Thanksgiving 2020

Thanksgiving was simply perfect this year. We had initially planned on camping on the coast Thanksgiving weekend. Because of that, we decided to have our Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday, because, why not? So I woke up Tuesday morning, I streamed my specially curated autumn playlist and set the table for our dinner:

Then I got to work in the kitchen. Slowly, kids joined me and soon the kitchen was bustling with busy hands preparing a delicious meal. 

I never enlisted the help from my kids before, but quickly I realized this was a new tradition. I prepped myself the night before, recognizing if I included the kids, it would be a very different level of productivity and damage control, meaning I'd have to let go a little bit and be flexible. What I did not anticipate was how much fun we would have, and how much we would laugh together. Every dish we made, a child was involved in the preparation. This changed my entire outlook on the day, and I found what I used to enjoy as my "me-time" in the kitchen was easily surpassed by the value of the "us-time."

William and Matthew helped make the pumpkin cheesecake, the sweet potato casserole, and helped with the mashed potatoes.

Cate made the apple pie and the dinner rolls.

Johnny made the Jello, helped prep the turkey, make the green bean casserole, peel the mashed potatoes and make the stuffing.

We played Thanksgiving Bingo, Don't Eat Pete the Turkey, and watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving for the 20th time.

We we finally sat down to eat together, there was such a beautiful feeling in the house. My heart swelled with gratitude for the season of life I am in. We went around the table and shared what we were grateful for. I think something I love in particular about my growing family is the laughter. The kids are all developing such unique senses of humor, and it isn't uncommon for us all to crack up around the table.

Here is our gratitude board this year, some of the writing by Johnny is hard to see, but him and Cate got really into this year!

Right as we were taking out the turkey, we realized we needed to make a trip to Rexburg for John's charity. This shifted our plans significantly. As soon as dinner was through and we had our "Thanksgiving Moment." It as a mad rush as we excitedly prepped for our trip. Cate was on kitchen duty, Johnny helped me gather all the Thanksgiving decor so we could pack it up. I'm sure William and Matthew were being helpful somewhere, haha. John was prepping other things for the trip. Long story short, we cleaned up Thanksgiving, packed up fall, loaded a car for our trip, and decorated the house for Christmas in one swift night. John, who was our main driver the next day, went to bed early, as did Matthew. The kids were excited to get their Christmas teddy bears out of storage, and were quite invested in turning our home into a mini North Pole. We were mighty proud of ourselves. We finished at midnight and Cate, Johnny, William and I finally brought out the pies. We sat around the table complimenting each other on our baking skills. Then I read a few lingering Thanksgiving books to the kids as they literally fell asleep. It was a magical day. I am so grateful we were able to have this little celebration as a family before we took off to be with friends and family. I will cherish it always.

We started at the Hellmann's house, where we celebrated Thanksgiving. We also watched "The Forgotten Carols" (A tradition from John's family.) We also made nativities for families who lost their homes in the Almeda fire. 

Next, we swung by John's parents' house. This is always a pleasure.

Everyone opened their Christmas presents.

We stopped by and saw Brit and Adam (and Shay, Kevin, and Spencer) for a bit. John took Adam's bike for a spin.

We stayed the night at my mom's house. I love her home at any holiday, there are so many details and when I walk in, it feels like being embraced by everything I cherish in my memories growing up.

We played some Christmas games.

We headed back home early the next day. It was a great drive and we worked hard to make a dent in our finish-the-Book-of-Mormon-by-the-end-of-the-year-goal. It was so nice to come home to CHRISTMAS. We wasted no time and Tuesday morning found us opening advent calendars, reading Christmas books, making candy cane hot cocoa, and playing Christmas music.

And this was a random picture William drew of me making cookies for William and Luke.

"All the Brassells" Family Pictures

Back in May, we had a family reunion with John's family. It was seriously dreamy. One evening we had a family take some pictures of the group. Spencer was gearing up to leave on his mission, and this would be the last time we were all together. I usually dread large family pictures, I just feel like there is so much pressure, and some times they don't even turn out. This time it was so low key and felt so authentic, it was a good time.  It is fun to look at this pictures and see a still shot of where we all are at this place in time. 

Love these pictures of people I love!

Also, I love, LOVE these candid(ish) images John's mom got after the nicer pictures were taken

Matthew's Blessing

November 1st, 2015.  

