Thanksgiving 2011

                This year we were missing someone who comes every year if  they can,
                   and that was Michale and Rebbecca Martin.  Michael is serving in Afghanistan,
                     but we still gathered together and had a thankful feast
                                                          celebrating our many
                                                                   blessings.

Pilgrim Payson

Pilgrim Addi-Belle

Pilgrim Orion

Pilgrim Jerry.  Michelle Johnson knitted him

this pilgrim hat to wear for Thanksgiving.

Looking up the table with Pa at the head.

We had so much food that we could

not fit the turkey on the table.

Looking down the table

with Ma at the other end.

It is not Thanksgiving without a little

relaxing and resting.

Michelle Johnson looks so comfortable.

Reina and Orion playing the WII.

Christian was just hanging out

comfortable too.

Pa's Birthday

                        November 21, 2011 is Pa's 61st birthday.  Michelle came over
                         and left a card and some apple cider.  She had to work so she was
                       not able to stay long.   Jerry called later in the evening, and Michael
                                       is overseas  serving in the Army in Afghanistan. 
                                                     But we surprised him with
                                                        just our little group.

First, Ma took Pa out to eat at his favorite restaurant

with the gift card from Macy.

Then while we were gone,

Macy decorated with special balloons that

glow in the dark.

The candles were special too because whatever the

color the candle was is what the flame burned to be.

But the biggest celebration was the excitement

of the littlest ones.  They were so excited to

hear that there was even a BIRTHDAY.

Happy Birthday Pa

Out to Dinner at Elephant Bar

                     Macy gave Pa and Ma a gift certificate just before Halloween to go eat at
                         the restaurant she works at.  It was a $50.00 gift card, so we could eat
                         whatever we wanted.  Well of course we had to take all the children
                          because WE were the babysitter.  We had a lot of fun.  We wanted to
                          go when Macy was working so the kids could see her at work.

Looking at the HUGE elephant trunk

Addi-Belle and Payson

Addi-Belle, Orion and Payson.

There was a Giraffe too,

so maybe next time we go we

will visit the Giraffe.

                                

Trick or Treat

                                                       Halloween night is finally here!!

                                               

Mommy (Macy) is Wilma

Addi-Belle is Pebbles,

and Payson is Bam-Bam

Orion is Wa-Luigi

Jacen is Mario

Jack is Luigi

Everyone had a great time

and got a bunch of candy too.

Carving Pumpkins

                                                       For the twins this year mommy
                                               decided to do something a little different
                                                         with making pumpkins
                                                                  for Halloween.

Payson making his pumpkin

Mommy (Macy) showing them how to do it.

Addi-Belle making her pumpkin

Payson's

Mr. Potato Head Pumpkin

(a vampire)

Addi-Belle's

Mr. Potato Head Pumpkin

(a witch)

On the front of the house with

the other pumpkins

Orion's pumpkin was a HUGE one.

Ma could not help because it was so thick,

so pa carved it out.

Orion first drew a face on it so Pa could see

what he wanted.

Now we can set it out with a candle.

SCARY!!

Bwa ha ha ha haaa!!

The last pumpkin we

were not sure if we were going to carve

or not because the top rotted,

but we decided to carve it

and we compromised.

We made a witch's hat

out of tin foil.

Halloween night

Mr Potato Head pumpkins are under

the porch light to shine.

Church Halloween Party

Every year it is our Ward's tradition to have a pot luck dinner,
and a "Trunk or Treat" for the kids.  For some kids, it is the only
Halloween they get. For others, it is a fun party, and another chance
to show people their costumes.  This year was a fun time for our family.

There were about 400 people at the pot luck.

They are all lined up here to get food.

Pa is one of the first in line.

Payson only ate candy for his dinner.

Part of the table decorations were candy corn.

When Pa brought back dinner, he did not eat it.

Addi-Belle only ate candy corn for dinner too.

We made their costumes.

Their mommy decided to have them

be Pebbles and Bam-Bam

from the cartoon "The Flinstones."

Orion was Luigi from Mario

He found a Mario and we never

saw him again for the rest of the night

because they went off and played.  Orion

did not eat dinner, but he got candy from

"Trunk or Treat"

Pa handed out the candy while Ma took

the twins around to each car.  This is

when the twins were done, and they came

back to help Pa.

Macy's Balloon Ride

For Macy's birthday, we all went in together to get her a Hot Air Balloon Ride.
It was a very big surprize for Macy since it is the last thing she ever expected.
When we gave her the envelope (which was the gift) she assumed that it was
a gift card to a restaurant.  She scheduled the ride for one month after her birthday.
This was on October 22, 2011

 stepping up into the basket

Macy is a little anxious

up, up and away

The "Patriot" balloon

They headed for the Rio Grande River

to do the "Splash and Dash".

This is where they come as close to the river

as possible and try to touch the surface.

(Our view)

What a beautiful picture.

This is Macy's view.

There were at leat 10 more

 balloons in the air that day.

Looking down on another balloonover the city

(Macy's view)

Looking at the big interstate exchange

(Macy's view)

Looking down at us.  We are standing near

the car taking photos.

Our view of Macy taking the photos

Flying past our church.

(Don't land here please!!)

(Our view)

Macy landing

"The Patriot" balloon in it's full glory

The pilot Dean Donley pops the cork from the

Champayne bottle  for a toast.

Orange Juice for those who don't drink.

Macy took the orange juice.

Gathering around with the passengers

to hear the full story of the hot air balloons

and to hear the balloon prayer.

What a remarkable day for us all.

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