Thanksgiving

I love when the "Crazies" come to visit for Thanksgiving
And jump in the 60 degree pool.
Why?
Because I get to laugh at them
As they are shivering uncontrollably
Waiting for me to hand them a towel.
Tee-hee-hee...

Dillan, Andrew, Brayden, Barik, Bailee, Maegan

Meal Time with 18 people in my kitchen...
"Sit where you can find a square inch."

The cups...

My cute neighbor Julie made these super cute, super yummy turkeys for all of us!
Aren't they ADORABLE?!?!
(The Whopper head sits on top of a Milk Dud...the rest is pretty obvious)

Pillow Fights and Tickle Attacks with Uncle Brent...

Good times usually end in someone crying...
Coop was the victim this time.
(Dillan smashed in the middle)

The unheard of happened this year...

Denice and 2 of her girls were able to join us for Thanksgiving!

Because they fly stand by, Holiday visits are usually OUT!

So we were all surprised and excited to have some of the Sorensens join us for Thanksgiving this year!

It was a BIG party for sure!

With Mom and Dad, Debbi, Brent, Austin, Brayden, Dillan, Bailee, Maegan and our 6, that made

18 people eating, sleeping and playing in my house.

And I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

Another FIRST happened this year!

Denice ran her FIRST race!

She had some reservations about doing this...

But I talked her into it!

(You don't tell ME No!)

Me, Denice, Brent, Debbi

Denice's FIRST bib!

We LOVE our sister!

The Seattle Mariners Baseball at the Peoria Sports Complex

Are we having fun yet?
I THINK SO!!!

Brent Finishing...

Here we COME!!!

She even ADMITTED that she had fun :)

While the girls and Brent were running, Paul was playing in the Turkey Bowl...
A little blood never hurt anyone, right?  He's a TOUGH boy!

With 4 bedrooms containing beds for 7, where do the other 11 sleep?

Here's how my family room looked...

Dillan and Brayden slept on the brown leather couch,

Bailee, Maegan and Kayla rotated between the Queen air mattress and the twin thermarest.

Austin slept on the small black leather couch in the Play room.

Debbi and Brent slept on Cooper and Barik's twin beds.

Mom and Dad slept in Andrew's room.

Denice slept on Drake's bed

With Nicole on the floor in Drake's room.

Paul and I slept in our bed (imagine that!)

With Cooper, Barik, Drake and Andrew on the floor around our bed.



There were 2 people missing from this picture...
Dad (who was behind the camera)
and Drake (who was already sleeping)

I love having family come to visit!

We usually rotate Thanksgiving visitors between the Boleys and the Telfords.

This year was my family's turn.

I've never had 12 guest stay at my house.

18 people in my "humble abode" could be a LOT.

But it didn't feel like a LOT!

I had TONS of helpers in the kitchen.

And lots of little mommies playing with my little boys.

And lots of cousins playing with my older boys.

I dare say that we were ALL in heaven

and thoroughly enjoyed being in such close quarters.

One by One
Each Family left...
First the Sorensens,
Next, Mom and Dad.
The last night before our last guests left,
The Cool-Murffs joined us,
For a Fire side roasting of
Hot dogs and Schmoes (Smores) in the White Tanks
Where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset in the desert
And more laughter.

Barik's First Fast

Barik’s thought and feelings about fasting…

I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days and it was the muddy hand. The muddy hand was a hand that was muddy and it was cut off and it killed people. Greg watched a movie and the muddy hand was in the movie. It scared me. In the dark, the muddy hand is in my mind.

Last Sunday night I asked Mom if I could fast to get the bad thoughts out of my mind. Mom said it would be best to fast on a Saturday or Sunday. So I waited until this Sunday (today).

In the morning I prayed about my bad thoughts. I asked Heavenly Father if I fasted and if He would help me get the bad thoughts out of my head. I’m not going to eat breakfast or lunch, but I will eat dinner. Even if I get hungry, I won’t eat because that’s how fasting works.

After I prayed I felt the spirit. I didn’t have to be at church to feel the spirit. I didn’t even have to have my church clothes on to feel the spirit. The spirit fills my body with pure white. It feels good and makes me happy.

Fasting can help people if they were poor. If they fasted they might get somebody and they will give them food. If someone was really sick, they could fast for them so they won’t be sick anymore. If someone broke one of their bones, you could fast and their broken part might heal faster. Fasting is a good thing to do. Fasting can even help YOU. If someone robs your house, you can fast and they might not rob anymore and they’ll get caught by the police. Fasting can save food for other people in need. Fasting can help you think of Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Fasting can help ANYONE. And when you fast, you will feel the spirit right away. I know Heavenly Father will help me get the bad thoughts out of my head. You need faith in Jesus to fast.

