A Chicago Thanksgiving

So, I'm still catching up here. I almost wanted to skip ahead and get right to Yale's birthday. That's right. He had another birthday. He's 2. But, I'm keeping with the correct timeline of things, so I'll get to that soon.

Our family took quite a large trip recently. Yale was gone for the longest. Lish and Yale took off to Chicago a few days before I did. I know. I got a few days all to myself and I didn't have to travel with a toddler. It was pretty great, but pretty strange at the same time. I missed my baby. I missed Lish too, but we've spent time apart before. Yale and I haven't ever spent more than 24 hours apart. I cried the whole way home from the airport, and that first day was hard, but after that I kept myself way too busy. I don't even remember what I did, but I was productive.

Lish had to leave earlier than me because of his ASC conference. He had to present and offered to take Yale with him since I always take Yale with me when we part ways. Plus, we knew after Thanksgiving that I'd be staying in Salt Lake with my family and Yale would be with me. I didn't go out to Chicago at the same time as them because of the baby girl I babysit. I didn't want to leave for 3 weeks, especially knowing we'll be gone again for Christmas.

Anyway, Lish and Yale stayed with Lish's sister and brother-in-law. They seemed to have such a fun time, letting the little cousins play and getting to visit. I flew in the same day as Lish's mom and stepdad, and Lish's grandparents flew in a few hours after us. It was a party in Chicago! We had such a great time visiting with everyone, watching the kiddos try to share, getting to see the two Yale's together again and so on. We walked around the University of Chicago's campus, went to the Museum of Science and Industry, visited the Shedd aquarium, went to the zoo, visited my aunt and uncle in Naperville, ate some yummy deliciousness, walked the Magnificent Mile, and did a bunch of other stuff I can't remember I'm sure.

As per usual, enjoy the visuals!

Turkey is for Giving

This Thanksgiving was unlike any other. Ever. For us. Because we held it at our house! It was awesome! We had asked my mom a while ago if she wanted to come down for the holiday, and much to our surprise and delight, she said she's love to. So then we extended the invitation to my little brother, little sister and her husband. And they all accepted. We had a house full!

Everyone came down on Wednesday, we ate all week, and it was lovely. My mom, Courtney, Kyle and I went Black Friday shopping. As we were standing in line waiting for the doors to open at midnight, I was thinking, "Why am I even here? What am I getting?" But I found some things. Birthday and Christmas presents. That made it productive enough. Still not sure if staying up until 3am was worth it, but it was. . . fun?

It was fun to get to have my family here and spend so much time with them. I sure love them! But I'm awful at taking pictures of them, so enjoy the few I have.

Day of Giving Thanks and Turkeys

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone! I couldn't go this year without letting you all know what I'm grateful for.

First and foremost, I'm grateful for this guy. He has taught me so much about life and love and handling my money. He's truly someone very special and my best friend. Basically, he's amazing and I feel so lucky to have him as my eternal companion.

Next up, I'm grateful for my family. They're incredible and the best support system a girl could ever ask for. I am so blessed to be a part of a family where all of us get along so well. We have such a fun time together. They never cease to amaze me with their awesomeness and their weirdness. Seriously.

(I wish I had more pictures with my stepsiblings. Just sayin.)

I'm grateful for this home I get to live in. My in-laws are such wonderful people for letting Lish and I stay for a year. They were so willing to allow us to live with them and they have been so accommodating and helpful.

I'm grateful for my body. I know this may seem like a weird one to some of you, but those of you who have been through pregnancy and childbirth know what I mean. And I'm sure I'll have an even better appreciation for my body after the childbirth part. But my body is amazing. It is growing a human life and we are so happy that I have felt as healthy as I have through this whole process. Thanks body.

This leads me straight into my next and last thing I'm grateful for (not the last thing ever, but just the last one I'm going to share with you because my list could go on and on). I'm so grateful for this little baby. Granted we don't know whether it's a boy or a girl, and we don't know what he/she looks like, so that may change... I'm just kidding of course. That's not funny to joke about, I know. But really, that's my humor and I think it is. Anyway, I'm so grateful for this new little addition to our family. Lish and I are going to learn so much and we are going to be so humbled and it will be the most incredible experience ever. I love that we have started our family and that before we know it, this baby will make his/her grand entrance and life will never be the same.

Our Thanksgiving day was wonderful! We were able to see and spend time with so much family. We went down to my dad's house in the morning and I helped get some things ready while Lish went and played some football (in the balmy 15 degree weather). All of the siblings there, except my stepsister Ashley, her husband McLane and their son Mason, for our delicious feast. We had such a fun time. After we ate and cleaned up and played some games while eating pie (I had my delicious slice of banana cream while Lish had 3 slices of some traditional pumpkin), we headed back home to let the dog out. Then we drove on up north and ended up at my grandparents house. It was chaos! There were almost 40 people there by the time we showed up. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, children, and so on. Their little place was so crowded and full of such energy! It was great to see so much family that I hadn't seen in quite a few years! There was lots of love in that little home. 


By the time we got back home, I was so exhausted. I slept quite well last night and it felt great to sleep in this morning. I'm glad I made the decision to not go out on Black Friday. But to those of you who did, kudos to you! I hear it was crazy. Like usual. Now Lish and I are getting ready to head out to the Jazz v. Lakers game. It should be a fun night to spend with my favorite!

Giving Thanks

I just wanted to take a couple minutes to share some things I am very thankful for!

First of all, I am thankful for my husband. He's wonderful and amazing and I am so lucky to be married to him for eternity! Secondly, I am very grateful for my family. They mean so much to me and they are some of my best friends. Next, I am grateful for my friends! I have some incredible ones who have done so much for me. I'm grateful for my home, for the comfort I get when I'm here. I'm very thankful for my dog. She's pretty awesome! And of course, I'm grateful for the gospel. I love the teachings of our church!

I have so many other things to be thankful for, such as my job, my health, chocolate, the holiday season, my glasses and contacts, my new phone, and so much more!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope yours was as good as mine!