Thanksgiving

We were excited to get our holiday started early. The kids were drinking tons of caffeine to stay awake for Aunt Lisa's arrival. The excitement came to a hault when we got a late night call. My little cousin was in an accident, wrecked the car on her way to see us. Even though we were heart broke and very concerned about her, Thanksgiving day still came. We made the most of it. We cooked all day and filled our hearts and mind with good loving thoughts. Derek made the best pies we have ever had. By the time we served the feast we were all to stuffed to even finish one plate. We will be having Turkey dinner for weeks. I can say it was a great Thanksgiving, it opened our souls to what is important to us... Family. Lisa is doing ok, she had surgery Thanksgiving day and spent the holiday in a hospital far from her home and hours from us. But, we know she and her family felt loved and Thankful. Thanksgiving still came for them too, the hospital served them Turkey Dinner.

Gettin' ready for our day of Thanks.

The 65 degree weather makes it a little difficult to get in the Holiday spirit, but we are doing our best. We are so excited to share our new world with some family and friends. A few weeks ago Derek's (and Lil's)friend Tyson was in town and stopped by to have a barbeque with us (I know a barbeque in November, what the hell?!).
My little cousin and her family are coming to see us for Thanksgiving. We have a huge, amazing kitchen here that gives us plenty of room to drink while we cook our feast. And, I have a gravy boat! I know it sounds silly but you can't have Thanksgiving without one. I drove all over town to find one. It's gunna be a wonderful holiday. I have managed to blow our entire monthly grocery budget on this one meal. It has been difficult to instruct the children to leave the food alone until Thanksgiving.
It is a family (Tucker family) tradition to watch Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" after our Thanksgiving Feast. We have not had that movie the last few years, so we compromised with any Holiday movie we had. I am so excited to say this year we will be watching Bing Crosby!!!! I also stuck with the new tradition we made the last few years so we also have "A Nightare Before Christmas".

Not a Traditional "Bray" Halloween

Derek became a Tucker this Halloween. No raging party. No bathroom incidents. No bowling trophy for "best costume!" Just a calm relaxed Halloween with the kiddo's. Our attempts at a party were smashed with excuses that memorizing a map was more pressing. Oh and an Obama rally in a swing state stole some of our guests as well.

I passed out candy and Lil took the kids around the hood. I was a little jealous of all the other parents taking kids around. This state definitely has more of a party atmosphere than UT. Most adults were waiting at the curb with their own treats!

Harley and her friend Kiana were punk-rockers. Kodalee was Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. Tripp was Thomas the tank engine and a pumpkin. Seems that our 2.5 year old lost interest in the first costume half way through the day. The pics in the Thomas costume were a task. You can sort of make out that I was chasing him around to capture the pic.

We all carved pumpkins. What a blast. I must say Lil is far more artistic than I!

I also attached some photos of little Tripp attempting to be an urban rock climber. He is holding the window sill and climbing the wall in our room. What a goof!