Thanksgiving.

We were blessed this year (like last year) to have Thanksgiving with both Chris's family and mine.  On Wednesday we met Chris's family at Grandma Jo's nursing home and had a delicious, traditional meal.  The girls always get a kick out of their cousin Guinevere!

On Thursday we went to Sundance for the Thanksgiving buffet.  It was fantastic and we all ate way to much!  The funny thing was that at a couple tables over Chris's brother Paul and his wife's family were also having Thanksgiving dinner.

Later on in the evening, we all met up at my mom and dad's for dessert--apple pie, pumpkin pie, apple crisp, and my very first attempt at a cheesecake . . .

. . . it was a Toffee Pumpkin Cheesecake with a cinnamon graham cracker crust.  I thought it was delicious and proceeded to eat most of it over the next couple of days (thank goodness for neighbors who saved me from the last few slices).

We are all so THANKFUL and BLESSED.

Trick or Treat.

Our church children's group put on a fun trunk or treat party last night.  There was a cinnamon roll bake-off and lots of decorated cars to go trunk or treat.  I handed out candy at our car while Presley's friend's mother took my little cupcakes and her Rapunzel and Flynn Rider to fill their bags with sweet treats.

My little cupcakes.  Warm and fuzzy--though we had no snow or rain!  It was chilly.

Stella looks annoyed.  Presley surprised.

I bet you can see her tonsils!

What a sweetie!

Presley and her best friend Makayla--fast friends, they have class together.

Leaves.

Goofy.  My shirt has a poison skull and cross bones--these cupcakes are poisonous, don't eat them!

I got a sample of both the runner up (Camille my sister in law) and the first place cinnamon rolls--delicious!  Chris made it up for the end--he had been at a campfire dinner with his team (we were there for a bit but left to get down to business with costumes and candy).

Cake.

It was my birthday, and at first I was really craving a home-made (by me) cake with lots of butter cream (OK we all know it is really all Crisco and powdered sugar)--but after an early birthday treat from my friend Kim, I ended up buying a Nothing Bundt Cake for my family to enjoy for my party.

I know, there should be a few more candles.  But 35 candles is too hard to light all at once!

The cake was White Chocolate Raspberry (could have used more raspberry) with cream cheese frosting--and it was moist (most important) and delicious.  Thanks family for celebrating with me!

Relax.

So last weeks adventure lead to a nice, relaxing day away from everything for my birthday.  Chris drove me over the mountain to the Montage Deer Valley for a spa day (he went mountain biking), a delicious fillet mignon for dinner, and a very comfy 10 hours of sleep in a soft and soooo comfortable bed.

A little birthday treat the hotel surprised me with!

Best Smores ever!

We spent my birthday morning on a crisp, fall hike to look, one last time at the fall colors (they will fall off later this week) and a warm breakfast at the hotel.  Later in the afternoon we brought the girls back to the hotel for more smores--those caramel marshmallows are really good!

What a fun get a way--the kids had it even better though.  Mor Mor came up for the day/night and the girls could not have had more fun!  Thanks Susan!  Thanks Chris--I am a happy, relaxed 35 year old!

Boogers.

What's a Saturday morning without blueberry pancakes and a couple of hours (really, 2 hours) playing at the table with pink silly putty?!?!?  Well my girls certainly enjoyed the playtime, but as things wound down and they were about done, out came the potty (or in this case) booger humor.

The girls couldn't get enough of beards, boogers, and spots of gooey stuff on their faces!  I should have told them the silly putty was glow-in-the-dark--then we could have moved the party to a dark closet for a couple more hours!

Time with Dad.

So the color on the mountains was beautiful, but the weather was down right chilly.  We ran around a bit to get warm and the girls played in the leaves.  Then after I went to the car to warm up, the girls went on a little adventure with their dad.

Nice face--after begging for Chris to put her up on the chair lift, Presley wasn't too thrilled about the height and swinging.

No smile, but looking directly at the camera--a rare thing for Stella.

Stella loves to be chased.  And caught.

A leaf arrangement made by the girls.

After what felt like forever (I had no idea what to do with my self in the peace and quiet) everyone came running back to the car--hands full of smores and hot chocolate!  Appearently they had gone to the near by hotel (Montage Deer Valley) and had been treated to roasting marshmallows (carmel and cinnamon flavored, very gormet), making smores, and drinking chocolate to warm up.

I didn't feel too left out--they brought some back for me.  Better yet, later that night Chris booked us a room at the hotel for my birthday weekend next week!  I am hoping they have more carmel marshmallow smores.  Mmmmmmm.

Fall Colors.

It has been an amazing Autumn this year--the colors are unbelievable, and unfortunately, almost over.  Which sadly means the snow and cold will be here soon.  Here are some pictures from the mountains in our back yard.

Gorgeous.  None of the pictures turned out good from the grove of fire orange aspens up Pine Canyon--they were amazing (you don't see orange aspens too often).

Necklaces.

The girls youth group I help out with at church made these necklaces for an activity.  Each girl got to choose a paper background, a sparkly initial, and a jewel.  Then we glued them all together and got this . . .

Stella hasn't been able to take hers off!  Presley picked a pink P and a cupcake background.  Fun and easy--I will have to get a picture of Presley's, because I am sure it won't be long before it is forgotten or lost.

Hall of Fame.

Chris's dad was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame this last weekend.  He was honored at the football game at half time on the field {we also got to attend a yummy dinner before hand}.  This was Presley's first college football game {Stella went last year with dad} and my first game since my freshman year in college--lets just say it has been well over a decade.

We loved walking out with Carl to the field--Stella even got to be on the big screen with grandpa during the presentation.  I am sure this won't be our last game, one of the perks with Chris's new job was a set of season tickets, hopefully the girls enjoy football {or at least the food and cheerleaders}.

We are all very proud of Carl.  The following night there was a dinner and speeches for all the 2011 inductees.  It was amazing to hear all the accomplishments and stories about the athletes/coaches.  Congratulations on a continuing successful career Carl!

Yogurt.

The FROZEN kind, of course.  We must of eaten at Menchies at least 4 times while we were in St. George this weekend.  The kids loved it and we had some pretty interesting combinations of flavors and toppings.  And with the temperatures still in the upper 90's who is going to argue about "yogurt" for dinner???

Stella is partial to anything in the chocolate family.

Presley's favorite was cake batter with sprinkles--though this was chocolate with strawberries and marshmallows.

Cousin Lincoln with his sour gummy worm combo.

Grandma (mom)--thanks for all the yogurt!

Everyone finished every bite.

The worst combo {in my mind} had to be the chocolate with sour gummy worms---eewww!  And my mom loved the chocolate covered banana flavor {I could not even try that flavor}.