:: THANKSGIVING 2010 ::

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh how I love the holidays. There aren't too many things that are better than being together as family, laughing til you cry and eating plenty delicious food. My mom hosted our Thanksgiving dinner at her house this year. It was small and intimate for a first, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 Another first, was a deep fried turkey. DELICIOUS! After peeling the bone hard skin off that turkey was so very moist.

 IN ATTENDANCE: My parents, Grandma Sheryl, Brett, Danna, girls & Keaton {friend}, Cort, Em & kids and Brock, Cohen and I.

 Making music with our crystal glasses.

 My parents, the cutest chefs ever :: My handsome bro and I.

 There was much leaf playing. Cohen liked standing in them and seeing them fly, but absolutely hated sitting in them.

 The Gray girls' gingerbread house; their family tradition on Thanksgiving day.

 These two cousins were a hoot. They wanted to kiss and snuggle and just carried on a huge conversation while taking turns leaning into each other. Pure entertainment.

 WHAT'S THANKSGIVING WITHOUT A TURKEY BOWL???

 Grandma sat down with a fruit roll-up to share with the kids and they all three ran over to her and didn't leave her side til it was gone.

 The night before Thanksgiving we went to Harry Potter with the Kitchens. Our friends from high school, Matt and Meg Wiest, sat in front of us.

 Playing at Papa and Nana's. {Brock's parents}

 And OF COURSE watching the BYU vs. UTAH game.

 The day after Thanksgiving my family went to the temple to see the Nativity and Christmas lights. It was beautiful, and freezing at the same time.

 I love my family and am SO very thankful for all of them.

But even more...I am thankful to be sealed to 
them in this beautiful temple for all eternity.

:: what a funny story ::

 {random pics of Cohen's new favorite...blowing bubbles in the tub}

So this past weekend, Brock and Cohen were sitting on our couch by our front window. Cohen stood up and turned around and was playing with the blinds {which he knows is naughty} and Brock asked him if he was supposed to be playing with them. Cohen then looked at Brock and hit them again. Brock then said "Cohen, do you need to go to time-out?" Cohen scooted off the couch, over to our 'time-out' corner and sat there and said "NO NO" while shaking his finger. Brock and I had tears running down our faces we were laughing so hard. Sweet little boy. He knows what's naughty and he definitely knows when he deserves time-out. 

 A FEW NEW THINGS ABOUT COHEN....

-he LOVES blowing bubbles with Daddy in the tub.

-if he's being held and wants to get down he says "walk".

-he's getting the last 4 of his teeth now {minus 2 yr molars}.

-when we go to pick Brock up from work, a block away from his office Cohen says, "Daddy?". Also when we are dropping him off at work, before we get there he will say "Daddy, bye bye?". Smart boy. He's starting to recognize places.

He's getting bigger, smarter and more cute.

When I snuggle him before bed my heart hurts 
just a little thinking that he's not a baby anyone.

But he will always be my baby, no matter how big he gets.

::early THANKSGIVING at Grammy Miller's::

 Grammy Miller hosted her last Thanksgiving dinner at her house a little early this year so everyone possible could make it. We had 70 people in her modest home, and it was crazy! No matter where you moved you were in someone's way. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable party with delicious food and desserts.

THANKS GRAMMY AND POP FOR YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL FAMILY PARTY!

Every family was assigned a color to wear...
you know me, I was LOVING matching all night long. {wink}

We did look pretty cute though.

 {Josh, Taylor, Brock & Co, Braxton, Tiff and Jade}

 THE one and only Grammy Miller.

{Carly, Mimi, Colton, Taylor and Chalene}

My sweetie thoroughly enjoying his meal.

What would a Thanksgiving be without a turkey bowl...even in the snow.

Playing at Grandma Carma's house with Uncle Matt.

Party in the car!

The love birds Tiffy and Jade...They'll thank me later for these pictures.

 Cohen LOVES Uncle Matt. He says "Matt!" at least once a day.

What a wonderful weekend with family.

We love being with family.

It just makes you feel loved.

And everyone wants to feel loved.

:: a night on the town ::

Friday night we decided to head out on the town. We went to Lighting of the Riverwoods. The Riverwoods is a very cute strip mall that the town of Provo had lit up with Christmas lights on every branch of every tree. There were firepits and bands performing, and free hot chocolate and cider. There was even a horse carriage ride that we waited in line for 35 mins to ride for 6 mins. Well worth the wait just to see the smile on Cohen's face. I will admit, I forgot my camera - I'm not sure that has ever happened. {you know me, a little camera freak}

So here are some pics of Co and I from earlier that day....

{what's a post with out a picture, right?}

We bundled up and we had too much fun.

We didn't want to leave when it was bedtime.

What a great day.

I love being with my boys.

Cohen is at such a fun age and gets excited over everything.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS!

I think he's going to LOVE what Santa's bringing him. :)

:: Weekend with Grandma Mathews ::

 We LOVE when we have visitors, especially when they are grandmas.

My mom came up to play for four days and we played non-stop, like always.

We shopped til we spent all grandma's money. Just kidding. She did A LOT of Christmas shopping, and Cohen and I loved tagging along for the ride.

We met Brett, Danna & girls, Grandpa John & Grandma Ann, Uncle Gary & Aunt Irene, in Draper to shop and eat dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

 Cohen rode his first mall toy. LOVED it. He thought he was so big. These toys were very clean, I was quite impressed. This boy loves tractors and cars and "dig ducks" {big trucks}. He will say "dig duck" the whole time we are in the car when he sees big trucks - pretty much any truck.

 Grandma and Co at Cheesecake Factory.

{sorry mom, snapped a pic when your mouth was full}

 {Bre, Co, Me & Sam}

 Grandma shared some fries and ketchup with Cohen and he was in hog heaven. The pictures explain his enjoyment.

 Ketchup EVERYWHERE

 Little did I know the size of my burrito when I ordered.

Let just say Brock had some yummy left overs when we got home to him.

 Aunt Danna, Uncle Brett, Uncle Gary, Aunt Irene & Grandma Ann

Spoon on the nose contest....

 Cohen wanted to try and balance his spoon so badly. One day bud...

 My Great Aunt Irene's birthday was a few days after our dinner so we decided to slip a word to our waitress and celebrate while we were all together. {note: aunt Irene is about 4 1/2 feet tall and cute as ever. She makes me feel tall}

 We loved our weekend with Grandma SO SO much.

She is so fun to be around and makes us all happy.

She is beautiful in every way, and I personally had one of

my favorite weekends in awhile with her. I love to

laugh with her. I love to shop with her. I

love to eat chocolate with her.

WE LOVE YOU GRANDMA MATHEWS!

Thanks for a wonderful weekend.

{still weird calling you grandma - you're way too young}

:: cohen + abigail = best friends ::

How are we going to move away and separate these two?

It's going to be so sad. They are best friends and have been

giving such good snuggles and loves to each other. Surprisingly,

Cohen has excepted the loves and given some. It's normally

only Abigail giving them. They are too cute. 

Thanks Laura for the sweet picture!