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).

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!!

Sara & Jim's 10th Anniversary in Vail, CO

July 25th was our 10th anniversary. We celebrated this past weekend. We had big plans to go to NY, but when it came down to it, I was a little nervous about going so far from the kids. We decided to go up to Vail which is only about 2 hours from our home. We had such a nice time. We stayed at a beautiful hotel there at the base of Vail Village...The Vail Plaza Hotel & Club. I highly recommend it if you ever go there. It was as nice as can be. We got a beautiful suite there...and it was luxurious and comfortable. The Village was just awesome. There was a farmers market in the morning, live music all around the village at night, restaurants galore to choose from, bridges everywhere, beautiful flowers, alpine-style architecture. From top to bottom, it was fabulous. I had no idea that Vail was so beautiful.

We did a lot of geo-caching (see my "Treasure Hunting" blog post to learn more about that) while we were there. We even went to sacrament meeting at a cute little LDS chapel in Avon...right near Vail. We spent some time in Beaver Creek (also a gorgeous village/area).

The highlight of our trip was probably going horseback riding. We went for a 2 hour trail ride and it was so much fun! I was on a horse named "Brownie." Jim rode "Gus." It was just gorgeous terrain and we had a blast. We highly considered going back the next day for more riding...to do the cattle round up, but we had other activities already planned. Jim and I often talk about packing up and going to live on a ranch. Okay, Jim has spent some time working on a ranch while he was younger, but other than that, we would have no idea how to get started, but it would be a dream. Okay...a tough dream once the novelty wares off, but still! We sometimes wish we could just do what we want to do in this life...our dreams...and though it's possible if you are willing to give up everything you have for that dream, it's not always practical...you know what I mean?? It's like "we have this life that we've built for ourselves and our family, and we're so grateful for the great life it is" but then there's that "can we trade it all now and do THIS or THAT?" Probably not, so we're content with the few times we can dabble in other life-dreams.

Needless to say, we had a WONDERFUL time in Vail for our Anniversary. These 10 past years with Jim have been the happiest of my life...I never thought marriage could be this good. Jim is my best-friend and the love of my life. I wish everyone were as lucky as he and I have been.

My Valentine

I was tagged by some friends to share a few things about my Valentine. I thought it was cute, and since I'm married to such a wonderful guy, I thought I'd brag a little bit and pay tribute to my love.

What is his name? James LaMonte Ellertson
How long have you been married? 10 Years this July!
How long did you date? Dated a few times Christmastime 96 to early 97. Then nothing until October 97. We got engaged Feb/Mar 98, Married July 98...so a long time about a year in a half from meeting to married.
How old is he? 33 (old man!)
Who eats more sweets? ME...he likes snacks but I like sweets!
Who said I love you first? It was Jim. I remember feeling it, but not wanting to be forward, so I thought I'd wait for him to say it first.
Who is taller? Jim is WAY taller--9 inches more!
Who can sing better? I think this is a tie. I can read music really well so I can stay on tune, but Jim has a beautiful voice so I think it's a tie.
Who is smarter? This is really subjective. I know more answers on Jeopardy and I read a lot more, but he knows so much more about computers, sports, etc.
Who does the laundry? This is how it goes...I put the loads in, and we usually fold together while we unwind after the kids are in bed...and then somehow between the two of us, it gets put away...team effort!
Who pays the bills? Me
Who sleeps on the right side of bed? Me
Who mows the lawn? Jim does, but when it is SO long, I've been known to get out there and just do it real quick too.
Who cooks dinner? Me, but Jim will "prepare" it (leftovers, etc.) if I'm just not in the mood.
Who is more stubborn? Me.
Who asked out whom first? Jim asked me out first after meeting through a friend at her Christmas party.
Who proposed? Jimmy did.
Who has more siblings? Jim has 5 siblings, I have 3
Who wears the pants? Hmmm. We both do--in some areas of family life, I take the lead, in other areas, he does. It really is a team effort.

I must say that marrying Jim was the best thing I ever did. My life could have taken many different courses, but every day--every day--I thank my Father above--for the life I share with my husband. He is the most patient, loving, kind person. I aspire to be more like him. He is such a good example to me of the kind person I want to be....and SO much more. I LOVE him.