Ice Skating

While up north for Thanksgiving my mom took us all ice skating for Family Night! We had a fun time falling on the ice, playing crack the whip, and choreographing couples skating routines. I was really impressed with how quickly Braden took to skating on his own. I thought for sure he would want to hold someones hand the whole time. And then Carter, who is notorious for giving up if he can't get the hang of something quickly or if he's cold or if things aren't going the way he wants or ... you get the idea, did very well and had a great attitude as he did his best trying to skate on his own. For the most part he skated around the perimeter holding onto the railing but his favorite part was having the adults hold his hand and "skate fast" with him.

Peter and Tay

 

Going fast with Carter

Skating the Perimeter

These two kept each other warm

I partnered with "K" for our choreographed, couples skate. We were awesome!

"K" did circles on the ice without help and without falling down - she's a pro!

Megan and Ashley spent the most time on their dance. 

They did well, but unfortunately fell a few times.

Peter and Ryan were by far the best team that competed. They had it all...lifts, synchronization, grace...it was an outright talented mess and oh, so funny. I wish I had videoed it!

Tay wanted to do her own dance too. 

She laid on the ice and just rolled. It was awesome.

Riley got in on the action a little. She spent most of her time cuddling with Grammy Bo and Navy but did venture out with a couple spins out on the ice with Uncle Peter. She loved it!

An Auger Thanksgiving

It has been years since I have been with my mom and her side of the family for Thanksgiving. I have popped in and out a couple times but I haven't stayed for dinner in FOREVER! My Grandma Dee celebrated her 91st birthday just a few days before and with the family only getting together every other year I knew that it was important for me to share this Holiday with my family while Grandma Dee is still here. Almost every thanksgiving that the family has been together they've met at my Gramma's church house. I remember going there as a little girl spending hours playing dress-ups on the stage with my cousins and creating elaborate plays with singing to perform for our parents after dinner. It was really fun for me to bring my children to this place and have them experience the fun of having the whole extended family together. I'm sure it didn't mean nearly as much to them as it did me but I am grateful I had this opportunity to with my family - I think there were 96 of us in all together this year.

Dee-Dee

Carter and "K" playing games together.

Riley hanging with Uncle Peter's girlfriend, Chelyse

Let the fest begin!

Sharing in my most favorite past-time of Thanksgiving...

riding the chair and table carts all over the gym!

Grammy

On November 19th our Grammy left us to go live with Jesus. She was 90 (nearly 91) years young. Grammy Willie was a big part of our life over the last year and a half while she was living with my mom and step dad who took care of her. Grammy suffered from dementia during these later years and for the most part didn't know what was going on but she still managed to bring lots of fun and laughter to our lives with her quick wit and sense of humor.

I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful my mom and Garry are. They did so much to help Grammy during the time she lived with them. I don't think I could ever do what they did. Not only did they help her with all her day to day necessaries, they also did it with more much love and compassion than would ever be expected.

My brothers were a big help to my mom and Gary as well. They didn't fully ease the burden and much of the time complained when their help was needed but I know they will be blessed for their service to Grammy and to my parents. It was very tender to watch these two say good bye.

The morning after getting the news that Grammy had left us I sat my boys down to tell them what had happened. We talked about the funeral and what they would see when we were there. We discussed how Grammy's body was still here but that her spirit had left her body and she went to go live with Jesus. I mentioned to the boys that since Grammy was no longer in her body that she would have her memories back and that is a happy thing for her and that even though it's sad that Grammy isn't alive anymore it's happy because she can be with her husband and other family members who have already gone to live with Jesus. During the viewing Carter and his cousin "K" went up to the casket to say good bye to Grammy. While there Carter turned to "K" and said, "This is only her body, her spirit is in Heaven where she got her memories back." It was so cute and so very precious. 

 

Grammy's Children: Bill, Sandy, Gary and John

Most of the family: Ryan, Gary, Nate, Peter, Severin, Dane,

Megan, Ashley, my Momma and Me (with my sleeping Riley)

We will miss Grammy Willie very much but we know that she is much happier now that she has her memories back.

McKee Ranch

For a fun Halloween activity this year we visited McKee Ranch here in Vegas. They are a small little ranch that rescues animals who have been neglected and mistreated. We thought it would be a good cause to donate to, plus they had some fun activities for the fall. We got to pick a pumpkin and take a hayride as well as play and see some of the animals at the ranch.

Braden took this picture for us and afterwards exclaimed, "EWWWWW!"

They had lost of bunnies and chickens walking all around that we could feed. This little rabbit was very timid but we eventually got him to eat a cracker from us. Sis really like the bunny.

There was also an open play area where the kids could run and ride on some of the toys.

The Hayride

These people are my favorite!