Thanksgiving in Nevada

This turned out to be quite the trip.  We planned on going until we saw the weather forecast and decided against it.  The day of came and I talked with Grandpa Lindsey and he said he didn't think the forecast looked too bad so last minute I decided we were going.  Jon walked in the door from work, we threw everything and everyone in the packed to the brim van and we took off in the snow.  And snow it did!  We drove in blizzard-like snowy conditions for four hours before finally pulling over in McDermitt, NV at the Diamond A Motel.  (Which, I have to say was quite the blessing and the lady was very kind.  The regular rate was $70/night for two people and a single bed.  Dad let her know we had two adults and five children and she gave us a "holiday" rate: $45 and two beds!)  The room was pretty gross but after being trapped in the van under stressful driving conditions, crying kids, and blowout poopy diapers, we were extremely grateful to have it!   The road conditions were so bad that
Dad tried to get me to turn around long before McDermitt but there wasn't anywhere to do it.  It was dark, blizzard like conditions, icy roads, and no towns.  Several cars had slid off the road.  With over half our trip still ahead of us, we figured we'd stay the night and turn around and head home in the morning.  Well, morning came and we lazily got up, ate oatmeal and drank hot chocolate, packed our bags back in the van and I headed for home.  The sun was shining and the roads were thawing and Dad said to me, "Are you sure you want to go this way?" Needless to say, we ended up in Carson City at Larisa's house just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.  Thankfully, the roads were pretty good after McDermitt.  However, it started snowing not long after we got to Larisa's house and it didn't stop.  We ended up getting lost on the way back to Virginia City that night and drove about three times the distance we were suppose to in blizzard-like conditions AGAIN up a mountain.  By the time we finally arrived at the Inn I swore I wasn't getting back in that van until it was time to go home.

Hyrum and Lydia walked to the gas station when we got there and bought microwave popcorn and hot chocolate.  The kids had a great time watching a movie on Netflix, drinking their hot chocoate and eating popcorn.  McDermitt is a tiny town with not much besides this motel, a casino with a cafe, a very small grocery store/gas station that closed when we got there, and one other gas station. 

The boys with cousin, Gracey

So grateful to be out of a car seat!

Grandpa Lindsey trying to figure out the remotes

Part of the gang during a family talent show

Lydia and some of her cousins wrote a play to put on.  Grandma was so proud as she has dreams of having a "cousin camp" where the children come and learn plays to put on for the town of Virginia City.

Zerin was adorable, as always!

One of Lydia's typical hysterical laughs.  That girl knows how to have a good time!!

Big shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Lindsey for hosting us all.  They are amazing and so patient with this ever growing large crew.  Some of the fun activities were games, pillow case sewing, Virginia City scavenger hunt for older children, stuffed animal hunt for smaller children, Thanksgiving Bingo, and pies for ties for cousin Bret, who leaves on his mission to Florida in January.  We're extremely blessed to have such a wonderful and loving family!

Handsome little guy before heading off to Carson City for the baptism of two cousins, Kira and Collin.

Like father like son :)

Such a small town they don't even state their population... only elevation.

On the way home, boo who who :(  They all had such a wonderful time with their cousins.  Not nearly enough sleep though and way too much sugar! 

We were blessed to be able to attend a sacrament meeting on our way home in Lovelock, NV.  We were also blessed with wonderful roads, except maybe 20 miles as we neared home.

The Diamond A Motel!!  Forever a family memory :)

November 2015

Good thing they like each other because they get to spend lots of time crammed together in the back of our truck in the winter.

Lydia thought it would be fun to put some premie shorts that she found in the van on Ephraim's head.  He looks adorable in everything!

A few weeks ago Lydia started a notebook that's titled, "Mom and Lydia."  We take turns writing messages to each other and leave it on the other person's bed.  It's been so fun to get a peak into her life.  It's also great for her to work on her writing and spelling.  (She doesn't even know it's school work :)).  After she wrote that last entry about really wanting to play with Kate I got a text from Diana inviting Lydia to go rollerskating in Nampa with them and then out to dinner.  Talk about law of attraction!

Having lots of fun swimming at Zim's.  Porter was really hesitant at first (typical of Porter) but once he warmed up he had a great time.  Family time is the BEST time!  We are so blessed to have a Dad that spends so much time with us!

Hyrum and I played a game of basketball and I had him by quite a bit.  He came back like a lion draining three pointer after three pointer and won the game!

There's our daddeo and my hot husband!

Enjoying some delicious halibut burritos.  Thanks to Grandma Gloria for sending halibut with Matt when he came in September.

Lydia finally has someone with hair she can do!  Porter was such a good sport!

Wrestling is what boys do best!  Nothing better than brother bonding time...

Except, of course, getting adjust by your three year old brother :)

Hyrum had fun with some needle and thread.  Yes, he really did stitch his finger.  Law of attraction may have been in effect here too.  See Christmas Eve post...

We sure love our fro boy!

Hyrum attempting to build a snow fort.  Of course, Lydia and Zerin helped as well.

Porter you are all boy, but I just have to say, you are a beautiful child!  True to your type four nature, you are stunning!

Beautiful day to enjoy the first usable snow fall of the year.

Even Ephraim got in on the action

Lydia did this with an app from my phone.  When I first saw this picture I was blown away by how much Hyrum resembles Uncle Brandon in this picture when Brandon was younger with braces.

Speaking of braces... Notice anything missing?  After three years and 2.5 months he is finally brace free.  What a handsome young man!

When they gave him this he couldn't believe how different he and his mouth looked.  A lot change in three years when you go from 9-13.

Lydia was such a kind sister to pull her brothers around on the sled.  Ephraim really wanted to be outside but he was having a hard time walking in his boots that were too big on the uneven snowy ground.

Way to go, Hyrum!  A goose for Christmas dinner!