Believe it or Not... we went to Ripley's

We were super excited to go on a special outing with Patrick, Debbie, and the kids. They decided to go to Ripley's and discovered that the party price was about the same amount that their family would pay anyway. So, our kids went in on their ticket and only Danny and I had to pay. It really is hard for us to pay full price for things like this, so it was super generous of them to include us! We love the books and really enjoyed the museum too. Not only were the exhibits interesting and sometimes crazy, but there were cool interactive games to play too. It was a super fun outing!

We had a really fun time! Thanks, Pat and Debbie!

Special Visitors on Gingerbread Day

Gingerbread Day is a special tradition on the Soderholm side. I know I have posted pictures before. We, and all of the other cousins, and near-by 2nd cousins really enjoy it. Susan bakes and assembles 25 or so gingerbread houses. From scratch. Then she makes and fills up bags of icing for the kids to use and divides candies into 25 or so bags. That is a lot of prep work! This year, we had a special guest! Santa came. Aurora and Geemaw actually invited him this summer when they met him at the Williamsburg Farmer's Market. From what I understand, Aurora told him that her birthday was on Gingerbread day, Susan explained the tradition, and he thought it would be fun to come! So, here he was. The kids were pretty excited! Mrs. Claus also came.

The birthday girl, who invited him, got to sit on his lap first.

But everyone had a turn!

Christian asked for Legos. Again!

Geemaw and Papa gave Santa and Mrs. Claus a gingerbread house.

I will admit, due to family craziness, we left Aurora's present at home. I had 20 minutes to run to a store and buy a different gift. Unfortunately the shopping trip turned crazy- long story- and it took about 40 minutes instead of 20, so I didn't get to see the initial reactions or the sitting on his lap part, but Danny did a great job taking pictures. I watched him take the last few, so I didn't miss all of it, but still... we are crazy!

Afterward, the kids ran crazy while the grownups talked, we ate lunch, and then decorated the houses!

King Grant was quick and determined!

Katherine enjoyed the process, did not eat any candy prematurely, and was very neat and symmetrical for her age. She has an eye for order and balance.

Christian had a full house (he put some candy inside.) Smart boy.

Unfortunately, V and Bobby's family came late (they stopped in Richmond to pick up Kattia's cousin's children and the car wouldn't start) and missed the Santa visit, but they still got to make their houses. These older kids are getting to be pretty good with the frosting and decorating. I missed the pictures of the finished products, but they started picking at them the first day home. They are pretty yummy.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

On Black Friday, we got a beautiful tree, and decorated it!

We love it!

Thanksgiving at Bobby and Kattia's house

After we got back from the football game Geemaw and Papa came. We made the last minute food preparations and played. We enjoyed a new version of headbands.

Once again, the food and time together was fantastic. It was very nice of Bobby and Kattia to host and to invite us to spend the night too.

It was fun to celebrate Megan and Kattia's birthdays.

hahaha. This happened. Well almost. Everyone was on the couch except C-bass. We made him come to take a crazy sod fam picture.

We all headed out that evening, except V, she was thrilled to stay with her cousins. They have done this the past few years and love the time together.

Thanksgiving Flag Football in Stafford

The night before Thanksgiving we loaded up the car with suitcases, food, and flags and took a drive up to Bobby and Kattia's house in Stafford. Patrick and Debbie, and TJ and Ashley and their families planned to have Thanksgiving with the other sides of their families, so Bobby thought it would be a good year to have it at his house. They always have to drive the furthest. Danny said, "As long as there is some football, I am in." Luckily Bobby's ward plays every year anyway, so it wasn't too hard to recruit.

We had a fun night at their house, watching movies, playing pool, eating popcorn, digging for sharks teeth (another post) and just being together. 

The next day... they pulled the flags out.

Somebody looks happy! (ok, he is cool to pose for me. I know he would rather not sometimes.)

Others really love to pose for the camera. I somehow got the job to hang with the kids- my kids, my nieces, and a whole bunch of other kids. It often winds up being lots of kids and I. I am thankful to be able to love people easily. It was fun. 

I am thankful for all of these goofballs!

Megan turned 10 on Thanksgiving Day! I was glad that we could play with her on her big day!

We had fun on the playground and in the skate park.

One of my new friends found a cool butterfly and wanted a picture of it.

Victoria was glad to help with the babysitting too.

Danny had a good time.

I think everyone had a good time.

First Grade Thanksgiving Play

Mrs. Baker's class put on an adorable ABC Thanksgiving Play. She did a good job teaching them, because they did very well. They also behave very well! I love a teacher who is loving and fun, but firm with high expectations. A lot of parents and relatives were able to come watch, which was really great for the actors.

Katherine and I picked the perfect spot to sit! It worked out to be right in front of Grant.

Grant recited his parts, U for Us and V for Visit.

U is for US: The Pilgrims said to their new friends, “Please join us!” V is for VISIT: They invited the Indians to visit them for their special harvest celebration.

Grant colored the 2 natives in the bottom corner.

He seems to be happy and doing a good job in 1st grade! I'm so thankful for that! 

Marshall Pre-Thanksgiving Feast

It was an awesome day at the Marshall house! All of the in-state family came. We celebrated a week early because my parents were going Matt and Janelle's house in CO for Thanksgiving and Howie's Priesthood Ordination.

We got there and the house looked clean, beautiful, and everything was ready. My mom works hard to make things nice even though she knows the kids will make a huge mess. She is pretty awesome that way. 

The boys and Katherine and Evie ran off to play, but the older girls helped with appetizers and getting ice in cups etc. They made this adorable turkey cheese ball.

The kids' table. (I didn't photograph the adult table, but should have. It was lovely.) 

Katherine marching in a parade!

Everyone brought food and it was all amazing!

After the meal, we tied a couple fleece no-sew blankets for my nephew, Donovan's Eagle Project. My parents took them to CO to him. We were glad to help a bit. 

Then, we played Thanksgiving Scattergories. I found it on pinterest, but it is originally from ucreatecrafts.com.

It was fun, but you know how competitive I can be with games? Craig can be too and it was a close game, so he came up with a double w for something you are thankful for- wet willies.

Really, Craig, you are thankful for wet willies? 

And that is how this one will be remembered. 2015, the early Thanksgiving when Craig first disclosed how much he loves getting wet willies. I am pretty sure he will regret that game play. Hahaha. I think Danny won.