ThAnKsGiViNg

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Grandma Despain's. We always spend the day before cooking with mom. We prepare as much as possible so it's all ready to go on Thanksgiving Day. On the menu was turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato souffle, green beans with bacon, homemade rolls, and about 14 pies. Everyone has their favorites so we have to make them all. After dinner we all vegged around the table and later, on the couch. As usual, Uncle Tim, took a nap in the recliner. Although he claims he's not really asleep. Guess what Tim, you snore. I was especially tired this year, as we have discovered that we are expected a baby in June!!

Trick or Treat

We love Halloween! The boys count down the days until they can go trick-or-treating. This year, Brandon dressed up as a mad scientist. He used my old lab coat and we found some goofy glasses and fake teeth. He looked great. Ethan looked super cool in a fighter pilot costume complete with aviator sunglasses. Jonah dressed up as Woody from Toy Story including his "trusty steed", Bullseye. Luke was Zorro this year and he looked sooooo cute. Aunt Missy had a great costume and we were able to find him a mask to go with it. I also drew a little mustache on his face to top it all off. Halloween festivities included the ward "Trunk-or-Treat", the school Halloween parade, as well as class parties, and Jonah's preschool program. Not to mention trick-or-treating on the big night. True to tradition, mom made chili and cinnamon rolls for dinner. But the kids pretty much just ate candy.

Return to Disneyland

We had so much fun in Disneyland in the spring that we decided to surprise the kids with another trip! We checked them out of school early, had the car all packed and ready to go, and started the road trip. For the first hour on the road they kept asking us "are we really going to Disneyland?" That could believe it. I have to say though, even though the decorations are incredible and it has such a fun atmosphere, I will never go in October again. It was UEA for us, and everyone in Utah had the same idea. Everywhere you looked there were BYU and UTAH shirts. Wait times for rides were crazy. We found that Ethan was eligible for a "guest assistance" pass because of his diabetes, so we got to go to the front of the line. Without that we would hardly ridden anything. It was still fun though 'cause hey, it's Disneyland. The boys especially liked Space Mountain because it was modified for Halloween. Steph and Tim and Kristel and Jason and their families came too. The cousin always have fun together. We also got to visit with Mindy and her family on the way home.

Luke turns 3!!!

Lukey was so excited to celebrate his birthday. He has been waiting all year long. Whenever there was a birthday party he would be so sad because it wasn't his. Well now it's his turn and he embraced being in the spotlight. We celebrated at Grandma Despain's house with all his cousins. Luke ate 3 or 4 cupcakes (actually he just licked the frosting off the tops) and loved opening his presents.

Bear Lake

We planned a little impromptu mini vacation to Bear Lake. Mike really enjoyed it with his scouts at camp this summer so we thought we take the family. We went after Labor Day so there was nobody there. We had the beach to ourselves and let the boys play in the sand for hours. We also rented a jet ski and Mike took the boys out in turns. We also hiked Minnetonka Cave. I don't know if the kids enjoyed it as much as the parents did. They just thought it was a lot of stairs, but Mike and I loved it. Although, I can never remember the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite. I think the boys favorite part was eating pizza at "Bear Lake Pizza". Apparently it's the "best pizza they've ever had".

First Day of School

Brandon started 5th grade this year. Ethan started 3rd grade. Jonah is going to preschool!

Walk to a Cure

Our son Ethan was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes just before his 5th birthday. So in support of him we attended the annual "Walk to a Cure" fundraising event hosted by the JDRF (juvenile diabetes research foundation). This year we teamed up with our good friends and neighbors the Butterfield's. Their son, Kenneth, was diagnosed in October of last year. Together we formed team ButterScott. We were able to raise over $7,000 for diabetes research thanks to the contributions of family and friends. This is a wonderful experience for Ethan. It helps him to see that there are many other kids out there with diabetes and it's a way for him to see how many people love and support him. Not only did people donate but a lot of our friends and family were able to come and walk with us.


The theme this year was "Rock the Walk" and we "Rocked" it.

Luke telling us to "ROCK ON!"


Everyone with a red bandana is part of Team ButterScott


Ethan with his cousin Tyler.