The BEST Thanksgiving Weekend!

We had everyone here for Thanksgiving! It was so great! We had dreams of all running in the turkey trot, but only Jess & Jerry ended up doing it! (Go team Brown!) In the meantime Skye was giving me my Christmas present (eyelash extensions) while the turkey was in the oven. Dad and Jenni took Madi to watch mom and dad run. We set up long tables for dinner, and invited Nana & Grandpa. We took some time before we ate and with 3 kernals of corn and a reminder of the early pilgrims, we each went around and told 3 things we were thankful for. It was wonderful and I realize how very blessed we are! While we were digesting we watched a puppet show put on by Uncle Kyle & Aunt Brandee (gotta get those pictures of my other camera too)
The whole weekend was actually all dedicated to being together as a family! We did a service project the next morning, helping Aunt Lee, in Phx clean out her house in prep to moving into a nursing home. Then we had family pictures. That was a comedy of errors. From conflicting clothing colors to babies tired and crying (note to self: have pictures in the morning!) But we did get some good ones. That night we had Jenni's birthday dinner at Native New Yorker and everyone honored her (except the waiter who spilled on her) Can't believe our baby is 17 years old!
The next day Aleja had to come see her boys! We got some good video's of her feeding Madi! She's such a crack up and brings laughter and love to our family!

On Sunday we had a big gift exchange. Since the tradition died this year on the big Brown family side, we thought we'd try it on our littler scale. The sad thing was that CJ & Stephanie and the kids were sick. I think we needed CJ's more competitive spirit there, because hardly anyone took anyone else's gifts. I knew some people wanted other things, but no one tried!

After that we did karaoke, and Jaydon & Gavin rocked out to a song they often hear mom rocking out to; "Living on a prayer"




We also tried to start a tradition that just ended on my side of the family too. Even though it's a little early we wanted to have a nativity, but they are just a little young to fully cooperate. We did stage a few pictures though (Yes, we had 2 baby girls to play baby Jesus!)

That night we had an "end of an era" experience, with our 4th and final Scout getting his Eagle. CJ did make it to that, and all the boys participated in the ceremony. My biggest regret is that Kyle should have given his mentor pin to his oldest brother CJ for the great example he was, 10 years ahead of him to the day. (mom's are supposed to help them think those things through) I'm so proud of them all for working hard, earning badges, learning lots of things, and doing huge service projects to serve our community! They are all fine young men! The scouting program is a truly inspired program and I know it has been a part of them becoming who they are. I love all my Eagle Scouts!

Europe to Colorado

So for catch up time again, I should start with a wonderful trip we made to Germany & Switzerland in Aug/Sept to see baby Madi (Jerry & Jess of course too) It was such a great trip! Sandy (Jess' mom was so wonderful to do some guide touring with us. We went with her and Desmond to some beautiful places. We had lunch at the top of a mountain there in Kandern, where you could see 3 countries (France, Germany & Switzerland) from the top (4 - Austria -on a clear day) They were such wonderful hosts. We had the guest bedroom on the top floor and walked down to a small bakery many mornings. Poor girls who worked there had to figure out what Chuck was ordering. We got to be a part of Madi's baby dedication, and a beautiful luncheon afterwards. We also toured Lake Lucern, where I was 30 years ago with Teresa.(I've got to find my cord to upload the pictures!)

Our next trip was to Evergreen, Colorado last October. We went to the Attachment Experts Therapy Center for some good family counseling. We had hoped to go last summer, but lost our spot and went during October break. We learned so many things about ourselves and how to better get along as a family, as well as see some amazing and beautiful sights in Colorado. I'd never been, so was surprised that Denver was not the rocky mountains I had thought it was. You have to go about 20 miles away to get to the pretty stuff. One day in particular we had elk walking right infront of our cabin! Brandee joined us the 2nd week, when Kyle went home for Student Council committments.


We also went to see my cousin Tami Platt Jeppson who lives on an amazing ranch in Larkspur, CO. We had the best time catching up and getting to know our families.

We had fun days fishing and playing in the snow. Where, yah, Kyle got me good.

Jenni also met a poor little friend. She titled this one
"Does someone need a hug?"