One year ago this day I found out I was pregnant. I was so scared. John and I both felt strong impressions that we needed to have another baby, but it was a big leap of faith. At the time our future was a complete blur of unkown. Not to mention, we had no idea how we would rise up to the challenge of four kids under six.  Our nerves soon turned to excitement as we began to anticipate all the special feelings a new baby would bring.  

One year later, I would have never guessed I would be where we are right now. Many of the uncertain aspects of our life are even more uncertain than they were when we decided to bring Matthew in this world. But one thing has remained a light and a joy in our life, and that is this little baby sent to us from Heaven.  I know, that sounds cheesy, but really- Matthew has been such a precious gift in our home.  Because of him, we have been able to focus in on what is most important in our lives: our family and our faith.  It is remarkable to me how God blesses us as we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  A year ago, it was subtle, but it was sure. Our family needed Matthew. I thought I knew what that meant at the time, but a year later I realize I only understood a glimpse of what God had in store.  Matthew has been a beacon of hope and binding force in our family.

God's plan for his children is remarkable.

I am so glad we got bless this smiley baby yesterday!

He wore John's blessing outfit, which was special. He was particularly pleasant all day, it was as if he knew it was his special day.  

Typically, babies are held by all the men in the circle in a laying-down position, Matthew sat up the whole time, haha. I guess that is what happens when you wait until they are three months? He was just so curious!  My favorite part of his blessing was when John talked about how his happiness and faith will be a light to others. I hope I can provide a home that will foster his cheerful disposition. 

Here's our growing family!

Both mine and John's family came up for the blessing. It was so wonderful to have them all there to support us. I am grateful for the extended family my kids have to turn to for guidance and role models.

 After the blessing we headed back to our cinderblock paradise for some taco soup and pumpkin bars.

Johnny and my dad playing rock,paper, scissors.

The grandmas and Matthew.

Shaylee, Brittany, Becca

Becca and Matt

 It was such a beautiful day, and a perfect way to start a month dedicated to gratitude. 

I am so grateful to be this boy's mother.

Some Brassells Came on Over

John's dad stopped in for a night since he was in the area for some training.  It is just so fun, I just love my father in law.  The kids were so excited- as was John.  In true father/son fashion, they worked on a motor scooter John's dad brought up for Caity almost as soon as he got here!

(insert picture of the men tinkering)

It was fun staying up and talking.  The next day, Caity got to show her grandpa her school, he always knows how to make her feel special and I think she thought pretty highly of herself showing him around.  Then, he took off to watch John being all lawer-y in federal court doing sentencings, which John said wasn't too big of a deal but I'm over here like, "for YOU, for the guys getting sentenced it's the biggest day of their life!" John's dad pointed out how cool it was that John was representing the United States of America and gosh, when he put it that way- I realized how cool it really was!  It has been such an awesome opportunity for John to work in the US Attorney's office the past few months.  John said they had a good time catching up over lunch and spending time together.  I love when they get to spend time together.

The same day John's dad left, Shaylee and Kevin came to visit! It was so good seeing them. We just love those two. I married John when Shaylee was only 13 years old, we shared a room when I went to visit and immediately she felt like my sister away from my sister (they are only a month a part in age.)  Her and Kevin got married a year ago and they just make a great pair.  We had fun hanging out and spending time together.

In efforts to not be as boring as we usually seem to be and overload on Netflix, we thought we'd give the Boise River another go and we didn't even come close to dying this time, so that was good. Bad news: Shay and Kevin lost their Go-Pro camera! The same Go-Pro that they bought less than a month ago for their one year anniversary! Gosh, I feel bad. We searched for hours trying to find it in the river to no avail.  We sure know how to have a good time when people come over.  I'm sure Shaylee and Kevin are just dying to come back!  Maybe when the dirt settles we can go back out.

We tried to shake off the bad news with pizza and a movie, which was fun..but alas, the Jensens took their leave and we sure miss them.

These are the only two pictures I got of their visit:

They were troopers and played with our kids a ton.  Caity and Johnny were on cloud nine.

Last Sunday, we got together with the Stotts and had a barbeque at Ann Morrison park and went on a walk.  It is so fun that they are here and we can get together.  It was nice catching up as my children mauled Addi.

Like seriously...that poor girl was smothered.  I am impressed with what a little trooper she was through it all and impressed that Whitney didn't make a "no kids bigger than Addi on the blanket" rule, because yes- it was that bad!  William may or may not have whacked her on the head. Multiple times. Gosh, I love being a parent at times like this!

Haha. Oh dear- such is life, I suppose. Well, life as a Brassell anyway.