Giving Thanks 2010

Our biggest blessing this year was that Caleb made it home SAFELY from his rotation in Tacoma Washington on Thanksgiving day (about 2 am).  The roads were pretty bad in some places so we were so very thankful that he was okay!  Caysja and I colored a a big sign to surprise him.  He was so excited to see the kids after being gone for nearly a month, that he woke them up at 2 am to give them hugs and kisses.  They were SOOO happy to see him!  (And luckily for us, they did go back to sleep okay, thank heavens!)

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parent's house.  My sister Chalise and her husband Steve came from Salt Lake.  Caysja said, "daddy, I'm so excited that you're here because today we're going to have 'roast beast' for dinner!"  (I couldn't figure out where she'd gotten that one until I remembered that she'd been watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and that's what they eat for dinner--she must have thought it was the same thing as turkey- ha ha!)

Chalise and me--she's growing her hair out.  

Could we pass for twins?

Silly girls!

Making pie with Grandma

Priesie and me
I had to take a picture of our matching hats (well...mine is actually a headband but close enough, eh?)

Crew was in heaven with Caleb around.  He always wanted to be where daddy was, doing whatever daddy was doing.

Caysja made these cute pilgrim/Indian costumes in Preschool
(do you like her pose?  It seems to be her favorite one lately...)

The day after Thanksgiving we got out Caleb's parent's Christmas tree and decor from their garage.  Then Caleb put the kids up in the shelves just for fun.  They loved it!  A secret hideout just their size!

We had a whole week with Caleb home and it was wonderful.  We went sledding, played in the snow, built forts, went to a movie, out to eat, to the temple, Christmas shopping, a family progressive dinner with Caleb's brothers, etc.  Today he left for his December rotation in Jacksonville, Florida.  We'll miss him but he'll be home for Christmas.  And guess what?  The end of November marks the half way point of this loooooong year of him being away from us!!  Woohoo--only 6 months to go til graduation in JUNE!

 Being apart these past 6 months has been pretty hard, I'm not going to lie.  But at the same time, I have a greater appreciation for Caleb and everything he does for me.  Heaven sakes, he's doing these away rotations this year for US--to be able to provide for us one day and I know it isn't easy on him either.  He is a wonderful husband and father and I can't wait til we are a whole complete family again.  

I LOVE YOU, Honey!