben discovered that the drain below the water heater was clogged. We had finally found the reason for the carpet getting wet. Ben borrowed a few more things from Dad and he went to work. He was able to snake and water pressure blow clear the drain and we are finally dry. Hopefully it stays that way so we don't have to call a plumber to "dig in" deeper down the drain.

JD's Birthday

I can't believe J.D. was celebrating his birthday. He turns 8 this year. He's so excited to be baptized as well. 

While at Mom and Dad's we had his birthday dinner as well as some fun gifts for him. He's an easy one to buy for, thank heavens. He really enjoys the things he receives. The kids chose out a few Minecraft toys. They are from the game Minecraft. I've never really played it, but just watching was pretty entertaining. 

He also got a pretty cool inventors kit. He was really excited about that one. (Kamree also enjoyed banging the gifts on his playing "heavy heavy hang over...")

JD has decided to be baptized. He can't wait for his special day the first of December.

November Rodeo with the Long's

Winter not only brings the cold weather, but it also brings the winter series Rodeo. The kids love it just as much as we do. So when Ben heard about the upcoming Rodeo, he reserved us some tickets. We got enough tickets for the Long's to join us too. Sadly neither of the men could join us, but we still braved the show with all the kids.

When we got there, we got our usual seats, right up front. The kids like the room to move around and also like to be right there in all the action. It was a really good rodeo this round; at least for most of the events.

But of course the best part is the Rodeo clown. He truly made the show. Its been the same one the last few times we have gone. He brings some material that we've seen, but he also brings some new material. He's hilarious to watch.

Those that were in the Rodeo did pretty good as well. Most of them actually got a score, where as the last time we went hardly anyone received a score.

The whole evening was a blast, except for poor William. He just wasn't himself that night. He laid in my arms the entire time, not moving. He was pretty dazed.

He was very happy when it was time to go home and go to bed. Heaven knows I tried my hardest to put him to sleep while we were there.

William

Can't get enough of this little guys baby blues, even though some days they look very very green.

 At the dance recital William was sitting on Ben's lap and playing with Ben's Army hat. I tried to snap the picture with it on his head, but he was a lot faster then I was.

Dance recital

Gabbi had her long awaited Dance Recital. She has been in dance for 8 months now meeting once a week during school and then twice a week during the summer. She has had so much fun and loves to dance. I'm happy we were able to find something that she really likes to do.

All their hard work was finally able to be shown to family and friends and Gabbi couldn't wait. She was excited for the costume, the make-up, and to perform her dance. For the first time performing in front of a crowd (minus primary programs) she did great. She still has a few things to perfect before her competition, but overall, she did such a great job. We're so proud of her.

Lark her dance teacher, Core the dance assistant, and Gabbi 

The Fly Dance Company minus 2 dancers

Striking a pose

 Poses throughout the dance

The Love It dance routine

For Time and All Eternity

We celebrated a wonderful day with Beth and Parker. They were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. 

They went to the Temple for the first time 2 weeks ago in the Ogden Temple. We had set up everything to be able to attend, but ended up being 5 minutes late and walked in right after they had left to start their session. I was so upset that we missed it. We went to the following session and just hoped that we would by some miracle catch them before they headed home. 

They heard that we were there and ended up going to the session after there's and waited for us. I was so glad that we were able to talk to them after their wonderful experience. It was amazing.

Then on their 4th wedding Anniversary (It think) they were sealed as a family for time and all eternity. It was the most beautiful moment. To see Beth and Parker there with their kids and to be such a witness to such a sweet moment. I was so happy that we were able to be there for them. 

I am so proud of Beth and Parker for how hard they have worked and far they have come. I'm grateful that we were able to be a part of their special day. Love them to pieces.