Thanksgiving week recap

Micah had a Thanksgiving "feast" at school. The second graders all sang songs and put on a program for the parents. They also made all the decorations for the cafeteria. Micah's class made these cute pumpkins out of panty hose. We were a little worried when we were asked to send in a pair, but relieved to see how they were used!
Micah did such a great job. His class sang a Thanksgiving song to the tune of "Gilligan's Island." Not that he knew what the "Gilligan's Island" music sounds like. I mean, I'm barely old enough to remember.
We made these indian corn sugar cookies at joy school. I had found the idea in an old Family Fun issue.
Thanksgiving morning. This is my turkey crew. Dudi always cooks the turkey. The boys have turned into his turkey apprentices-their wives will thank me someday.

The turkey.

We had a couple families over for dinner. All the food was so delicious!

Our family has so much to be thankful for. Each other, good friends, the gospel, and our country (just to name a few!).

Hope yours was great too!

New Moon

In honor of the "New Moon" release, I thought this post was fitting.

Being a HUGE "Twilight" fan I had to stop in Montepulciano when we were in Italy.
It's the city where all the "New Moon" Italy scenes where filmed. I know, I'm kinda pathetic... but I thought it was really awesome.

This is a view of the city on our drive up. It was so beautiful!

Some shots of the city as we were walking to the square. It was so quaint. But it got even better.

As I walked into the square something shiny caught my eye...

I wish (I also wish this picture wasn't so small).


Sadly, this is as close as I came to Edward.

BUT... here is the building that he walks out of in the movie. I did stand in the same place that he was.

These are the front doors... I'm sure he touched them.

And there were gorgeous views from the city.

This was an awesome old church in the same square where "New Moon" was filmed. I even recorded Dudi singing in this church.

Part of the square.

Dudi's Edward impersonation.

After Edward bit me.

Okay, it was Dudi.

I can't wait to see the movie. Especially the parts that were filmed in Montepulciano.

Fun Run 2009

The Fun Run is a big event around our house. Micah placed 5th in the mile last year (one place shy of getting a medal) and was determined to get one this year. We were bummed to find out that the run would take place while we were on our trip, so Micah opted to do the one mile relay with some friends instead of the solo run.

We were super excited that the race was rained out and we were actually back in time for it!

I can't tell you how excited Micah has been. The school starts practicing about a month before the race. After every practice we got a report from Micah.

Their relay team was destined for a medal.

They placed 2nd at each practice-it was money in the bank.

I tried to prepare Micah for the chance they wouldn't get a medal, but he was pretty optimistic.

Well, the big day came and here is how it went down (fingers crossed).

Introducing...


the cheering section.


Micah and Dudi.

You may think Micah looks in pain. Well, it wasn't just an untimely photo, he was in pain. Micah was the last leg of his relay (he wanted to be the one to run across the line) but when the kids started coming around the corner, no Micah. I finally saw him walk around the corner of the school.

My heart sunk.

Micah can run an entire mile, so 1/3rd of a mile was nothing- something was wrong.

I admit, I had to hold back the tears. I know how much this race meant to him and I was so crushed for him. He did run across the finish line though and then I found him. He was super sick. He looked at me and said he just wanted to go home.

Dudi filled me in that when it was their turn they took of running and then Micah just stopped. He couldn't breath and his stomach was hurting really bad. He wanted to finish the race though, so they walked it. I'm so proud of the little guy.

On the way home I told him he still had next year.

He told me that a year was a long time to wait.

What do you say to that...it is.

The relay team.

We found out that there was a good reason he couldn't run...
Pneumonia.

A "Pisa" Heaven

Oh, where to begin...
Dudi and I spent the last couple weeks in Italy and it was so AWESOME!!!! We had an incredible time and we were lucky enough to have Dudi's brother, Mark and his wife Elizabeth come with us. Not only were they great company and travel companions, but Mark served his mission there so he was able to act as translator!

I decided the best way for me to recap our trip, since I did take a few pictures (over 2,500), is to do multiple blogs instead of jamming it all into one. So over the next few weeks, I'll do my best to show my favorite/most memorable pics.

It really was so much fun. Thanks again to family and friends who watched the kids!!!!


Pisa.

We almost didn't visit Pisa, but we were too close not to. I'm so glad we fit it in. I loved it!


When compared to the other buildings around it, you realize just how much it is leaning. Such a neat place.
WARNING: Since we had another couple with us, aka- personal photographers, you will see more of Dudi and I than usual!

Halloween 2009

Olivia's "happy" pumpkin.
The kids and their creations. Asher's pumpkin was the hardest pumpkin ever! We actually broke one of the carving knives while carving/hacking it. Micah carved his all by himself. They did a good job and had lots of fun!


Obi-Wan Kenobi



Clone wars Anakin


Olivia insisted that Dudi be Peter Pan. Of course he couldn't resist her! I was Wendy for the ward trunk-or-treat, but not for trick-or-treat.


Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. Olivia called everyone by their costume names the entire time. She totally kept character.

It was a fun Halloween and the rain held off!