Joy to the World!

Happiness and Cheer!

Thanksgiving at the Macs was fantastico!

We had a delectable spread of food and familiar family faces.

Then we went to the movie that evening, per tradition.

The movie (The Good Dinosaur) was so-so, but the comfy chairs were just right.

The day and a half before Thanksgiving, Stephen and I were in Salt Lake for a quick business trip.

We hadn't been in years and really enjoyed the new City Creek Center.  Super nice!

We took the red eye flight home and got in at 1:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning!

We had to get some Cafe Rio while there :)

Last weekend we did a family fun run at the Skeeters stadium.

Harrison is in the Fit Club at school and this run was part of his training.

They also had a really cool rock wall there.

Sonny easily made it to the top, with Bella not far behind!

Emme got a little nervous and stopped about half way up, but she still had fun.

Soph and I cheered from below.

Harrison's flag football team went undefeated and won the championship! The final game was last Saturday.

Sonny scored the final touchdown of the game to seal the victory with seconds remaining!  It was his first touchdown of the year, and he ran 70 yards on a hand off to score!!  His flag refused to come off.  :)

We went to the Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet again this year with Baker Botts, Stephen's old law firm.

The after party backstage is full of food, candy, desserts, and props.

Emme wanted to get her picture with some of the dancers, and Harrison went with her to be a good big brother.

Bella had her Christmas Choir performance, and they did a great job!

My personal favorite was their rendition of "Christmastime is Here."

Dona Nobis Pacem was pretty too.

It is fun to see our kids' talents bloom and to really enjoy the performances!

I got to go on Harrison's field trip to the Children's Museum.

He is having a great year at school!

Then yesterday we had Stephen's family's Christmas party.  Because of travel plans, it was a bit earlier than normal this year.

Emme and Annie Jane were soooo cute together!

The boys were in the cave playing games and videos.

It was no the same without Grandma Sarah, though I know she and Terry were there in spirit.

Thanks to Shawn, Mabelle, and Erin for hosting.

For nearly 40 years, the giving and receiving of Christmas gifts has taken place in this family room at Terry and Sarah's house, which is now Erin's house.  What a legacy and what wonderful memories!!

Acting! and more . . .

Sonny was George Washington in the 3rd Grade Play

It was a very patriotic production

He and his buddy Joel clowned around after the play

Sophie made the UIL cast (district competition) for her school.

They won second place in the district!

They wrote their own play, and Sophie did great in her role!

Harrison's football team has not lost a game.  The final playoff game is next week!

Emme had fun at her school parade  :)

Cute little button!

Sophie also got to go to the Renaissance Festival with her Theater class and had a blast!

Sam returned from his mission, and we went to his homecoming.  Can't believe 2 years have gone by!

So much activity is exhausting!!

Fall Festivities and a Happy Halloween!

Raingutter Regatta time . . .

Good thing we remembered at 10 p.m. the night before!

We picked a pumpkin theme for Halloween...

Well, sort of.

Sonny won a few races and lost a few.  A good life lesson.

Bella had a beautiful solo in the Primary program.
(I know you are not supposed to take pictures, but we snapped a couple in super secret mode :-] )

She sang, "He Sent His Son."  Bella has such a pretty voice.  I hope she continues to develop that talent!

Stephen had to travel a ton in October, so we spent a lot of time on Facetime and texting pictures and updates back and forth.  This is from his hotel in Vancouver as we did scriptures and prayer in the morning.

We headed to the Gratz's house for some pumpkin carving during the afternoon on Halloween.

Everyone in our family worked together on the design and carving.

We tried out an electric carver, but it was kind of a dud.  :(

Then we got ready for another Halloween gathering -- this time at the Jackson's house.  Elvis was definitely in the building!

And so was Supergirl!

Sophie was a "Holy Cow" this year . . . :)

I made homemade root beer floats for the party - yum!

As was all the other food there.

Bella dressed up in her NASA costume . . .

But wasn't really feeling Halloween this year.  She and Soph are sort of growing out of it.  Can't believe how grown up they are getting.  Bella will be in YW in a few short months!

There were fun games at the party, like freeze dance!

Elvis was a natural!

Brooksy was a tiny fireman.  So cute!

After the party, we all went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.

Too much candy as usual!!