Monday, December 14, 2009

A Kansas Thanksgiving

So I know this is totally picture overload! I have been terrible at updating the blog, but I finally have time today, and so this is what you get! Forgive me everyone for the bad pictures and pictures that might make your children look gay, crazed, and possibly a little bit handicapped. Hey, they are your children, not mine. But I love them nonetheless and won't hold it against you.

We were able to do so many things that I didn't get pictures of. For example, my sisters and I looked like Zombies while we shopped at Walmart and Target on black Friday. I really did feel like it was a bad dream. However, we all found a couple good deals. Nick and I also got to go to my Dad's work and get a tour of all the jets there. We were able to relax a ton and have a movie night with too much junk food. I haven't felt that sick in awhile.

Also, I uploaded these backwards but I refuse to redo them. So you are looking at our Thanksgiving trip in reverse.

I think this state is the prettiest state there is. This is why I miss it so much!
And this too!
We were able to have a successful family lunch out at a restaurant. It was so fun to go to some of the places I miss and to spend so much time with family. I was not ready to come back to Utah.

The following are of a few of the kids trying on mine and Nick's shoes.
Exhibit A: Ava with my shoes on. Not so weird.
Exhibit B: Alex has Nick's manly shoes on. Could have picked a cuter pair of mine, but ok.
Exhibit C: Landon stole these from Ava because he insisted that they were the best pair for him. Not so ordinary.

Landon successfully took a good picture of me.
The kids and all their cheesy smiles.
This is us playing a pretty funny game called "Curses". I laughed so hard that I was crying a few times.


Cute little Alex
My handsome man on Thanksgiving.
Most of the Coates family
This is Ava taking our picture on Thanksgiving.
This girl really needs to learn what a real smile is. She is so funny.
Thanksgiving day...
continued
continued
continued. There ended up being well over 30 people at my Dad's house for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun to see all our family there. Nick got to meet tons of family he probably didn't even know existed on my side.
The lake behind my Dad's house. This is the other reason I miss Kansas. Nowhere else has so many lakes. Almost every single neighborhood has one.
Nick, Matt and Landon fishing.
So we just had to go see twilight while we were together. Shenna and Andrea ended up having some friends come along too, so we had a whole row of people there. It was fun, except for the fact that we went to the late showing and I missed half of the movie. From what I hear I didn't miss much though. The parts I saw were totally lame. And ridiculously cheesy. Andrea, I now see where Ava gets her face to smile for the camera.
Everyone in the theater.
Driving to the theater.
My Dad teaching the girls all the cool things there are to know about the bass guitar. (Are there any?) Just kidding Dad.
We were also all able to make it to the Zoo. I never realized what a good zoo we have there until I went back. I loved the zoo! Here is Nick with his favorite animal.
Landon with the Lions.


Alex and I with the Tiger.
My sweet husband offered to carry my purse around half the time. I love him!
Ashley and Michael. You would think we were in Alaska the way Michael is dressed. He was scared of the outdoors there.
Part of our group.

Goofy Landon.

We had so much fun going to Kansas for Thanksgiving. I loved showing Nick around the town. I drove him by my first house there and the High School and showed him everywhere there is to show. (Not really much) But I think he liked it enough that we will go back and visit when we can. I loved seeing all my family and a couple old friends. All in all, we had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for the fun times everyone! We miss you already.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This is a little late for the Thanksgiving post, so it will be a combined Christmas/Thanksgiving one. I have a lot of pictures to post from various things throughout the month, but we are again without internet so this is a short post until I find time to do all that I am wanting to.

I am so blessed.

The blessings I recognize and that I am thankful for are the following:

  • I have a wonderful, loving husband who means the world to me
  • I have the best family imaginable (inlaws included!)
  • Nick is finished with his graduate school applications (HUGE relief)
  • We have nice new discounted 600 thread count sheets on our bed
  • I no longer have to try to cut meat with a knife equivalent to a butter knife now that i have new ones
  • I only almost hit the car in front of me yesterday while driving on the ice, keeping this year free of accidents thus far (minus the deer incident)
  • Nick got a phone where the battery lasts more than 3 hours
  • We were able to go to Kansas over Thanksgiving to be with family and friends
  • Our neighbors got rid of one of their loud barking dogs
  • We have a real Christmas tree, and all the decorations are put up for the Holidays
  • We are able to live so close to family and spend time with them
  • I have a job. Not just one, but two, when some don't even have one
  • Nick is able to go to school and work
  • Nick is patient with me
  • It didn't snow for real until yesterday (now I am no longer happy to step outside the front door)
  • I have sisters who will laugh with me about almost anything
  • I have an electric blanket on my side of the bed
  • Neither of us have gained all of the weight we have lost back yet
  • Christmas time is finally here!
  • David and Carolyn for giving us their couch so we don't have to be scared to sit on ours any longer
  • I have a husband who will forever make my heart melt everytime he smiles at me
  • I am able to live so close to temples
  • LeBron James
  • A nephew who can always make me laugh (see Andrea's blog about Landon's writing)
  • I have a husband who will eat whatever I cook even if we both know it is not very good
  • Winco foods for their really cheap groceries
  • I have a Savior who loves me and died for me
  • I have this time of year to especially remember him and be greatful for everything I have and all that I have been blessed with

I have so many things I have in my life that I am greatful for and that I am sure I don't deserve. I would write them all if I had time. Now, when I have a day where I think all is wrong in my life, I will be able to look at this list and realize how perfect it really is.