Day of Thanks, Day of Turkey, Day of Family, Night of Lights

We spent Thanksgiving in Utah, since Gas went below $1.70 YAYAYA!!

Jeff's mom Colleen was sweet and kind and let us stay in their home while they were in Hawaii!!

Thanksgiving Day we spent at Jeff's Aunt Paula & Uncle Kevin's home with the whole Thomas side Family!! We had so much fun.

Jeff, Anna Belle, Tietjen with Mema & Grandpa Thomas

Tietjen found a Spiderman costume of Jeff's cousin Jabob's... Tietjen wore it the entire night and the next morning! (That is Jeff's uncle Jerry holding him up)
Anna Belle slept through Thanksgiving Dinner so she ate her own small version as we all sat around and enjoyed each others company!!Anna Belle was the belle of the ball.... she found a stool just her size to sit and write at.
Anna Belle joined the girls in Maddion's room for some "Just Girl Fun". Anna Belle found the microphone and began singing her own songs!!

The next day we spent with Jeff's dad Richard and Danielle!!
We watched as Jeff & Drue put up the Christmas Lights on their home!

Tietjen & Anna Belle's cousins' Kolby & McKenizie came out to play also!!
The girls had to each have their "Baby"!!


Shantel & McKenzie enjoying the "NO SNOW"

That night we drove to Temple Square to see the Lights that we turned on that NIGHT!!

We had so much fun seeing all our family and being able to spend time with each!

We were very sad not to be able to spend time with Colleen & Dennis... but they called us on Thanksgiving Day from the BEACH!!!

We love our family All so much!! - We are very Grateful & Thankful for all we have.

Tietjen gets dressed

Tietjen....... what do you say about a 3 year old and their mind?????

This is him being funny about getting dressed!!!

He gets this from his Father!!

The first picture his white shirt in upside down, put the neck hole around his middle.. the second picture well... he just thought it was funn!!

Annie & her baby basket

Anna Belle is her own person, I mean that she has a strong personality, as someone told me last week. She does what SHE wants to do and no one can change her mind. Which sounds more like my sister Kimberly than me.

I found this basket from a gift when Tietjen was born. I gave it to her to put her "Baby doll" in. She now carries it EVERYWHERE and it sleeps on her bed with her. (as you can see from the first set of pictures).

Also, it has become her new stool to sit on and watch her favorite "Mickey Mouse Cartoons"! Those are the only ones she will watch??? Why we don't know. Because Tietjen mostly watches Star Wars or Thomas Train.

As you can see this is a repeating incident. She loves to have her baby in it's bed! Unfortunaly the basket is starting to break... oh well. (I think Grandma & Grandpa Kidd have something better for her for Christmas!!!)

Fall Leaves and Playing in them

We spent some time outside cleaning up our backyard leaves. Tietjen had more fun playing in them and Anna Belle just did her own thing like always!!!

the stress of Pictures!!

The experience of taking pictures is always one of terror and begging!!

Tietjen did very well, while Anna Belle's attitude shone through!!

Over all we were able to get one that we liked... but you won't see it here.. it's for Christmas!!

Enjoy!!

Such a Heart Breaker!!

The look this kid gives!!

We tried!!!

This was an accident pose, but way CUTE!!

A Moment of Reflection

This past Sunday morning, Jeff's great Grandmother, whom they called Nana passed away. She had just turned a 101 years old in October. We have been privledge to visit a few times and take 5 generation pictures with our children, Colleen (Grandma Awsumb) and Jeff's grandparents Thomas.

The following is her obituary in the Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah

Vida Dunlop Thomas 1907 ~ 2008 Vida Dunlop Thomas, beloved mother and Nana, passed away November 9th at the age of 101. Born to Mary Harman and John Dunlop October, 8, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Married Arthur Thomas June 26, 1930 in the Salt Lake Temple. Survived by children: Ann Thomas, Lyle Barton, Ross (Gayle) Thomas, and Gordon Thomas, 16 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren and 15 great great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, identical twin sister, Vera, one son, Arthur Del, a grandchild and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday November 13, 2008 at the Little Cottonwood 16th Ward Chapel, 6350 South Rodeo Lane. A viewing will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Memorial Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, and Thursday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment - Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South.



