Thanksgiving 2013

We traveled from Colorado to Utah for Thanksgiving this year.  It was my brothers' year to be with our family and not their in-laws.  So, it was nice to have ALL of my siblings, and ALL of my neices and nephews there, along with my father and his wife, Sherri.

The dinner was delicious, of course, but being with family and having such bounty was the true blessing.  We had a great time playing Catch Phrase in the evening, as the kids all schemed how to spend more time together.  They just love each other so much...it warms my heart.

In the photo, from left and forward to right and forward:

Isabel Ellertson (turquoise sweater), Kyle Ellertson (red stripes), Rory Ellertson (red & beige stripes), Bryce Ellertson (gray), Sara Mac Gillvray Ellertson (green) shirt, Jim Ellertson (tall plaid), Summer Shippen Mac Gillvray (blue), Andrew Mac Gillvray (in back with blue t-shirt), Ethan Mac Gillvray (blue sleeves, grey middle), Avery Mac Gillvray (floral leggins, cream shirt), Haylee Mac Gillvray (white shirt, floral skirt), Katie Mac Gillvray (pink shirt, in front), Becca Mac Gillvray (black & white blouse), Jennifer Smith Mac Gillvray (brown sweater), Todd Mac Gillvray (blue shirt, big beard), Alex Mac Gillvray (gray & blue hoodie), Mary Mac Gillvray (in back, berry blouse), Marcie Mac Gillvray Thornbrugh (red & white shirt), Allison Mac Gillvray (pink striped shirt), Jay (Jerald) Thornbrugh (blue #61), Jorma Thornbrugh (gray and black striped shirt, on end) Timothy Mac Gillvray (sitting), Sherri Mac Gillvray (sitting).

School Pictures 2010-11

Another school year has begun, and so far, so good. Isabel is now in 5th grade, Bryce in 3rd, Rory in Kindergarten and Kyle in Preschool. They are good students...well behaved and they enjoy learning. They all have their own strengths--and I can already see how they each learn differently, etc.

I'm so proud of my kiddos.

Summer Recap, School Starts, & Lake Powell

It has been FOREVER since I blogged. I kind of miss it--I don't know why really. I have been journaling a lot and I kind of like keeping a lot of thoughts and feeling to myself. Facebook just doesn't seem to cover enough, and is a bit TOO public, and journaling covers too much for public...so maybe blogging is a medium for communicating with friends and family. I don't know, but I thought it is a good place to put a few pictures of our trip to Lake Powell, and a bunch from the summer time.

We had a great great time at Lake Powell. It was very relaxing and good family fun. It's always a lot of stress and work getting there, but so worth it, and by the time we are home, I wish I could do it again, and not have the pre-stress of it all. The trip was a success though. Here are some fun pictures you can look through if you have a moment.

Here are some more pictures of things happening through the summer, and the kids' 1st days of school. We have been busy having fun!

Breakfast with Santa

Our last horra as a primary presidency (we were release about 4 weeks ago) was this Primary Breakfast with Santa. This was the kids' time for a church Christmas party, since our ward decided to do an "adult Christmas party." We had a lot of fun planning this. I've really enjoyed working with the ladies in Primary. I already miss that connection. Anyhow, the Breakfast with Santa went really well. The decorations came together so nicely, and it all looked great. The breakfast went smoothly and the activities were great. We had a nice lady from the ward take pictures of the kids with Santa. They turned out great...although Kyle wouldn't look at the camera! The activity was WELL attended and fun. So glad. Yay!

School Pictures 2009

Every year, I've been assembling the kids' pictures into a collage. I love grouping them together...and then I enjoy seeing years past and how they've grown and changed. It's so fun watching these wonderful children grow...though, I wish it wouldn't go so quickly!

Camping Memorial Day 2009 - Sylvan Lake

We had such a good time. It rained on and off, but it was great--when it rained, we sat inside and played board games. It was a fabulous time all in all--great to spend time with each other as a family--no distractions...just some good family fun and memories for us all.

