the thankfuls & the funnies.

The thankfuls.

For Thanksgiving we made the trek to visit our dear family in Montana.  They were awesome to host not only our little family, but the Sorensens, Grandparents, and the Spokane Saugens as well!  It was a BLAST.

We all stayed at Glacier Presbyterian Camp -- on Flathead Lake.  Um, hello gorgeous setting!  It was amazing.  

Our eight kiddos can sometimes be a handful when they are all together, but luckily the lodge was large and the kids ran wild and free within with no bones broken or friendships lost.  Actually speaking of friendships... it was so sweet to watch Olaf and Micah all week ATTACHED AT THE HIP.  Almost literally.  With no fighting.  I think they miss each other quite a bit...  It was really fun to see them playing so well together, imaging all sorts of things... of course every single imagined story had either superheros, cars, or superhero cars :)  They were certainly in their element, both into the same things, and just loved being together!  Forest on the other hand... well he went by the rules of "what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine, if I had it once it's mine, if you have it but I want it it's mine and if you try to get it back I will smash you in the face with it."  Ack... we are working on the whole sharing thing... Luckily the intended victims, Kyler and Soren, are both third children and go-with-the-flow and didn't seem to get too upset by it... I hope.  (Sorry!)

Highlights of the week included:

• Seeing this camp which is Dave and Christie's new home and being SO happy that it is a such a great place and such a great fit for them.
• A run with Christie and Jenny
• Our own "Family Turkey Trot" on Thanksgiving Day!  All the kids participated!
• Watching Dave take all the little kids on a gator (mini tractor) ride around camp after the fun run.
• Teaching Christie, Theresa, Lydia and Sherea how to play Settlers.
• All family games at night.
• Ladies dance parties.
• Haakon's cheese biscuits.  No seriously - they are THAT good they deserve a mention.
• A well organized family photo session (which I can't wait to see photos from!)
• &
• Being blessed by our extended family.

It was a great time had by all, and I am so glad my favorite holiday was celebrated in such fine fashion.


And now for the funnies.
These kids + older Saugen cousins + iPad apps = HILARIOUSNESS

grandpa

soren

ingrid

serenity

trygve

mr. olaf himself

christie

micah

The gaggle

ah ha ha ha ha ha ha! 

happy day.

What I am most thankful for today... people!

Oly-Olaferson

 

Steve and Dave

 

Grandpa Mark

 

 Friends that go WAY back.

 

 Snow and bad mustaches.

 

Also... I don't live here this year.  Yay!

Thankful for all the other people in our lives who aren't mentioned today -- know that you are loved!

Now if only it would snow this weekend...  all ours melted :(  boo.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday...

I have never been shopping on "Black Friday" before, so my mom and I decided to head into the big city of Wenatchee with Olaf yesterday morning to try to score some deals. I was anticipating a crazy madhouse of people being rude and rushing to get the last Tickle Me Elmo or whatever it is this year. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find organized lines, lots of the products I wanted still on the shelves, and nice people! How could this be?! Well for one we avoided Walmart, which I hear is the craziest of all stores. Two, we didn't get there until about 8am (even though I got up at 5:30 like usual...). So apparently we missed the long lines and the rushing. And three, we went prepared with a list of what we wanted from the sale ads so we had a "plan" in place.

I finally understand why people like shopping the day after Thanksgiving - there are some INCREDIBLE deals! Carters childrenswear for 60% off? (Less than an outlet price). Electronics at 60% off? Flannel at $1.47 a yard? I know. Seriously Good deals all around. I didn't spend much, but sure got a lot of goodies. Not to mention the deals I can't mention because the recipients may actually read this blog.

Anyway, I just had a really fun time with Mom and Olaf (who was a champ by the way! aside from his blowout at JCPenny's). I know it's easy to get caught up in the mayhem and "consumerism" that sometimes surrounds the holidays... but I more feel like we just had a fun day picking out some simple gifts for people we love. Thanks for coming with me Mom!

kisses...

So to continue my fun day -- We got home at 2:00pm ish and Steven had our bikes all ready to go. The two of us packed up Olaf in the Chariot and went for a nice ride in the semi-freezing hail/rain/snow/sleet weird weather mixture. It was just nice to get outside and exercise in the crisp air while warming up our bodies. Oly slept most of the ride - he was so bundled all you could really see was his little face poking through. Lucky duck :)

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving holiday full of family, friends, laughter and too much food. I know we did!

we still love you seahawks!

Reminiscent of Thanksgivings past... I had to sit next to the guy eating off the bone :)