A "Cold" "Play" Thanksgiving!

So this past week has been a busy one! Sunday was Ben's birthday! We spent it at church, home relaxing, and then the Lorenzana's had us over for dinner. They made yummy pork tostadas and I made and brought Ben's favorite cake; lemon cake with orange cream cheese frosting! Michelle and Maya made these letters and designs and decorated the kitchen for his birthday! The kids had fun playing, but Sophia was extra cranky, so we had to leave earlier than normal!Monday morning Aubrie was complaining that her throat was hurting her. On the way to her dance class, that evening, she was still complaining. When I looked back in her throat, I could have sworn I saw white spots. I made a 5:20 Dr. appt., and we shifted gears. Instead of dance and dinner at home, Aubrie skipped dance and I met Ben and we took them to McDonalds ( I wasn't complaining about that part:), and then we headed to the Doctor. Sophia had been acting a little cranky since Sunday, so we had them check her out, too! The boys were getting antsy in the room, so I took them outside and had them do races to get out all of their energy. They had fun doing that. I need to remember that cool trick! When Ben walked out of the office, he told me what I didn't want to hear, "they don't have strep!" Sure that probably sounds bad to you, but I actually prefer that over a sore throat. You get the antibiotics, and "boom" your feeling better the next day. Aubrie's throat continued to hurt her through Thursday and Sophia had a high fever ( 103) through Thanksgiving. She was so clingy and loving, and she took a lot of naps! She was doing better by Friday! All the kids are well, but Ben lost his voice Tuesday night, and he is finally starting to feel better.

So, now a little back tracking....

Tuesday night Aubrie had a late recording for Choir. Ben told me not to make dinner, and that he had a surprise for me. After eating at Paradise Bakery, he sent me to pick up Aubrie, and handed me a white envelope to give to her. In the envelope was a big chunk of cash. He instructed Aubrie to help me find a great outfit for our date the next day. I have to admit that I felt some pressure. It's hard to step out of my normal "box", of jeans and a cotton shirt. A nice outfit?? What does that entail?? I didn't want to disappoint him with all the money he gave me. For a second I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman...with the hand full of money and clueless where to start (minus the skanky outfit, and the whole hooker part!) After about an hour, I got in to the shopping groove, and I walked out of the mall with more than one outfit, and surprisingly filled my bags with some types of "80's" attire :) I have to admit that I am liking the long sweaters. They are much more flattering!!!!

Wednesday Aubrie stayed home from school, and I figured I would spend the day cleaning up and getting paper products for Thanksgiving. Ben showed up at Noon with another envelope which had money to go get my hair cut. He had made an appointment with my hairstylist and he was ready for me to come in. So your probably thinking by now, "all this for a dinner date with the Lorenzana's?". That's what I was thinking...until Michelle tipped me off. The boys were surprising us with Cold Play tickets on the ground floor! I'm glad I found out, because I wanted to know what I was dressing for! Finding out the day of was just as exciting, and then I could be prepared.

We had a great time at the concert! The opening acts were less than desirable...everyone was cheering when they were done, only because we were glad it was over. Luckily Cold Play made up for it. They did such an amazing job. At one point they left the stage and played a few numbers up in the stands. Wish I had those seats!! What a surprise for those people! We got home around 11:00 and I went straight to bed. I had a lot to do to prepare for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving started with Ben going to the Turkey Bowl. Luckily he avoided another year of getting hurt! He has been complaining that his knee is hurting, but denies that football has anything to do with it. All I know is that he wasn't complaining before and now he is.....the things boys sacrifice for sports (yes I said "boys")! Guess I would go shopping on a broken ankle, though, so who am I to judge.

