Thanksgiving in Oregon!

We had a great time in Klamath for Thanksgiving. It's always fun to go home. We missed Nathan, Alisa, Janelle, and Brian terribly though. It was weird without them there. The only other time that has happened was the two years Nathan was on his mission. I guess this is what happens when you grow up. Poor Janelle tried to hard to get home (from BYU) and even braved a few hours of driving in a snowstorm, just to turn back. Thankfully we have lots of wonderful family in Utah, so she was well taken care of. And Brian had his Thanksgiving "sack dinner" at the MTC. He has now arrived in Denmark, we are so excited for him and can't wait to be able to talk to him at Christmas. *Watch for a blog coming soon on Brian's experiences in Denmark* The girls had lots of fun with Grandma and Grandpa, they love to go to "the Oregon." We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with Mark & Alissa & their family too. Nick, Dad, and I braved the black friday crowds and shopped with the crazies, it was great. We also went ice skating, because that's what you do on the day after Thanksgiving! This is all Lucy was concerned about. She's talked about it for months. My Dad willingly drug her around the ice rink for two hours, by the end she was almost doing it on her own! Here are some pictures of our fun time.

Nick you're supposed to smile, this is fun!

Thankful

For family home evening last night we had a lesson on being thankful. The girls made these cute turkeys and wrote things they are thankful for on the feathers. They loved it and it was fun to hear the things they are thankful for. Life has been hard lately, really hard. But I am so thankful for the gospel in my life and the many, many blessings it brings. I have a wonderful little family and am so thankful for them. I have much to be thankful for and I am excited for this time of year to remind us of all we have been given!

The Girlies

This past weekend was the first weekend we have spent in Twin, since Nick started school on August 23rd. That's 8 weekends in a row that we packed up and headed somewhere! Not to mention our crazy summer too! It's really worn me out! It was so nice to just stay put, hopefully things are going to slow down a bit now. Last weekend, we decided to go to one of our favorite places here, Shoshone Falls. However, I forgot to take any pics of the falls, I just got the girls. The falls aren't as exciting this time of year, compared to Spring.

Write to Brian!!

Elder Brian Richard Bailey
MTC Mailbox #122
DEN-COP 1130
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Here's a few last pics before Brian left . . .

This is Brian with cousin Matt, who went into the MTC today! Hopefully they'll run into each other.
Uncle Brian gave Lucy this CTR ring (or should I say VDR ring) before he left. It's in Danish, and she hasn't taken it off since.

Our Missionary!

Last week the girls and I headed to Utah to see Brian off. He flew into SLC from Klamath Falls Monday morning and then we took him to the MTC in Provo on Wednesday. It was great to be able to spend a little time with him before he left. He is headed to the Denmark Copenhagen Mission for the next two years, he'll be an amazing missionary. The girls will definitely miss him lots, especially since he is their "favorite". He's drilled them since they could talk, that Uncle Brian is their favorite. The girls have been cute with their prayers, never forgetting Uncle Brian on his mission. We love you Brian!!

Summer Ends...

No more summer, darn it! Nick started back at school last week. We have been busy between here and Lewisville. Back and forth. Can't wait to have just one place to call home. Our poor girls, they ask "How many days until we go back?" It won't be long before Nick's done though. Last week I took Nick's "First Year" patch off his scrubs and sewed on his "Second Year" patch. Woohoo! We're getting there.

Bailey Reunion

We had a fun reunion in Liberty with lots of family. It's always fun to get together. We spent a couple days at the lake boating! Lucy had fun on the jetski's even though my dad threw her off. Here's Lucy with Doug and Reagan. So fun.

Lucy loved the raft and would paddle around all day.

Kate taking a break from the sun.

Lucy started this ride out on the tube, but didn't enjoy the water spraying her in the face, so they put her on the jetski (which my Dad was driving). Big mistake. The jetski was pulling the tube, which my Dad so badly wanted to dump. In his efforts to lose the girls on the tube he flipped the jetski (with him, my Mom, and Lucy) instead. Poor Lucy. She's a tough girl though, she got right back on the next jetski going out.

More time in the raft with Grandma.

SPARKLERS!

Watching Zack's firework show with Grandma.

More time at the lake. The kids would go in the water and dig up this clay stuff and make things on the beach. It kept them busy for hours.

Grandma & Janelle.

Cute girl.

Lucy with the cousins ready to put on a show.

Somersaulting.

Uncle Jord's hilarious skit. Poor Doug.

The winners of "The Amazing Race." We had lots of fun!

Kate enjoying some M&M's with Nathan.

One day, while trying to put Kate to sleep, I fell asleep. This is how I found her when I woke up. She had smeared pink lipstick all over herself! Funny girl.