Thanksgiving Day 2011: The Food

Thanksgiving is a day to eat and give thanks for all we have. It's also the day I cook all morning, eat for 15 minutes, and then clean up all afternoon. This year was not different except I had additional help. Rylee wanted to help so she could learn how to cook. Ryder wanted to help because he was hungry. Decorating takes lots of energy and he was starving. Reganne just wanted to watch tv.

Our meal turned out awesome if I can compliment myself. Good food, good friends The Wheelers, and sunshine.


The cleanup took awhile to complete. Just as I sat down to read the Black Friday Ads the little voices came that they were hungry again.


This time for snacks & desserts

Rylee....All For Me

2nd round of desserts, treats, and snacks.

Dacoda & Reganne... No for us.

We all went downstairs and crashed in front of the tv to watch Zookeeper. A cute movie for a tired family & friends.

Is it time yet to decorate???

Thanksgiving Day 2011: The Lights

Ryder has been so excited about Thanksgiving this year and not for the turkey, but to decorate for Christmas. All week he has asked how many days until we can decorate and watch Polar Express?



He was up early on Thursday morning and once he discovered it was the day he had been waiting for there was no stopping him. He followed Dave around the house asking if it was time yet to start?

Ryder waiting outside the bathroom door for Dad.

Finally, it was time to start and he patiently followed Dave around the yard with at least a hundred questions.

Don't fall Dad.

New Santa Blow Up.

The end result, nighttime pictures are not the easiest.

Now the question is when are we decorating inside?

Jubilee of Trees: Fashion Show

Monday came with a flurry of getting ready for the Jubilee of Trees Fashion Show. Rylee & Reganne were so excited to model again this year. Ryder was excited to go, but not so sure of modeling for everyone. Dave decided to watch the store so Natalie and her daughter could participate.

How do we look?

Posed in front of Dad's tree.

Ryder with his NICU Poster

I was excited for him to see it. However, he wasn't impressed by it but made sure that the baby in the picture was indeed him.

Did I really sleep in one of these?

He was full of questions about the bed. Was I as small as the doll inside? No you were a little bigger. As we talked about the bed people walking by asked if he was the boy in the picture. The main question was is he ok now? Which he just looked at them and buried his face in my skirt. I then said yes, very normal.

Waiting for the show to start.

And waiting...

More waiting....

It was finally time and everyone did a good job showing off their outfits. No tripping or mooning the audience this year. As soon as we were off stage it was a mad dash back to school for the girls as to not miss any of the fun activities planned for the afternoon.

Dave worked into the night and Tuesday all day to complete the dismantling the trees and delivering them for the foundation. This is always a fun weekend, but we are always glad to see it come to an end.

I Am Decorating

Saturday is the time to pick up the house and especially the bedrooms. The kids finished after much procrastination and arguing. Rylee asked for tape. I went to investigate what she was doing. She posted a sign on her door to please sign in before entering. She taped the paper and pencil to the door.

The tape never seemed to reappear. I asked Rylee if she still had it? I don't know what the reply.

Ryder promptly told me it was on his desk. Why do you have it? I am decorating was his reply.

Here is his sign in sheet.

You have your choice of marker, crayon, pencil, and oops the last marker fell off.

If you missed that sign in. Here is another one with the added touch of pictures to color on.

I am thankful for creative kids, washable markers, and scotch tape comes off.

Jubilee of Trees: Rylee's First Concert

The Jubilee of Trees started this week. This is always a great event to start the holiday season. It is full of Christmas trees, music, and fun activities. This year's charity concert was Colin Raye on Saturday night. If you don't know this about me I am a huge fan of his. Whenever he comes close to St George I try my hardest to attend. This year's event is no different, except that all monies raised goes to the NICU at Dixie Regional Medical Center. This is another place that holds a special place in our hearts. Grandma JeanAnn also came down and she had an extra ticket.

Yeah, My First Concert.

Rylee came along as Grandma's date. She had a good time other than having to wait in line forever (general admission seating), loud music (Mom's music), and late hours (lasted until 10:30). I asked her if she wanted to go to another concert. She replied not for awhile, a long while.

Ryder's NICU Poster...Graduate of 2007

He was lucky enough to be selected for his year. The 28 days he was there they had approx 30 babies in the NICU.

NICU Display

Ryder was one of the first babies to use the "Cadilac Bed" in our NICU.

Oh, Christmas Tree...Dad's Tree

Dave again this year helped design and make decorations for the Foundation's Tree. Three designers did a really good job.

Two more days for this awesome event.

I am grateful for two ears to hear the music I love. The great people who give of their time and money to attend these events. The wonderful medical professionals we have here in Southern Utah and their willingness to serve and love their patients.

2011 Adoption Celebration

This years celebration was at Vernon Worthen Park with all the adoption agencies in the county participating. The crowd wasn't very large and they were hoping to break a record with people being touched by adoption all in one place at the same time. They did have fun activities, food, and fun with new friends.

Handprints of all attendees being touched by adoption.

The girls had to make a print for Dad and they improvised.

Reganne's rainbow hand.

Yummy treats for a cool morning.

Doughnuts, hot chocolate, and soda.

Rock Climbing... Rylee wanted to give it a try.

Go Rylee, Go higher.

Up she goes with Reganne cheering her on.

It was fun morning with a special purpose. We are so thankful to be part of this group and knowing that this all because a special lady gave us the greatest gift of becoming parents to two awesome girls.

What did you say?

It has been a couple of weeks full of funny conversations and Dave & I asking "What did you say?

Look Mom, I'm a doctor. What did you say?

This was actually a flower hair clip that he clipped to his hair.

Reganne, what did you have for lunch?
I had chicken, nuggets, fries, and seaweed.
Seaweed??
Rylee, what did you have for lunch?
I had chicken nuggets, fries, and Kiwi.
Reganne did you try the Kiwi?
I licked it.
Did you eat it?
No, I licked it.
Did you like it?
It was ok.
Why didn't you eat it?
Because, I licked it instead.

Grandma can we have fish legs for lunch?
Ryder fish don't have legs.
Yes, they did we ate them.
When?
At Chuck a Rama.
We did?
Yes!
We ate shrimp.

I am sure there have been many more, but these are the latest. Kids say the craziest things.