Our Thanksgiving

We left for Snowflake Tuesday after Jennah got out of school, so we could we could be there to help make pies!

Here's a priceless moment with Jennah and Gramma making pies...and great memories! Thanksgiving day...we had a small group this year, just the Self's, Brent Webb's, and Gramma and Grampa, and Grandma "Pete". It was a quiet Thanksgiving compared to other's we've had, just 14 of us this year.

Here's the "kids" table...Kirstie, Jennah, Chandler, Marissa, BreAnne and Stevie. (poor Kirstie had a terrible ear infection the whole time we were there, so she didn't enjoy her Thanksgiving dinner much)

...and the "grown-ups" table...mom (gramma) Josh (he's officially a grown-up now that he's 18 and going to college), Melanie, dad (grampa), Brent and Suzie

Our "spread"...there was sooooo much food!!!

We have a family Thanksgiving tradition that started back in (I think) 1978. My mom and grandma "pete" made a tablecloth that everyone puts their hand print on. The original tablecloth was at the ranch when it burned down in 2002, so my mom made a new one. It's sad not having the original, but as fast as the family is growing, it won't take long for this one to fill up!

While we were cleaning up, Brent was snoring away on the couch, so I had to get a picture. We had a wonderful time being "home" and visiting and playing with family. I absolutely LOVE this time of year!!!

**Update** On the trip home, while driving through the reservation past Globe, there was a hill with some patches of white dirt showing through the desert brush. All three kids yelled out, VERY excited, at the same time..."SNOW!!!" I had a hard time convincing them that it was NOT snow, and they were so bummed. You know you've lived in the desert too long when your kids see white dirt and think it's snow!

Thankful Tag

I got this idea from my cousin (Thanks Misti), to have my family each list 10 things we're thankful for. We did this last night for FHE, and it was one of the most fun times we've ever had! It was a difficult thing to list just ten! Since it's Thanksgiving time, I decided to make it a tag so my friends and family could join in on the fun!

STEVE: The Gospel, Temples/Temple marriage, Family (eternal family), food, shelter, love, friends, beautiful days, beautiful sunsets, and freedom.

MELANIE: Family, the Gospel, Jesus Christ, our prophet, music, friends, health, vehicles in good condition, beautiful fall weather, and home.

JENNAH: Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, my family, my friends, the Temple, the Church, this world, to be free, and our home.

KIRSTIE: Me, our house, books, family, daddy, mommy, Jennah, Stevie, school, and the world

STEVIE: Heavenly Father, bees (because they make honey), exercising (to get really skinny), people, living (being alive), toys, bricks that we build walls with, paper to color, chips, and eggs with salsa.

Now I tag ten people...Emily, Ryan, Racheal, Joele, Andrea, Natalie, Cherie, Shawna, Jenny, and... everyone else on my list! Have FUN!!!

Steve's 50th

Well, Steve hit the half-century mark this last Thursday. We didn't do much celebrating yet, we're saving that for when we're together with family for Thanksgiving. Steve requested homemade Tacos for his birthday supper, so that's what he got YUMMY! Steve thinks it's not a birthday cake if it isn't devil's food with white frosting. I think he'd shoot me if I ever forgot that. I didn't want to use black frosting on his cake, so I figured that black candles were enough ;) I had a hard time deciding what colors to use, and after I started with the red and blue, I realized that it looked like a 4th of July cake...oh well. Steve's a very patriotic person, so I guess it was appropriate! I had to put this picture of his "old man" face on here...he's starting to show his age!

Friday morning we went to see "Twilight" (he promised to take me MONTHS ago). I'm sure he would have much rather seen the new James Bond movie, but he's such a sweet guy that he gave in. After the movie was over, there was a LONG line of women waiting to come into the theatre. Steve couldn't resist the urge to shout "It was GREAT!!! You're going to LOVE it!!! (I wish you could hear the tone of his voice...somewhat feminine) I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at any of their faces, but Steve said their expressions were just hilarious!! Their audible reaction was enough to make me start laughing hysterically...so hard I had tears running down my face! He's such the comedian!!!

Steve is gonna kill me for this...

...but this is too good NOT to share!!!

(BIG sigh......) I'm taking Steve to go see THE movie tomorrow morning for his birthday, and he's soooo excited!!! Alright, he's actually taking me, and I'm the one who's completely lost their mind! Thank you to Emily, Racheal and Teddy for getting me hooked on "Twilight". (Steve says a very sarcastic thanks a lot too!)

Follow the Prophet

Last night, instead of having 'Family Home Evening', we had a sleepover. So tonight, we had a mini-FHE. The kids got into my box of FHE games and found some pictures that I made - well, colored- for one of their primary talks over a year ago. They had a lot of laughs, while learning a little about Book of Mormon and Bible prophets. That's what I call good family fun!

Our family comedian

Today while eating lunch, I noticed that Kirstie was putting her feet on a very large book (of nearly 1000 pages). When I realized that it was a Petersen genealogy book that my grandma "Pete" had compiled and had published, I told her to please put the book away. When she asked why, I explained to her that it was a very special book written by her great-grandma, she just smiled and said..."WOW! She must still be tired from writing all that!!"

**update** 11-8-08: Last night Kirstie told me that she was "checkin' out my cheeks"
"WHAT!" I said. Then she pointed to her 'tushy' and said (with a very mischievous grin) "these are your cheeks".
To which I said "where in the world did you learn that!?!"
"From a movie...do you like my cheeks?" (UUGH! I REALLY need to be much more careful about the movies they watch!!!!!!)

Our Halloween

Once again, I made the kids costumes. Sometimes I wish I didn't know how to sew, but I do love making things for my kids that make them happy!

Steve, once again, was Elvis, Kirstie was Mariposa (for those of you who don't know...it's a Barbie character), Jennah was Belle, and Stevie was Batman!

We (meaning the kids) had tons of fun! We spent the night at the football field playing games and going trunk or treating. Steve just stayed with the "trunk" because he didn't feel much like walking around...he's still nursing a broken rib, poor guy :(