Happy Thanksgiving!

Here in Nebraska they have a "downtown stroll" down the old main street in the historic downtown. It was really fun to take Alexis. There were allot of people singing Christmas Carols from different churches dressed up in old "Charles Dickens" style clothing. Some of the business's had drawings to enter, and Christmas cookies. Others had homemade mints and hot cocoa! It was freezing but a beautiful night. I wish the pictures were better. Sorry! Our camera ran out of batteries. I kept turning it on to quickly take a picture. I was able to squeeze out a few but didn't have enough time for some nice photos. Alexis loved the horse drawn carriage and wagon rides. She was so excited when we were riding on the wagon she looked up at the horses shook her head in disbelief and said "I just can't believe it!" How precious! She also got excited that Santa's house is up and he's going to be visiting soon. She said "I want to tell him I want a makeup bag and a real Barbie Car to ride on."

For Thanksgiving we will be here having our first ever cook it all by ourselves dinner (with some neighbors making a few things too). I was just changing the temperature on the oven for the pumpkin pies. Yum! It smells great. I hope they taste good too! We are having one of our neighbors over from the branch. A bunch of people are gathering for pie. There is a Branch turkey bowl tomorrow morning. It is a pretty big deal with the Branch here. They have a contest between the two quorums. They even have a trophy and tally of ongoing scores. It has been fun to see all the Christmas lights going up and to hear actual Christmas music playing in all the stores. I guess with being a small town the "only holiday music" thing hasn't caught on here. I really love the Christmas season and Give Thanks unto our Heavenly Father for all of our blessings. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Getting Ready to go on the Wagon ride!

Old Courthouse and Decorated Trees lit up. Holiday sign draped across the main street downtown

Wagon going by one of the stores with some cute window displays

A fun Bike shop with an old style bicycle decorated with lights

Shaun and Alexis at the Downtown Stroll!

Carriage Ride
Carriage and Fun TreesShaun and Alexis

New Bedroom Set

Alexis's new furniture. We found it at a used furniture mart downtown. It has been fun to fix it up and paint it. When I walked into the store I got all these ideas of what I could turn things into. I wish I could buy more furniture and had more room to store it so I could do some more fun projects. There is a buffet table that would make a really cute dresser. I liked the antique sewing desks, dressers, headboards, tables, etc. I saw a nice hutch that would make a cute toy shelf and an armoire that would be fun to turn into a sewing or craft storage cabinet.

Fun!

Yes we are still alive!

Yes we made it here to Nebraska! We are liking it here alot so far. The people are really nice and the town is quiet and layed back. Theres a cute little restaurant downtown that serves great homemade pies. Lots of little antique shops to brouse. We also get donuts from a fun shop called Daylight Donuts evey once in awhile. We are adjusting well and enjoying the beautiful fall trees and old town architecture here.

Finally we have the internet and a phone! When we went to hook up our phone they said it would take 2 1/2 weeks then because our doorbell is broken I didn't here the 8:30 a.m. knocking from the cable man. I was so upset that I missed him I was all geared up to have a phone again and we hadn't talked to our families to even tell them how our new place was other than a quick email at the (silent) library with Alexis spinning in the spare computer chairs! "So do you just have one maintenance man?" I asked the cable people calmly while the lady explained we were going to have to wait till Nov. 4th till a maintenance worker could come again. I really was thinking "What?!" "Are you crazy we have been here month already without a phone!"
We feel like we've been on a mission sortof the last month. First with the once a week contact to our families on library day. Second with being in a small branch here. Third speaking at babtisms, Fourth welcoming several investigators to church each week, and Fifth feeding the missionaries alot. I'm also the 2nd counselor in the relief society presidency now and lead the music and play the piano for the mutual christmas caroling (even though I never took lessons!). It really has been great though. We are really liking the opportunities to help and serve more.

