Larson Thanksgiving 2014

This was my first year at the Larson’s Thanksgiving as an official Larson. I married into the best family I ever could have asked for and am thankful for them every single day. I don’t think Blake would have turned out half as amazing as he is without such great parents as examples, and siblings to support him. 

Thanksgiving morning at Steele and Nancy’s was very relaxed. Blake and Steele worked on the canopy for the top of our fish tank and I just watched the Macy’s parade with their little dog Monte. Monte is getting up there in his years and he is just the sweetest dog ever. 

About an hour before we ate Blake and I met Sean, Nick, Bryan, Bre, and their kids at a park near their parents home to shoot off rockets. The park we went to had the coolest modern play ground with spinning toys, and things that looked like a skill course and was way to hard for kids to do. Charles the fearless kid that he is wanted to do everything! I love playing with him, because of his quirky personality you never know what he is going to do.

The rockets brought kids out from around the neighbor hood that the park was next to. It was really entertaining to watch the rockets launch. Little Steele looked adorable in his hat and I had a good time talking with him and seeing him get so excited about the rockets. 

The last rocket that they shot off belonged to Nick. They loaded it with one of the biggest engines, and LIFT OFF. The problem was it didn’t shoot straight up. When it got about 20 feet off of the ground it took a sharp turn, flying very quickly parralel to the ground. It was a lost cause so they didn’t even attempt to recover it. It probably ended up in someone's back yard several blocks away from the park. 

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and it was so fun as always sitting around the dinner table talking with the Larson family. Nancy at the beginning of November issued a challenge to the family via group text to share something they were thankful for every day. I am super lame and only said one thing the whole month, but I was always looking forward to the texts from the others in the family and their uplifting words. In the center of the dinner table Nancy had printed out and cut paper leaves with the texts through out the month on them. She is so thoughtful and creative.

Every other week all of us get together for dinner anyways but this time was special because Blake’s Aunt Karen was able to make it. She is Steele's sister, and Grandma Grace’s daughter. Grace and Karen are so cute together. They have the best relationship, and I would love to still have that with my mom when I am their age. 

I love the month of November because it helps you to remember to be thankful. We really should be thankful all year long but November helps so it is always a special time. I will never be able to express enough how thankful I am for Blake and all he does for me. There is no greater blessing in my life than him and being able to be sealed to him for time and all eternity. I sure am one lucky girl! 

Walker Thanksgiving 2014

This past weekend Blake and I headed up to Morgan for the Walker Annual Pre-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving. It actually just became a tradition this year since it takes at least two years for something to be considered a tradition and last year, 2013, was the first year we did Thanksgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving. I absolutely love spending time with my family and this weekend was no exception. 

Thanksgiving morning, and early afternoon, it was just like your stereotypical Thanksgiving. We all were in the kitchen, cooking and spending quality time together. This year each family brought a side and a dessert, and my parents provided the turkey and mashed potatoes. I made a zucchini and yellow squash dish. On my way up to Morgan the day before, I realized I had not brought two seasonings needed in the recipe. I quickly texted my mom to double check that she had them, and she replied “Yes! #spicymama” I couldn't help but laugh!

My parents also made the traditional sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows. I am not a huge fan of this dish but I always snag a few baked marshmallows for my plate. While the sweet potato dish was in the oven anyone who opened the oven door,  to grab other things that had been cooking, always debated on taking the sweet potatoes out. No one was ever decisive enough to make that decision. Finally we all agreed it was time, unfortunately they ended up coming out of the oven looking like this.

The marshmallows had melted into the potatoes which made them extra sweet, sweet potatoes. Shantel and my Dad just put more marshmallows on them and threw them back in the oven. In the end they turned out looking and tasting delicious. 

Our Thanksgiving dinner was very satisfying as always and we cleaned up and hung out around the house. My Mother’s birthday is on November 23rd which was the following day. Since we were all home we celebrated her birthday. She opened presents, and Shantel made the coolest chocolate cherry cake at my mom’s request. 

I am so blessed to have such an amazing mother and even though we couldn’t spend her actual birthday together it was so fun to spend the whole day before, together.

Another fantastic thing about my family getting together is that I get to see my nieces and nephew! Lydia wasn’t feeling well but she was still so darling! She is talking very well and so much these days, it always catches me off guard. I love listening to her stories!

Camille has learned to walk since I last saw her and it is adorable! Since she lives in Idaho I don’t get to see her as much so every time I do I feel like she is a brand new niece! She is so smiley now and has the biggest brown eyes. 

Austin the newest addition to our family has grown so much as well! I love just holding him. He is still sleeping a lot! It is like holding a doll until he wakes up and his eyes just stare at you, it melts my heart! I can’t wait to see the kind of kid he grows into. It is always interesting seeing how personalities develop. 

While we were all hanging around we came up with the most genius idea The Ultimate Competition (Still working on a name for it, by Christmas I am sure we will have one). I think it all started when Matthew wanted to play Mario Kart. We split into teams, everyone was partners with their spouses, except Matt and my Dad were on a team. We played a few rounds of Mario Kart and kept track of points. Jenna & Kevin and Blake & I were neck and neck at the end of the Mario Kart portion. Then we busted out the dance dance revolution. That is when Blake and I got demolished by Jenna and Shan’s amazing dance dance skills.

Wii Bowling was the next competition and as much as I don’t like bowling it was so fun! My mom came down for this game, because she LOVES bowling. She did awesome and it was great to have everyone participating!

In the end the Peaden's won the competition with Blake and I coming in 3rd… or maybe last… all I know is we did not do very well. :)

It is such a great idea to have Thanksgiving the week before. I am so glad my family decided to do it again this year. For one reason, everyone in the family can make it every year, instead of having to choose between our family and the in-laws. Another reason is that stores are open and you don’t have to feel guilty if you forgot anything because you aren’t making people work on a holiday. :) Best idea ever in my opinion! 

I am thankful for many things, my husband and his love for me, the gospel, my beautiful home, but I don’t know what I would do without family. I am so thankful for the amazing relationship I have with my parents and my siblings and it is always so fun when we all get together. I have so much to be grateful for in my very blessed life. 

Blake's Birthday #32 :)

This year Blake turned 32!  I love that he is 10 years older than me, not 7 or 9 (weird thing to say I know). It is just so much easier to remember dates, birth day, graduation dates, those sort of things. He was born in 1982, I was born in 1992. Just simple. :) Anyway. I absolutely love celebrating his birthday. I love having a day where I can spoil him and just make the day all about him. 

This year Blake took work off a little early we got together around 1:45. We went shopping for christmas decorations at Hobby Lobby. Blake loves holidays and to decorate, he gets that from him mother. 

Then I went and dropped him off at a spa to get a massage. He had never had a massage before and I knew he would absolutely love it. 

After his massage we went and picked up Cafe Zupas, went home opened presents, and watched The Edge of Tomorrow. Which is an amazing movie by the way. 

It was a pretty relaxed day and I loved spending the whole day with my guy!