The Oven Bag that Saved Thanksgiving!

But before we get to THAT . . . look what a gorgeous view we had during our Thanksgiving Dinner! Awesome, huh? Definitely one of the many things I am thankful for in my life.

And the VIEW was definitely enhanced by the people who surrounded me!

So . . .on to the Story . . .

My sis-in-law, Heather, is a fabulous blogger,

and she has saved me some valuable pre-Christmas time

by sharing a very important Thanksgiving Story,

that will probably be retold for years to come in our family.

And, provide us with plenty of 'the best medicine' (i.e., laughter :-)

All in all, it was a Thanksgiving to be remembered.

A gorgeous day in a stunning setting

with many of my favorite people.

(Missed you dood!)

Among the many things for which I am so grateful today,

are my parents,

who gave me life & then stuck with me,

and with each other,

through thick & thin.

Here's Porter & some cousins "digesting" their thanksgiving dinner.

I, however, was reclining on a towel on the sand!

Blissful Youth

I had no idea how EXCITED a group of 14 & 15 yr old girls

could get over WEDDING DRESSES.

I kinda knew, but the full extent of their enthusiasm for the subject

was somehow initially lost on me.

Now I know!

I taught a lesson at our church youth group mid-week activity recently

about how important who you marry is;

and about how important it is to make choices now that will help you

become the type of person you expect your future husband to be;

as well as the blessings that come to those who remain pure & chaste

and worthy to be married in the temple.

I hope they remember something about all that . . .

. . . but here's where the real excitement came in.

I had borrowed a bunch of my friends' wedding dresses (thanks, btw!)

for the girls to try on after our lesson, and here's how it went!

liz, in mine

(how on earth did i ever wear that?)

time for refreshments!

And if the girls have any concerns about WHO they will marry...

here's a couple of suggestions from me!

Porter & his buddy Riley played the part of the Prince (it was double cast) in "Character Matters", their 4th grade class play, last week.

They were darling - and had impeccable timing in their joke delivery!

Although, this is who my girls are thinking most about this week...in anticipation of the release of "New Moon" today.

And so as not to leave Kenzie out of this post...here she is busy at work at Kids Factory, where she spends every afternoon. (Hopefully she'll be able to stay awake today, after staying up all night to see the midnight showing of New Moon last night.)