Thanksgiving

My family has been on my case to get the Thanksgiving picture up so here I am again, trying to catch up. I have about 5 or 6 posts to do so keep checking back!
We had a really fun Thanksgiving! Millie came home the Friday before Thanksgiving,Mindy and the kids came on Monday, Becca and Steven came on Tuesday, Garry came Wednesday, and April is just always close. It was so nice to have the family together but we really missed Caleb and Noni. Everyone pitched in to make a great dinner. I couldn't have done it without Mindy's talent with the turkey. We played games. Dave and Camille babysat the kids so the rest of us could go to the Temple on Friday, then we all met at one of our favorite places for lunch, Craigo's. Anyone who has gone to BYU-I/Ricks is probably familiar with Craigo's, now there is one in Idaho Falls. We made our traditional Christmas chocolate advents. We all had plenty of turns holding Stockton and Logan. And I prepared to give a talk on Sunday (ok that was kind of a downer). It was sad to send everyone on their way home. I started the last batch of "crowd" dishes on Sunday night right as we were leaving for a viewing. When Dave walked back into the kitchen there was water everywhere. Our poor dishwasher, that we have been babying for years, finally gave in to its ailments and sprung a permanent leak. At least it lasted through the holiday! I guess those coming home for Christmas will get the privilege of washing dishes by hand.

Dave, Ellie and Garry

Take a look at that spread!

Garry and MindyApril and CamilleRebecca and Steven

One of our Thanksgiving traditions. . .Martinelli's

Logan and Stockton joined us off to the side

Griffiths Family Christmas Party

The Griffiths family Christmas party is always a highlight of the year. This year was no exception. We had it at Floyd and Alison's home in Cove. There was yummy food, the traditional "program", a fun white elephant gift exchange, and a visit from the man from up North, yes, Santa Clause (aka Uncle Dave- if his figure doesn't fit the mold he is the farthest North in attendance). We are starting on the next generation (the great grandchildren) for the program and it is a little rocky, a lot of them are still kind of young to get the idea of performing. But we had a great showing- Floyd and Coleman did a great guitar/singing number, Katey played the piano, Caleb and Noni sang, and Candace and Jared read us a story. I think I missed the rest as I was helping Santa. If I counted right there were 43 there- Grandma & Grandpa, the 4 siblings and their spouses, 19 grandchildren (including spouses), and 14 great grandchildren. I think the sad part is that so many of the grandkids live out of the area and are not able to come. We miss you all!
Thank you to all who brought food or helped in anyway. Especially thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for being the reason we all get together and for the cards and treat bags (I believe with the help of Christine). Hope to see you all again next year and maybe even more of you!
I panicked that I missed one of the kids sitting on Santa's lap, I counted 14 greats there and only had 13 pictures, then I realized Jackson was over 12. We really should have had him and Jed sitting on Santa's lap too! I also missed a picture of Candace with Santa getting the bag for her "angel". Sorry!

Ander Branch- Andrew and Denae

Stockton Carlson- Mindy and Garry
Ellie Carlson- Mindy and GarryTanner Branch- Nathan and AngieLogan Carlson (the only one to try to pull off Santa's beard)Annie Griffiths- Floyd and KatieLeanor Tingey- AprilCaleb Tingey- AprilCassie Branch (the one with the attitude)- Nathan and AngieKatey Hinck- Julie and Klay
Coleman Griffiths- Floyd and KatieJake Alles- Mandy and T.J. Ryan Hinck- Julie and Klay

Girl's Day Out

We love to have "girl's days out". I decided it was time to start having them with the grand-daughters. I thought their birthday would be a good time. April, Millie, and I took Noni to Wingers for her first official girl's day out lunch (Dave took Caleb to Chuck-a-Rama . . . Caleb heaven). I told her she had to use her best manners and explained some of them. She did so good. She sat and colored her coloring menu, ate nicely, did not climb under the table (except once to get her earring), and didn't whine at all! The best part was when the waitress brought her a free kid's root beer float for being the birthday girl and shy little Noni looked up at the waitress and said "thank you". You must understand that Noni doesn't talk to anyone she doesn't have too. Besides being a good experience for Noni, we all had a great meal, Wingers is my favorite!

For kids the popcorn is the best part of Wingers!Noni is an excellent colorer

Fettucini Alfredo, Noni's favorite

MMMMM, sticky fingers and some chipolte chicken wrap

Boys will be Boys

I have been trying to find jobs Caleb can do for pay. Dave and I would like to help him learn the principles of hard work, saving money, and paying tithing. We had a bunch of bad apples that had fallen off the tree and needed to be picked up. I guess I didn't realize how many there were when I offered him a penny an apple or a dollar a bag (thinking there would be about 100 apples per bag). Well he conned Millie into helping him and they came up with 6 full bags of apples. I paid him his $6 and he put his tithing in an envelope for the Bishop. He was sure proud of himself as he handed the tithing to Bishop Smith and told him how he earned it. (He absolutely loves Bishop Smith and loves to take our tithing up to him on Sundays).

Millie kicked the apples to make them in piles so they were easier to pick up

Caleb showing how strong he was to gather all those apples

What boy can spend over an hour picking up apples and not climb the tree?

Thus, Boys will be Boys!

Leanora is 5

I am finally trying to catch up my blogging. It has been very busy and everything seemed to happen at once. On Friday, November 21 Leanora turned 5. One of her wishes was for Ellie to come to her party. We had it worked out until the Carlson's had a family emergency and she couldn't make it. But we had a fun evening anyway and she got to play with Ellie the next Monday.

Caleb's favorite part of any birthday "heavy, heavy, hangover"

Noni and her Cinderella Polly Pockets

Any girl's dream, Cinderella dress-ups

She got to pick her own cake, is that fair?

Blowing out the candles!

I cant seem to get the words right under pictures, anybody want to help me out?