Turkey Day

This year we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Haworths for Thanksgiving dinner in Logandale. We picked up a paper before heading out. I turned around and saw that I wasn't the only one excited about the upcoming sales.

 I just wanted one good picture of these two turkeys in their turkey shirts before they showed signs of a good meal.

But one of them has serious attitude.

Quincy, Jen and Anthony shelling pomegranates for a true Logandale Thanksgiving experience. 

Lucy got to pre-taste the heavenly potatoes. It's cause she is too cute to get mad at. 

Lucy did enjoy the real dinner too. The jello salad and the cranberry juice mixture were her favorite part. Jensen didn't eat anything obviously since pizza isn't on the menu. It was one of the best tasting Thanksgivings that I can remember. We had four turkeys all cooked different ways. We ate outside since the weather was super nice. It was a wonderful afternoon.

We spent the rest of the weekend with the cousins playing outside and inside. Lucy and Jensen had to have a turn at RBI baseball on the old Nintendo. They had seen their daddy and Uncle Kev on it a time or two this weekend.



We Can Do Hard Things

A couple of weeks ago I heard that one of the youth groups in our stake was doing a 22 mile hike to the Las Vegas Temple. They got this idea from two talks given in General Conference by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elaine S. Dalton about a stonecutter that worked on the Salt Lake Temple. He would walk 22 miles on Monday to get to the temple and then return home on Friday walking the 22 miles home. He had an accident on his farm leaving him with one leg and he still made the 22 mile walk to the temple. The theme for the hike was "We Can Do Hard Things".

I remember thinking what an awesome experience, but kind of glad it wasn't our ward. Little did I know that last Sunday my husband would be invited to go with them since he is their high councilman. For the record I did ask if I could go but thought someone would have to stay home with the kids. Quincy quickly arranged his parents to watch the kids so I could join him. We were in. We really didn't have time to prepare physically for the walk. I walk three-ish miles three times a week and go to zumba twice a week. Quincy rides a stationary bike every morning so I felt that we would be okay on the walk. I did worry more about Quincy and his chicken legs compared to my thunder thighs.

Quincy and I before the hike

Friday night came and we met at the church at 7:00p.m. they gave us a quick overview and a sack dinner. Then they drove all 77 participants up to Seven Hills in Henderson to start our journey. I wanted the driver to stop driving because the farther he went meant how much more walking we had to do. Finally, we got to a park in Anthem and ate our turkey sandwich while they read a letter from Elaine S. Dalton that she wrote just for our group. She talked about how at the end of our journey we should touch the temple in a certain spot that we would always remember. A place we would take our kids to and remind them of our experience because this is an experience we would never want to forget.

So at 8:45p.m. (without Pepsi might I add) we started on our 22 mile journey to the temple. They had it well planned out with three SUV's with their hazards on, following us the whole way. They were there to hand out water, protect us in the crosswalks, take pictures, and give us encouragement even though they were sitting in warm cars. The weather was a little windy at first but once we got out of the neighborhood we felt it more. I had to take out my contacts leaving me semi-blind for the rest of the walk.

 Our view of the strip on our walk.

They had planned five stops along the way where they would pass out light snacks and water. Three of those times we had quick devotionals. They talked about physical, mental and spiritual strength at each one. 

The group

Quincy and I at the half-way point. 11 miles! I remember thinking at this time if I was the stonecutter guy I would have just relocated my family closer to the temple.

Behind Quincy is the UNLV football stadium. Still a ways from the temple.

 We were excited to get to our next stop because they said there was going to be a special surprise there. Quincy thought it was going to be pizza but I was hoping for hot chocolate. When we got there it was cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. Heaven! I was so excited that I went and got the rolls for Quincy and I. Being blind from no contacts I couldn't see Quincy where I had left him. Then I saw him sitting on the ground. I tried to hand him his roll but he wasn't responding. Then he kind of fell backward and started mumbling. I kept saying his name but he was just staring off. No other way to say it but I was scared! Finally after what felt like a long time (probably 15 seconds) he snapped out of it. One of the men in the vehicles is a firefighter he said to give him water and to eat. They took him over to one of the SUV's and he did just that. He started feeling better instantly. I was so relieved because I didn't want my companion not to finish the trek that we had started together. We both drank some hot chocolate and started walking again.