Thankful Posts

November 1...Today I am grateful for home repairs that end up being easier and cheaper than I had anticipated.

November 2...Toady I am thankful for my husband. My best friend. My confidant. My support.
My comic relief. My Birthday Boy. I LOVE you, Paul David Boley. You...Complete...Me...

November 3...Today I'm grateful for the rare day when I can stay home and clean. Today happens to be that day :).

November 4...Today I'm thankful for my 4 healthy, happy boys. I LOVE being a Mom of all boys!

November 5...Today I'm thankful for a beautiful (cool) morning spent at the Ball Fields cheering on 2 of my favorite Baseball Boys. I'm also thankful for DATE NIGHT!!! I LOVE spending time reconnecting with my MAN in a way we can't do with kids around. (keep it clean, peeps!)

November 6...Today I'm thankful for belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. I have been uplifted and feel connected with the people in our congregation as they share their hearts...the good AND the bad of everyday life. With immediate family far away, these people have become my family and my friends. Thank you to EACH of you who bore testimony of Jesus Christ today. Thank you to EACH of you who lifted my spirit, who inspired me to be a better person. Thank you to EACH of you who have touched my life for GOOD.

November 7...Today I'm Thankful for Christmas music. I KNOW it's only the beginning of November, but with the weather cooling down to the mid 60's it just FEELS right. I LOVE the spirit this music brings to my heart and my home. There you have it, Debbi Telford Cooley, Denice Telford Sorensen and Lori Telford Skolmoski...I gave in! (who will be next?)

November 8...Today I'm thankful for memories of loved ones who have passed before. The other day I saw some dancing/singing snowmen at the store. Those talented snowmen will ALWAYS remind me of my Grandma and Grandpa Telford.

November 9...Today I'm thankful for my beautiful, graceful, kind, loving friend and mom, Valerie Berkley Telford. She exemplifies ALWAYS seeing the best in EVERY person/situation. Her "dreamer" attitude inspires me. (I really think she walks on clouds.) I'm so proud of her for turning her dream and into reality. Thank you, mom, for being my number 1 cheerleader. For loving me through my good days and my bad days. I love you!

November 10...Today (and always) I'm thankful for my soft spoken, unassuming, full of wisdom, VERY talented, and ever loving dad, John Telford. I'm thankful for his love and devotion to my mom, Valerie Berkley Telford. I'm thankful for the time he spends playing with and loving my boys. I'm thankful for his listening ear and for offering advice only when it's asked for or very important. I'm thankful for the instrumental music that ALWAYS reminds me of him. I'm thankful that he still snuggles his little (35 year old) girl. I love you, dad!

November 11...To all the Men and Women have have, are currently, or will later serve our country, I say THANK YOU! Thank you for leaving behing pregnant wives and newborn children. Thank you for missing funerals of family members while witnessing the death of your best friends. Thank you for putting yourself in harms way for MY freedom. May God Bless You AND your family this Veterans Day and always.

November 12...Today I'm thankful for my 10 year old who will still hold my hand in public. I fear those moments won't last much longer, so I treasure each time it happens...(He even likes it!).

November 13...Tonight B told me that he wished he could fast tomorrow (Monday). Fasting is very difficult for me. I don't like to be hungry. B hasn't ever fasted...so I asked him why he wanted to fast. "To get the bad thoughts out of my mind." At this point, I'm concerned...what "bad thoughts" have corrupted my sweet, innocent 7 year old? To which he responds, "The scary spider hand and the creepy foot." I'm SO grateful for the example of my sweet, faithful children.

November 14...Today I'm thankful that my little sister, Lori Telford Skolmoski is finally home from the hospital. I'm thankful for answered prayers on her behalf. I'm thankful for her strength in overcoming her trials. I'm thankful for the example she is to me of being a wonderful, kind, FUN, energetic mother. She's an amazing cook and baker! She has a home made meal on her table almost every night (something I strive for). Everything she bakes is AMAZING! She is incredibly thoughtful...She is ON TOP of Birthdays...sending Birthday cards to me AND my 5 guys...and we feel so loved because of her thoughtfulness. I love you, Lori and am so blessed to have you as my sister and best friend.

November 15...I'm thankful for my kind, generous, loving, handsome brother Brett Telford. When we were younger, and none of my sisters liked me (hard to imagine, I know) my brother was always my friend. I loved hanging out with him and his guy friends. And he was kind enough to let his little sister be seen with him during his "cool" teenage years. He is very talented with his hands...can build almost anything. He will drop everything to help his friends and family. We don't talk often enough, but when we do I feel as close to him as ever. I'm grateful to have you as my older brother and protector. I love you, Moe Man!

