A Quiet Thanksgiving Weekend

So with only Dad, Mom, Jake and I in Colorado for Thanksgiving it was a very quiet time. But mom did not disappoint, she made the most delicious dinner with plenty of leftovers. Thanks mom! After dinner Dad, my friend Margie and I went and saw Twilight. I had only told dad the basic plot of the book. Of course Margie and I loved it and so much better the second time. As for dad he did not hate it but I do not think he loved it either. Thanks dad for being a sport and watching a chic flick with us chics. Friday morning 4 am came way to early but its a great tradition we have. We started at Kohl's, on to WalMart, Circuit City, Best Buy, Sam's for breakfast, Target, Archiver's and finished at Costco where I bought myself a KitchenAid. I have wanted one for awhile and finally made the purchase and used it today for cookies and it was fabulous. Today we put the Christmas tree up. What a wonderful weekend we had.

Here is my grateful list:

1. My mom, she is a wonderful lady and I love the time we spend together shopping, scrapbooking and making cards, which she does not give herself enough credit for.
2. My dad, who is a good listener and gives the best advice. He has always taken care of our family and has given of his time freely.
3. My brothers Alan, Aaron, Gordon, and Jake. I will not lie we were not the Brady Bunch but now that we are older their friendship and brotherly love means so much more to me.
4. My one and only sister Annmarie, she is truly my best friend (sorry Margie and Tiffany). She has always been someone I look up to and enjoying being with.
5. My only brother in law Steve. He fits so well with our family and loves my sister so much. I have great respect for him because he always supported Annmarie in the gospel and found out for himself the truth and joined the church.
6. My sister in laws Meredith, Jen and Trisha who I count as sisters too. They have brought energy to this family and many good times.
7. My neices and nephews Madison, Landon, Sofia, Mirabel, Morgan, McKinley, Braylen and Kennedy. They are all joys to our family and I love the time I get to be with them.
8. My main girls Margie and Tiffany. They are such great friends and are each unique in their own way. I know I can tell them anything and they will support and encourage me in every way. My life has been changed because they are in it.
9. Books, only recently have I started this up.
10. My freedom and living in America and for all its beauty.
11. The Book of Mormon. I teach Gospel Doctrine in the singles ward and still do not think of myself as an intellect in the gospel but Heavenly Father knew I needed this in my life. I have gained a greater testimony of this book and feel the love Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ have for all of us.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and took the time to remember what you are grateful for in your life.

The Big 8

Madison turned the big 8 today. I remember this day fondly. Mom, Annmarie, and I drove out to Utah on this very day to see the first grandchild of the family. Dad joined us the next day. We went straight to the hospital and still waited a couple hours for her. She was such a beautiful sweet baby and I loved her from the beginning. So in honor of Madison here are 8 wonderful things I love about this awesome girl.

1. I love that she knows me and will call me on the phone to chat.

2. I lover her sense of humor and her laugh.

3. I love her pep and sassiness even though it gets her into trouble.

4. I love that she loves her siblings and her example to them. Even with their disagreements.

5. I love that she has her own opinions and thoughts and she is willing to share them.

6. I love that she has a sincere heart and is concerned for others.

7. I love that she will still give me hugs and does not thing I am a lame aunt.

8. I love that she enjoys school and strives to be a good student.

Madison I am so grateful that I have been a part of your first 8 years and look forward to many more with you. I am so proud of you and the choices you make. I thank Heavenly Father everyday that He sent you to our family. You are a joy to us all and we would be lost without your smile and love.

Halloween

This year we spend Halloween with the kids in Utah, what a great time to be with the family. The kids are growing up so much and we miss a lot of their experiences. So with my new work schedule I am able to make long weekend trips easier.
On Friday morning we went to Madison's school to see in her in the parade. She was dressed up as Hannah Montana, I had a hard time finding her because she looked so cute and the best Hannah Montana I saw but I am kind of prejudice.

We then were able to have school lunch with her along with Trisha, Landon, McKinley, and Kennedy. I remember school lunch as a kid and pizza day was always the best.

