Elf Family

We were just dancing around in the backyard the other day and decided to film it. Enjoy.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1117810505

We are just trying to be as cool as the Mitchells!

It's up

We did not waste any time getting our house decorated for Christmas this year. On Friday, just after doing some shopping, I got the tree up and then yesterday I was able to put out the other decorations throughout the house. I love the tree! We got it from our friends last year after Christmas, so this was the first time we had used it. It is a 10-foot tree, and we are used to just a 6-foot tree, so we had to buy some new ornaments to help fill it up! Zak worked on the outside lights yesterday. I know, it is still November, but we were so excited we couldn't wait. We love the Christmas season so much! I love to decorate and celebrate every holiday, but Zak only seems to get really excited about Christmas. It is fun to do all the festive things together.

We have been listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and reading Christmas books at bedtime. Poor Ethan is going to have a hard time waiting a whole month for Santa! He keeps asking, "When is the real Christmas going to come?"

Colby learned the word "Halloween" when we were always walking around our neighborhood looking at Halloween decorations in October. Now anytime he sees any Christmas decorations, he still gets excited and says, "Halloween!!"

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

We had such a fun Thanksgiving! We spent it with my sister Kerri, and all her inlaws out at their family ranch. Zak got to spend the day shooting guns and riding quads, while the kids ran around the backyard chasing the sheep and Anthony the goat. I spent a lot of the time looking through all the newspaper ads to find the best deals for Black Friday. We ate some great food, and then played some more. A little frisbee golf and a game of softball. We had a lot of fun. Maybe we'll have to invite ourselves to more of their family get-togethers!
The shopping on Friday was not as good as I had hoped. I am not one of the real crazy ones that wakes up before daybreak, so I didn't get to the mall until about 8:00. By then, the crowds were still pretty bad, the lines were still really long, and most of the good stuff was sold out! I guess I should wake up earlier! I did get some good stuff, and it was fun to get started with the Christmas shopping. I have been feeling really behind because usually I am almost done with my shopping by now!
On Saturday, we went up to my Mom's for another Turkey dinner. We had lots more good food. I think I am done with turkey for awhile! It was fun to get together with the fam again. We always have a good time, even if it is a little crazy with so many energetic kids running around.
While we were up in Gilbert, I met up with Emily and Scott, who were in town for Thanksgiving too. It was so good to see them and catch up a little and meet little Logan! Em, we forgot to take any pictures! And we had such big plans!
Hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving!

Count your many blessings...

So this week I'm sure we are all thinking about the things we have to be thankful for. I was really inspired by the talk President Eyring gave in this last conference called "O Remember, Remember". He talked about how we need to find ways to recognize and remember God's kindness. He gave a great idea for all of us to better recognize and remember ways we have been blessed. He says we should write down--daily if possible--ways that the Lord has blessed us. This will not only help us to remember, but will help our children or others later as they see the ways God cares for each of His children. I thought it was a great talk, and thought it was worth reading again, especially this week. To read the talk, click here.
I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

Running like the wind, or a slight breeze maybe

Zak and I ran the Gilbert Days 5K last Friday. It was the first race either of us had ever run, and it was fun to do together. We were not so fast, but we didn't embarrass ourselves too bad. I came in at about 30 minutes, and I beat Zak by about 10 seconds (I like to rub that in!). I had decided prior to the race that I am done with running, because I don't enjoy as much as I try to convince myself to. Anyway, right after the race, I decided that I still don't really like running, but I like racing a lot (even if I am still not very good), so it has motivated me to keep running and training for the next race.