The Gurrs: Thanksgiving--trip to Utah

So, I am not a mom who gives into impulse buying at the store. After hearing no so often, my kids are now trained to ask, "can I get this toy when it's my birthday?" But when we went to the grocery store and I looked over and Joey was laying over the shelf, snuggling this giant bear, I instantly decided to get it (I don't know what came over me :). He just looked so happy and peaceful and I wanted him to always feel that way. And I imagined a scared little foster kid coming into our home and feeling safe by that big bear. Anyway, he is now our big huggy bear. The boys take turns snuggling him at night, and when I retuck them in, they are often fast asleep with their arm dangled all over the bear.

The last Friday before Thanksgiving break, the boys' school had a Thanksgiving presentation done by each class. It was pretty funny to see all the short skits and things the kids did. Joey's class did a poem, and it was spiced up a bit by one classmate constantly yelling into the microphone. The picture below is Joey's reaction when someone knocked over the microphone.

Then Kimball's class sang a little song. It was really cute to see all the kindergartners up there.

Then, The next Tuesday, we headed out for the 13 hour drive from Sahuarita, AZ to Salt Lake City, Utah. Kimball had fun with the pirate kit he got at the 99 cent store right before we left. The boys did GREAT on the trip! They played and had fun using the white board. But we mostly just looked out the window most of the time at all the beautiful scenery. It was really a beautiful trip!

As we were driving by Lake Powell, I made Peter pull over so we could get out and see the beautiful sight. We all had fun running around and taking a short 30 minute hike until Dad made us all get back in the car :)

When we arrived, the boys were so excited to play in the snow. Luckily grandma and grandpa had a little pile that hadn't melted on the shady side of their house. For these TX/AZ boys, that was plenty to have lots of fun with.

Another highlight was playing the race car game with aunt Melissa. It's really exciting when you win

We all had a great time going with all the Utah cousins to Hoggle Zoo.

The best part was the new polar bear exhibit that Uncle Jake helped build (he was one of the engineers who helped design the habitat). And the polar bear was awesome! She loved to swim and pop up right in front of the window where all the kids stood. The squeals of delight were perfect!

Two best buds--Joey and Simon

Kimball LOVES Megan! She was a great older cousin and helped him all day at the zoo. She even held his hand on the carousel.

AHHH, how we miss Cafe Rio. It was so fun this time because now we have another fan. Joey loved the big burritos with sweet pork. Kimball's not converted yet, but maybe next trip.

We had a great Thanksgiving day up in Huntsville at Great Grandma Froerer's house. How can you resist that 3 story spiral staircase!

The thiket is perfect for the kids. It a cluster of small trees and bushes that run along the stream in the back of Grandma's yard. The kids played and explored in there for hours. And took short breaks to swing on the tallest, funnest swing set ever. Grandma's house is really a little kids dream come true.

Kimball and Dylan had enough of the cold and had lots of fun building train tracks.

We all enjoyed the yummy food, and were amazed at the 55 pound turkey uncle Bryce and Joan raised and contributed to the dinner.

After all that food we played outside some to get ready for all the delicious desert pies.

Yup, that's me looking tough with my shot gun. Nothing like skeet shooting to say Happy Thanksgiving :)

And here's Dad and Melissa looking tough at Bryce and Joans.

The kids collected lots of dead limbs from the thicket and built their own lean-to.

We experienced our first ever family ski trip. It was a lot of fun! We were happy to have Melissa come with us because we all worked together to get up and down that bunny hill :) It was a great afternoon with lots of laughs and good memories. And lots of sore arms from holding onto the tow ropes for dear life.

Kimball loved just cross-country skiiing at the bottom of the hill. Both boys were brave and Joey made it father up the hill than I did. Dad and Melissa found a little side trail and got to ski in some fresh powder and even go off a little jump.

Grandma and Grandpa were great babysitters and let Peter and I go for a date. We saw Odd life of Timothy Green (which git us pumped to be foster parents), and then strolled through the beautiful lights on temple square. Thanks Brian and Myra, it's always so nice to go on a date!

The next 3 pics are a random insert of Joey's "land art" he did with his art class when we got back from Utah.

And the giant gumball machine is always great for the kids!

Los Hermanos night--Brian and Myra (and whoever else gets snagged into the kitchen :)) makes all the old recipes from their restaurant days. It's fun being together and making all that yummy food.