We were able to see Madison and Landon's classrooms and where they sat. Then we saw Landon in his parade, he was dressed as a Star Wars Storm trooper.

Everyone looked so awesome in their costumes. McKinley was Snow White, Kennedy was a ladybug, Morgan was Cinderella, and Braylen was Buzz Lightyear. Even some of the adults dressed up. Trisha was a witch, Jen was a devil, Aaron was the Joker which scared Braylen anytime he had the mask on, and I was a witch too. Later that night we all met at Gordon and Trisha's for dinner, trick or treating, and part of Poltergeist (we all were tired and falling asleep).

What a great weekend which was full of lots of family dinners, visiting with Grandpa Rodeback, shopping and just spending time together. Thanks to the family for including us in their plans.

To my oldest bro

Happy birthday Alan sorry I am late with this post. You probably did the same thing for your birthday as you did as a kid, went trick or treating and then home for cake and ice cream. What a lucky guy you are. You were a great example to me while I was growing up, the success you had in your life encouraged me to want to do the same. So I thank you for being a wonderful brother to me and the rest of us. And I do not tell you this enough but I love you and hope you have a great year.

A Visit to Tiffany's Farm

This past weekend I went to visit my friend Tiffany, her husband Todd, her daughter Emma and her Grandma Jean at there home slash farm in New Mexico. We had a lot of fun times and some shady times. Unfortunately only those who were involved are privy to this information since Tiffany threatened to remove my fingers if I ever speak about it again. The minute I retrieved my bag from the airport I was hoping that this was not how the weekend would go. As we were waiting at the baggage claim watching each and every bag go by, we see a red bag all wrapped in duct tape and laughed but then when it came around again I recognized it as my bag. Oh no, all I am hoping for at that moment is nothing is missing. TSA left me a nice little notice letting me know that my bag was searched and if it was locked they would break the locks but my bag did not. Let me just say TSA is lucky that I have calmed down in my old age because it would not have been pretty





On the way home we stopped at a corn maze, petting zoo, and pumpking patch in Albuquerque. Tiffany, Emma and I went through the corn maze shaped like hot air balloons. We met Grandma Jean at the end by the petting zoo. Of course we got lost even though we were choosing the right.





Our other activites for the weekend included:

• Making Christmas cards


• Going to a craft show


• A visit to Espanola where the shady experience happened


• Dinner at Gabriels with really hot green chile


• Watching Season 2 of My Name is Earl


• Watching Baby Mama


• Drinking goats milk which really was not all that bad


• One of the rabbits gave birth to bunnies


• Getting my toe pecked at by a cornish chicken


• A visit to the feed store
  
• Eating, eating and more eating
  
  

What a great weekend. Thanks Tiffany, Todd, Emma and Grandma Jean for the all the fun and laughs we had.

Blaze of Glory

This is the sweetest fire Jake has ever had.

Happy 4th Birthday Sofia and Mirabel

Oh my I can not believe how fast these two beautiful girls have grown up. I remember the day they were born, waiting for that phone call from Alan. To see Sofia and Mirabel today you would never think that they each weighed just over 3 pounds when they were born.

Sofia

Mirabel

Each has had their own struggles but seem to be such happy little girls. So for their special day I will give 8 reasons why I love these girls.

1. Their beautiful voices. They love to sing.

2. Their blue eyes behind their cute glasses.

3. Their imagination, which is very extravagant. My favorite story was they were pregnant and traveling to Africa but not by plane because they did not like to fly.

4. Their hugs and kisses. When they were visiting over the summer every night before bed they would find me and anyone at home to say goodnight to.

5. Their laughs which are very contagious and make me smile.

6. The love they have for each other. Sometimes Sofia likes to be a bully but she has a heart of gold for her sister as does Mirabel and each would do anything for the other.

7. The knowledge they have gained so far. Yes I know they are only 4 but they are very smart. Living back in Washington DC, Meredith has taught the girls about all of the historical places. They are great tour guides during our visits.

8. Their fascination with pink and anything girly. They are not just a princess but a queen.

Today we celebrate the day Heavenly Father sent Sofia and Mirabel to our family and are continual grateful for their sweet spirits and the joy they fill us with.