Grandma and Grandpa visit for Thanksgiving

We love to have Grandma and Grandpa visit! We don't get to see them as often as we would like. This visit was especially nice because we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with them.

They always come baring gifts for the boys. The boys, of course, look forward to it and love it (almost as much as Grandma and Grandpa love to give them!). Grandma is an awesome bargin hunter and she loves to garage sale. Before she came to visit she found a great deal at a garage sale on vintage model cars. She knew the boys would love them! She was not disappointed, the boys did love them. It was fun to watch the boys and the grandparents as the cars were unveiled! Each boy got to pick their own car. Oddly enough they all wanted a different car. There was no fighting or haggling. Score!!

Another gift they gave was a special gift for Trevor. Trevor's eighth birthday is a couple of days after Thanksgiving and he is going to be baptized. Unfortunately, Grandma and Grandpa aren't going to be come. They gave Trevor a special statue that exemplifies who Trevor is (this is a tradition). The statue says "purposefulness". It is a good representation of Trevor. He is always very helpful and giving and he usually is because he sees a need and he wants to fill it! What a great kid!!

They also always bring Sees candy!

The boys were still in school when Grandma and Grandpa arrived. This allowed Chad, Austin and me time to take them to some of their favorite places. They always want to visit the antique shops. This year we went to the mall to find a special Cardinal's hat for Grandpa. We walked in at the food court, where the big carousel sits. Grandpa couldn't resist - he had to take Austin for a ride. Austin was in heaven!

Grandpa has to go to Steak and Shake at least once! We all enjoy going with him and most of us enjoy the food!

The last day of school before the holiday Devon's class had a Thanksgiving feast. I was able to go to school to help and have lunch with Devon. It was a lot of fun. There was plenty of food for kids and parents alike. Devon has had a hard time with me coming in to help in his classroom (he cries when I leave), so I was a little worried about coming. I was pleasantly surprised that this time he did not cry! We had a nice lunch and then he gave me a hug and kiss and went to recess. Success!

Devon and his best friend

We had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving. Everyone helped with the food preparations.

We were glad to have Grandma and Grandpa's help, especially with the apple pie. Chad's favorite pie is his mom's apple pie, so it was fun to have her make it this year. It was delicious. We also had pecan and pumpkin pie - YUMMY!!

Chad was in charge of the turkey and stuffing again this year. He does such a great job that I am more than happy to let him have it all to himself!

Everything was so delicious! We had such an enjoyable time eating and talking through the feast. In fact, we stayed at the table long after the meal was finished. I love it when everyone hangs out at the table. As I think back over the years, some of our happiest moments have come when we sitting at the dining room table laughing and talking together. So much to be thankful for!

Grandma and Grandpa had to leave shortly after Thanksgiving. They were able to accompany us on our traditional christmas tree hunt. The past couple of years we have gone to Home Depot to get our tree (since they are a good deal and we get three of them). This year we got two of our trees there and the other larger tree we got from Lowes. It always takes us a little while to decide on a tree, but when we do the boys are right there to help us take it to the car. All the boys pitched in this year! As always, many people stopped to watch our cute boys working together!

It was a quick trip, but we are so glad Grandma and Grandpa were able to come. Having only seen my grandparents every so many years growing up, I am so thankful that my boys get to see their grandparents at least once a year!

Gearing up for winter

Trevor and Kaden received nice coats from their Grandma and Grandpa. It was perfect timing, since some of our coats are getting old and the zippers are breaking. The boys love the coats, so we had to take a picture and thank Grandma and Grandpa! We love you!

Elder and Sister Mahaffey

As you know, my parents received their mission call a couple of months ago. They had a wonderful time in the MTC (Missionary Training Center). They were there for one week. It was pretty tiring, but they didn't mind. Since they live so close to the MTC they were able to go home each night and sleep in their own beds. At the completion of their training they began the road trip to their mission in Montreal Canada.

