Happy Late Thanksgiving

So Thanksgiving break has come and gone (boo-hoo!) but that means that there are only two weeks until the semester is over (YEAH!) and that means that I'm one semester closer to graduation (HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!). I love Thanksgiving and I realize every year how much we truly have to be thankful for. So here is a list of the things that I am thankful for this year:
1) I am thankful for my Savior and the fact that I know Him and that He keeps blessing our family so abundantly!
2) I'm thankful for my husband, who works so hard to provide for us (and supports me while I'm still in school!)
3) I'm thankful for two adorable children, who make me laugh every day and remind me that life is short! Dust will be here tomorrow- but they won't be babies for long!
4) I'm thankful for family- immediate and extended, who give us so much love and so many memories and keep life interesting and worthwhile!
5) I'm thankful for friends- nearby and far away, who teach us that it doesn't matter how near or far away you are, true friendship surpasses all miles.
6) I'm thankful for good books that keep me sane!
7) I'm thankful for reality TV (well, some of it- Like Extreme Makeover Home Edition) that show me how crazy life is, but how great it can be!
8) I'm thankful for music that uplifts my spirit and makes my heart soar!
9) I'm thankful to live in a country where I can tell you what I'm thankful for, and that God can be at the top of that list!
10) I'm thankful for the soliders that help keep it that way!
And I could go on, but I'll stop it there! We really are very blessed and I'm so glad that we have a national holiday that is set aside to make us think about how much and how well we are blessed!
So happy late Thanksgiving to all! May we never stop being thankful for all the abundant blessings we've been given!

Brianna Turns 3!

On Monday, November 19th Brianna turned 3 years old! I can't believe that it's been three years already since she came in to our lives. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday (and others it feels like a million years ago- especially during those wonderful 3 year old temper tantrums!)

On Saturday the 17th she had her first ever friends party. It was a Little Mermaid theme and she invited 8 little girls around her age. 6 of them came and she had a great time. They colored Little Mermaid pictures, played dance and freeze to Little Mermaid songs, attacked a pinata and of course, ate birthday cake. Mommy and Nina made the Little Mermaid cake with the help of a Wilton cake pan and we think it turned out pretty good! Tell us what you think! Her first ever friends party was a hit and the birthday girl had a blast!

Doesn't she look happy?!?!?! Monday night we had the family over for chili and another birthday cake, albeit not as eloaborate as Ariel but it was still a darn good cake if I do say so myself! (and I do!) Now we're transitioning away from the pacey (actually we cut her off cold turkey) and so nights aren't so fun but I'm looking forward to a really fun year with our new 3 year old!