Giving Thanks '11

We trade off every year which side we have Thanksgiving dinner with and since  we did Jake's family last year it was the Campbell side's turn. With no Bean & Josh it was a pretty small gathering. I was put in charge of bringing mashed potatoes and rolls. BUT since I always see so many ideas online and never do any of them. I decided I'd try one of the things I've pinned on Pinterest. I was originally going to make these cute turkeys, but since Jake hates candy corn... I went with these little pilgrim hats. They were a lot easier to make, so I guess that is a plus. haha My frosting skills need a little work but I think you can still tell the intention.

Jake's family was starting their Thanksgiving at noon, while my parents weren't eating until 1:30. So I made enough so that I brought some to Jake's family thing too. It was the Bronson side of the family which means there was a MILLION people there. Okay maybe not that many but they rent out a church for goodness sakes! I honestly don't even try to learn most of Jake's cousins names. There is way too many. I only know the ones that are closer to our ages like Skye and Bronson. Thank goodness he only has 4 cousins on the Allen side.  Here are some pics from the day:

 

 Evan, Me, and Jake 

 

Mom and Dad

 Season, Mike, and Aurelia

 Then my mom had this little cat house/tent and Evan and Aurelia were just having a good ol' time playing with it.

Anyway even though this was all last week I just want to say how thankful I am for my family, especially Jake and Evan. They both are my life! Everyday I think, how did I get so lucky? That I get to have this adorable baby that brings me SOOOO much happiness and a husband who makes me laugh every day (well MOST days... haha).
I'm also very thankful for our home! Its almost been one year that we've lived here and I love that we aren't renting or living with our parents. Also in the "roof over my head" category, I'll add food in our pantry/fridge and clothes on our backs, the bare nessecities of life. (Totally singing Jungle Book song)
I'm thankful for our jobs! This year my employment was actually the worst I've had ever, with getting laid off, being on unemployment, then settling and working at Walmart. Hopefully now though we'll be better off that I'm back at Sorenson. And I know Jake works so hard too. I know he hates working graves and there has been a lot of office drama in his work lately so it makes me that much more appreciative that he puts up with it because of his family and because of his hard work I'm able to only work part time so I can take care of Evan and avoid daycare.
I'm grateful for Jake going to school, again I know he is doing it so that in the long run he is better able to provide for his family!
A few other things that I think are great in my life: Having two cars that work, being able to afford the conveniences of internet and cell phones, not having to wake up to an alarm clock, and my handful of close friends, even though I don't see them much its good to know they're there if I need them.

Anyway been drinking some hot cocoa and thinking of putting the Christmas tree up this weekend. I'll keep you posted on that. Until next time :)

What's this?!

Oh blog, there you are! You seem to have gotten buried under a bunch of other activities in life but I'm here to brush off the dust now. Well let's play my most favorite blog game! Catch-up!

Vikings was a bust for Halloween :S The funding and timing was just not there unfortunately, so we settled on some last minute costumes. There's always next year though. :) We did have a fun pre-Halloween weekend. We watched Season's (long winded) dance performance then went to the annual party at Clint's. I was an 80's dancer and Jake was a ... ghost? Reaper? I dunno, just something scary looking! Silly me forgot my camera though, so we had to steal this photo from Devin who took it with the Hipstamatic app on his phone.  

 

And as I do every year, I carved a pumpkin. This year we did it over at Jake's parents house, though he didn't come. As usual, Evan just had a fun time hanging out with his aunts/grandparents.  Here's my finished product: 

Baby Evan ended up being a pumpkin (I know, typical) but he didn't seem to mind. :)  I was going to get a candy corn costume, but Jake said no because he thinks candy corn is disgusting. I did have my camera on hand to snap up some shots of our cutest lil punkin who is now 8 months old! :) He has 6 teeth and already weighs 20 lbs!!  Haven't figured out sleeping through the night still, but I think its not far off. Had our first baby illness, Croup, right before Halloween. We got through it just fine. He's walking around furniture like a pro. We're thinking first steps around Christmas. I can't believe how fast it goes!

Jake is almost done with his first semester of classes. He has been doing very well in all his subjects and I'm so proud of him! He doesn't seem to get too stressed over projects or homework. At least not this semester, we'll see once he's in math if it lasts!

I have been enjoying working in the Pharmacy at Walmart, but it is too far (in Sandy) and the pay is too little. So I am going back to work at Sorensen. It is an easy job (at least it was when I worked there last. Hope it hasn't changed much) and it will pay $2.20 more per hour and is a lot closer to home. I'll still only be part time,  I'll only work 4 hour shifts 5 days which is a lot easier with baby then working 8 hour shifts every Sunday and every other Friday. 

Some sad news, Grandma Millie Harrison passed away on 11/3/11 at 87 years old. She had 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. (Evan was #24) Its weird to think about, I now only have one living grandparent. Its only been about a year and a half since Gpa Harrison died. But next month it will have been 7 years since Grandpa Bear has been gone. I'm sure that Evan got to spend time with both his great-grandpas before he came down to us. I'm glad that Grandma got to hold Evan before she passed. In fact we had just went to visit her in the hospital maybe a month and a half ago. She was always saying how big he was every time she saw him, and though she kept forgetting what we named him I know she loved him, as she loved us all and we'll miss her. 


Some happy news, Season and Mike are engaged and she and Aurelia moved out of the parents house (Mom is thrilled.) Speaking of houses, Mom and Dad are having fun planning their dream house, though the swimming pool and theater room may have to wait... ;) As long as they put the apartment in the basement so my Bean will move home will make me a happy camper! Bean and Josh are coming for the holidays from Dec 24th thru Jan 2nd!! I'm already excited. Well dunno what else to update hopefully I'll get back into the blogging swing of things! Until next time...