Living in the "middle" isn't like living in vacation destination, but it does have it's advantages. It makes for a great rest stop for weary travelers. So, a couple days into their trip, my parents stopped at our house to re-energize and get in a little more grandchildren time! It was a really short visit, but we enjoyed every minute.

Shortly before my parents left on their mission, my dad had a birthday. We thought it would be fun to celebrate with my dad while he was at our house, so we waited to celebrate. What do you give someone who is on their way to start their mission in Montreal? A Fleur De Lis cake of course!

It was actually the only thing my dad requested, so of course his wish was my command!

Devon and Papa love to be silly together!

Before my parents left they gave us a gift. It is a nice plaque that shows their love for us. They gave one to each of their children and their families. We think of my parents every time we see the plaque.

We will miss Nana and Papa and it was hard to say goodbye, but we are so excited for them to serve their mission. They are wonderful examples to all of us. We love them very much!

Go Cardinals!

Chad's Dad grew up in St. Louis Missouri and is an avid Cardinals fan. Chad likes to say his dad is the Cardinal's #1 fan! It's because of his love for the Cardinals that we like to go to a home game every year. We have also become Cardinal fans!

For several years we have been able to go to a game with Chad's Dad, but this year we got to go with another grandpa. While Nana and Papa were visiting we decided to brave the heat and and take in a baseball game.

We arrived at the baseball field early so the boys could watch batting practice. The boys brought their mitts just in case of a pop fly. They braved the heat and they were ready, but sadly no balls came their way.

If you ask my mom about the baseball game she would sum it up in one word . . . HOT! It was very hot and we were sitting in the bleachers (in direct sunlight).

Luckily, the section right next to us was partially shaded. Since we were early, several of us decided to sit in the shade. Tanner, our honorable son, didn't like the idea of sitting in a seat we hadn't purchased. We tried to explain that it was okay and we would move when the game started, but he still wasn't sure. He did sit in the shade for a little while, but when batting practice was over Tanner moved back to our sun-kissed seats. It seemed a little over the top, but I am glad that Tanner is concerned about making good choices.

Nana, Trevor, Devon, Austin, and I sat in the shade until the game started. Luckily, the game was not sold out and no one ever came to claim their seats. The shade was actually pretty nice because there was a slight breeze, but the sun kept creeping in. By the time the game started the shaded section was no longer shaded.

The Cardinals played the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals pretty much blew the Reds out of the ballpark. It was fun to watch! The score was 8-1. The boys had fun watching the game with Nana and Papa.

Devon was Papa's buddy, he rarely left Papa's side.

Trevor was usually nearby as well!

Kaden was the most involved in the game. He sat at the end of the group and intently watched the game . . . even when food was nearby!

Tanner is not a big baseball fan, but he enjoyed watching the game, keeping track of the score and talking with Nana.

Austin was back and forth. He was cute. Every time music was played you could see Austin getting on his groove. He didn't like the volume however, he often had his hands over his ears.

One of the funnest parts of the game were the home runs and surprisingly there were several. Every time there was a home run fireworks were set off. I think we got to see fireworks three or four times. Go Cardinals!

To beat the heat we brought some of the fans we received the previous night at the fireworks show. They were a life saver for Nana, we barely saw her without one!

Apparently eating helps us beat the heat as well, because we could be seen eating throughout the game. During the game Papa surprised us with snow cones! They were huge and were definitely a great way to cool off! Thanks Papa!!

Then Chad got a plate of nachos. When my boys see or smell nachos, they flock. They began to hoover around Chad and in no time the plate was empty. Not sure it helped cool anyone off, but it sure made the troops happy!

We had a really great time at the baseball game. My parents are no strangers to going to ball games, so it was fun to have them with us. We all had fun cheering for the Cardinals together! It was a fun way to end their visit with us (they traveled home the next day).

We look forward to going to a game again next year. I wonder who we will get to cheer with then . . . ?