Still time to be Thankful!

I've somewhat neglected blogging,

 and I'm really excited to post about

Christmas..

however, I could NOT forget

Thanksgiving!

 For many reasons this Thanksgiving

 will always have a special place in my heart.

 Perhaps the biggest reason of all is simply

 the love that could be felt as

 I had all my kiddos together.

 With grandparents,uncles,aunts,and cousins

  unconditional love was truly felt this Thanksgiving.

 I feel such gratitude to a wise and loving

 Father in heaven that made

family the center

of his plan of

happiness.

  

The LONGEST picture in the World!!

The cousins were inspired by Ramona Quimby

 and made their own version of

The LONGEST picture in the World!

 (as seen above.)

They spent Many busy, creative hours

 together on this fun project.

 It really is impressive and really is

 LONG!

We ended our Thanksgiving weekend

with special visits to both of Lou's grandmother's.

Grandma Atwood is 95 years old and

you would NEVER know it.

She is absolutely amazing.

She has overcome so many obstacles in her life

 and is such an inspiration.

I don't think the women of this family age.

It's a little disturbing.

Pretty soon I'll look older then my mother-in-law.

 really.

Visiting Grandma Buhrley

was such a tender experience.

 Oh, how

we love her.

While in her presence,

 you feel of her goodness.

You just want to soak in her sweet spirit.

Truly a Thanksgiving to remember. 

"You are...WHAT?"

I have always felt lucky

to have been blessed with kids

that can entertain themselves.

They are very creative while doing it,

I might add.

Justin had a particularly 'creative' day of play last week.

Mandi and I had just finished saying,

how cute Justin had been playing all afternoon,

when I entered the (just cleaned) kitchen,

to a smell.

a very strong smell.

A smell of cumin, sage, thyme?

And could it possibly be

MORE CUMIN?

What in the world???

My jaw drops.

My eyes and nose,

are in disbelief.

empty spice jars lay as evidence.

me: "Justin, WHAT are you doing?????"

Justin: "I'm a giant, and I'm cooking my dinner.

I'm cooking...army guys."

me: "seriously, an entire bottle of cumin?"

Justin: "Yes! And there is some more in the freezer."

The army men in the freezer were in bags of water...

to freeze?!?

Along with an army helicopter..

a large army helicopter.

Oh, don't get me started on all the unusual things

I've had in my freezer during the last 6 years !

Combine all the mischievous behavior

of all my other children.

Although, it may be a close race...

Justin would still win.

( You really can't include Gracie.

90% of her mischief...is with Justin.)

Ever since Justin started walking,

he has had an agenda.

Play,play,and more play.

When I think back

at all the crazy things this child has done,

in the name of play...

Oh, my!!!

Crazy thing is,

I haven't ever thought of him as trouble!

Never once.

Was I delusional?

No, I really don't think so.

I would take 10 of him.

(maybe just not all at once.)

Maybe it's because his mischief is always tied up

with some great imaginative play that appears to be innocent.

( yes, I'm realizing now, it may not have been all that innocent.)

Maybe it's because of those

big brown eyes and long lashes.

Maybe, yes, just maybe it's because

he always knows the right thing to say

and says it in the sweetest,

tenderest possible way.

Whoever marries this guy,

is a very lucky girl.

Example:

Keep in mind this example,

is from the same week,

if not the same hour,

as the cumin army men.

me: "Hey, Mandi. Can you come here?"

Mandi walks into the kitchen.

Justin comes in a few seconds behind her.

Justin: As he takes Mandi's hand,

"Did mom just say 'hey' Mandi?"

Mandi: "ya"

Justin: "Oh, well she should have said,

Hey BEAUTIFUL."

Hmmm...YES!

I'd say it's because he always knows

what to say.

This kid is good.

So,SO good!