Thanksgiving 2015

Highlights of our Thanksgiving in College Station with the McKneelys

Traditional turkey making:

Traditional soccer game:

"Just Dance" on Wii:

Lots and lots of games:

And what was the highlight of the weekend was a family skype call with those that couldn't come.  Joseph and Liz announced that they're expecting....TWINS!  A few minor concerns with that pregnancy so we're praying for them, but super excited for babies!

Lindsey is a Marvelous Maverick and has a Watch Dog

Lindsey had the honor of being selected by her teacher to be the "Marvelous Maverick".  This is always an honor that is a surprise.  It was great that Stephen and I were both able to be there with her.  Her smile says it all.  We're so proud of this girl for working hard and being a friend to everyone.

Also, as is the tradition around our kid's birthdays, Stephen takes the day off from work and is the "Watch Dog" on campus.  He spends the day with the kids floating from one class to another.  His first time with 4 kids to juggle means that he won't get to all of them and he spent most his time with Lindsey.

Kaitlyn the musician

Kaitlyn is artistic.  She loves music.  She plays the piano beautifully, and sings her heart out in MCO.  So when she decided to add to her musical interest by taking on the flute in 6th grade we supported her.  Here she is at her first band concert.  And what's even more awesome, it was only about 20 minutes.  YES!

Piano Recital

We were grateful to take advantage of all our family being in town for Lindsey's baptism and they got to attend the piano recital of Sam and Lindsey.

They did great!  We're so grateful for their teacher, Hilary Hess!

Lindsey is baptized!

One of the most special days in our family's history happened on November 7, 2015.  Lindsey chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was such a special day with so many things I hope we never forget.

The first one is this dress.When my mom died we buried her in her favorite temple dress, but she had a second one.  My sister in law Summer suggested we take it and make it into an heirloom baptism dress for her grand daughters.  Lindsey was the first to wear it.  When it arrived and I cried.  It is just perfect, and I know that mom won't be far on Lindsey's special day.

We were blessed to be surrounded by family:

And another small miracle happened.  We prepared wonderful invitations to give to friends and neighbors.  Some of the friends she wanted most to come were from her soccer team.  When we initially scheduled her baptism there wasn't a conflict with her game schedule.  But due to a super rainy season, a make up game was scheduled at the same time as her baptism thus making it not possible for her friends to come.  Lindsey prayed that it would rain so that her friends would be able to come to her baptism.  There wasn't any rain in the forecast at all.  But wouldn't you know, it rained just enough that morning to cancel her game.  Her friend Rachel (left) was determined to come even if she had to miss her game.  When her friend Carys (on the right) realized her game was cancelled she enthusiastically asked to come.  Their families accompanied them.  It was amazing!

And another friend surprised us by coming, Isabella Byrne, a friend from school whose mom is taking the missionary lessons.  You could tell it made an impact on her.

We also were blessed to have neighbors that are dear dear friends come as well.  The Spirit at her baptism was so very strong.  I know it left an impression on these friends.  They felt it such a privilege to witness something so special.

Lindsey got to have TWO white dresses on her baptism day.  She was baptized in her Grandma Lewis' dress but then Grandma McKneely gave her a dress to wear after she was baptized.  She really outdid herself, it is gorgeous and Lindsey looks like a princess in it!

We are so proud of this sweet girl and her decision to follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized.

Halloween

For Halloween we had a Spiderman, a Ninja, Cruella Deville, and a bag of jelly beans.  

The "Trunk or Treat" at church was a success, immediately followed by trick or treating through the neighborhood.

Kaitlyn went with friends (AHHH, she's getting older) and the rest of us tagged along with our friends the Teson's and Hess'.

Happy Halloween!

Max the Monkey

Matthew got to bring home the class mascot on a VERY important weekend, that of Halloween.

He had a lot of time with him, and even took this photo of him himself, I discovered it on my phone.  

Silly Matthew.

Zoe Hastings

The LONGEST week of my life and the hardest thing I've ever done in my calling.

A sweet 18 year old girl, the daughter of a bishop, was kidnapped on her way to missionary prep class.  Her body was found a couple days later in a wooded area near the church.  She'd been stabbed.

In my assignment as Public Affairs Director for The Church in the Dallas Area, it became my role to help handle the media on behalf of the family.

Amazingly (no coincidence) I had JUST received training on how to handle high profile deaths with the media.  And that training got put to the test.  I am grateful for the professional expertise of the Media Specialist on my council, Karen McDonough.  She was uniquely qualified to handle this.

So many miracles happened in this week.  It was an honor to be of help and service to this family.

Cute Clara

I got to spend the day with this cute girl while her mom took a break and went to the Temple.  There was a fun play group activity with her ward where we got to paint a pumpkin.  We stopped by the store to get one, while she chose the one in her hands, it would have been fun to get this HUGE one!

Kevin and Laura Day get married!

Stephen's cousin Kevin got married in Tyler.  We joined with many McKneely/Day family for the wedding.

Our children were the ONLY children at the event.  Thankfully they were well behaved and charmed everyone.  And thankfully we've been to many wedding receptions and when they get out on the dance floor they really get going and had so much fun.

Matthew even caught the garter!

Marvelous Maverick

This girl was chosen by her teacher as the "Marvelous Maverick", we think she's pretty special too.  Way to go K!

Something else that's special is that Kaitlyn earned a book this past summer called "The Evolution of Calpernia Tate".  It's a book that Grandma McKneely remembered reading when she was younger, and so she and Kaitlyn began to read it together.  Sometimes in person but most of the time over the phone with each other.  What a special way for Susan to make a connection with Kaitlyn.  They both have laughed and laughed while reading this book.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my children's lives.

Mare and Randall

One of my best friends from college, my room-roommate Marianne Harris and her husband have been considering a move here to Dallas.  Randall is a pilot for Virgin American Airlines and since they have a hub at Dallas Love Field, and since housing is affordable here in Dallas.

We've had very full days looking at way too many houses, it's definitely a sellers market in Dallas right now and you have to work FAST to secure a house.  It's been a bit stressful.  But I've been so thrilled to be with Marianne again.

It has been nearly 15 years since I've seen "My Mare" and not only does she still love me, but she and Randall have fallen in love with my children.  I can't wait for them to move here.

When they're here, they stay in our guest room.  That same guest room is our "Lego room" when we don't have guests.  On a return visit, my children built them a message of "hello".  When Mare and Randall had to catch an early flight home, we found this fun message in the guest room after they left.

I am blessed with great friends. A couple of them have been staying with me for a few days and not only do they still love me, they've fallen in love with my children. When they stay, they stay in the guest room which, when we don't have guests, is also known as the "Lego room" because it's where we store and play with Legos. My sweet kids welcomed them with a "Hello" made out of Legos. When my friends had to leave super early this morning before they had a chance to say goodbye, my clever and thoughtful friends made them this note. They are the BEST!