Our week in Utah

Me and my wonderfuls had the opportunity to go to UTAH for the week of Thanksgiving. It was awesome. We had such a good time. I was so happy to be there with my family. I love them.

I was so NOT ready to come home. Oh well.........

Here are a few highlights:

*stayed in a fabulous hotel on the way down and visited with Aunt Cherie, Michelle and family in ID.

*kids enjoyed TONS of time with their cousins....and me with my parents/siblings.

*night out with my husband....including a little Christmas shopping

*family pictures (23 kids, 16 adults....oh, and one teddy bear (Issac refused to let it go.))

*a trip to Chuck E Cheese (oh joy) with LOTS of cousins.

*awesome Thanksgiving day food and company!

*Gabe and Rob went flying with my dad. It was Gabe's first experience. He LOVED it (until descent when his ears refused to pop....ouch!). He took my camera and captured some excellent pictures/video's. Oh...and apparently he LOVED wearing the headset. At one point Grandpa had to turn off Gabe's microphone or risk hearing loss for both Rob and himself. :)

*Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl with the Conrads, Uncle Andrew and Grandpa H. Lessa and I sat on the sidelines and cheered. It was Gabe's first time playing in an actual "football game" instead of just playing catch. He was a little discouraged by his "non-perfection", but did an awesome job.

*Taking part in the "Thanksgiving night talent show." Again, 23 kids...17 adults this time...all crammed in one small family room. It was really loud but lots of fun. I forgot to take pictures....but I do have a video (thanks Jason). :)

*Annual "Day After Thanksgiving Hike" to "Thanksgiving Rock" (just some big random rock up Dry Canyon given it's name by my family). I must admit that hiking 5 months pregnant would not have been too bad except that the elevation change between WA and UT just about KILLED me. I won't complain. It was a good workout...in fact, my ONLY workout all week. I enjoyed it but was ever so happy to bring up the rear. :)

It was such a great week. We all had a super great time. I hated to go.





Did I mention I really didn't want to go home?

Oh boy, oh boy......

IT'S A BOY!

A growth discovered....in my abdomen!

About 15 weeks ago my primary care physician discovered a somewhat parasitic growth in my abdomen. It was small...but growing rapidly. She reassured me that these types of growths are rarely fatal and that everything would be fine but suggested I see a parasitic growth specialist to get another opinion. I did just that. The appointment went well. A lot of questions were answered and fears abated. There are no immediate plans for removal but removal and/or passing of the growth is inevitable and should take place in the next 19-20 weeks. It will be rather painful and will take a bit of recovery but I am confident I will bounce back from it in no time. How do I know? Because it has been that way every other time... I have had a baby! SURPRISE! (By the way...we had our BIG ultrasound today...everything (that they could see) looks good. Wanna know the sex? TOO BAD! You only get one secret at a time. Yeah....I am that mean!)

Total Haul.....if you like birthday cake that is

Today I went to Albertsons and took advantage of some pretty good deals. Here's what I ended up with:

31 tubs Betty Crocker Frosting (year supply...I HATE making frosting)
17 boxes Betty Crocker cake mix (that goes for cake as well)
6 boxes General Mills cereal
3 bags Chex Mix
2 boxes Fiber One granola bars

Subtotal: 157.01
Mf coupon used: -$48.40
Store coupon match: -$9.00
Store deals: -$65.96

Paid out of pocket: $33.65

Plus I still have $15 in-store Catalina coupons for future use

Grand Total: $18.65

That's just under $0.32 per item.

Not bad.

Anyone up for cake?

Our "Supers"

This year...like every other year was full of fun and traditions (besides getting awaken at 4:15AM... see previous post).

Preliminary Activities: Pumpkin tortillas (for the last two weeks) and pumpkin carving (last Monday). As for Halloween Day/Night......Mummy Dogs (new for us this year), Scooby Doo rental, chili and cornbread for dinner, costumes, a "Trunk-or-Treat", come home, go through candy (set aside all the yummy-goodness Cael can't have), put the kids to bed, mom and dad (mostly mom) feast on kids candy (afterall....all that candy is NOT good for them (wink, wink)).

All-in-all good times....noodle salad.

Pics:

Mummy Dogs


Cael wanted "bloody ones"


Our Superheroes


Glorious, well thought out, artistically orchestrated.........somewhat shriveled pumpkins

I wonder how many pounds I will put on this year?