So Much to be Thankful for...

I didn't have to work this Thanksgiving and it was so nice to have a 4 day weekend to spend with family.  Even though this has been a hard year, it has also been filled with many blessings.  I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ, His atonement and the restored Gospel, it has brought peace and comfort and been the light during my dark times. Very close second is my best friend, my eternal companion and my #1 support, my WONDERFUL AMAZING husband. I am so grateful for family and good friends. I have had a few friends come into my life this year that have been heaven sent (you know who you are). We have been blessed to have good health, this year the Dr told Nick he was officially cancer free and considered cured-this is a HUGE milestone. The list goes on and on, I feel very humble and grateful.

 We ran a 4 mile turkey trot Thursday morning (thankful for the nice weather). I was able to keep a good pace (9:30 mile) and ran it in 38:08. Nick finished in 36:14 and his sister Lisa ran it in 27:12 !!  It was my family's turn for Thanksgiving dinner this year, we had my cousins Austin and Ethan (at BYU-I) and Chelsey and Kylie (at BYU) all siblings from Chicago join us. There was plenty of yummy food

Friday Nick and I put up our Christmas tree and decorations (YAY!!) Saturday the Whiting family went out to dinner at the Lion House and then looked at the lights on Temple Square (again thankful for the nice weather)

Let the Holidays BEGIN!

Last night we kicked off the holiday season at the Shops at the Riverwoods. They turned on their Christmas lights (which are quite impressive), Santa was there, as well as free cookies and carriage rides. Jon Schmidt performed a mini concert (he is amazing!) just as he was finishing his last song it began to snow, the first snow of the season! They couldn't have timed that any better you really felt the magic of Christmas :)

Afterwards we drove to the Thanksgiving Point theater to see...

My sisters and Nick's youngest sister came, along with my BFF Julie. Nick was one of only 4 guys in the entire theater (he's been watching football all day today to make up for loosing his "man card") If you're a twilight fan, you'll love the movie. This book was my least favorite of the series but they did a pretty good job translating it onto the big screen. It is a little steamy and kinda werid (demon vampire baby) but then again so was the book. I will admit I am a bit of a nerd (ok a HUGE nerd but a closet nerd) I love Harry Potter too (saw that on opening day) still think HP 7.2 was better that BD p1........don't judge me :)

Pumpkin Carving

I know Halloween is over but I have one last post before we move onto the next holiday (CHRISTMAS!!) ok ok Thanksgiving first. Nick won't let me put up any Christmas decorations until Nov 25th. Sunday night we went to my parents house and carved pumpkins. It's been a couple years since Nick and I carved pumpkins, I think the last time we were dating.

 We decided to go old school and carve traditional 

Jack-o-Lantern faces