Thanksgiving

Matt and I headed to my parents house for Thanksgiving. My brother and sister also came with their families. We had a great time playing board games, pinochle, football and of course eating a lot of food. Thanksgiving always has the best leftovers. The kids loved playing with their cousins. On Friday, we did the right thing and got up at 4:50 to go shopping (What were we thinking?). My parents live about 30 miles from a town that has the big stores. The good thing was that the lines at the stores we went to were short. We got the things that we wanted and arrived back at my parents house around 7:40am. The children hadn't even woke up yet. The weather was so pretty on Saturday and Sunday. The kids enjoyed going to the park and playing football. We love this time of year. Now, it is officially legal for me to play Christmas music.

My dad, sister Megan, nephew Hunter, my Mom, Paige and my brother Matt.

Paige making one of her many faces!

Bailey and Hayden playing at the park while Grandpa watches them.

The official 2009 Turkey Bowl!

Matt had such a busy work schedule that I packed all of his clothes for our 4 day trip. My sister-in-law also packed my brother Matt's clothes and when they came out of their rooms to help with Thanksgiving, they were twins. We had a good laugh on that one.

Madalyn and I on Thanksgiving morning.

My sister Megan and her daughter McKenna.

Paige and McKenna look a lot alike and I think that people could mistake them for fraternal twins.

Madalyn with her food.

Bailey eating her Thanksgiving meal.

Grandpa helping the kids.

Carda and Megs.

Carda, Me, Meg and my Mom.

Finishing up our meal.

Matt and my Dad in the tree stringing Christmas lights. The Morrison family has a special relationship with trees. Someday, I will tell you all about that relationship.

My Dad, my brother Matt and my brother in law, R.J.

My wonderful DAD!

Paige was happily reunited with Zip her favorite dog.

Hunting for Turkey's?

No, Matt does not work for the NRA. Carter has been asking Matt if he would take him outback and let me shoot the BB gun. The timing has always seemed to be wrong. Finally, this weekend was a perfect time. Carter and Hayden got a BB gun 3 years ago and haven't had time to shoot. When we lived in Central Oregon we had 2 acres and the barren land went on forever. Now we live on a farm and there are homes close by. I know that it is only a BB gun but it still makes me nervous. Needless to say, Bailey, Matt and Carter had a great time shooting at some targets. Speaking of shooting at things, we hope that everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy those turkeys!

Bailey watching her older brother who loves to wear his army Russian hat and act like a soldier shoot at his targets.

Now, it is Carter's turn to make sure that his little sister is aiming correctly and holding the gun properly.

Way to go Bailey and Carter. They both hit their targets very well and had a great time with their Dad.

When it rains in Oregon........

.....go swimming indoors. When it feels like winter weather in Oregon, we start taking the kids to Swim America at our local pool. The kids love it! We went for the first time last week. It is only one day a week and all swimming levels are in the pool at the same time working on getting better. Madalyn is on a swim team and so we don't have her do Swim America but she enjoys sitting with me watching the kids swim. Bailey, Carter and Hayden are all together in level 5. Carter has told Matt and I that he refuses to advance to level 6 because that means he has to go in the deep end. We shall see son! Bailey goes 2 times a week to swimming lessons so she has caught right up to her brothers. So, if any of you live in a rainy area or super cold area, go swimming at your local indoor pool!!!

Paige at home getting ready to go to Swim America.

Bailey preparing to kick off from the wall.

Carter showing his teachers his stroke.

Paige is in the Kitti pool learning to feel comfortable with the water. This is her little froggy that leaps in the water and she has to put her hand down and pick him up.

Paige practicing her kicks! Her brothers know how that feels.

Ready, get set, GO. Time to blow bubbles.

Ok, look at Hayden! That is so Hayden. All the other kids are waiting for instructions and he is howling like an animal. Look at Bailey in the left hand corner.

HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween!!! Our candy is almost gone and we have all experienced a candy adrenaline rush! Have any of you? On Friday night our ward had a Halloween party. Actually they called it a Harvest party and it was great. The kids played games and then we all went outside to trunk-r-treat. It was a perfect evening with face painting, food, great weather and friends. On Saturday, we had our last soccer games and the boys did great. Hayden's team played for first place but lost to Josie's team. I try very hard not to be competitive, but I needed an hour to re-adjust my thinking. (Ok, not an hour, maybe 20 minutes). The rest of the day was relaxing and getting ready for trick or treating. We went to our friends house and watched the Duck game and during half time we rushed the kids outside with us to do some trick or treating. We felt that the night before was so successful that we didn't need that much candy. The kids loved knocking on doors and getting all that candy!!!

Bailey and Paige on Friday.

I took them to Matt's High School and then we drove to his old Middle School to see the Principal Molly and wonderful secretaries Kris and Becky.

The whole family on Friday night!

Matt and I just returned from Hawaii and packed on a little weight.

We wanted to make sure that we didn't get a sunburn that night.

Bailey had a spider painted on to her face. Isn't she cute!!

Paige had a butterfly on her face for about 2 minutes and then wiped the whole thing off.

Carter was Jangofet from Star Wars.

Hey, for those of you who are Star Wars fans, I hope I spelled that right.

Hayden and his stash.

Madalyn and her friend Emelia. They were kitty's.

At one point Paige had 3 unwrapped suckers.

She ate so much candy.

Crazy girl, she takes after her mothers addiction. Sugar!!!