{Utah Trip - Part 2}

"We have so much time and so little to do.  Strike that.  Reverse it." - Roald Dahl

This quote comes from one of my favorite authors from childhood.  Although written in a fictitious work, it's application is quite literal.  Time is a funny thing - it seems to stretch on in the most painful moments but flies by so quickly when things are good.   Fortunately this past week has been filled with the latter, and has gone by so SO fast.  

Here are some of the highlights:

• Going to see Mockingjay with Dan & Krystal.  It was easily the best Hunger Games film yet, and it was nice to have a night out!  Krystal & I went to the mall before the show and got Sees chocolates to sneak into the film... those are the BEST and made for a very happy Dan & Mike. 
• Catching up with Marianne and Jim and hearing about their Europe travels.  Calvin wasn't sure how he felt about his Italian Gondalier hat though...

• A day of sewing with Julie trying to get Calvin's blessing pants ready.  Although it was a bit of a fiasco, Julie was able to finish them and they look SO good!  I can't wait for him to wear them! 
• Thanksgiving was such a wonderful day this year!  We enjoyed visits from the family, delicious food, games & Thanksgiving cuddles with a newborn (who could ask for more?)

Here are some Reynolds men waiting for some delicious food.

I made this caramel sauce from scratch and it was fantastic!  I will NEVER buy it from the store again.  Mom & I enjoyed a day before Thanksgiving getting food prepared and I'd say all in all we had a pretty gourmet meal this year!

Baby & I getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast!

The table was pretty all set up and it was even better with the sugar cookies Mom made in the shape of a turkey with everyone's name on them.

Vinny gave some smiles for his Grandpa Mike.

Vinny and Grandparents

Love those blue eyes!

Dad sported the chef's hat Marianne & Jim brought back from Italy.

Here is Mom getting things ready for all the festivities.

Anyone bringing pie is always welcome in this house.

Erik opens a gift from Marianne that was brought back from Spain!

Molly patiently waiting for her food.

Vinny spending quality time with his Uncle Erik.

Jana brought sweet potatoes this year and they were soooo good!

We played all sorts of games this year... the first captured is the marshmallow eating contest between Quincy & Collin.

Jana was a great videographer.

There was also a jumping contest... It was hard to tell who won but the photographic evidence we have would point to Greg. 

Next up we had the star burst unwrapping-in-your-mouth contest between Greg & Collin.  Greg won pretty handily and was finished before Collin had even started to unwrap his!

Then there was the stare contest between Aunt Jana & Molly.  As you can see, there was some intense preparation involved in this!

Greg and Mike challenged each other in the bubble blowing contest, and Mike's bubble was just sad. 

Grandma joined in and in a shocking upset beat all the grandkids in balancing on one foot for the longest.

Greg won the contest of falling asleep first...

...with Dad coming in a close second.

Marianne and Jim came to visit.  I love this picture because you can tell Molly just loves Marianne and has so many important things to say to her!

Julie, Jana & I went Black Friday shopping at Old Navy and Target ... Julie clearly did her research!

Calvin loved getting time in with his Grandpa Jim - hopefully he will recognize him without his surgical mask!

I think I lucked out pretty good in the in-law department!

Calvin gave me the sweetest smile...  

• The day after Thanksgiving we got to go visit Virginia, a friend of my mother-in-law's who has been so sweet to us and introduce her to Calvin.  It was really fun to catch up with her and see her new apartment.  We also had a nice lunch with the Reynolds at Prairie Schooner, which Mike and I have claimed as "our" restaurant.  That afternoon Mike & I went on a date to see 'Interstellar' which was a thought provoking and well-made movie!  We really enjoyed our date time. 
• Friday night we went out to Temple square with Dan & Krystal, as well as Krystal's mother.  Seeing the lights on temple square at Christmas time is probably my favorite part of Christmas.  We had a good time strolling around, and Krystal was hoping all that walking would induce labor! :D 

Krystal and Mike were both "carrying" babies, so to speak. 

• Last but not least we were able to enjoy the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs Auburn) with these sweet boys!  They loved seeing Calvin and they were so cute with him.

As you can see it has been a very eventful trip with lots of memories made!  This year I was so thankful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with family.