What Are YOU Thankful for??

I love this.

Watch it and see.

I feel like the one guy . . . too many things to list . . . .
I will start with a short list:

my childhood
my parents
my grandparents
my siblings
my husband
my children
my health
my workout partner
my families health
my home
my husband's job
my business
my church
my friends
my life

Just a nice, relaxing Sunday

My Mom and Dad came up a few weeks ago for our Primary Program and it was so nice to have them stay for lunch and just hang out. We introduced them to Blokus! It is a great game of strategy and mind smarts and is right up my Dad's alley. He and my Mom loved it! Actually, my Mom ended up winning us all!!!! They get really competitive. It cracks me up!


Thanks for coming up! It was nice to just chill and play!

I am THANKFUL for . . . .

This sweet little guy who loves to snuggle and rub my bra strap. Ya, I know.


This little gal who has a SERIOUS attitude that scares the daylight out of me and Casey!




Finally, looking at the camera.

These two wild indians were just heading out the door for school this morning and I couldn't resist taking pictures of them. I am thankful that they go to school for 2 hours so I can run like a wild animal around my house trying to get things done!

In all seriousness (if that is a word) I am so thankful for all of my kiddos and the opportunity that I get to be a mommy. They are my world and I love them!

San Francisco

Casey and I went on a much needed little weekend getaway to San Francisco. It was so nice to get away and we LOVE San Fran. It is a fun city with great food, interesting people and awesome shopping! Casey was actually working for his friend Rhet so I got to play and shop ALL BY MYSELF!



This is the little note that we came home to from our kids. A big THANKS goes out to my Mom and Emily Baxter who took on the big job of taking care of our kids. They are amazing and we totally appreciate it!!!!!



Here is our swanky hotel, Union Square Hotel. Right in the heart of Union Square. It was really old, but very clean and very cool! I loved that it was so close to everything. I could go shop at a couple stores and then take my bags back to my hotel.


Here we are riding the trolley back to our hotel. That is one thing that never gets old. Love going down those big hills on the trolley!!


Eating at Da Flora
Our favorite place to eat in San Fran! This is our 3rd time there. A few years ago a hotel concierge told us about it. It is off the beaten path and it is amazing! It is small (10 tables), very old, but so awesome! Two very fat, Italian sisters run it together. We used to think maybe they were lovers, but found out this time they are sisters. They always give us dirty looks when we don't order wine, but were a little nicer this time. The one sister acted like she remembered us.
One of the best parts about the restaurant is the bathroom. Okay, maybe not one of the best, but an interesting part of it. There are no lights. It is all candle lit. Maybe if there were lights you might run and never come back.


Me at the entrance to Da Flora


It is very romantic and just overall a great place. We love Da Flora!!


This picture didn't turn out because Casey didn't want me to use the flash inside. The menus are HANDWRITTEN. It is different every time we go. They use what is in season and fresh.


The cute entrance again


One of the many window fronts in the city. Most were decorated for Christmas


The city!


More shots of our hotel.


The lounge on our floor.

Another Broken Arm?

Cade had a little accident on Wednesday at school. On his way to school he was on his scooter and went down a small hill. At the end of the hill is a small drop off. He didn't stop and went off the drop off and "flipped" and landed on his right wrist. Well, he didn't tell anyone, stayed at school the entire day and came home on his scooter. When he got home I was downstairs teaching dance and my babysitter came down and said, "you better come look at Cade's hand." Oh boy. His fingers were the size of silver dollars and his wrist was really swollen and he was in a lot of pain. So a long story short . . . We took him into the doctor that night had it x-rayed at the hospital and luckily it is not broken. Just a bad sprain. He has worn his splint for a few days and now he is feeling much better!

Princess Diarrhea's

Sophie had a little diarrhea going on today and I was helping her in the bathroom. I said, "I am so sorry you have diarrhea, darn it." She replied saying, "Ya, it is kind of like that movie Princess Diarrehea's (AKA Princess Diaries)." Oh my! I laughed out loud and she gave me the dirtiest look! It was classic!!!!

Bye Bye October

Happy Halloween!
We had our fun Star Wars kids.
Sophie as Princess Leah, Nick as a Clone,
Zach as Commander Fox and Cade the Jedi!

October is one of my most favorite months! October is a jam packed month, but so many fun memories are made!

