Temple Square!

Friday after Thanksgiving we headed to Salt Lake City so that we could visit with Grandma and Grandpa. We stayed in a hotel (which the kids were so excited about). We went over to see the Grandparents, but unfortunately Cambrie had a sore throat, so she couldn't see Grandma. This absolutely broke her heart, but we tried to make the best of it. While Jason visited, we headed to Target to get some goodies for Cambrie's upcoming birthday party. This seemed to cheer her up, but she still wishes she could have seen Grandma.
Later that night, we ate at Olive Garden, which the kids thought was a 'really fancy' restaurant, then we went to Temple Square to see the Christmas Lights. The kids definitely don't remember being in Salt Lake City. I had to laugh at the fact that Jason was explaining to them how the crosswalks work. It was chilly, but so beautiful to see the temple grounds all lit up. What a great way to start off the Christmas season.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we decided to spend Thanksgiving in Utah.  Thanksgiving day was an amazingly relaxing day.  We went to see Tangled in the afternoon, then headed back to the Brophy's for dinner.

The kids were enthralled as Heidi prepared the turkey that morning. 

We even managed to get Jason in the kitchen, but then that shouldn't surprise me, because there was a dead animal in the vicinity. 

 Lyndsey Lou is the artist in the family.  She painted place cards for everyone.

 Cam and Nat were loving spending time together. 

The guys were able to watch the Cowboys play. 

Dinner is served.  Heidi's dinner was amazing.  It was really just a practice run for the 2nd Thanksgiving she was doing for her family on Friday.

Mason, Jake and Tater at the little people table.

Such a great day with so many things to be Thankful for!



The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. . .

With school out on both Monday and Tuesday due to weather, we found ourselves with all sorts of extra time, so Tuesday night we decided we should get out all our Christmas decorations. Jake had been asking several times each day, when we could decorate, so he was elated when he finally got his way. While all the kids loved decorating, Jake definitely got the most involved and was the most determined to put things where he wanted them to go. Here he is decorating the tree in our foyer.
This is Jake's tree. We suggested he put it up in his room, but he instead put it in the foyer so it could be seen every day by everyone.
Some tired kids after decorating.

The tree in the family room. Cambrie setting up the Little People Nativity.

What a fun night. Jason always insists on 'Turbo Decorating'. He brings our countless rubbermaid totes downstairs, then waits about 20 minutes before he starts carting them back upstairs, empty or not. The Dancing With the Stars finale was on, so that was the motivation to get the kids moving quickly. They were loving decorating, but really wanted to watch Dancing With the Stars.  Go figure.

Another Snow Day . . .

School has been cancelled for the last 2 days, so with Thanksgiving Break, that gives the kids the whole week off school.  We've been having all sorts of fun.  Yesterday we were all up before 6am.  The kids helped Jason plow all the snow.  We've had friends over, made treats and just played together.  It's amazing how nice it is when you feel like you have a 'free' day.  Today we all went out and played in the snow. 

All the kids with Hershey (she couldn't be happier that we were outside playing with her).

Jake Man commenting on how deep the snow is. 

Me and Tater.  She was having a blast burying herself in the snow.

 

 
Cambrie rolling down the hill.

 And as a snow mummy.

 Snow angels

 
And Lastly, they buried me!  Burrr!

Later we played Wii and then checkers.  Jason and I were downstairs and could overhear the kids upstair.  Jake was said, "Tatum, every time you get close to me, you jump over me and take my guy.  IT'S NOT FAIR!"  Jason and I were laughing hysterically.

What a great day!



Happy Thanksgiving!

Cambrie was in charge of our family night last night and she made this cute turkey. We each wrote what we are thankful for on the feathers and put the feathers on the turkey. She did a great job. She even copied a 'program' and songs for us to sing. It was wonderful family time together! I'm so grateful for that!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John F. Kennedy

Winter is Here!

We've gotten some snow and Jason, Cambrie, Jake and Hershey all piled on the four wheeler to get the plowing done. I think that winter is finally here to stay. . . and the kids couldn't be happier.

Veteran's Day Program 2010

The kids always have an amazing Veteran's Day program at their school.  This is "Bless Our Troops" sung by the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd graders.  Cambrie is in the back row, toward the far end standing by a girl with a white flower in her hair.  Tatum is in the 2nd row, also toward the far side (she moves forward at the end of the video, so you can really see her then.)  They both have red sweatshirts on.  Happy Veteran's Day!
**Don't forget to pause the music player so you can hear it.**

Good Grades Dinner!

Another school term has come and gone. Our family tradition is to have a 'Good Grades Dinner' if everyone worked hard to earn good grades. We have done all sorts of different things, the main requirement is just that the kids get to pick what they want to do. One time they even chose to make dinner themselves. This time, Cambrie and Tatum both agreed they wanted to go to Teton Thai. This is a favorite restaurant of our family. The kids LOVE their noodles and rice. It was a fun filled night of food and laughs.
Tatum trying to master the chopsticks. She actually did very well.

Cambrie and Jake decided to stick with their forks.

The Good Grade Girls.

HaPpY HaLloWeEn!

We had a wonderful Halloween. Here are pictures of the kids in their costumes.

{Cambrie}

{Tatum}

{Jake-Man}

{Tatum, Abby & Cambrie}