Day before Thanksgiving Knudsen/Johnson dinner

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. The day before we celebrated with Rick's family. Rick and I hosted at our home. I think it turned out really nice. We had 18 people for dinner. All went well and the company was great. It was so nice to see the Johnson's again! Lots and lots of delicious food!
The boys at the No Adults Aloud table : ) They thought they were pretty hot stuff!

Day before Thanksgiving bunch!

The day before Thanksgiving we had the opportunity to host some of Rick's family for dinner. They came from Minnesota, Arizona, and Provo. We had such a great time with them. The dinner turned out nice and the company was great.

Our last family picture was when Talon was 3 months old. He is now 7.
One of my favorite parts of getting together was taking 3 of my cute nieces to a Zumbathon! It was so fun to have them along. We went a bit after dinner so we were stuffed but still had a great time. They are troopers, they borrowed my workout clothes and shoes and just went for it. Thanks girls! Love ya!

Flashback Friday

I haven't posted a Flashback Friday for along time. This picture just melts my heart and makes me smile. What a good brother Keaton is. This is when Carter was just a little one. Oh how time gets away from us doesn't it. I just love how Keaton is looking/studying his new little brother.

Keaton taking it easy

Over the summer we went to Lagoon. We only made it to Lagoona beach a couple of times, but when we went we had such a great time. This is a picture of Keaton taking it easy in the shade after playing hard in the water. Keaton loves the water. He had to be a sport and help me out with his little brothers a lot when we were there though. I know he would have loved to do the bigger things, but he is a trooper and didn't complain. Next year Talon will be able to do a lot more and the two of them will have a blast! Isn't he just getting so big....a couple more inches and he will be as tall as me!

A special feeling..........

I have been debating whether or not to post this but I decided to go for it. This is a type of journal for my family and I would like for the boys to remember yesterday. I had a few things posted on ksl.com. One of them was a dryer that I had posted for $75. I got a few calls and then a couple days went on. A lady called and asked if I would take $65. Others had asked but I told them no. I told her yes and we set up a time for her to pick it up. All throughout the day yesterday I kept having a feeling that I needed to do something for someone. Before the lady arrived I told the boys I had an idea.....we could let the lady have the dryer for free. I told them that we don't know anything about her, but I thought she was the one I needed to help. They were so excited and thought it was a great idea.

Her husband came to the door and went to the garage for the dryer (the boys were skipping around with big smiles on their faces). He checked it out a bit and thanked me for being willing to take $65. I then told him that we talked about it wanted to give it to him for free. He got a bit teary eyed and shook my hand and said thank you. He went to his vehicle and got his wife to help move it. She walked over to me and said....my husband just told me what you are doing for us. She was also teary eyed, she shook my hand and said I had no idea how much this meant to them. They didn't know how they were going to pay for Christmas and gasoline for their vehicle. They had a little infant crying in the vehicle and a boy about 8 or so with them. They thanked me again once it was loaded up and I told them Merry Christmas.

The boys and I went inside. I felt so great. They told me how happy it made them feel too. We were able to feel the love of giving without receiving. We were able to help someone by listening to my prompting. I am so grateful for my sweet children and the wonderful opportunity we had to help someone we didn't even know. What a special feeling!

Grandma Salmon

I've been thinking about my Grandparents a lot lately. I don't get over to visit them often. It is a bit stressful visiting with all the kiddo's in tow. Last week after church Keaton and I drove out to visit them. When I first saw them I was a bit sad because I realized how much time has gone on since my last visit. Then I decided to make the best of my visit and move on. Grandma had a bunch of crafts that she was trying to figure out how to divvy up for the kids for Christmas. I stepped in and helped her out. It was nice to work together as a team to get the job done. As I look back at my younger years I can see how my Grandma helped shape who I am today. Some of the memories I have with her are.....cake decorating, painting ceramics, oil painting, Christmas decorating, Easter egg hunts, candy making, puzzles, sleep overs, working at the swap meet, loving all her jewelry, getting tickled by her long finger nails, all the help she gave me with Keaton while I was a single mom, french braids, taking me out to drive, going to the Disney movies, cracking walnuts, getting calendars, thoughtful cards for birthdays and holidays, and I suppose I could go on and on. I am thinking that I need to visit more often and not only rely on phone calls. I love her.

Carter turned 4

FOUR, my baby turned 4! The night before his b-day I was getting a bit sad to think he was having another birthday. My kids are all growing up and I miss the little guys. I love the new big guys but you know what I mean. Carter was not sad whatsoever. He was waiting for his b-day to arrive FOREVER according to him.

Checking out his b-day cake (can you tell it is a pirate? Not my best work but hey he loved it, that's all that matters : )
Carter is such a loving boy. He brings our home so much happiness. He loves his brothers like crazy. They in turn love him back ten fold. He is getting so grown up I just can't believe it.