First off it is my birthday! I have so many fond memories of my birthday. Mom making awesome ghost and witch cakes. Sharing my birthday month with my sister Emilee (13th). We always had combined family parties. I always look forward to going out with my girlfriends for our annual birthday dinner. We went to Nordstrom Rack in Sandy where I was so excited to find a fun orange purse! We went out to dinner at Market Street. It was such a fun night. I unfortunately didn't get any pictures!

It is also Casey's birthday. This year was a big one. He turned the big 40 and oh boy did we party! I still need to blog about that one. It is also my oldest nephew Jackson's birthday and he had a big one too. He turned 16 and we had a great time at his party! So lots of birthday's in October!

October is also filled with fall break, the annual pumpkin party, crazy hair day at school, our friend costume party, the school Halloween parade, of course Halloween and lots of pumpkin baking and cooking. We tried pumpkin pancakes for Halloween breakfast this year. They were pretty good. Zach of course loved them.

So good bye October and thank you for all the good memories!!!


Here is the proof people. Tigger does bring his family trick or treating. Not the best photo, but if you want the story let me know. It is a good one!


The kids LOVED handing out candy!

Our Friend Costume Party!

Our SOOOOOOO fun friend costume party graciously hosted by the Roskelley's. I can't say who the people are or they threatened to KILL me! I unfortunately didn't get pictures of everyone.


The Big Bad Wolf and his Little Red Riding Hood!


Some loser husband and his stay at home wife


Casey and Paula the bikers. Thanks to Molly and Scott for the last minute costumes. Our Star Wars costumes didn't quite make it. Maybe next year????

Elementary School Halloween Parade!

We saw ELVIS aka Max Brenchley

Cade and his BFF Parker

Zach as Commander Fox

Abby the Fortune Teller

Cade's friend John Payne

Zach's close up . . . so scary!

Nick enjoying all the spooky kids!

Sophie trying to be spooky herself!!!

My Birthday!

Casey and I enjoying THRILLER at Kingsbury Hall. I always love going back to the U. Brings back lots of good memories. Especially Kingsbury Hall! That is where I was a dancer/wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for two summers. Such good times!

Tried a new restaraunt TRIO in SLC. 9th East and 700 So. I love fun little places like this! I had YUMMY butternut squash ravioli. So great!
THE PUMPKIN PARTY!

This was the fourth annual pumpkin party at my parents. We all wear our black and orange. The kids look forward to it (along with the adults!).
First we pick the pumpkins out of my Dad's pumpkin patch.

Then we load them in Jim's truck









Sophie, Ryan and Grandpa!


Most of the grand kids with Grandpa


Then we haul them to the garage to carve, paint, etc.


We always have YUMMY food. My Mom made homemade rolls and homemade chicken noodle soup. Emilee made the most scrumptious Onion Rings from my Dad's onions. We of course had lots of pumpkin desserts too!


Dad frying up the onion rings outside


Amy's darling pumpkin rice krispies


Jim making rootbeer









The finished product!


Even I carved a little . . .


Amy always brings the funnest games. This was DON'T EAT PETE! The kids all love the games.


Sophie and Nick playing pumpkin bowling.


Playing more fun games!


Me making some WITCHES BREW . . . The kids love it!

And Then . . . .

Look who showed up! AHHHHHHH! That darn HOBO! He shows up every year and terrorizes all of us! This year he actually brought the kids suckers. You could see the wheels churning. Maybe he is a good guy?????


The HOBO attacking Casey. OH NO!


Then he went and got on Grandpa's Harley! AUGH!


Then he seriously kissed Grandma on the lips. Look at our faces!


Nick and Sophie didn't buy it. They still didn't like him! I think Grandma and Grandpa Mangelson are going to be paying for lots of therapy for these little ones! HE HE!


CRAZY HAIR DAY!










CORNBELLY'S FOR FALL BREAK!



Cade and Zach (really Casey too) loved the pumpkin blasters!




Sophie the cowgirl!


Cade going for the 8 second ride!


Casey teaching Nick some of his old farm techniques


My sweet Nick!



My princess Sophie!


Zach was such a sweet brother. They had a spot for the small kids to dress up and perform on the stage. Sophie saw a bunch of little girls on the stage and she ran. She wanted to "dance" on the stage. She normally does not like to dress up so we had a fun time with this. Zach was sweet and dressed up as a knight with her!


Zach, Cade, Sophie and Nick

See ya next OCTOBER! We love you!