GREAT THINGS:

being together

the perfectly roasted marshmallow

board games

listening to the light rain in the dry trailer

a furnace in the trailer

s'mores

hiking

the misty clouds in the morning

the beautiful view

listening to the kids play together nicely

fishing

the brisk fresh air

dutch oven cooking (yum)

clean bathrooms

warm showers

dirt under the finger nails

the campfire smell in clothes, hair...everywhere

snuggling in the trailer

no distractions

NOT-SO-GREAT THINGS:

gnats by the lake

We have a fun summer of camping planned!

Mother's Day 2009

I had such a fabulous Mother's Day! I couldn't be a happier mom--my children truly fill my heart. Could I be luckier. They treated me like a queen--and gave me so much love. Look at these faces...they angels! Even when their little devils, they are my angels, and I'm so lucky to have them!

Out For Some Pictures

It was a beautiful November day...unbelievable...64 today here! Tuesday is going to be 69!! Anyhow (getting side-tracked in marvel of the nice weather in NOVEMBER)...we went out today and took some family pictures. Okay, one of my major PET PEEVES in life is going to get family portraits done...or even for just one kid. Waiting for the photographer to be ready (and I have an appointment!), keeping the kids calm, keeping the kids clean, getting them to like some total stranger and actually smile for them....not my happy day. But I do love having nice portraits of the kids.

About this time of year (Christmas card time) I know I need a good family photo. Have any of you ever gotten (or sent) cards that have just pictures of kids on them, and you're thinking...who are these kids?! You really need to put your pictures on there too--so we know who is sending these to us (reading the name on the card is not enough)--I want to visually see how my friends are getting older too, after all! =) I digress again. We went out on this beautiful day, to a canyon that is mere steps away from our house (although we drove over there as to keep the kids from dilly-dallying). My friend Natalie and I worked out a trade...I put all her Christmas Card addresses into a spreadsheet so she can send out her cards this year (without having to hand-address her cards), and she take some pictures of our family with her talented eye and fabulous camera. **I love trades** We got some great photos of the family together and I wanted to share some of the fun ones with all of you. So here you go. So much better than going to a studio!!

Memory Making

I have been SO busy for SO long now, I really haven't taken much time to scrap...in fact, it's been MONTHS. For something I enjoy SO much, it makes me sad that I haven't done it in so long. I've almost ignored the urge--because I'm too overwhelmed (with other stuff) to think about it.
Last night, I was putting some Girl Scout newsletters that I've been doing for her troop, in her scrapbook. I sat and looked through my past work and realized how very much I miss it.
Tonight, I took to it! I had no meetings and didn't have to run the kids anywhere. Yay! So, after dinner, I locked myself in my office and sat down and digi-scrapped. I love doing it this way. Look below, the same layout, but I can throw them in each of my kids' books and they'll never know how much easier it was for me (and quicker) to do it this way, than to do it with actual paper. I still do miss the hands-on, cutting, gluing, etc....but this way is practical for me right now. Plus, I can get a kit of digi-scrap files, and I know that they match and that the embellishments will "work" on the page.
It felt really good to do a little "memory-making" again tonight.

Our Halloween Tribe

We had a great Halloween. It was excellent trick-or-treating (probably the best we'll EVER EVER have). The day was in the mid-70s and the evening didn't even require a jacket. Last year...2 sets of underclothes, winter coats, hats, etc. We loved it this year! Yay!
Thank you to Grandma Mac for the making of the costumes...they were so much fun and we. Thanks Auntie Marcie for letting me borrow your get-up this year...it was awesome! We had a lot of fun and a great night.

4 Little Indians

Halloween is coming and Grandma Mac really came through for us! What a fabulous seamstress and creator she is. The kids just loved being dressed up in their indian costumes. I love that they all matched. There wont be many years where they can have the same theme and matching costumes...so yes, I'm enjoying it now! Thank you --AGAIN THIS YEAR-- Grandma Mac! We love you.
Trick or Treat!

Merry Christmas

We went last night to our ward Christmas party. We had a nice ham dinner. Santa even showed up. The kids had a great time--we all did. Although, I'm not sure what Kyle thought about Santa. What do you think? I guess this is the normal - 1st Christmas - response to Santa Clause.

There he goes...

Bryce went off to Kindergarten....he couldn't be more excited! I had gone through the whole...saying goodbye...thing with Isabel, and I didn't think I would be emotional, but there I found myself with wet cheeks. I'm so proud of my boy and love him so much. I'm excited to see what he'll do with his education and school experience.