We Gather Together . . .

This year Mom, Dad, Ash, and Abbi came up from California to drop off Liv and Carson to spend Thanksgiving with their dad. They stayed up in Holladay with/by my sister Val's family and they all came down to Provo to meet up with us and see the "Sacred Gifts" exhibit at the Museum on campus. It was such a beautiful display of amazing sacred art. The talents of some of these people really are incredible. There was such a neat spirit as we walked through the museum. So inspiring and uplifting. After "Sacred Gifts" we went to the Cougareat and ate Chik-fil-A for lunch. Yum!

Then, we all drove to West Jordan and spent some time at Gardner's Village! It was chilly so we all bundled up in our jackets. This place has so many fun shops to see (including a fabulous fudge and candy shop), and holiday festivity was in the air!

Abbi doodle

Rachel loved her pink "piggy" (aka Puppy) she got from Grammy & Grampy. (How cute is that hat?!)

Wakie wakie Dean bug!

A funny sign on the door to the candy shop. Pretty genius!

Looking at aprons outside a shop on our way out.

Sam was pushing Abbi in the stroller and feeding her gummy bears. This little girl knew what to do. When she'd finish (or start chewing, rather) one gummy bear her hand would pop up without a word expecting to be filled with a new gummy. What a funny kid!

Tuesday night we had a fun family baby shower! The girls went out to Bombay House for dinner. We cracked up over "selfies" capturing the moments and laughed when the waiter filled everyone's glass but mom's (he got distracted haha). It was fun trying each other's meals. MM MM MM!! Fabulous food! And the employees were great. The man at the front desk kept teasing me when I'd ask him anything. Before we left I ask where the restrooms were (of course) and he replies straight-faced, "Sorry, no restrooms" before saying he was just joking and pointing me in the right direction. When I came out he saw my tummy and came over to say "Were you the one I just teased about the bathrooms? Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't tease about that . . . You have enough problems as it is!" Haha!

Val's super cool alien head she made out of newspaper. E'ryone had to get in on the action!

Dad and Sam babysat while we were at Bombay House. Here are a couple cute shots:

We got some wonderful gifts for the babe from my fam! Thank you so much!

Little Abbi having a hard time winding down for the night. Sam got to hold her a walk around for a little while.

THANKSGIVING! Good times, great eats, wonderful company. Though we greatly all missed my sister Mel and her five kiddos in California. If only we could have all been together!

Glorious food.

Grampy reading stories to the munchkins

It was so great to sit and chat. I've missed these people!

Dan forbid Mom to do the dishes haha.

Rachie leading Grammy around the kitchen

Okay, I just have to take a quick break from Thanksgiving to say what a cute uncle Sam is! It was so fun to see him down on the ground playing with the kids. He was so great with them and they loved it!!! Rachel especially loved saying Sam's name and would give him funny coy looks when he'd make faces at her. Thanksgiving night when she was saying goodnight to everyone she said "Nigh' Nigh' Sam!" over and over (even while Val was trying to brush her teeth in the other room) and was brought back to say it a couple more times before going to bed. It was so cute! She has the funniest little high-pitched voice, I love it!*Caution: sappy prego lady in the room* It made me that much more excited to see him with his own little girl soon!

 Full stomachs called for a walk around the park to feed the ducks and see the horsies.

We had fun playing on the playground (myself included!) and got our stomachs ready for apple pie and pumpkin mouse/gingerbread trifle.

It was over far too soon :)