Thanksgiving Weekend Trip

The Blackhurst family (meaning Dave’s siblings and parents) wanted to do a little family trip for Thanksgiving. After researching many resorts, MUCH discussion, “actual” family meetings, bookings, cancellations, and re-bookings…we only made it as far as SLC. But a hotel anywhere still means a lot of fun for a kid, at least for our kids. So here’s a little overview of our night away…

Our room’s view at the Marriott Downtown at City Creek, quite stunning actually:

Candy windows @ Macy’s:

Train assembly line @ Deseret Book:

The lights @ Temple Square:

                 

The grumpiest kid in the world that was super angry about having to wear a “NEW” coat all night and could only be happy once he got a lollipop and attention from cousins (but we still love you, Cole):

“Take a picture of us acting sleepy, Mom”:

Breakfast Buffet at the Grand:

Family pic in front of a Christmas Tree:

Kate’s wish list to Santa:

(Dream lite, Brave Bow & Arrow, Innotab game, girl legos, Barbie head, Books that is easy for me to read:)

 

Other highlights: Not sleeping a wink that night due to one little boy who shall not be named, Cheesecake Factory dinner (always makes me happy), Swimming in the pool (Cole preferred the Hot Tub), and hot cocoa…all things adding up to a night of fun and adventure.

Thanks & Giving

A couple of pics from Kate’s Thanksgiving feast at school. There sure were a lot of cute pilgrims, and I, for one, was certainly thankful that I could come be a part of it all.

                     

The right pic is of Kate and her friend, Victoria. And did you notice Kate’s roll? Carrots and turkey sandwich. Tasty.

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It was our turn to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Blackhursts. That party always consists of MANY PEOPLE and much loudness (in a good way…sort of;)

A few pics from the party…

Question…is this odd behavior?

How about this? He’s eating lint! And this is not uncommon for him. He says the word “lint” frequently throughout his day, and loves nothing more than picking the lint balls from his blankie and Grandma’s rug and eating them. It’s quite the act of generosity when he offers the rest of us lint saying, “Wint. Eat it.” Hmmmm…

Ah…the white elephant gift exchange. Kate scored a magic kit that is tragically missing the hat and and wand necessary for almost EVERY trick in the kit. Cole, well, he got a Hotwheels car and M&M’s; although, not rightfully so. When his older cousin, Jaxon, unwrapped the car and candy, Cole quickly demanded that they be his. Lucky that Jaxon is the loving, peace-keeping cousin that he is.

 

We’ve got lots of things to be thankful for, although our kids are definitely high up on the list!

Where the Fun Doesn’t Stop At Only 80 Bucks a Pop

Disney On Ice with the Williamsons: Cole was mesmerized. Kate couldn’t help but burst into song. Dave was duped into buying yet another $20 snow cone. And I enjoyed fried cheese curds. Good times had by all. Thanks for the invite Mark & Tish. May there be many more viewings of giant monkey men to come!

Reflections

Kate’s school held their Reflections Award Ceremony, and guess who was the victor? Kate Blackhurst.  Super exciting, right?!!! Her visual arts piece won for her age division, which means she’ll advance on to the district level.

Kate’s piece, “Beautiful, or ‘Beauta’ for Short” (and, yes, she came up with the unique title all by herself)

 

Kate was thrilled about receiving a trophy! Cole, too, was excited, but mostly by the sumptuous See’s candy sticks placed next to each entry.

                                  

 

Getting recognized with all the other Visual Arts winners

The Kate Brigade (sans parents)

 

Way to go, Sister! We are so proud of you and think you and your talented-self are just plain “Beauta.”

Howloween

The actual day of Halloween was pretty much poo this year. Dave and I were both on our death beds, writhing in pain from the stomach flu; hence, the title “Howl”oween. We were so lame that we even had to put out “The TREAT bowl” for the trick-or-treaters (and learned that you go through 10X’s the candy doing it that way, BTW). And what’s even worse, we couldn’t even take our babies out trick-or-treating (thankfully, Grandma and Grandpa stepped in). We did, however, have a few good days leading up to the day…
Grandma Sherrie threw one heck of grandkid Halloween party with endless games and prizes. 




Pumpkin carving!!! Two was all we managed to do, but good enough:

Mrs. Reiber, Kate’s Kindergarten teacher, invited all of her students and families to her farm one Saturday in October. There were farm animals to pet, a train to ride, and fresh apples and pumpkins to pick. It was there that Kate won her major award: A 117 pound pumpkin, which she won for guessing its weight. Maybe this means she’ll be good at math?!!! Either way, we were proud, although it was quite the trick lugging the pumpkin from there to home;) :

We got ourselves Cornbelly's Season Passes this year, making for a whole lot of harvesty fun:

And, last but not least, Kate strutted her stuff at the Halloween Parade at school. I was sick for this, mind you, but decided infecting everyone else was a small price to pay for a 5-year-old’s confidence to not get crushed. Yeah, I’m a nice mom like that:
 

Being sick is definitely not the way I like my Halloween going down, but we ended up having an okay one inspite of it all.

Snow Day

Well, it came as it always does. Without a minute to lose, Miss Kate tromped downstairs fully dressed to experience the first snow day of the year. I knew this was going to be a problem because 1) Cole would want to go out with her but 2) Cole does not wear coats, boots, hats, gloves, snow pants.

I sent Kate out and TRIED to get brother dressed. Ummm, we were unsuccessful.  I thought maybe he and I would sit this one out, but when he kept peering out the window in misery I caved. We put shoes on over his footed jammies and out we went.

 

SNOW!!!

 

First tastes. As Cole would say, “Mmmm…dood.”

 

                     

 

                   

 

 

The fun could only last so long for Cole. After using his bare hands to pick up snow, they were red and frozen. Cole kept saying, “Done with this. Go home.” But when we tried to go inside, he was torn to leave the snow and kept turning around saying, “No!” It’s difficult reasoning with a two-year-old. So very difficult. Kate was a good sport and ended up shortening her adventure outside so Cole would come back in without so many tears. Yay for Winter!