When Tietjen was just about 4-6 weeks old, we went to show Nana one of her Great Great Grandchildren!!
Tietjen with his "Grandmas"
5 Generation Picture:
Backrow: Jeff & Ross Thomas (Colleen's father)
Frontrow: Colleen, Nana holding Tietjen

After Anna Belle was born we made a special trip to get another 5 Generation Picture

Tietjen giving Nana a hug!!

We will miss you Nana, but we know that you are with Papa and Happy in Heaven!!

Hair Hair Hair

Anna Belle has an unual amount of hair for girl her age. She just turned 18 months and people are always commenting on her hair. Most of the little girls around her age that we know.. barely have anything. I also have strangers commenting on HOW little she is.

I finally figured out that they think.. she is older than she really is.

That for a 2 or 3 year old. Yes she would be short. But she is only 1 1/2!!!

This is how she looks every morning.....

I think she will be one of those teenagers that can look through their bangs and it not annoy them!!! She doesn't even seem to mind.


So, to the bathroom to do her HAIR!!

If I let her stand on the toilet and play with the hair stuff. She stand very well for me.

TA DA!!!! The finished product. A little bit of mousse for the back curls and she is set to go!!

And my daughter has a personality all her own!!

She did this her self. Tietjen & I were in the Kitchen and she came in like this!!

(she gets it from her father :)

Growing UP!!

Our little boy is growing up so fast.

I bought some 3T jeans that are rolled at the bottom. I have had to unpick that roll so that they are not high waters on him now!! When did he get the tall gene??

Also.... when we came back this past weekend from Utah. I did not get a pull up on him (which he uses at night) so he was very wet the next morning. He kept appoligizing to me. Then monday night he told me that he didn't want one. He of course wet the bed. Than Tuesday night same thing, did not want a pull up. So, in the middle of the night when I get up with Anna Belle (yes she still gets up - but I just put her on the couch and watch a movie for about an hour and than she goes back to bed) anyways... I got Tietjen up and took him to the bathroom. Next morning.. Just a tiny bit wet.

Okay this is getting better!!! Last night same routine. I got him up and let him go. And this mornging - HE WAS DRY!!!! YES!!! So.... I guess we are done with pull ups.

We love you Tietjen, you are growing up so big and strong!!











Okay so... as my Sister-In-Law Erin, likes to point out that we are a bit obsessed... Tietjen saw that we have a Star Wars Monopoly Game and wanted to play it. I let him have some of the pieces and he liked to look at the different scenes around the board. - The obsession started with his Father - many many years ago - Thanks Jeff honey for letting Tietjen play with your most prized possessions.

Addison's Blessing Day

Sunday came and we than drove from north of Salt Lake City to the south, to Orem where my littlest sister Brookie lives with her husband Aaron and their new baby girl Addison. Today was to be her blessing.
Holding our newest family member Addison!!

The girls love to be held by my mom, Nana

Every one wanting to hold Addison.

Then the Bigham boys wanted to hold Annie.

Bingham Family

Bedwell Family

Harding Family

All of US!!

The daughters with their daughters. Jillyn she only has boys. Some day she will be blessed with a strong willed daughter like we have been!



After we left my family, we made a quick stop to visit some very good friends of ours that just happen to be family(Jeff & Mike have the same great grandparents)

The Bevan Family

Aubrey with Dre, Mike with Bella and their 3 year old son Kai is mad and hiding.

We lived by the Bevan's while living in Utah over 3 years ago. Aubrey & I were pregnant with our boys at the same time.

We had lots of fun hanging out with them for a short bit. Miss you lots!