Thanksgiving

 We got to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving this year thanks to my Sister.  We had a bridal shower for Elly the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I was able to come down for that, with my girls, and stay for Thanksgiving.  It was a fun shower and I am excited for Elly and Garen.

Jeff and Dallin had some good guy time together, they traveled to Arkansas to get some vending machines and had a few evenings girl free.  We were glad to meet back together and celebrate our many blessings.  We had a delicious dinner with all the trimmings.  Some of Ellys roomates joined us as well as Great Grandma and Grandpa Jensen.  We also got to visit Grandma and Grandpa Pirtle that evening and meet Calvins daughter and husband.
The next day we were able to go skiing as a family (all six of us) for FREE!  Jackson Hole was having a free ski day for Black Friday.  We were planning on doing some shopping, but when we heard about free skiing we quickly changed our plans.  We thought Brea and Alyssa would go into the childcare, but it ended up that they both skied all day (which was funner and cheaper).  Grandpa Ricks was sweet and took Alyssa first and tried to teach her on the flat bunny hill while we went up with the older three.  It took a few runs for Jackie and Dallin to remember, but then they both could make it down without falling and faster than we wanted them to.  In the afternoon all four of us skied together for 2 1/2 hours straight.  I couldn't believe it, I thought the little girls would get tired, but they loved it.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.  Great memory!

 The best part of vacations is game time.  We seem to play games everywhere we go.  Jackie is really into games and this trip she stayed up until 2:00AM playing Risk with her cousin Connor. We also always enjoy Monopoly at Grandma Pirtles house, she is a great banker for us and the kids look forward to that game.

 What a great table setter.  It was a large table to set.  It was wonderful to be with extended family for Thanksgiving this year.

I was glad that my Grandparents could join us for Thanksgiving.  They are wonderful people that have been a large part of my life.  It is neat that my children are able to get to know them.

 We celebrated my Grandpas 85th birthday the same day, of course the girls were right there singing to him and helping him open his presents. I love the way he is looking at Alyssa and has his arm around her.

 Look at the beautiful weather to ski in.  In fact the grass was green at the bottom, but there was enough snow on the mountain to really enjoy it.

 The whole family right after we got off the lift.  The kids were able to get off without falling, what a triumph.

 It was fun to ski with family as well.  We didn't go on the sames runs as Corey, Elly, and Garen but we were able to see them a few times and eat lunch together.

 Grandma Ricks skied with us most of the day . She was a trooper trying to keep up with Dallin, which was not an easy task.  She is such a great Mom and Grandma.

 Going up the lift, she really enjoyed it, but coming down was definitely her favorite part.  She told me it was just like the Zoo, except no animals.  I was laughing at that comment.  We have a sky ride at our zoo which takes us up to the top.  So the ski lift was like the ski ride, but no animals.

 We were able to coax the kids into going in at 3:30 to get a hot chocolate with Grandpa.  Jeff and I wanted to take one last run up to the top, by ourselves.  Grandpa took three tired kids, with Alyssa crying for Mom into a little hut and got them a hot cocoa, he is AMAZING!  It didn't take long before this happened....

 No joke, all three of them fell asleep on this little counter in full ski gear.  They were exhausted.

These guys were still wide awake and smiling, although deep down they were exhausted too!  What a fun day, we couldn't have asked for a better day to ski together.  Thanks for all the help.