Gobble, Gobble

How does one describe a day overflowing with great food, family and friends? A day filled with laughter, love and games? Thanksgiving of course!

We had a great time this year. Although we missed all of our extended family, it was nice to be at home with a couple of really good friends. We had a gigantic turkey (25 pounds!) which we'll probably still be eating next year and tons of other food. Leftovers are my favorite meal! And for you Hunsakers out there, I've been eating Zingers like crazy! Even had to bake another batch of rolls.

To keep with the traditions of my family, we went around the table and all said what we're grateful for. Chase said that he's grateful for his dad because he's a lot of fun. Denver spoke of his mission and all that it taught him. And I, well I've become as long-winded as my mother-something I swore that I would never do. I decided that what I'm most thankful for this year is my Divine Role. I love being a wife and mother and all that it entails. I was made to be a mother! But I also know that my divine role encompasses more that just my little family. I am a daughter of God and He loves me! He, in His infinite wisdom, has trusted me to raise these two amazing children and has blessed me with a man strong enough to capture and retain my love and respect. He's even trusted me with a calling working with a new generation of stripling warriors. I am humbled by His trust and so truly grateful that I have the knowledge I need to fulfill my callings in this life. I am blessed. Beyond measure.



So, moving on, I wanted to add a couple of fun pics so here's one of our table! Chase and I had a blast decorating it for our meal. Sorry we forgot to take any pictures of the table after there was food on it-we were so hungry we forgot!


We found giant leaves out in the backyard and decided to use them as coasters. I think that's the most fun we've ever had setting the table.


Denver and Corbin had a photo shoot a while ago and when I came across these pictures I just had to share! I can't believe how cute they are!

The Wiles of Walmart

Low prices. Screamin' good deal. We've all been enticed by them at one point or another. Oftentimes, they are worth it as long as you avoid the pitfalls surrounding them. I almost escaped from the latest venture unscathed but, alas, I was taken in by the beauty of my children.

We went to Walmart to get a family portrait done a couple of weeks ago. I thought it would be nice to have one and when Denver noticed the $4.99 deal at Walmart I just couldn't resist. No sitting fees, the whole family, I could probably get a couple of extra shots with the boys...I figured I could stomach the atmosphere for long enough to get a decent shot.

I certainly got what I paid for. Luckily, my boys are cute enough that it's virtually impossible to not get a good picture of them and by some stroke of good fortune, I look okay too. I'll admit that after sitting through the session with our photographer I was highly skeptical about any of the shots turning out. If you can imagine a 16-year-old boy with no social skills and an inflated sense of self-importance, he'd seem suave and charming in comparison with our photographer. And that's putting it mildly.

Fortunately, you can't see what's really going on in my mind and my smile almost looks genuine. Chase's actually is. He's the only one that liked the photographer-thought he was funny. Like only a nine-year-old could. So after much deliberation, some pushy sales pitches, and my becoming adamant that I didn't want a portrait package for $300 or even the $150 package and no I don't care that there is a payment plan I just don't want all those pictures and no matter what else you say I just want these two shots, we were able to pay for our pictures and leave.

You'd think that would have been the end of it. Not entirely. You see, when we went to pick up the pictures they showed us the prints we'd chosen and then they pulled out a bunch of extra prints that they'd made that they thought maybe we'd want-all for another $20! I was furious! INCENSED! Who the heck are they to be printing off extra shots of my family wasting all that time and money just so they can guilt me into spending a couple of extra dollars. I refused. I looked at the girl and she must have sensed my anger cuz she didn't push it at all. Denver about went back and asked if he could just have them if all they were gonna do is throw them away but I wouldn't let him.

Well, since I'm cheap, I only ended up getting the portrait package and two other sheets of just Chase and Corbin. That's where they got me-the extra sheets are almost $10 a pop! I refused to buy anything more so I had to take pictures of the portraits so that I could get them on the computer for all of you to see. You get the basic idea. And don't worry, next time, I'll just have a friend take pictures cuz there is no way you're ever going to get me into another portrait studio. EVER.

Hot diggity dog, I've got some good-lookin' kids!

This one's for you Tiffy. I made it today after you made me feel guilty for not posting often enough. I guess sometimes the squeaky wheel really does get the oil. Love you.

Halloween Part Two