Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year starting out with watching Parker play in the turkey bowl...

 

 

 We headed over around 3pm to the Beatty's house for a yummy dinner and great company...

 I got to spend the evening with these beautiful ladies...

 The boys had a blast playing in the backyard with all the other kids...

 One of the two kids tables...

 Gotta love the toothless grins...

 Wonderful Parker and Troy did all the dishes after dinner, such awesome husbands!

I am thankful for many things this year.  I am thankful for my husband that loves me unconditionally, my children who make me smile every day, my parents who have done more for me than I could ever write, my grandparents who have been a huge part of my life since I can remember and who are always there for me, my sisters who never fail to make me laugh and who I miss terribly, and my in-laws who love me as their own.  I am thankful for Parker's job that provides so well for us and allows me to stay home.  I am thankful for my job babysitting Leah and Sarah for the extra income and the sweet (GIRL) spirit they bring into my home.  I am thankful for my friends, especially those here in Virginia who I lean on so much since I have no family out here (you know who you are).  I am thankful for my home, my car, my gym membership, the boys' school, our ward, and my precious kitty Brody who has had a tough year.  This year I am especially grateful for my health, as some of you may know I have been struggling with horrible foot pains for about six months now and I am realizing how much I have been taking my health for granted.  I can't remember what it's like to stand or walk and not be in pain, but I am grateful because I know this is minor compared to things other people are struggling with.  Lastly, I am grateful for my testimony of my Savior and his love for me.  I know he lives and I know he loves me.  I know he is always there for me if I just ask.  I know that if I can live my life striving to do what he has taught that I will love forever eternally with those I love and that gives me such comfort.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, I love you all!!!

Fun Weekend

This Saturday was the first Saturday in a long time that we haven't had anything going on so we decided to head up to the National Zoo for a fun family day.  The weather was perfect and it wasn't too crowded.  Here are some pics from the day...

Jackson was being a bear, in case you were wondering...

 Always have to take a picture by the anteater...

 Cuteness...

 They each used their money to buy a stuffed animal from the gift shop...

Tyce was such a trooper, he walked the entire 5.5 hours and really kept up with us.  Parker and I kept commenting on how nice it was to not have a stroller, diaper bag, tired babies, etc.  We are loving our kids being out of the baby stage!!  Jackson was super fun at the zoo, he was so interested in learning about each animal and their habitat.  It'd be fun to take him by himself so he can spend the time he wanted to reading each sign at each exhibit. 

The twins also had their end of season football party at the rec center.  Here's Jack waiting for his trophy as the coach talks about how tough he was playing with a broken arm for 2 weeks...

 Here's Joshy getting his...

 They were SUPER excited about getting a trophy, they think they're pretty cool...

I'm sad football is over.  Yes it was quite the time commitment but, to be honest, I prefer being busy to being stuck at home.  They learned a lot and we're looking forward to next year.  However, we won't be bored long because basketball starts in December!! 

Tyce's New Room

We've been working on Tyce's room for a couple weeks now and it's finally pretty much done so here are some pics...

Before...

We painted the wall but hadn't gotten his new bed in yet...

After...

 We painted his green letters red and hung them above his closet...

 I love this canvas print of him...

 I still want to get some sports themed book ends then put some of his favorite books on his dresser...

 The view from the hallway...

And his full bed is the perfect size for story time!

He loves his new room and the twins are super jealous, Jackson said "mommy when Tyce goes to college can we have his room?"  Hahaha.  Then Josh said, "Tyce, maybe we could all live together in college so we can all have your room!"  Poor guys, they need a room make over too but it's tight with a small room and two beds, etc.  We'll see.  In the meantime I also ordered a canvas print of Parker and I to go above our bed...

I'm not really the decorating type but with help from my in laws, Parker's new paychecks, and a little motivation...it turned out cute! 

Nothing else super exciting going on, hence the lack of updates.  Tomorrow we are going to the zoo which should be fun.  In 2 weeks I'm heading south to visit my friend Tara in Biloxi, Mississippi and I'm really excited for that! 

Halloween

We had a pretty low key Halloween around here but the boys had fun and got lots of candy! 

Ready to head out...

 We ran into Leah and Sarah trick or treating...

The twins love the movie The Little Rascals and have since decided to make their own "woman haters club"...

 "He-Man Woman Haters Club.  You Have to Pay Money.  Only if you are under 10 years old can you come in." 

Now we have tons and tons of candy and in an hour we're off to our ward Halloween party to get MORE!  Tis the season!!!

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa Morrill

Parker's parents flew in Friday night and we've been so excited to have them come!  Here's a few (ok a million) pics of our week with them...

Saturday the twins had their last regular season (yes, they have playoffs) game, it was the closest game we've had all year but they pulled it out 7-0 Steelers!!  After the game we went on a little walk...

 We came home for lunch then headed to DC to show them Parker's new office...

 The boys LOVE going on the roof of his building...

The International Horse Show happened to be going on at the Verizon Center which is across the street from Parker's office so we decided to go see it!  It was actually really fun to watch and the boys loved it...

 After church on Sunday we carved pumpkins...

 Grandma reading to Tyce...

 Jackson's pumpkin...

 Tyce's Mickey Mouse pumpkin...

 Josh's pumpkin...

All ready for Halloween!

Monday and Tuesday we hunkered down and braved "Frankenstorm" or Hurricane Sandy.  It was crazy windy and rainy but we never lost power so we feel very fortunate.  Because of the storm, however, the twins were out of school Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! 

Wednesday we (and by "we" I mean Bart and Michelle!) painted one wall in Tyce's room as step one of redecorating his room!  Here he is... 

While shopping for new bedding for Tyce, I saw this super cute bedding set and so mom bought it for me as an early Christmas present!  I love it!

We went to the bouncy house, which we had to ourselves because all other schools were in session except ours!  Here's Jack on the spiderman magnetic wall...

Since there was no one else there we as adults decided to join in the fun.  Mom beat me in every race we had through the obstacle course, she also beat Bart.  It was fun to play like a kid but I got tired and hot!  Haha, pathetic.  The lady there was like..."you have amazing in laws, they're so young and fit and they play so well with the kids!  You are so lucky!"  She is SO right.  In fact, people frequently think Parker and his mom are married...hahaha.  Family pic...

Today the twins FINALLY went back to school so we headed over to have lunch with them.  Tyce was too cute carrying his own little lunchbox to join his brothers...

I dropped them off at the airport tonight and now the house seems so empty.  It was so fun having them here and they were SO much help with Tyce's room!  I am so not creative so I need mom's help and I am so not handy (and Parker is never home) so I need Bart's help!  I've still got to buy Tyce a new mattress and am waiting for a few things I ordered to come.  When it's all done I'll post pictures!  Thanks for coming you guys...WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU ALREADY!!!

Halloween pics coming soon...