Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

We traveled to Idaho Falls for Thanksgiving this year. All of my siblings and their families were able to come.  On Thanksgiving morning, some of the family went ice fishing while the rest of us stayed home to help prepare the meal. I can't remember a Thanksgiving where we didn't go fishing—it’s tradition. Thanksgiving dinner was at mom's house. It was just like old times as we were crowded tightly together in the kitchen while a dull roar of conversation echoed throughout dinner. Afterwards, we had two Christmas gift exchanges--one for the children, and one for the adults. It has been a long time since I have laughed so hard--we truly had a great time!

The day after Thanksgiving, we were able to go to the temple to complete some family temple work. It was an awesome experience being in the House of the Lord with my family. I feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the blessings of family. I am truly blessed to have so many great people in my life.

Elder Cook said, “My counsel is that we need to focus our energy on strengthening our families by talking, rejoicing, preaching, and prophesying of Christ, that we may enjoy the reward of righteous families so we can be eternal families”

(BYU Women's Conference, May 2014).

ICE FISHING

KID'S GIFT EXCHANGE

Michelle prepared a gift exchange for the kids. She wrapped different gifts with packing tape--the person with the wrapped blob of gifts worked to remove a gift while the person next to them tried to roll a double with a set of dice. If the person with the blob of gifts removed a gift prior to a double being rolled, they were able to keep it; however, if a double was rolled prior to extracting a gift, the person with the gifts did not get a gift, but rather passed the gift to the next person in the circle (the person who had been rolling the dice). I honestly can't believe how intense this game became. It was so funny and exciting!

Rules Explained

Jacob's arms weren't strong enough to remove a toy without a little help. Amber's turn was just prior to Jacob's turn, so towards the end of the game, she started breaking off chunks, so that Jake would have an easier time.

TEXAS HOLD 'EM

For the adult exchange, we played TEXAS HOLD 'EM. I have never played this game, so I was a bit apprehensive; however, everyone promised to be helpful. The first couple to lose, would pick from the pile of gifts first. The second couple could then steal, or pick a different gift, and so on. Bryan was the first person out of the game, so I assumed we would be picking from the gifts rather quickly; however, through some miracle (and help)--I was lucky. I have never laughed so hard as Kendall, Roxanne, and I battled for the winning pick. I had a few lucky hands, and I was definitely in the lead; however, my lead quickly turned and I lost it all. I'm so glad I don't really gamble! But playing this game with my family was super fun!

My stack compared to Kendall's stack

Betting it all...and losing.

TEMPLE WORK

On Friday, we were able to go to the temple to do family names. It was such a sweet experience to be in the temple with my family. I am so grateful to my family for their willingness to take time to go to the temple. I know that it is through the temple ordinances that we are sealed together forever. I have no doubt that while in the temple, we are closer to Heaven than anywhere else. I can feel the love of my Savior as I enter, and I am so grateful to have been able to share those feelings with the people that matter the most. 

Early Thanksgiving & Monster Concert

MILLER'S EARLY THANKSGIVING

We were able to go to Jeff and Shaura's house for Early Thanksgiving. I simply love this tradition. I love that we can spend time with both sets of families around the Thanksgiving Holiday. I hope this tradition continues for as long as I am alive. It is such a blessing to be with family!

This year for Early Thanksgiving, the girl's and I had a previous obligation. It seemed a bit crazy to drive down to Rupert for such a short period of time; however, we decided that time spent with family would be make the effort worth it. The girls and I missed the actual dinner, but we were able to enjoy an evening and a morning with the family before heading back to Boise. Bryan and Jacob caught a ride back to Boise with Dan and Danny (so grateful to them). 

Little Miss Hailey is in love with Wyatt. She kept stealing him from everyone else.

Jacob played in the Frozen Finger Football Game. He kept telling his daddy that he wanted to go inside, because he was so cold, but he stayed outside, because he didn't want to let his team down. He was so sweet. He has such a big heart. After the game, he was a bit exhausted.

MONSTER CONCERT

If the Monster Concert was any other concert, we would have simply missed it; however, both Hailey and Amber had partners that were depending on them to perform. If Hailey and Amber hadn't shown up, it would have left their partners in a lurch. I was somewhat sad to leave Early Thanksgiving, but because it was important to live up to our commitments--we did so. 

The concert was beautifully done, and the girls did a great job. Both Hailey and Amber earned a spot on a Grand Piano, which was truly exciting for the both of them. Prior to the actual concert, they perform for the conductor, and the best pianists are placed on a grand piano. For the Monster Concert, there are 20 pianist following a conductor. It is amazing to hear so many pianos playing in unison. 

Hailey's face is peeking out from her piano as she watches the conductor. 

Soccer Party

PIZZA SOCCER PARTY

I wish I had taken pictures of my beautiful decorations. There were lights strung in between mason jars. The mason jars had rickrack tide to the top and poking out of each jar was a cute straw for drinking efficiency. There was as plate tower filled with food; there were carrots and celery in clear cups ready to be eaten... The party looked awesome, and I didn't take one picture. How am I suppose to remember my awesome ideas without any pictures? 

