Thanksgiving in Nova Scotia 2010

Thanksgiving is celebrated in October in Canada. So, when American Thanksgiving comes around it's just like another day. Justin goes to school, I attend mutual with the young women, and before you know it, it has come and gone. 

But not forgotten. 

The kids all geared up and ready to roll. Any reason to get out of the house is an exciting reason, especially if it's for a Thanksgiving Feast! And, they were excited. Miley had spent most of thanksgiving day calling our parents to say "Happy Thanksgiving!" Now, today she got to experience the real deal!

We gathered at the griffins with the other Utah families. Nothing can replacing being with our actual family, but this was a close second, and we were really grateful to Brandon and Carolyn for making things so special for our families to celebrate and make memories. 

Here is our little family. The camera loves Miley. 

I wasn't able to get a picture of all the families since some were spread out, cooking, and chasing after kids. But, here are a few of the one's who were together when I had my camera ready. 

Our family away from family:

Dave and Karli White

Jake and Melese Sorensen

Jolynne Taylor and her boys

Cory and Tricia Murray

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Our meal really was so tasty. Comfort food all the way. 

The rest of the evening we spent visiting and watching the kids play. 

Helene is my best friend in Nova Scotia, and one I don't know what I would do without. 

So, I enjoyed every minute we were able to visit. 

Miley makes the party. Here she is doing her stand up comedy. Always making people smile. It's what she does best. The room was loving the Mi Mi.

Confession Corner: Out of 365 days in the year, there is 1 when I feel particularly homesick, and that 1 day would be Thanksgiving. It kind of gives a somber feeling when you know family is back home gathering, and spending a holiday break together, and you are here going to school, and doing the same old thing. The community around you doesn't blink an eye over the fact that it is Thanksgiving day.
So, regardless of the dynamics, or differences between individuals or families, this is a special day, and it is the people here that make it that way. We are grateful to celebrate with them, and have things feel, for a minute, like home.

Happy Thanksgiving.

New Christmas Tradish Number 1

Okay, Okay, so my Thanksgiving Mantle didn`t last very long. But, we are still feeling thankful! We just had a weekend approach us that made a lot more sense to use taking down fall, and setting up Christmas.
This Christmas is our first in Nova Scotia with just the four of us. Since we don`t have family to occupy our time, and help fill our holiday season, we have to create Christmas on our own this year.

We started by deciding to create and carry out our own new family traditions. Traditions that will make this year special, as well as years to come.

 There is no better way to get a jump on our holiday traditions than the very day we bring christmas out. We got started early and had ourselves a little Christmas Kick Off Party! We spent Saturday listening to christmas music as we decked the halls. We set up the tree, and decorated every corner of the house with santa`s and snowmen. I made a nice warm batch of homemade cheese soup for dinner, and afterwards we decorated a gingerbread house together as a new fun family tradition.

Miley got the idea that the candy is suppossed to decorate the house, but that didn`t stop her from putting it straight in her mouth!

We did finsh, although there would have probably been more candy had Miley not been such a great helper!! ;) Not too shabby for our very first gingerbread house ever!

The spirit of christmas has filled our home, and it was particularly strong on this special day, so I think this is a tradition we will have to keep!

Flashback Through Fall

I just wanted to add some of my favorite pictures from this fall. All of which were taken by Helene. She is remarkable with a camera, and I love it when I get pictures from her, especially when they are of my favorite subject.

I don't want to forget any of our outings and get-togethers. Miley is the only little girl up her with a whole bunch of boys. She is such a good sport to go along with the gang. 

I don't ever want to forget how happy Scotlin was this day. The boy loves the playground. He is a great climber. 

These two are lucky to have each other. They are best friends. 

Always such a happy boy!

Me apple picking with Kingston. 

The group visiting the Dad's at Dal on Halloween. 

We sure have enjoyed this fall. It's getting colder, so we are not getting out as much. But, I am sure glad we enjoyed it while we could, and spent the majority of our time outside when the weather was nice!

Halloween Part 2 & 3

Tonight we had the ward Trunk or treat to attend. I had to help out with set up and games before hand, so we headed over a little early. We had to snap a few pictures of the kids in their costumes first. Miley has got this cheesy smile down pat. We thought if we taught her to laugh instead of smile the cheesy smile we might be able to capture her sweet little face smiling normal. It didn't work. ;)

Scotlin is in the phase of transitioning to one nap a day. This phase isn't fun for any of us. One nap is not enough, and two naps are pretty much impossible. He fell asleep on the way to the party which is what he has been doing anytime we take a ride in the afternoon.

The ward party was a hit. Mainly because Miley is old enough this year to get excited about parties, and enjoy them. It is sooo fun watching her run around with friends, get excited to color, and decorate pumpkins. We love it when she's happy. 

More 'CHEESE!' smile...

She really loved this party. 

We skipped out on the trunk or treat. We didn't want the kids out in the cold, plus they've already gathered enough candy, and consumed enough candy to last them a lifetime. We thought it best to get home, get cleaned up, and enjoy the night as a family. 

This year trick or treaters were extra fun because the kids were so excited every time the doorbell rang. Their both at an age where it's still cool to be home passing out candy instead of being the ones out receiving the candy. Miley loved it when the trick or treaters came to the door. In between kids coming to the door she would sit on the couch keeping watch out the window. The neighbors across the street have the sidewalk on their side, so we weren't getting as many trick or treaters as there were across the street. "Come over here, trick or treaters!" Miley would say through the window. 

When the trick or treaters would ring the door bell, Miley and Scotlin would bolt towards the door. 

and after they had come and gone, it was hard to get them back inside the house. 

They were having too much fun together. They would run down the length of the porch squealing and laughing. Miley helped pass out the candy to the kids. She didn't like kids wearing masks though. She called them "scary guys" and hesitated to put candy in their bags.

After the candy bowl was cleared out we turned off our front porch light, and went to settle the kids into bed. The two of them were just a sticky mess from all the candy and parties. After a nice warm bath, and a good teeth brushing they were off to bed and happy. 

I'd say the weekend was a success. 

Happy Halloween!