Thanksgiving

Here is the beautiful Cornucopia that Anna made in school to celebrate Thanksgiving!  She did a wonderful job! I wish I had a picture of our dinner to post with this entry, but since I was hosting  at my home I was busy being the "perfect hostess" and didn't take any pictures.  I do have to say that I was very grateful for the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving at my home and get to do most of the cooking.  I'm not being sarcastic either, I actually am one of those weird people who enjoy the kitchen.  I cooked for two days straight, and I have to say that I had a blast.  Granted, I'm still cleaning up after the event, but it was worth it.  Brining a turkey is the thing to do, let me tell ya!  My leftovers are still juicy!  And I found a wonderful sweet potato casserole recipe and got lots of compliments on it, so I'm happy.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have to say I am so thankful for all the wonderful blessings that our family has received this past year, and continues on receiving.  I'm thankful for family and friends, for being able to say that my family and my friends are the same group of people a lot of times, and that I never thought it would be so great to have that in my life, and in my children's lives.  I have a beautiful family of four special people that love each other, respect each other, watch out for each other, fight with each other, play with each other, yell at each other, dance with each other, laugh with each other, cherish each other, and wouldn't have it any other way.  We have so much to be grateful for!

Primary Presentation

This is what I remembered when I looked at the pulpit this last Sunday and saw my little girl saying her part in the Primary Presentation.  "My name is Anna Sperry, and I help build my eternal family".  Can you see it?  Can you see that tiny little baby saying that?  Needless to say, I blubbered through the entire thing, pretty much.  We were so proud of our big girl Anna, she had her part memorized and she spoke loud and clear into the microphone.  Let's be honest... she spoke VERY loud and clear, and got a lot of chuckles from the congregation, but she did a great job!

You know, my days at home with my girls sometimes are very long, and I look forward to some quiet time everyday, but then you blink and your baby you just put down for a nap is standing at the pulpit on her very first Primary presentation. 

Anna, you're just a joy in my life, I love how caring and loving you are.  I love it that you tell me "I love you, Mommy" more times than I can count in a day.  I love it that you say "excuse me" and "please" and "thank you" and are so polite.  I love it that you take your dishes to the sink when you're done eating without my having to ask.  I love how pretty you color your pictures.  I love that you sing along to the Little Mermaid.  Anna, I love you.  You did a great job on your very first presentation, you are such a beautiful, brave, confident, happy little girl!

Anna's advice to Santa Claus

Anna's only request for Christmas so far, has been a white, fluffy dog.  She talks about it constantly, which cause us, her parents, to really start considering it.  We were almost sold on the idea, but finally decided that Emma needs some time to grow more, so she can push the dog away if she wants too and all that.  Right now she'd be easily knocked down by a dog.  Anyway, as we thought of how to break the news that maybe Santa would not be able to bring a dog this year, we came up with this idea:

Vanessa:  Anna, I talked to Santa Claus today!  We were talking about what you wanted for Christmas and I told him you wanted a dog!

Anna:  What did he say? What did he say?

Vanessa:  Well sweetie, Santa said that during Christmas time, it's just too cold for brand new puppies to go outside to go potty!  They would be so cold and would cry!  We don't want the puppy to be cold and cry, do we?

Anna: No... we don't.  (Silence and a very thoughtful little look on her cutie pie face)

Anna:  Mommy, I have an idea!  You tell Santa that he can bring the dog, and then he can just bring him a coat!  Then the puppy won't be cold!  Isn't that a great idea???

Vanessa:  (Stumped)  Well.... let me talk to Santa, I'll get back to you.

So there you have it.  Foiled by my 4 year old.  Any ideas on what Santa should say next?  Because I sure am stuck!

The last Halloween Post

Ok, here is our last Halloween adventure, the actual Halloween night!  We had lots of fun trick or treating in our neighborhood, our neighbors are great!  We had the entire Wizard of Oz group with us, and we had lots of fun.  I’ll let you enjoy the pictures.

Kudos to Russ for making that awesome Tin Man costume himself, out of diaper boxes, duct tape and spray paint.  Pretty cool, huh?   

Halloween part II

For our second Halloween event this season, we went to Grandma Sperry's ward for their Trunk or Treat.  It was so much fun!

Here's Daddy and little monkey Emma enjoying the delicious chili dinner the ward provided.  Cute!

Here we are, the Wizard of Oz gang!  John, Nicholette, Jack, Vanessa and Anna.  Very fun.  I've always wanted to be a wicked witch, this is my first time getting to do it believe it or not.

Daddy and Emma and Grandma!  Grandma is a very cute Mrs. Halloween, isn't she?  Don't mind Emma, she's eating.

Jeanne, Jake and Daisy joined in the fun.  I bet you can't guess what they dressed up as!  Jeanne is married and Jake is handsome! :)  That's what Anna said, anyway.  Daisy... well, Daisy is the cutest, no costume necessary!

I don't know what this picture was about, but we all came up so funny on it!  Grandma had her trunk all decorated for the event, and handed out lots of candy! 

Mommy had cool tights, Anna had cool shoes.  This is us showing them off.  Isn't Anna the most adorable Dorothy ever?  She sure is!

What is Russ dressed up as you ask?  Grandpa Sperry!  That's Grandpa's coat and hat, and he just made a silly face... Don't worry, he'll dress up too, just wait for the next post.

So here is part 2 of our Halloween fun this year!  I'll soon post the rest of our adventure.  It was so much fun!