Truly, though...besides not taking the pictures that I should have taken--the soccer party was a big hit. These girls truly love each other. They had so much fun playing Catch Phrase, Apples to Apples, and watching a girly movie. Giggles and laughter filled our home. We are so grateful for this team. It was a great party to end a great season--I can't wait until next season!

Snow Day

I LOVE YOU

Hailey and Amber have stolen my heart. The snow had been falling nonstop since early morning, and these two decided to go outside and write me a message--so SWEET! These are the moments that help me feel reassured in my mothering. After playing in the snow, Hailey prayed in our family prayer that there would be a snow day the following day. My little brother, Brandon, was visiting, and he asked her what she would do if her prayer wasn't answered? She simply replied, "It would then mean that God wanted me in school, but I can always hope that He likes the idea of a snow day too."

SNOW DAY
Her prayers were answered...

Veterans Day

Veteran’s Day at Cabin

I love spending time at the cabin. The kid's had two days off of school, so we begged Bryan to take the time off from work and we headed to the cabin. We played "Ticket to Ride", and enjoyed riding around the ranch on the four-wheeler's.  While we were "adventuring", we witnessed the first snow of the season.

There is snow falling. The picture doesn't depict the snow, but their tongues demonstrate their excitement!

Finally the snow captured in Amber's hair.

This is what we do for fun--throw rocks through the ice!

...and pike sticks through the ice.

...and try to break the ice with our hands.

THE FRIEND MAGAZINE

 HOLDING TIGHT TO THE IRON ROD

Amber loves The Friend magazine. She reads from it all of the time. In fact, this last spring she excitedly announced that she had read all of The Friend magazine's through the year I was born. And since that time, she has read all of The Friends that she can access through our electronic device. Every morning Amber's routine includes a chapter of scripture study along with a story from The Friend...or so we thought.

For Monday night's Family Home Evening, we had a discussion about the iron rod, and the importance of "holding to the rod". All of the kid's were blindfolded as they passed through different obstacles while holding to a homemade rod. When Amber got to the end of the rod towards the Tree of Life, I tempted her with everything that was in me (I was playing the role of Satan for our object lesson). Even I was surprised as I cried out in desperation--almost convincing myself that Amber should listen to me, and let go of the rod. After this experience, Amber admitted that my voice was so convincing--so much so that she wanted to let go of the rod, because she trusted me, and knew that I wouldn't lead her astray. We talked about how people we know and love can also believe differently than us, and if we do not have a testimony--we too, can be tempted. In our discussion, Bryan promised the kids that if they were having daily prayer and scripture study, Satan could have no control over them. He told them that we open the door to temptation when we allow ourselves to miss even one day of scripture study and prayer. He said that one day could be justified into two days, and pretty soon we could find ourselves struggling spiritually. During this discussion, I was sure Amber was feeling the spirit as she peered intently in my direction, so I asked her to share what she thinking. To my surprise, her beautiful brown eyes filled with tears, and she asked to speak with Bryan and I after the lesson. My mind reeled. What could Amber possibly need to discuss?

After the other two were tucked into bed, Amber began to cry as she admitted that sometimes rather than reading her scriptures in the morning, she reads two stories from The Friend. Amber's face was filled with absolute concern. I could see her desire to choose the right simply shining through her eyes. My heart melted. I was so grateful that this was Amber's concern, and I found myself repressing a smile. My heart filled with joy as I saw Amber as a true disciple of Christ. Her example to choose the right touched my heart, and I said a prayer of gratitude. Bryan and I quickly reassured her that we believed that The Friend was also the word of God. We told her that she had not sinned. We told her that she was a beautiful daughter of God, and that God was pleased with her desire to read both The Friend and her scriptures. We encouraged her to not allow The Friend to replace her scriptures study; however, we were pleased at her pure desires.

I never want to forget Amber's example of holding to the rod. I never want to forget her desire to choose the right. I never want to forget Amber's love for the Savior.

Leaves

LEAVES FALLING ALL AROUND

On the way to church, I noticed all the leaves in our yard, but mostly in our neighbors yard. I mentioned to the family that we should help rake our neighbor's leaves for fear that their grass would die with the first snow. As soon as we got home, Jacob was itching to serve our neighbor. Raking leaves isn't usually something we do on Sunday; however, I couldn't resist his overwhelming desire to serve, so I handed him a rake, and he got to work.

(It was a blessing for both my neighbor and us--a huge snow storm rolled in just four days later. Had Jake not raked the leaves, we would be growing new grass in the Spring.)

Halloween Traditions

Mummy Wrap
Our lives have been so crazy that we didn't get to our traditional "Mummy Wrap" until after Halloween. I was willing to just let it slide for the year; however, Jacob wouldn't let it go, so we mummy wrapped in November. I've decided that it really doesn't matter when we do things as long as we do them.
The best part about this year's mummy wrap: THE GIRL's FINALLY WON!