Salt Shaker or Snow Shaker?

Today the salt shaker looks more like the snow shaker. We've had a storm that has just kept giving and giving and giving. Actually, the storm hit on Thursday with a pretty constant stream of rain for about 24 hours. It turned to snow last night and just kept coming. We got about eight inches just today.

I can think of nothing that makes A.J. happier than snow. He can play in it for hours. All he requires is a little hot cocoa afterwards. And if it is Steven's Chocolate Raspberry, all the better.
He especially likes it if our neighbors will come out and play with him too. Addison and McKenna always make everything more fun. And their dad, Ken is just a big kid at heart too and loves to play in the snow the way James and I just don't.
We had a similar storm last Saturday and they played outside for a couple of hours and made this ginormous snowball. Today, they turned that into the a snowman ready to play lineman for the Aggies.James even went out and helped A.J. build a snow fort. Me? I will go outside long enough to take the pictures, than I come right back in to sit by the fire and stay warm. I am just a big wimp!

But I do have to say, there is nothing like fresh Utah powder to put you in a holiday mood. It's so pure and white it just sparkles. Of course in a day or two, it will be ugly, but today I am looking at it and my son playing in the snow shaker.

Giving thanks, A little late

Today our family celebrated Thanksgiving. A little late I know but on the actual Thanksgiving we were traveling to visit our friends the Butlers and just ate dinner at the Cracker Barrel on our way to Boise.

But Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. A chance to eat really good food and to reflect on the things that we are most grateful for.

So today I cooked up a turkey breast, my famous stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls and my favorite thing this time of year: PUMPKIN PIE!!!

And now for the reflection on what I am most thankful for this year:

1) My little family. A husband who loves, supports and spoils me and a son that has been nothing short of a miracle in our lives.

2) My extended family. My parents who raised me right and my brothers and their families who put up with me. And my in laws and aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents.

3) My friends. I know it is a little corny but you know the saying, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other gold." In this instance, I am rich.

4) The Gospel. Goes without saying right?

5) My Country. I worry that it is getting a little less popular to be proud to be an American again. But I am proud to be American and I am thankful for the freedom it gives me.

6) Access to great medical care. Don't know where we would have been this year without some great doctors, Primary Children's Medical Center and an insurance plan that took care of our little boy.

7) Being a SAHM. So grateful that James' employment allows me to be home with A.J. and pursue my interests without putting a huge strain on the family finances.

8) My hobby and little side businesses. Grants me a little sanity and a connection to people. I keep saying it is cheaper than therapy, but not sure if that is really the case. I think our insurance would cover a good share of the therapy.

9) My home. It may not be a mansion, but it suits our little family just fine.

10) Modern convenience. While I take a lot of this for granted, I am thankful for technology and how it makes our lives more convenient.