tHANKSgiving 2014

We had a pre-Thanksgiving feast on the Sunday before the actual day at my sister's house. Then we went to eastern Idaho for the actual Thanksgiving holiday. We spent the holiday with Brian's Hanks side of the family.

The pies that Brian and I made for our Sunday feast: coconut cream and banoffe.

Gia, Jemm, Ruth, and Ruby.

Brian and Claire watching football.

Ruth started getting very tired on the car ride to Idaho Falls and put her stuffed cat on her head.

It was our first time staying in a hotel with all four of our kids! It went pretty well!

On Thanksgiving morning, we were able to stop by the cemetery to put flowers on my Grandpa Swensen's grave.

While in Idaho Falls, we were stopped on the road by a heard of cows. I found it rather entertaining.

Grandpa Hanks holding Ruth during Thanksgiving dinner.

Brian and all of his cousins that were able to attend.

Our family picture. I'm not sure what Wes was doing with his pose.

We went swimming at the hotel.

The adults went to a movie. Brian had me take this picture to show Wes. I think he secretly just needed a hug.

Cute cousins! Soren, Ruth, and Owen were all born within 11 months of each other.

Before we all left, we went to a trampoline place.

Ruth had a ton of fun!

The kids had a great time playing!

Wes, Sydney and Audrey playing in the foam pit.

Random Pictures from December 2014

Here are all of our random pictures from December 2014.

Sydney wanted me to tell "them" (the world wide web, I guess) that this was her first time making cookies.

Ruth in her little wagon.

Ornament from Grandma day!

Sydney was playing Twister by herself...it's still a challenge!

Brian playing with Claire.

Play date at Aunt Jennie's with Ruby, Jemma, and Gia.

Wes got a cool opportunity to be a part of the Christmas Toys for Tots program. He, and some classmates, got to go to Toys R Us and pick out $500 worth of toys each. So fun!

Wes and one of the Marines.

Jemma, Gia, Ruth, and Ruby having Christmas cookies for the First Presidency Devotional.

Lydia and Sydney decorating cookies.

Ryan and Wes.

Claire enjoying a bottle.

For story time at the library, Ruth got to frost a graham cracker. She thoroughly enjoyed the frosting and tossed the cracker.

Wes had a really fun winter music program at school.

Me and Wes in his class after the concert.

I finally got around to taking Sydney and some friends (Lydia, Wes, and Ryan) to Menchie's for Sydney's birthday outing.

Sydney was in charge of snack this day so we decided to make snowman cheese sticks!

Baby girl in daddy's shoes.

Our home teachers brought us this cool treat! Inside were a bunch of regular-sized Lindor Truffles. My favorite!

It was a rare moment when Ruth was cuddling with me so we had to document it.

Ruth reading with Grandma Hanks.

I couldn't get this to turn the correct way, but when Wes drew it before church and Brian and I saw the title, we were laughing so hard. It actually says, "dog shiP".

I took my two oldest to the Stake Christmas Concert. It was a rare treat to just hang out with them.

My 33rd birthday with my four kids.

Cute, sweet Claire.

Sydney meeting Santa Claus at the ward Christmas party.

We had a special visit from Great Grandma Ruth!

Wes had a class Christmas party and book exchange. We both thought these Olaf cupcakes were pretty cute!

While were in Seattle, we got to see our friends, Brandon and Lisa, who were in town from Texas.

After our trip to Seattle, we decided to put Ruth in a "big girl" bed since she had begun climbing out of her crib.

We had our 2nd annual cheese fondue and New Year's Eve celebration with our friends the Miners and the Ortons. It's always great fun!

The Miners, the Hanks, and the Ortons.

James Wesley Smith's Funeral

Brian's grandpa, James Wesley Smith passed away on December 18th. He was 93. The funeral was December 29th, so after Christmas, we had Brian's whole family at our house for two days and a night for the funeral. It was great to see everyone, just unfavorable circumstances.

Brian, Kevin, and Craig were playing a game their mom and dad brought. Brotherly fun and competition!

Since Brian's grandpa was in the Air Force, he had a military funeral.

Ruth ate some combs while everyone watched the flag folding.

Grandma Smith standing watching the flag folding.

I think this is such a sweet picture of Brian helping Ruth put a rose on her great grandpa's grave.

Brian's cousins and uncle saluting grandpa.

Our Hanks family picture.

Our attempt at getting the whole Dell and Colleen Hanks family in a picture. It was the first time we'd all been together in a looooong time!

Brian and "praying hands" Claire.