Thanksgiving in Utah

Just a warning this post is a bit long with LOTs of pictures! Enjoy!


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This year we were able to fly to Utah to spend some time with family. With my parents on their mission in Austria, it was kind of different to visit and not to see them. On the other hand because of this, we jumped around and stayed at each of my siblings homes.

Andrew and I flew out a few days before Stephen and stayed a few extra days too. The flight with him at this age was a bit tricky. We survived, but grateful that there where 10 days before we had to hop back onto the plane to come home.

We spent the first few days of our trip with the Herbst Family! These kids are great and have grown so much! We love spending time with them and their cute dog Bella.

All the kids LOVE their Uncle Stephen!

Bath time with cousin Jaron

Playing with Austin on the iphone

Andrew Loved the Doggie and would ask for it as soon as he'd wake up in the
morning. By the end of the trip Bella loved Andrew too!

For the Thanksgiving weekend we decided to all head up to our family's cabin. It has been almost 2 years since Stephen and I had been to the cabin and Andrew's first! It felt so good to get back up there and enjoy the beautiful surroundings in the mountains. I loved seeing all the cousins play with with Andrew, it was darling and made me realize how much I miss being so close to family. The cabin is a wonderful place while we where there we...

Spent a lot of time in our P.J.'s...

The girls...and Andrew

Went sledding and played in the snow...

Daddy & Andrew ready to go down the hill

Read lots of good books...

Twinner's on Thanksgiving Day!
(I still can't believe Ashley's a senior and
 will soon be graduating high school!)

Played some fun games...

Logan was Andrew's little buddy and would stay right by his side
on the floor.  He was so good at getting him to smile and laugh.

And a few Video Games...

Andrew trying to be just like the big kids!

Talked to Grandpa & Grandma in Austria for almost 2 hours....

Everyone taking their turn on the phone. 

And of course ate some DELICIOUS turkey dinner...  

Our Thanksgiving spread...we had TONS of food!
Always a must at the cabin

Then we got adventurous and started looking at all the black Friday Ads. A few of my sisters wanted to hit up a few of the good deals and although I didn't need anything I decided to go along for the adventure....We went out Thursday evening and started at Walmart....I won't go into too many details other than we only had  one injury in the group. After we survived that experience, we dropped the male folk off at the cabin and went to our next stop...the park city outlets. We had to laugh, because it took us over an hour to just find a parking spot. But by then we'd caught our second wind and were ready to shop. Found some awesome deals and stayed out into the weee hours of the morning (3 am!) I LOVE shopping with the girls.

The cabin was the perfect place...it's really the only place we can all fit when we get together as a family. (We are becoming such a large group) We have so many fun memories there and I'm glad we could go up there for Thanksgiving this year.

On the way down the mountain we decided to stop in Alpine to visit our little Ethan. So glad that it was a warm day and there was no snow. It makes my heart ache to live so far away from him. It was nice we could visit and spend time together.

First time we got to see his headstone since
it was placed early this spring. 

Then we finished off the evening by taking Stephen's brother and sister who are attending BYU to dinner. We've missed living so close to these two. Can't wait to spend Christmas with them. 

Andrew with uncle James & Aunt Erin

Next stop was to the Southard Home! Andrew was introduced to stairs....from his sweet cousin. He loved trying to go up and down them. These were a new concept since we don't have any in our home. 

 Then these girls introduced me to "Just Dance" on the wii. We had a blast! They even convinced Stephen to bust out a few moves....which reminds me I need to get that video from my sister..:) I just love these girls. It's crazy to see how fast they are growing up. It was fun to talk to them about boys and the upcoming high school dance. One even mentioned how I was more like a sister than an aunt to her. Awwwhhh, I miss the days of living 5 minutes from them. 

For family home evening we headed into Salt Lake to see the lights at Temple Square. This was one of my favorite traditions growing up. So grateful I got to stick around a few days after Thanksgiving to see all the Christmas festivities. They were beautiful and breathtaking!

It was actually a rather warm night. But living in
Texas I've decided... 'warm' is a relative term. 

My sister Allison and I
Didn't realize how much taller I was until we stood
next to each other! 

Inside the tabernacle warming up.
Andrew's throwing a fit and I feel a bit out of
place without a red coat! :) 

While I was in Utah County I was able to meet up with some old friends from high school. We had so much fun visiting and catching up that the night went by in a flash and on my way home I wished we'd taken at least one picture of the gang. Then I went to lunch with a few other friends...Good thing Jen shared this quick picture she snapped of Carissa and I. Thanks Jen, but we needed you in the picture too!

Andrew having another meltdown....we must be getting
close to two years old because these sure seem to be happening more often. 

Our final stop was at the Dent home! My brother and his family moved back to Utah from New Jersey and are living in my parents house for a few months. Meanwhile their home is being built...right behind my parents. It was great to get to see them and see the new house.

Us Aggie's in the family have to stick together and these guys were excited to share some of the best ice cream around. Aggie Ice Cream....as you can see they keep a good supply on hand.

As she was dishing up the goods, Emily mention she wanted
to work at Aggie Ice Cream when she
goes to school at Utah State. A girl after my own heart! 

Tried to get a picture with the kids, but Andrew is way to quick!

So grateful to spend time with family during the Thanksgiving season. We have so much to be thankful for!