Thanksgiving 2016

We had Thanksgiving at my new house this year.  We did a family turkey trot around Dunnegan park (which is just around the block from my house) prior to the thanksgiving feasting. I about killed myself on the run. I only completely about a mile. (In my defense, I had to catch up to my 6 year old on a bike who got several minutes head start and who had to have his pregnant mother push him up every hill. Have you ever tried hunching over a small bike to push a 6 year old with a huge belly?! Yikes!).  

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I should've gotten pics with all the family gathered for eating and games...but I was too busy hosting and what not. But we had all of my family (which included my sister Lynnae & Ryan & their family who surprised us and showed up on our doorstep an hour or so before the turkey trot!  Best. Surprise. Ever!), my sister in law Brittany (who is SUCH a joy to have around!), my cousin Chelsea (who is also a delight to have visit!) and our friends from Springfield, the Packs (who we have really enjoyed getting to know better...we have a lot in common with them & we were so glad they made the trek up to Bolivar!).

The next day we spent our Black Friday in Branson, MO to see the Brett Family Singers.

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Sad...last moments with Brittany before taking her to the airport. :( Can you tell my kids love her?
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Capping everything off Saturday night with my niece Lydia's baptism. We were able to sneak a few family pictures in then (which will be the last for awhile...my little brother Royce just received a mission call to Ghana, Africa! He leaves in March and will be gone for 2 years.). 
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4 Thanksgivings ago we did some similar pictures.
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And of coarse, a baptism is not complete without a congo line.
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Halloween 2016

Remember how I said that most everything was packed? Well, that included most of the halloween costumes (other than a jedi robe and superman cape that the boys had managed to smuggle out of the dress up box prior to that box being shelved somewhere in our new garage). Yes, I wasn't thinking.

Once again, we got creative with what we had on hand. In Max's case this involved his brother's pair of underwear and underarmour turned inside out (it was a speckled print...figured superman would appreciate gray over speckled tights), an inside out red graphics shirt & some snow boots that were 6 sizes too big. Max didn't care. He wore the uniform with pride. (Liam, however, was slightly embarrassed to be seen with his brother. Ironically, he wasn't embarrassed of his dad who was sporting the "Joe Dirt" mullet wig. Eek...Oh well. Lol!).

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Chaz's 2nd birthday

I'm a little late in posting these, but we've been pretty busy.  We moved & I still have a little ways to go to be fully unpacked and set up!  But our happy little Chaz had a birthday!  We sure love him.

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In these pics most of our things were packed, so we had to get creative with candles and use matches on his cake instead (and I know...I know.  It's not technically a cake...but he did pick it out).

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Happy 2nd birthday Chaz!

Michigan roadtrip

Chad bought some dental equipment from someone in Gaylord, MI that needed picking up. At first, being heavy with child, I was reluctant to go, but his persuasive powers eventually won me over. We decided to make the quick road trip over the general conference weekend. It was fun (minus the nights when my tailbone/hips were killing me because I'd been in a car so long...oh well. haha). But seriously, I'm glad we went. It was beautiful up there and we made some fun memories. Here's a few of the beaches/lighthouses we got to see.
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Ice cream stop
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Day trip to Mackinac Island

Our ferry ride over was pretty fun on the choppy waters. A local told us that during the winter when the lake freezes over they line the way from the mainland to the island with pine logs and people pass over on snowmobiles.  They call the lined path "Christmas tree highway".  The local said his brother, who is quite adventurous, won't dare make the Christmas tree highway trek.
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Yep, no cars allowed.
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Detroit style pizza and fudge
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True to tradition- our "general conference" pictures.  Not quite as dressed up/outfit coordinated.
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A horse drawn tour of the island
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And then it was homeward bound.
Oh, and my favorite general conference talks (this is just off the top of my head right now)...
Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus
Joy and Spiritual Survival
The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy
The Great Plan of Redemption
The Blessings of Worship
The Righteous Judge
"If Ye Had Known Me"
Repentance: A Joyful Choice