Thanksgiving at the Beuses

 The kids were so excited to head up to Grandpa and Grandma Beus's house and see all their cousins. We don't have school the week of Thanksgiving so each day we did a house project (I can't seem to find time to do all of it anymore). They were troopers and we cleaned like crazy people, getting done all those deep cleaning things that should be done at least once a year. 

For their reward we went to the library on our way out of town and ate lunch at Artic Circle and they were happy, happy campers. 

 We showed up for dinner on Wednesday night and the kids were immediately in the dress up box. Grandma has quite the conglomeration of outfits and they love it. For instance, Luke is a "half white wolf, half human". Can't you tell that!?

 I started on the pies as soon as dinner was over--that's usually my job when I get into town. We made 2 apples, 2 cherries (one of my least favorite pies ever!!), 1 blackberry, and 6 pumpkin. Whew--that was a late night. But man did they sure taste delicious!

 One of my goals this trip was to actually take pictures. I usually forget my camera or just don't remember but this time was going to be different. Sam with 2 of his brothers and his dad. They love to sit and visit and laugh their heads off. They get a long amazingly and have such a great time together.

 A puzzle is always out and it's one of Sam's moms favorite things to do in the whole world. This one this year was super. super hard!

 Luke played with his cousin Sam the whole entire time. They were inseparable, well except for the time Luke accidentally hit Sam in the eye and gave him a black eye. Here they are building a fort.

 Here are some of the "steal sticks" players. This game was played from morning until midnight--totally not joking on that. The kids played CONSTANTLY and were very happy until Seth earned the worst injury of the week. He tripped over Brian and fractured a small bone in his wrist and got some terrible concrete burns on his arm, shoulder, hip, and knee. He tried so hard not to cry but man was it super hard to not do it!

 Then I got to be the "photographer" for these girl's wrestling match. These are Sam's two oldest sisters and his youngest. Their before shot...

 Middle...

 Middle...

 Oh no the grandkids wants to join in...

 and even more come...

 watch out...

 and missed the end since Jessica ended up with a broken nose. Yikes!! Guess that was the end of that!

 We sure had a great time though. The older grandkids loved playing games and we all surprised Sam's parents with an early Christmas present (should of gotten a picture of that!). We all went in on a flat screen TV. We bought it, set it all up, rearranged their house in the process, and surprised them in the morning (that was another very late night). They sure loved it. Yeah!!!

 Saturday after packing up I had the opportunity to take Seth and Sarah to Catching Fire at the theater. We had a fabulous time together and we all loved it!

 (creeper Seth)

Afterwards we loaded up, and headed to see the lights at Temple Square while we waited for Emily and Jessica (my sisters) to call us. We were going to meet them for dinner to meet Jessica's fiance who we've never met. Man was Temple Square packed. So crazy!!

After super craziness for them, a late plane, their car breaking down we drove down the freeway a ways and finally had to stop to feed the kids dinner (7:45 and they thought they were going to die from hunger). We stopped and ate at Red Robin, and were finally able to meet Ken and see my sisters. So excited for Jessica!! It was so good to see them and besides getting home at 1am we loved our long, fun weekend!!