So much to be thankful for...

Thanksgiving weekend is one long, wonderful holiday for our family. We are so grateful to have both families so close. We eat two, yes two, thanksgiving dinners, and get to spend time with both families. We really are so thankful for family!

How can you not love all the cute Thanksgiving art that covers our walls. This is the "5 little turkeys sitting on a fence"-Rylee learned a lot about how we get our Thanksgiving turkey for our feast. She sings the song about these cute turkeys who hide on Thanksgiving day. So, just before we eat our turkey feast, she asks me..."who here killed the turkey?". She knew one of those turkeys were no longer sitting on that fence. We got pretty creative with some answers.

The tables were set with such great care. They were beautiful. Marilyn always does a little extra, and had a cute favor at each of our place settings.

Our wild Indians made some cute hats and would hardly sit still for a picture.

We played lots of silly "turkey" games. Travis is the biggest turkey of them all!

On Friday, we bundled up and went to see the opening night of the Christmas lights at Temple Square. Boston asked Travis..."why don't we have lights like this?". I say..."ya dad"!

It really does take my breath away every year. They are a wonderful sight.


On Saturday, my family did a little service project instead of buying gifts for each other this year. We did a big grocery shop for the Utah Food Bank. We actually took the food to Jiffy Lube because they will double your donation-not bad! I could not get all the food in one picture. It felt good to do something for someone else.

The whole clan went to dinner after our service. We always get "the look" when we go out. Hi-party of twenty please! We also saw Australia-good show.

We attended our traditional performace of the "Messiah", a Christmas sing-a-long, with the Utah Symphony. It becomes even more apparent that I am tone deaf when I attend this event. I don't even know where people get their beautiful voices. It is amazing to hear Abravanel Hall filled with wonderful singers, singing about our Savior.

Even Rylee taged along with us (and played on Dad's iphone the whole time).

And that is a wrap! Monday is here and we are ready to relax and recover from the weekend. Actually-I am so excited to get out all the Christmas decor, but it seems a bit weird to do so without any snow.

AHHHH... Mexico!

After being home a week, I have finally realized that real life is back and I can no longer order multiple "pina colada's" from Roberto, cover my feet in warm sand, lay under an umbrella to read, or order chips and salsa any time of the day. We had a great and relaxing vacation with my family. We played hard, laughed hard, and ate hard (if that makes sense). Now when life gets crazy, I can take myself to this "happy warm place" to get me through the next couple of cold months.

What happens in Cabo, stays in Cabo.

We found a great surfing beach this trip!

Another beautiful morning in Cabo. Mom and Dad would get up real early to reserve enough chairs for all of us on the beach.

Jake & Torah-this car cracked us up.

Off on another adventure!

Our welcoming committee at church. We love to attend sacrament meeting in Cabo. They have a small branch of about 50 people. We attended the primary program this year, which was so special! We could of taken these cute girls home with us.

The crew!

A little frisbee golf on the beach-now that is a workout!

Ma & Pa-Thank You!

It seems as though I am always the pregnant one when we vacation-great!!!

Pina colada #152!

Chips and Salsa 24/7.

We went for an American meal at the Hard Rock.

Lovers on "Lovers Island"

Annual Welch Halloween Party

Each year my parents host a fabulous Halloween Party. We look forward to it all year. We plan costumes and keep them a secret until the big night. We eat dinner and goodies all night, while playing funny and silly games. Jake was in Hawaii and Tiffany came late from school. This is for you Trent and Laura-we missed you. Here are the hilarious pics...

Rock on Ash and Garr!

Ma & Pa as little Miss Red Ridinghood and her big bad wolf.

Frankenstien and his bride

Nascar WT

Nat & Chad as Jeff & Jo-way funny!

Look alikes?

David & Victoria Beckham, clothed and with children!

My little man playing the donut game.

The big guys playing the donut game.

The M&M game

Marcus played it up all night-love it!

Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins!

It has been a month of fun and excitement as we enjoy fall and anticipate Halloween.

Optimism!

TRANSLATION: What a wonderful day this morning. The birds are tweeting and it isn't too cold and it isn't too hot, it is just right. By; Rylee Williams

I love to see Rylee grow. I think I could take a few lessons from her. She is so optimistic (most of the time), she loves life, and loves to make others happy. Love you Rylee!

Thanks to hubby & friends....overdue!

This is a shout out to all that made my "big day" so special. We all know that as life progresses, things like birthdays, anniversaries, and other holidays can become a little mundane-it isn't as if we really get a day off, or we can buy whatever we want, or do whatever floats our boat. Come on, we still drive carpool, do laundry, and pay bills. But even after thirty-two years birthday's can still be wonderful. I have come to realize and know that it isn't about what gifts we receive, or what we do to celebrate the "big day", but the people in our lives who enrich, lift and make our day so much brighter. This year was evidence of that! I was able to go to lunch with my great friends, some of the people who make my day brighter on a daily basis. Little notes and thoughts were dropped off at my door. Family who called and sang to me over the phone. It all meant so much. And how does your husband really treat his lady on her birthday?...Like he does everyday. Thanks to you Trav for making my birthday a special one. Here are some pics of that night (I wish I had my camera at lunch and throughout the day). Love you all, and thanks again.

Circus Fun

It sounds silly, but I look forward to the circus. I've wanted to go the last couple of years and just haven't. SO, this year when the big elephants came to town we made sure we were there. My kids were over the top excited. We got to go with our cousins and Grandma Jo.

I think my family belongs IN the circus! Thanks for a great night guys!