Thanksgiving Extravaganza!

We had a whirlwind Thanksgiving weekend with family in Las Vegas. We had so much fun together and made great memories. I can't believe it's over :(

We arrived in Vegas on Wednesday afternoon and we all stayed at the new Hilton Grand Vacation Hotel. We had suites right next to each other so we didn't have to be apart. My parents even came and stayed, even though they have a house there.

Talbie and Emmie unpacking their stuff. They stayed in the family room - on the "hide-a-bed"Maddie and Bronson shared a room. This is Maddie and Markelle when we first arrived!

Me with Bret and Cody - yes, they are both traitor Ute fans!
Emmie and Ember picked up where they left off last time they were together. Ember was born in January and Emmie was born in February. They bonded instantly when they were born and have been bosom friends ever since. I said to Emmie, "Don't you wish Ember still lived in the Myer's house? (even though I LOVE the Myers) and Emmie said, "What! Ember used to live in the Myer's house?" She was 2 when they moved and she must not remember but now she's thinking how great it would be if they lived by us again!This is a picture of the "Trouble Makers!" Brock, Aiden, Chase, Logan, and Bronson

Emmie and Ember again

More Bosom Friends - Talbie, Maddie, and Markelle

Our Family on Thanksgiving Day. We had dinner at the TPC Country Club. It's out in Summerlin.

Bret's FamilyCody's FamilyBrittany's Family

We had a private room for dinner which made it really nice.

The whole family

After Thanksgiving Dinner, we when to my dad's bank and played "BINGO!"

At the M&M Store

Circus Circus

Maddie and I outside of the theater of "O". This is playing at the Bellagio and my dad got all the adults front row seats! Dave had to fly home early so Maddie got to go in his spot. Kali had to stay behind too with Ally so Markelle got to go in her spot. This show is amazing and you must go see it if you get the chance!

Christmas Cards

Who doesn't love to get Christmas cards in the mail? It is my favorite thing to look forward to all year! I don't care if I get a single gift at Christmas, as long as I can receive cards - I'm happy.

This will be our 18th year taking a family picture for our cards (Dave and I). We took a picture together our first year of marriage, then the next year when I was expecting Maddie, and so on. I love to look back at our Christmas scrapbooks and see how our little family has grown over the years. I will share some of these pictures with you (if you care to see them :) during this fun time of year!

Enjoy...

This picture was taken for Christmas of 1999. Dave had worked all year at building/restoring this 1942 Harley. We sold it right after he finished it so we had to get a picture before he did. Bronson was 1, Talbie was 3, and Maddie was 6. This was obviously one of the years that Dave was undercover too because of his "dirt bag" look. It was a good year :)

"Cootie Catchers"

Remember the obsession we had with these fun gadgets in elementary school? I remember making them for hours and decorating them, and then predicting my future with them.

I've never known what they were called other than a "paper fortune teller." I remember seeing an episode of "Arthur" and they called them "cootie catchers." I've googled it, and it seems that's really what they call them.

Well, I remember teaching Maddie how to make them when she was in about 3rd or 4th grade. she made one the other day for Emmie, and now she and Bronson have been making them like crazy. Bronson, however, likes to think outside the box and these are the two he came up with lately...

Twilight Movie

Well, like everyone else in this valley (country) - Brittany, Maddie, Talbie, and I went to Twilight last night. It was so fun. We laughed at the corniness of some parts, drooled over Edward in others, and were just pleasantly surprised at how much we like it! I have heard from those who have already seen it twice, that it's better the second time around so - we'll see.

This is the first movie like this that Talbie has gone to with us. She's getting older and I knew that she'd enjoy it. This is a very mild show, as far as having to worry about anything inappropriate. Every time Edward and Bella would get close to each other she'd put her hands over her eyes. Then when there was an actual kissing part I'd hear her moan in disgust. It was cute.

New Job

Life throws you MANY curve balls and we've been thrown a few too many this year! Dave's business is very slow right now so he thought he'd go back to work in law enforcement. Well, even though he's at the top of 4 different agencies hiring lists, every law enforcement department (even the Federal Government) has a hiring freeze right now.

So - he was offered a job as a Sales Manager for Brent Brown Dodge (Chrysler and Toyota too) so if any of you are in the market to buy a new car - go see Dave! Selling cars is definitely out of his comfort zone but, as you know, Dave is very likable, honest, and NOT a high pressure sales person - so I think he'll do a great job!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday! He's the best dad it the world and I wanted everyone to know that!

High School Graduation Photo

Me, my dad, my mom, and my grandma Christensen - about 38 years ago!

My dad and Maddie this summer on the Vespas!

Halloween Costumes

OK - I think I'm one of the last people to update my blog and post Halloween pictures. Here they are...

Emmie was a scarecrow-witch and Bronson was his famous "scary guy" even though he couldn't wear his mask or bring fake weapons to school.

I helped in Bronson's class and we made "Frankenstein" rice krispie heads

Then I snuck into Emmie's class and caught a picture with her and Jill

This is everyone before the "Trunk or Treat". Talbie was a darling pirate and Maddie dressed in "Tacky" Halloween clothes.It was so great because Cody and Kali came down with Ally to go to the "Trunk or Treat" with us and then we wen to my parents house for pizza. Ally doesn't like us very well and hates to be taken out of her mom or dad's arms - but we couldn't help ourselves. She's just going to have to get used to us!Cody, Kali, and Ally (love Cody's tattoo arms. It's actually a full shirt and it hilarious!)
Check out their blog for more pictures - CLICK HERELogan, Dallin, and Brock"Trunk or Treat" fun!