So Thankful for.......

MY FAMILY!!!! We don't get together often- on either side of my family- but when we do i am so reminded how wonderful they all are. For those who don't know- we went home to CA this weekend for my brother Kenny's wedding. He is the first of my dad and cathy's kids together to get married- which means ALMOST all of the 12 kids were there. My brother Will is still on his mission in Zimbabwe (he comes home this spring). We MISSED him so much! I don't know the last time we were all in one location at the same time. it's been more than 10 years at least. maybe even dating back to amy's wedding- almost 13 years ago. amy is the oldest at 31 (: and kasen is the youngest at 10. We didn't get a picture with spouses and grandkids, but maybe one day (after will is home?) But there are now 5 spouses and 10 grandkids- with 2 more on the way (brittany, dan's wife, is due in march, amy is due in may!---- yes #6, she is amazing!!!!)

This is the happy couple. Yep, they got married on halloween, dressed up and everything. I really am not too happy that i didn't get as many pictures as i wanted- but it was a crazy night! so many people at my dad's house, and so much to do!! But Kenny and Lisa really are perfect for each other. They are both a little weird and crazy (in a nice way!) and i couldn't be happier for them! They have a little daughter, alice, who is 1- she dressed up as a cat. but nap time didn't come easily that day, so she wasn't about to pose for any pictures! They are one cute little happy family!



So before the ceremony we all wore regular clothes for some pictures. We were thinking we would just dress up for the reception (neon bowling- which i didn't get ANY pictures of) but all the guest started arriving in costume (their crazy friends!) and so we all decided to hurry and throw our costumes on. I had the intention to be jessie from toy story 2- but didn't really find a costume, so i was just a plain cowgirl (you can't see my awesome boots in the picture- but they are awesome!) jared wanted to be buzz like daddy, and spencer of course wanted to wear the woody costume that jared had last year. it is HUGE on him, but we made it work!
My siblings are crazy! They went all out- i didn't get a shot of joe- he was a slick john lennon! Jared and spencer discovered that they have some pretty cool boy cousins that are pretty close in age. we are home now, and jared keeps asking to play with saxon! they had sooo much fun!
My dad and cathy and help did an EXCELLENT job decorating the house! it was AMAZING! Kenny and Lisa are vegan and so the food all had to be made with very special care. I made some chili and a broccoli casserole that were both quite good- ok, a little weird to make- but good!
I wish the pics above from the ceremony could have captured kenny's face. that is the view i had. He was trying soooo hard to keep hold of his emotions! it was the one of the SWEETEST things i have ever seen. he truly loves lisa sooooo much! kenny's friend from elementary school, willy wonka!, married them. he did a good job. They read some sweet and simple vows and exchanged rings.

After the ceremony food was served and everyone hung out. The reception was later that night at the bowling alley. In between caitlin and i took our kids trick or treating. My kids were SOOOOO tired, they didn't last long. but it was enough for me, and enough for them! We weren't really planning on going bowling 'cause it was sooo late. but we ended up putting spencer to bed and taking jared. we was so excited to bowl. he fell asleep after being in the car for 2 minutes! so, jason just bowled one game and then we left- it was really loud in there. we had carried jared in, thinking he would wake up and bowl, but he slept through it all!
On friday night, the night before, we went out to camarillo to go trunk-o-treating with jason's bro's fam, and his sister's fam. The boys have such great cousins! spencer just wanted to run WILD! but he was definitely the cutest cowboy around!

All in all it was a great trip. VERY SHORT! we left late thursday night, and drove back all day sunday. We eventually made it home last night at about 9:30- after getting 2 tickets on the way home, and jared getting car sick and throwing up all over the place- i decided we should have just flown! (especially with the money we are going to have to spend on the tickets- one was speeding, when i was OFF the freeway and not paying attention; the other was a seat belt ticket- jared was saying he felt sick so jason turned around to help him, and a cop got us!) TERRIBLE!


***side note- for the last 3 years that i have had this blog i have done "i am grateful for" novembers. This is the start! i'll try to do one everyday, like years past- but this year i am WAY busier than normal, so i will just commit to trying my best!

soooo, day 1- I am grateful for my crazy family!