Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving all! I hope your bellies are all overly full by now...I know mine is! Well, we have had a wonderful holiday week so far. As I mentioned in my last blog, Charity came and stayed with us for a few days before we all came back to the Wilkins' house for the feasting. We had a great time shopping, watching movies, and cooking up a storm. We came to Monroe yesterday, and the fun began.
Wendy(Bray's mom) had everything organized wonderfully, and so there was not a lot of pressure, but was rather a relaxed, enjoyable day. I know it's not over yet, but I am doubtful as to whether or not I can eat another bite.:) Hobbes unfortunately has a cold, and thus is not enjoying himself as much as the rest of us are...thus the reason for the pseudo-smile in the pic.
Bray and I took a walk today, as it has been beautiful if not somewhat warm down here. It was a good time for us to remember what the past year has brought- and how blessed we have been. There have been hard times in several areas lately, but we are constantly amazed at how consistent and perfect God's mercy, goodness and blessings are. We miss all our family and friends who are not with us, but as is fitting to the day- we are VERY thankful for you all! Love and prayers to you!
A pic of the table before the feasting began... and Bethany smiling for a Thanksgiving memory.:)

Home again, home again....

Hello everyone-
I hope you are all preparing yourselves for bundles of food this upcoming Thursday- I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving time! It seems like time keeps going faster and faster...they say that happens when you start getting older. I can remember when I was in elementary, and during summer break it seemed like time stopped. Things were always the same in the summer...I never really grew older, and Moscow didn't change. Oh well, enough nostalgia. Well after a wonderful 9 days in Moscow, I have returned home to my very thankful husband, and have been caught up in another whirlwind of fun and preparation for the upcoming holidays. I have dutifully been trying to get my Christmas shopping done, but every time I go out, it seems I think of more things that I need than anything else- isn't that terrible? However, slow and steady wins the race, so I am determined to get it done eventually.
This week, Bray's younger sister Charity has vacation, and so is going to come hang at our house, help me bake several pies, and then we shall all go back together on Wednesday to take part in the feasting festivities. I am looking forward to spending holiday time with family, and to just relaxing a bit before the Christmas onslaught. Well, good luck to you all, eat as much as possible, and enjoy these pics from random times and events. Love you!
Here is Hobbes in his Halloween costume-in case you couldn't tell.:) Above are our pumpkins we carved in a sort of 'artsy' picture. Below are the 3 crazy Wilkins' grandkids! Ohh, boys!:) (Jaiken is under the lionhead- it is very difficult to pose kids under 4 for pics)

Here is Hobbes with Daddy again...so glad to be home!:)

SURPRISE GRANDPA!!!

Well, as you may have guessed from the title, I am currently in Moscow, Idaho, visiting the fam, friends and old places we love. Bray and I decided a few months ago, that, since my dad hadn't been able to see Hobbes in several months, and Christmas was so far away, we would give him a special treat, and surprise him with a visit.
Although Bray had to 'bach' it due to the grindstone, he was very gracious in letting us come up for a week. In order to carry out the plan successfully, we told my oldest sister Carolyn(pictured with Hobbes and her new dog, Maggie), so that she could pick us up from the airport in Spokane. My mom knew as well, but was amazingly adept at keeping it a secret from my dad. Way to go, Mom!
We arrived Tuesday, November 8, and drove straight to Logos, keeping my mom updated on the estimated time of arrival, so she could be there for the fun. When we got there, we met my mom at the door, and went in to find my dad, only to learn he had driven off in the school truck to load some garbage and take it to the dumpster. We saw him driving back up to the gym, so we raced up there, and my mom went around the corner to meet him. She brought him back to where we were, and soon a puzzled but glad look came on his face as it registered that we were actually in Moscow. A joyous reunion followed, and then came surprising everyone else-namely siblings, friends,etc.
It has been a whirlwind time, and I have been enjoying it immensely, although I am missing my wonderful, hard-working husband terribly. As you can see from the pictures we've been playing hard. The one of my dad, little sister Kathryn and Hobbes all bundled up is right before we went to a pumpkin rugby game this morning. Pumpkin rugby is an annual tradition at NSA where, at the end of the rugby season, they have a game just for fun, and they substitute, yes, a pumpkin for the ball. It was very entertaining, and only a few people had bloody noses at the end.
We have also been doing some early Christmas shopping, played an insanely fun game of volleyball, and gone ice skating- see pic of me and Jordan below. The parents have been more than glad to keep Hobbes while I go on hiatus to see everyone, so it has all worked perfectly.



Besides that, the other news from home is that Bray made the finals for the San Francisco Merola program for the upcoming summer- pray that we get in! We should hear back whether or not it's a go before Thanksgiving. I hope you are enjoying life to the fullest, and that you are looking forward to the upcoming holidays. God bless!