Our latest happenings and updates: (not much it is a pretty relaxed and slow town)

• Trunk or Treat for the Columbus Branch
• Thursday story/crafts at the library
• Carving Pumpkins
• Trick or Treating at our apartment
• Building a thousand things out of left over moving boxes!
• Driving around and seeing the leaves and the old homes
• Going to the parks
• Making paper crafts with Alexis
• Reading the 3rd Eragon book
• Stake Conference in Lincoln Nebraska sat. and sun. going to Target and Toys-R-Us
• Practicing playing Christmas and church songs on the piano!

Cute story about Alexis today:

We were at a store I love to browse "the 2nd hand furniture store" looking for a headboard for Alexis's. Alexis was humming and singing differen't primary songs. Including I am a Child of God. It was really cute. We crossed the street to compare prices at a local furniture store for some nightstands. Alexis got louder with the singing "I love mudder she loves me I love daddy yes-sir-ee we are a happy family we are a happy family". She sang the whole time we were looking around the store. Where we were the only ones in there all the employees could here here sweet little voice. On the way up the stairs she was finishing the above line and the manager smiled and said, "You must have a happy family!"

Reflection, Job offer, Great Husband!

I was pondering during church today about trials and faith as I was reading from my church manuel. I am amazed at Joseph Smith, the trials he went through, his faith, his perserverence, his determination to serve Jesus Christ, etc. I am amazed at his wife Emma for her strength and endurance in faith amidst all the persecution they endured. This last year we have gone through some difficult trials. I don't want to go into a whole list or anything, but it's been a doozy of a year. I however had a bit of a reality check today reflecting on the life of the early saints and realizing as I often realize upon true meditation that my life really isn't all that difficult! In fact I feel truly blessed. (above picture is when we took a trip to Carthage Jail)

On a differen't note those of you wondering what we've been up to. Well you might have guessed-more camping! We headed up to the Uintah's once more this time with an air mattress and real food. It was great to sleep on a soft bed and to drive up to the camp site.

This past week Shaun got a job offer on a job in Nebraska! We are still working out all the details, but are moving toward accepting it. It will be another definite leap of faith for us. (most decisions are I guess).

My darling nephew turns 1 this week! Happy Birthday to Brigham!

I will be doing my sister-in-law's hair for homecoming. Yay! How fun!

Alexis got to go to Kindergarten twice and loves it! (my mom's a teacher)

My brother's wife is pregnant!

My sister's pregnant!

Shaun has been cooking up a storm in his spare time. It has been awesome. Anyone who knows him knows he likes to keep busy. It has been driving him nuts to be waiting on all the companies to get back with us and the interview stuff. He has always enjoyed trying and learning new things. Lately he ahs been cooking up many delicious recipes. Namely:

2 differen't kinds of peach pie

chocolate mousse pie

sweet beens and rice

fresh trout and pasta

lime fettecine alfredo and chicken

Marinated Grilled chicken

His own Wonderful made up Strawberry salad

Cream Pea soup

Homeade meatballs

I could go on! I'm so glad he loves to cook because it is great to sit back and let him enjoy it -I sure enjoy eating it too!

Just want to say how greatful I am for my awesome husband and all that he does for me and for our little family. I am so greatful for him in my life and the joy he brings to me!

Backpacking: A Love Hate Relationship!

We just got back from our 3rd backpacking trip as a married couple. We headed up to the Uintah's with my brother, Uncle and Cousin. Backpacking and I sort of have a love hate relationship. I love the mountains, the solitude, the smell of the pines, the beautiful reflections off the lake, the challenge, the fire, the friendship, the fishing, and the stories. I dislike however the aches and pains, the cold, sleeping in a confined mummy bag, the last few hours of hiking in to camp with a heavy pack, the sore feet, etc.

All in all this last trip was one of my favorites. I was a little more prepared for what to expect and knew what to bring- or not to bring (the lighter the better). It was nice to have a well groomed trail and shade. It was pretty cold this year and we ran into a little snow in our camp but we didn't get rained or snowed on. The fishing was really good. My little brother taught me how to fly fish too. I really think mountain house dinners (ready to eat meals that you add water to) are very good. We especially liked the pasta primavera, chicken polynesian and rice, and the raspberry crumble desert. The scenery was awesome! Enjoy the slide show of some of our pictures!