Anyway, while he was at football, my Mom, Aubrie and I worked on the food. Aubrie volunteered her services and was very excited to help! She made the sweet potato casserole and Shoepeg casserole. I supervised, but she basically did it herself. My Mom made stuffing, and I made a dessert. Ben, with my help ( and Marco's) , made his first Turkey and did a GREAT job! It was the best turkey I remember having! While food was cooking, Ben cleaned the upstairs and I cleaned the down and set up the tables. Here's how they turned out!! Matt and Nicole got here at 3, and people trickled in up to dinner, at 4:30. When we were ready to eat the kids were all playing outside. I suggested we start without them, and so that's what we did! It was such a nice relaxing dinner, not having to get kids plates and get them situated! As we were finishing, the kids trickled in for food! The boys played Rock Band, while the girls cleaned up. It was a lot of fun, and much better than watching a game, I think!! I had a "NO FOOTBALL" rule this Thanksgiving...I wasn't well liked by some that day! But's it's my house and I can do what I want to! LOL After Rock Band, some trickled outside by the fire pit, and some went home. Everyone had gone home by 7:00, except Joe. He stayed and watched Indiana Jones 4 with Mom and the kids. The kids were down by 9:30! Ahhh!!

Picture of cousins! Dinner Time! Play Time! Ethan on the guitar! Boston on vocals!

I was so tired and ready for bed, but instead of going to bed, Ben and I headed to the Outlet Stores with Michelle and her sister. It was Black Friday, one hour early. The exit to the outlet stores was so backed up! We sat in that lane for a good half an hour before we got through the light! We hit a lot of stores, but so many of them had lines too long to wait in. I left there with a good loot from the Gap, and a few things from some other stores. We ran into a lot of girls from church there. Ben was the only husband, totally securing his "metroness" (which I'm so proud of by the way!) It was nice to have someone carry all my bags and keep me safe from the crazy shoppers! ha! We ended up getting home around 2:00...ugh!! Friday was hard to get up!!

Friday was a long day of putting up Christmas decorations. Each year I seem to add more things, which means more stuff to put up! I'm almost done, minus some lights on my patio. I actually let the kids decorate the tree this year, without micro managing and redoing (OK I did move a few). Ben and I took turns napping, and then we got Panda Express/ Taco Bell for dinner. (They just opened up by our house!:) After the kids were in bed, we went to Target and Sonic, to have a little down time!

Saturday was a little more relaxing. Michelle and I headed to the mall around 11:00 with the Aubrie and Maya. We both found some great gift for our hubbies (Marco I'll never tell), and I found the gift I wanted for my Mom...a success!! We then hit Old Navy for some good deals! We both ended up going through the check out twice!! We then rushed home so Ben and Michelle could go to a baptism (not together!) for a guy in our Ward! Maya stayed at our house, and Michelle took Boston to her's, to play with Alex. Later that evening, they came over for pizza and hot tubing! They left at 9:00. I spent the rest of the night organizing and wrapping gifts.

Today I woke up feeling miserable, and so I stayed home with Sophia. Tamzen and Lee (great friends from college) were in town visiting her brother, and so they came by about 1:00! Tamzen and I were friends in college. We met Sophomore year, and after realizing we had something big in common, were inseparable! We are so alike in so many ways. When we read each other's blogs we feel like we are reading about ourselves. So after setting our "relationship up", as they pulled up to our house the first thing I notice (besides her cute short hair cut) is that she is wearing the same color shirt as me (green), with a white shirt under it (just like me) and the same color jeans that I have on! It looked like we planned it! Here we are dressed the same and the same length hair! It's like we were two friends in High School totally "planning" on copying each other! Ha! We gave them a quick tour of the house and then we sat in the backyard and talked for 3 1/2 hours. It was great catching up! Wish she lived closer! It had been 5 years since we saw them last. Their boys had grown up so much, especially their 11 year old, Brody, who looks like he is 13 or 14! All great boys!

After they left, I helped the kids practice piano (they haven't had nearly the time to practice their recital pieces like they did last year...YIKES!), and then we had dinner. Dinner was a Turkey casserole recipe that Boston brought home from school. He was so excited for me to make it. It tasted alright, but I'm not a huge Turkey fan, unless it's processed lunch meat! After dinner, we watched America's Funniest Home Video's and then put the kids to bed.

It was nice having several day's off from "reality"! Now it's back to not only the normal life, but a hyper drive next few weeks of recitals, dance performances, parties, etc....why can't the Christmas season be more relaxing? Guess it wouldn't be as much fun.....or would it?! One year I would just like to try doing NOTHING!!!