Category Archives: janice

Thanksgiving break day 2. Thanksgiving Day!

Woke up early and cooked a couple of turkeys. One big one for our big dinner and a cute little one with sides for Grandma and Uncle Ben.

Got everyone all shiny and pretty and then we headed out to visit Grandma on our way to Shelly’s house for dinner.
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Watching Kaylee run up to her Grandma Joanie is always a favorite.IMG_5826

I love this picture of them so much.IMG_5827

We sure miss getting to see Grandma more regularly. Being a six hour car dive + school + work makes it tough.IMG_5830 IMG_2252

The pre dinner calm…IMG_2254 IMG_2255 IMG_2256

Sharice made place cards for everyone. Not a small task.IMG_2258

Josh made noodles. And we had plenty of dessert.IMG_2263 IMG_2267

Food, conversation, family, fun!IMG_2268 IMG_2278 IMG_2380

After dinner we headed out toΒ  get family photos with our favorite gingers. My family froze while watching the madness. IMG_5857 IMG_5853

My Dad got some photos of the set up and craziness of trying to get 21 kids plus adults in position and a freezing cold photos.IMG_5865 IMG_2358 IMG_2323

We’ve got 20 out of 21 kids looking and mostly smiling!!!! IMG_2283IMG_2281 IMG_2376

We mostly stayed inside after photos and played games.IMG_2382 IMG_2381

Aunt Sam brought stamps. The girls had maybe too much fun with them.IMG_2379 IMG_5843But SO much fun. So very grateful for this loud crazy family of mine. So grateful that I got to be with them all (both sides) for a few days of family fun. So grateful that we all like each other. I love all those awesome people of mine!

1st grade Zoo trip

The first grade field trip was the last day before Thanksgiving break. Jon had asked for the day off so he could help me get all packed up. So we packed up the night before and went on her field trip as chaperons. It was Jon’s first time being a parent on a field trip. πŸ™‚
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Kaylee found the tortoise very stinky.IMG_2101

We found the rhino lizard. Basically it’s Liz from The Magic School Bus. Awesome. I may have been more excited about it than the girls….IMG_2114 IMG_2118

We had Kaylee and another girl from her class in our group. She took a bunch of pictures for us. Some turned out. Others not so much. πŸ™‚IMG_2121 IMG_2122 IMG_2124 IMG_2127 IMG_2129 IMG_2131 IMG_2132 IMG_2135 IMG_2142 IMG_2148 IMG_2152

Jon and I filled out the class work while the girls gave us their answers. Kaylee took this one of us working.IMG_2158

And of this duck as it walked by.IMG_2159 IMG_2161 IMG_2163 IMG_2165 IMG_2172 IMG_2194

The baboons were especially friendly.IMG_2195 IMG_2200 IMG_2213

I do like going on school trips and am so happy Jon got to come on this one. It was worth the late night getting the van loaded for our Utah trip.

Papago Park – UFA picnic

We had a family picnic in the park with our local chapter of United For Adoption. It’s always so fun to get together with friends who have been there done that in the adoption world.
IMG_1953 IMG_1965PLUS this happened. It’s been two months since we last saw these faces. We have SO missed them. Getting the text last night from their Mom that they were going to be able to make it was the best ever! So much love and hugging happened.IMG_1981

I got in some wonderful snuggle with this little lady. Monkey girl is getting so big!IMG_1987 IMG_1988 IMG_1997

R took a bit to warm up to me, but he was happy to see everyone else. He did give me two asked for hugs, and then right when we were saying goodbye he gave me a voluntary hug! πŸ™‚IMG_1998 (1)

We got some great shots of our family and their new family all together. I might be able to share those someday. Hopefully they will get to finalize the adoption by the end of the year. πŸ™‚

I asked Kaylee how many cookies she had. Mouth full she held up three fingers. I cut her off. Vegan (because I have kids with allergies) pumpkin chocolate chip with cinnabun frosting. SO yummy!

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These girls. IMG_2011Such a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Also it’s National Adoption Day today. I forgot until new Mom mentioned it.