All the kids were in Nephi for thanksgiving. It is so fun to have everyone home, even if just for a day. Lisa and Chris were at the Jacksons this year. Shannon and Lawrence had all of the Lavery's at their house. But each of them are close enough that we can still see everyone. Our house was still filled with grandkids and kids. We still made Shannon make the monkey bread and jam. Not eating here was not an excuse, she mixed the dough and sent it with JJ and Megan on thanksgiving morning. Nothing is better than her monkey bread and fresh strawbery jam. She also makes the best chocolate pie! We all ate until we couldn't put any more in our mouths, then in a while we ate more! We all had fun and we feel so blessed to have all of our kids close enough to come home now and then.
I had a plan to keep the kids here for more than just the day, so we made plans to have a Ray family float in the Christmas light parade. I figured that would keep them all here most of the weekend anyway. We came up with a theme of candyland.
I had these big ideas, and figured that i could delegate most of the work 0ut to the kids. If it weren't for Lawrence we would probably still be cutting the gingerbread men. Don't know where he learned all his skills, but we are all glad that he did. Anyway Lawrence saved everyone a tons of work and time by showing us how to cut and make the little men. I am sure Wally and Justin we pretty much sick of them by the time they were done. They turned out so cute! Megan 2 ( that's Wally's Megan) and Gabby would put lights on while the boys cut. There was only one casualty. Megan broke on of the little guys leg and Lawrence even fixed that! We moved from the Lavery shop to the Ray garage. Chris, Lisa and Shann then joined in to get the float assembled. Saturday we finished the float with time to spare. The grandkids were in the back and they had rehersed the songs that they would sing. They all made it thru the parade without one of them having to go to the bathroom! They all looked so cute, but then we all know that I have the cutest kids around anyway.
new years day @ Chris and Lisa's
the girls
Wally and Shannon putting the finishing touches on.
float in progress
Carson and Bode helping Shann
LIght parade float
The petting zoo
Cardon is trying to hold the pig for the girls to pet. Not such a good idea.
Mylee and Ty walking Dodge
Mylee and Kalena with new drop off (no name yet) we'll see if Shann lets this one stay.
Megan 2 Kalena and Allee helping out.
after the paraade
Chris and Lisa and kids
Chris and Lisa Along with 4 of our 11 grandkids. They are all so busy as you can see. Wish they were closer.
Corn maze in St. George
Stolen, but at least i was there.
Makinlee on Halloween
Stolen again-when i get more pictures i will quit steeling them. But they are sooo cute.
Bode
Bode on Halloween
Wally and Kalena
This is Kalena, one of Megans girls. Cute huh. Wally and Kalena going to daddy daughter date at church.
Ray reunion in Panguithch
We have a family reunion each year on labor day. This one was at Panguitch Lake. Now understand my idea of camping is the Marriot. But I made it, without the use of a shower or good bed. The bathrooms were up the HUGE hill towards the top of this picture. The first time I made the treck i thought i was going to have a heart attack. I felt better when the kids were huffing and puffing too. This was our camp. We had volleyball and horseshoes. Gabby and Shannon won the volleyball and me, megan, and lisa came in second. But we will win next year. Not sure who won at horseshoes. the kids did a play on the last night, it was fun. I was sure glad to get a shower when i got home tho.
Boy's playing with Fire?!
Kids fishing at panguitch lake
Here most of the kids were waiting to get a chance at fishing with uncle chris.
grandkids
this at a motel pool. Reagan is hiding behind Mylee. We had fun.
Some of our grandkids at a parade
Again stole picture from Lisa's blog. The kids were in a parade in St. George. This one includes some of JJ and Megan's kids Tyree, Baylee and Allee
Mylee and Baylee
These two are the best of freinds. We got to keep them for a week during the summer and had a ball. Can't wait till next year.
2 comments:
This was so much fun. Thanks for coming up with these crazy ideas for us all be a part of these old and new traditions. I know we give you alot of flack but we appreciate what you do and look forward to it each year. This is what makes memories in our family. Oh and by the way one of the kids did not make it without a potty break...luckily it was dark outside when he hopped off the float in a panic!
Love Ya!
Oh so you had to tell everyone I broke the gingerbread man! I see how it is pick on the new girlfriend.. lol Come on... you know it added character! Thanks again for letting us crazy girls stay with you! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful season!
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