Thanksgiving 2024

So very THANKFUL to share this day with our FAM in our new house.

 

'Thank You For Your Service' Pie Deliveries

We were introduced to the Stand4Kind Organization a few years ago when Brenna was in Student Government. They do amazing work and we've been happy to support them with their mission:

'We’re building a world free from bullying, promoting mental health, and
inspiring kindness in schools and communities'

Today we are picking up pies, kindly donated by Harmon's, and delivering them to those providing important services in our community that need to work on Thanksgiving. We write hang written notes of appreciation to go with each of the pies.  We also write notes of kindness and encouragement on sticky notes to put on cars along our way.

Squeezing into 1 car this year

Draper Police Station

Draper Fire Department

 

Sunday Service with Jordan Clarkson

Time to serve up some Thanksgiving meals with Kayla's fav - Jordan Clarkson

                                           Turkeys and all of the trimming are ready to go

Kay had some helpers with the stuffing

Meeting Gracie - JC's hairstylist who lives in LA, but travels around to keep his locks and braids looking good. She is sweet as can be and was my helper with taking photos of Jordan with each of the families that came through to receive a special Thanksgiving dinner.

Getting to hang with her favorite player ever

Last year her signed her Clarkson jersey

This is he signed her Lulu crossbody bag

So grateful that we get to do this together each Thanksgiving

And so thankful for JC's generosity in providing for those in need in our community as well as those in need in communities throughout the Philippines 

The JC Cares Foundation reached out to the JEF Foundation a few years ago asking for some help in organizing a Thanksgiving Dinner Drive. JC had the desire and the funds, and we were able to help with the organization and planning to help make it as seamless and successful as possible.

This year I was in charge of  the 'photo ops' 

After families filled their baggies with Thanksgiving trimmings, I invited them to take a picture with Jordan.  If they had a phone I would get it ready to hand to Gracie, she snapped a few pics, gave them back the phone as one of JC's friend handed them their frozen turkey and directed them to the Santa Station in the hallway outside the gym.  Worked like clockwork.

This year we added Santa so after the families received their food, they could visit with and take  free pictures with Santa. Thank you so much Teddy!

The guys check on game scores or Tik Toks

JC's CREW

His dad Mike -who goes by Coach; his step mom Janie - who goes by Ms. Janie

His daughter Callie - who goes by Cali; brother Bear Clarkson - who goes by DJ Bear

Gracie - hairdresser; Ken - BFF; 2 more friends

 

So grateful for JC and all of the good that comes though his JC Cares Foundation.

Final Goodbye to Country Bend

It's hard to say goodbye to this house  

We've been here 19 years

This is where our kids grew up  

This is where our our last baby home to and where our family blossomed

This is where all our girls went off to high school, and on their first dates

This is where Robert & Papa built a swing set and lockers and our living room cornice

This is where many kids learned to swim

This is where we played and the swings and jumped on the tramp for hours

This is where we killed flies in the playhouse and climbed on the shed

This is where we sat around the firepit and roasted smore's

This is where we made endless pizza's in Dad's pizza oven

This is where we swam and laughed and slept in the pool in the pool

This is where we read scriptures and learn about Jesus

This is where we had morning devotionals, knelt in family prayers and had family councils

This where we came to know our Savior and grew our testimony's of Him.

 

Moving Night

We decided to move on a Thursday night at 5:30 pm - kinda random, it was just the day and tome that worked best that week.

We had soooooo much help.  This morning I sat down and made a list of all of the neighbors and friends that came out to help.  It filled a page a it filled my heart with so much love and gratitude for the amazing and awesome people in our lives.  I feel beyond blessed.  Our family and friends truly are our greatest joy.

Jill helping my arrange the furniture and empty all the glasses & mugs 

A few final boxes in the truck

Champ (Tyler) helping Robert put together the kitchen chairs

We so appreciate Katie for getting food and making sure all of the our friends were fed before they left the Fiesta house. This was the final crew at the end of the night. 

All exhausted, but happy to have gotten everything moved over and ready for the next phase - Unpacking it all!

 

Time to start MOVING

Got back from St. George this afternoon, and immediately started packing up the truck

We don't close until next Tuesday, but Madsen's said the house is all cleaned and ready to go, so we're welcome to move stuff in.

Started with kitchen table, chairs, and stools

And found that our NEW kitchen table had been delivered - so we decided to start putting that together while we were there as well.

Lots of pieces and lots and chairs (12- I think) so this is going to take us a while, but fun to see it.

TV made it safely across town. Just need to figure out all the crazy cords to connect it.  We'll save that for another day.

 

Few final race pics

 

Snow Canyon Half

So fun to get to see our RUNNERS along the course

FINISHER

FINISHER

Aubrey, Sydney, & Whitney

Lindsay, Jeremy, & Baby in tummy

Our CREW

Robert. Aubrey, Kayla, Emily, Zach, Lindsay, & Jeremy

Lindsay, BABY, & Jeremy all ran the HALF

These sisters are absolute ROCK STARS

So fun for them to train and run a Half together before the baby comes.