Catch up time...

So, this is a total catch-up post. I feel like I have spent the last week non-stop on the computer (CHRISTMAS CARDS! whew... love 'em. I won't post any, until maybe after Christmas, wouldn't want to spoil any surprises), but not one minute on my poor little blog. So, here is the rest of our Thanksgiving weekend.

Since we were all at my mom's that day, we decided to try and get a group shot. Not easy when a) there are 4 babies 2 or under, 2) you have to be in the shot, and d) your brothers do not realize the importance of gorgeous, natural, outdoor light, and show up at DARK. oh, well, I did my very best:

Here is what gorgeous, natural, outdoor light does look like: Could they be any more photogenic?

The day after Thanksgiving, my dad was working all day by himself so we decided to take him lunch, so he could also enjoy some of the delicious leftovers...

He is an operator at a hydro-steam (???)plant west of Ogden. He took the boys and Jami and Kennedy up to the top of the...something...to see the...something. I'll have to update this when Dustin gets home with the right terminology...

Anyway, it was huge and high and loud, and Kennedy did not like it. She needed a little comforting when she came down...

Here I am trying to distract Preslie from the many disaster-causing buttons she desperately wanted to push...luckily, Hudson slept in the truck most of the time we were there...

We spent the rest of the weekend in Smithfield with the Chambers' clan. Kennedy had a no-sleep-sleepover with her cousins, and this is all she did Sunday...even at lunch! Poor girl...

Hudson had a really good time with all of those crazy little boy cousins. They definitely taught him some new tricks. But how could you resist those faces???

On Saturday, I pretty much did pictures all day, and loved it! Wes found me an amazing place right there in Smithfield, with leaves (still!) and a barn and everything, and I was in heaven. Here are all the cute little Chambers cousins. This is one of my all-time faves, I think!!!

Saturday night, Dustin's mom Marcia took all of the girls to "The Forgotten Carols" in Logan. I had never been, and I loved it. It was such a neat way to start off the Christmas season, and such a fun girls' night out. Thank you Marcia! Also, thank you to the guys, who took all of the kids and let us have a fun, child-less night. Wes and Megan, sorry about your house. You are always the best hosts and look how we re-pay you...by the way, WES, ARE YOU ENJOYING THE NEW MUSIC??? that is for you from Dustin, NOT ME...

Shelli, Trina, Cristen, Megan

Marcia, Delaney, and Kim

(my "other" sisters - love ya!)

So then, after we had all recovered for a few days, My mom, Jenna, Nate and Preslie made the trek up here Thursday night. Yay! We love company. We shopped and played and then they came with us to watch Kennedy dance on Friday night. She was so happy to have her daddy, Grandma, aunt, uncle and cousin there to see her new dance. Thank you for coming, guys!

*See my big smile in this photo? It's because I didn't know that at this very moment, Hudson was working on the worst diaper-blow-out in history. I'll just say 2 things: I hope they emptied the garbage cans at the high school that night, and he rode home in a diaper. Nothing he was wearing survived.

Jenna and Kennedy - this is where she gets her dancing talent!

Ok, last thing to tell: On Saturday night, Kennedy and I went to the Nutcracker in Idaho Falls. It was so fun! We had a total "fancy girls night": dinner, the show, ice cream afterwards. So fun! I just love that she is getting old enough to do these fun, girly things with. She is my little sweetheart!

Can I just say that WHOA, I've never sat this close (5 rows back) to professional MALE ballerinas (or is it Ballerinos?). There is nothing left to the imagination. I almost covered Kennedy's eyes at a few parts... :) Sorry. Just being honest here.

Kennedy was so fun to take to the ballet. She is doing her first Lyrical at dancing this year, and she pirouetted all through the intermission and walking to the truck. My little prima!