It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We finally decorated our tree this past Saturday. Only the top half is decorated and it's already been knocked down but it's still pretty. We set up our small tree in Clara's room. Please note Clara's Christmas pajamas from last year. 

First ice cream cone

A while after our Dairy Queen lunch outing, Clara talked Ben into going back. This time, Rex got to try out his first ice cream cone. It was a hit. His face was bright red from the cold but he just kept eating.

Minnie Mouse

Almost everyday, Clara spends some time in her Minnie Mouse dress. On this particular day, she kept saying to Rex, "Marry a princess Rex. Marry a princess." I swear I don't know where she come up with some of the things she says. She was telling me all about what it means to be a princess and then she told me, "Princesses pray Mama. They are just like us." Then she knelt down and said a prayer.

Lunch at Dairy Queen

While Ben had time off over Thanksgiving, we enjoyed some food at Dairy Queen for lunch one day. Rex couldn't decide what he liked eating better, his corn dog or Dilly bar. Might as well enjoy them at the same time.

Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving at Ben's parent's home with the Duckworths, the Huffs, Sam and Jolyn. Since dinner wasn't until five o'clock that evening, we met the Huffs in downtown Salt Lake that morning to watch Wreck It Ralph. It was our first time taking the kids to a movie and I think Clara really enjoyed it. Rex sat still for the first part of the movie but was done before it was half over. Ben spent most of the movie wandering around in the foyer with him. It was a really cute movie and Clara and Cecily had fun dancing to the end credits.

On each day leading up to Thanksgiving, we wrote down what we were thankful for on paper leaves and strung them on the mantel.

It was fun to read them together at the end of the month. I worked really hard not to coach Clara when I asked her what she was thankful for and I really enjoyed hearing her replies.

My thankful list: Kisses from Clara & Rex, Ben's hard work, date night, Clara, Rex, Ben, marriage, Clara & Rex's giggles, Ben's hard work (again), home, snow, nap time, FHE, talks with Ben, Audra, temple covenants, snuggles with Clara & Rex, the temple, Jesus Christ.

Ben's thankful list: To be married to my angel, Golden Gate toffee, knowing I can always count on you, the Plan of Salvation, a wife that will give me an ice bath, my welcome home from work greeting, a healthy wife & children, 7/14/05, 10/6/05, 10/30/09, 4/14/11, 3/7/79, BYU, the Acura, my sweet wife, Anna's cooking skills, Anna's education, Anna's work ethic, my Mom, Anna's banana bread.

Clara's thankful list: Snow, Hannah, Reagan, a little surprise, Christmas, Gilbert, Grandma, Grandpa & church, snow, Daddy coming home, food, my special drink, Gilbert, family, pens, leaves, Halloween, my birthday.