November 16...I'm thankful for my beautiful, kind, compassionate, insightful, talented sister Debbi Telford Cooley. I'm thankful for the trials that took us from "just sisters" to best friends. She inspires me to be a more respectful, loving mother. I treasure her insights on parenting and friendships. I LOVE our "therapy" sessions while she "plays with my hair". She's been doing my hair for over 20 years ...(seriously? that makes me feel SO old) and I've NEVER found someone who can do it better than her. I'm incredibly thankful for the many, many, many LONG road trips she (and her family) have taken to come visit me. For "up in the night" brownies and the laughter that comes with the many memories we have made. She's my sister. She's my best friend. I love you, Deb.

November 17...I'm SO thankful for my wise siblings! My wisest sibling, Denice Telford Sorensen is an amazing mom, wife and friend. She is very smart and dedicated. I'm amazed at the years she spent in school all while working in AND out of the home, loving and raising her 3 daughters, AND maintaining a great relationship with her husband. I'm thankful that she has experienced teenagers FIRST and I'm gratefu...l for the example she has been of loving and spending time with those teenagers. I know I will use her example in a few VERY short years. I'm thankful that she has experienced a married child FIRST and will look to her example in the future of loving and supporting my adult children. I don't know if she realizes how MUCH I watch and take mental notes of all the wonderful things she says and does. I'm so thankful that through the years, our difference in age has somehow lessened because of our life experiences. We are more than just sisters...we are best friends. I love you, Denice!

November 18...Today I'm thankful for great friends who are extremely passionate...and turn their passion into a HUGE party for 246 friends and strangers. I'm also thankful for the HOPE of a nap today. :)

November 19...Today I'm thankful for Saturdays. I love sleeping in (a little). I love spending time working and playing with my family. I love having extra friends over. I love NOT thinking about homework. I LOVE Saturdays.

November 20...Today I'm thankful for Family Time. At times it feels like our door is revolving...and I wouldn't change that...But Sundays are Family Day. I LOVE spending time quality time with my boys...just the 6 of us.

November 21...I'm thankful for Family Traditions. This time of year is RICH with traditions. I love combining the traditions of my childhood with the traditions of Pauls childhood. And I love creating our very own traditions.

November 22...Today I'm thankful for family who will spend 11 hours driving (one way) to come visit us! I'M SO EXCITED FOR MY HOUSE GUESTS!!! Drive Safe, Debbi Telford Cooley, Brent Cooley, Austin Murfitt, Dillan Murfitt, BaileeAnn Murfitt, Brayden Cooley, Meg Cooley, Valerie Berkley Telford and John Telford. And I can't wait for Denice Telford Sorensen, Nicole and Kayla to join us! Let the Thanksgiving Festivities BEGIN!

November 23...(there was a little Facebook hacking today...And I LOVE it)
TODAY I am grateful for my sister Debbi Telford Cooley, that's all!
I love my sister Denice Telford Sorensen the very most!!!! She is the best sister in the whole wide world!!!
I love Kayla Sorensen so much she is the best niece ever she is amazing!!!!

John Telford
Today I'm thankful for my MOST favorite daughter, Leslie Telford Boley. Don't let any of the other girls tell you otherwise. She really is my FAVORITE!

November 24...So much to be grateful for today! Started the day running a 5K Turkey Trot with 2 of my favorite sisters Debbi Telford Cooley and Denice Telford Sorensen (missed you, Lori Telford Skolmoski). Denice ROCKED her first 5K! I'm LOVING having my house FULL of Family. There are 18 of us squeezing around any flat surface to eat on, and any soft surface to sleep on. I LOVE b.e.i.n.g. t.o.g.e.t.h.e.r. (If only the Skolmoski's and Telfords were able to join us...) Happy Turkey Day, ALL!!!

New Shirts

When you get THREE new shirts, how do you decide WHICH one to wear?

(Who said you had to choose JUST one?)

The Beach "B"s

Breathtaking Beach...

Beginnings at the Beach

Boys covered in Beach

Boogie Boarders (@ the Beach)

Beach Buddies

?????

Beach Beauty

"Art has always been the raft onto which we climb to save our sanity." (Dorthea Tanning)
By Michale Johnathan Fuzi III

Beach Bate

Beach Bird

Best Beach Buddies

Bedtime at the Beach

Bathroom at the Beach (house)

Blessings away from the Beach