Thanksgiving in Nevada with the Lindseys

It's extremely rare that all of Jon's family gets together. The fact that there are currently 50 members of the family with two more coming soon probably has something to do with. This year we all decided to gather for Thanksgiving. Thankfully, the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno was offering two nights for free. All the family booked rooms there for Wednesday and Thursday night.

This hotel was more like a mini town. I have no doubt there were way more people there then live in the entire city of Fruitland. It included several restaurants, ballrooms, stores, casino space and a large Fun Quest area, just to mention a few. Thursday Linda rented a party room for a couple hours where we ate pizza and the kids played on toys and had access to laser tag.

Lydia with Aunt Elise

Later that day several of us went and bowled a few games in the bowling alley that's also in the hotel.

Grandma was kind to entertain some of the younger kids with Thanksgiving Bingo (appropriate since it was after all Thanksgiving day) while we bowled.

Jonnie showing off his stuff. I do believe I beat him both games... That would make two activities I can actually beat him at. Wow! That's impressive since those of you that know my husband know he's good at everything (even finding an awesome wife)!

Jon's sporting a little belly too :)

Lydia Jane (4) and Eliza Jane (5). They had a wonderful time playing together.

Saturday after Hyrum's baptism we prepared and enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's. It was kind of fun to drag it out a little. On the actual day we were all going to go to a buffet at the hotel but the line and wait was absolutely crazy so only Jon and I stuck it out. The rest of them ate at a restaurant, also in the hotel. The buffet was delicious but maybe not worth the almost two hour wait.

The newly baptized Hyrum

Five of the 10 siblings

The gang minus two

The boys were outside playing football when I saw this. Not sure where the idea for the helmet came from but I had to snap a photo!

Friday night we stayed at G & G's with about 40+ other people. Needless to say, not much sleep happened that night. Due to exhaustion and bad weather forecast we left Saturday night and drove a few hours and stayed at a hotel. The kids slept the entire way that night and most of the way Sunday, which made the trip home pretty easy. The new mini-van was SOOO nice to travel in! The weekend passed quickly with so many activities scrunched in and so many people to catch up with. We're grateful for all of our family and loved seeing them again. Hopefully, it won't be so long in between next time! HUGE thanks to G & G for hosting us all! You both amaze me!

Hyrum's Baptism

It's amazing how the time has flown! With turning 8 yrs old Hyrum made the decision to be baptized. Since all of Jon's family was getting together for Thanksgiving we gave Hyrum the option of getting baptized in Yerington with all his cousins, or waiting until the Stake baptism the following weekend. The choice was pretty easy, though he did want to wait to be confirmed in our home ward.

Hyrum looks a little tired in the photos because he was tired. The night before was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's with about 42 other people. He slept in a tent out in their garage with the other boy cousins and probably didn't get more than 6-7 hrs of sleep.

Our family with Grandma and Grandpa Lindsey.

Some of the family... There were 49 of us altogether. A couple didn't make it to the baptism due to sickness.

When I asked Hyrum what he wanted for a musical number he knew right away. He wanted his Uncle David and Uncle Ben to sing a song. They both played the guitar with Ben as the leader singer of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." They did an amazing job!!

Hyrum's cousin, Athena, played "I am a Child of God" on her violin after Hyrum was baptized and he and Jon were changing clothes. The baptism and program turned out wonderful and it was a beautiful and humbling experience as a parent to witness my son be baptized. We are so proud of you, Hyrum!

As a side note... Hyrum told Jon that when he closed his eyes to be baptized he felt like he was in Heaven. What a sweet boy we have!
As a second side note... my step-Grandpa, Don Rice, passed away this same day. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer several months ago and fared pretty well for most of the time. He passed quickly once he actually became ill. I have been greatly blessed to have him as a Grandparent the last almost 15 years. (He and Grandma Amy were married Jan. 1st, 1996) Don was a truly amazing man!

Just being silly...

In so many ways Lydia is very much like her Dad. When it comes to looks we get both. Either she looks just like her Dad or just like her Mom. I tease that she's my little chameleon. Somehow this little "twins" game came about and the kids had a great time with it. After seeing Lydia and Jon this way Hyrum laughed so hard he couldn't stand up.

Hyrum and Dad disguised as twins for Lydia to decide who was who.

Fruitland football State game

Our High School football team made it State again this year and this time came away with the Title. They played at the BSU stadium which made it fun for the kids. Jon was off hunting prior to the game and met us here during the 3rd quarter.

After the game we went to one on Jon's HS friends' houses with a few other friends from his HS State winning basketball team and their coach and his wife came. We ate dinner and watched film from their games. It was a fun little reunion. Jon was blessed with some good friends while he was in Weiser.

Hyrum's 8th Birthday!

Happy 8th Birthday, Hyrum! It's amazing how fast you have grown! You're such a sweet, thoughtful, and loving boy. We're grateful to have you as the oldest to set the example. You're very mature and wise. You're also a great helper around the house for mom and a great hunting buddy for dad :) We love you tons and are so grateful to have you as our son!

Hyrum's caught on to BSU football this year so we did a BSU cake for him.

I baked and Jon decorated.

The party boys out in the yard playing 500 before heading over to the school to shoot the bow and play football and baseball. Jon is always so good at playing/entertaining Hyrum and his friends.

Eating pizza

Hyrum's party was after school on Friday the 5th. Saturday we went into Boise and he and Jon went to the BSU vs. Hawaii game. Unfortunately, they didn't take the camera. After the game we went to Chuck E Cheese (sort of a tradition in our family... Hyrum's spent at least 1/2 of his birthday's there...)

Surprise, surprise that the hunting game at Chuck E Cheese is where Hyrum spends 85% of his time!

Like father like son...

This is Monday the 8th, Hyrum's actual birthday. He was a lucky boy and got to celebrate 3 different times!