Even though Quincy said he was good I checked on him every five minutes or so. I didn't want him collapsing while we were walking. Others would check on us but they would say hey they're the Walkers, they'll be fine. We never stopped walking even though the seats in the SUV's looked mighty comfy. They would take the slower kids to the front of everyone and dropped them off but we never took them up on that offer. Needless to say we were at the back of the group.

At the last stop before the temple we sat down and heard our final devotional on spiritual strength. I don't remember too much except he talked about how Ether was taught to build the barges to cross the ocean to the promised land. The Lord told him that it was to be tight like a dish. When we got up to make the last three miles to the temple, I was tight like a dish. It was hard to get going again. Now I remember thinking that I didn't want to complain even once during this experience. I should have nothing to complain about. I had comfy new balance shoes on both of my feet that I knew the pioneers didn't have. I didn't have to pack everything I own and push it. But at this time I was having a hard time walking. But the more we walked we got loose and walked out last miles.

But in those last couple of miles we had to pass our house. That's it behind Quincy. It was hard to do knowing my bed was just waiting for me. Also, see the lady in this picture with Quincy? She is our new hero. She is the Young Women's president of this ward and she made the walk. She is 64 but acted like one of the teenagers.

At 6:30 Quincy and I, hand in hand, walked up the last street to the Las Vegas Temple. It never looked so beautiful as the sun came up and we completed our journey. When we got there they said that it took us 9 hours and 38 minutes to make our 22 mile journey. We went in the temple grounds and they had the Las Vegas Temple President there to greet us. Quincy went and sat down and then I followed him. This was the first time we had to sit since we got there. Then they told us to come for the picture. While they were taking the picture, Quincy and I both started to not feel good. I said I better sit and then I blacked out. Quincy sat me down. Luckily it was quick and we both recovered fine with some water. The whole trip I was picturing Quincy and I taking a picture of our spot on the temple wall like Sister Elaine S. Dalton said but we were so woozy and sore that this was the only picture we got. Where we collapsed. Maybe this sidewalk will be our spot.  

We walked to the church next to the temple where they had breakfast waiting for us. Quincy and I were both too tired to get up and eat. We had someone take us home and both collapsed a couple of hours. I don't think I have ever been so exhausted. We still can't walk too well.

Needless to say this is Quincy and I's new motto. I just want to add one more word.

We can do hard things together!



This is from here if you want one for yourself.

5th Anniversary

On the tenth of this month Quincy and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. That went crazy fast! Quincy surprised me with an overnighter without the kids (the first time in three and a half years that both of us have been away from them together) at Lake Las Vegas. That's where it all went down five short years ago. Well sort of. The Las Vegas Temple was the most important part of the day, but we had our wedding reception/dinner at the Hyatt, which is now owned by Loews. We have been back to Lake Las Vegas since but this was our first time back to the beautiful patio where we celebrated getting married with family and friends. After a peaceful dinner at Cheesecake Factory we took our cheesecake to go eat it on the patio. We had the whole place to ourselves. So while we were eating our cheesecake we reminisced a little bit of all the memories from our wedding. Since we were toasted with a top ten, here is our top ten memories of that day.

#10. Beautiful Places. Can't get any prettier than the Las Vegas Temple. Then the reception to follow at Lake Las Vegas. I am so glad my cousin found this place to have it.

#9. Our crazy and dramatic D.J. with a deep voice that thought she ran the show. She kept counting down the bouquet toss but my photographer wasn't ready. So I wouldn't toss it. She would start over again with the same results like five times.

#8. All our friends and family that came both to the temple and the reception. We made almost everyone travel for us.

#7. We actually got married that day! When we showed up at the temple the temple recorder which happened to be my Stake President (and still is) informed Quincy that he didn't have all the right recommends which wasn't his fault. That is what we were told by my singles ward bishop. The Stake President said don't worry we'll get you married it just might not be today. That was not reassuring at all. They said they would call Quincy's bishop. He was out of town. Thankfully they called his Stake President and he was able to come to the temple minutes before our ceremony and get that settled. Whew!

#6. Dancing. Quincy and I got to dance to Come What May. We both got to dance with our parents and even my grandparents. I remember Jerry was trying to be all fancy which left me getting my toes and his stepped on.  Even the little girls that are now wearing make-up, shook their stuff.

#5. Really good food. We had a delicious Italian buffet. So good! 

#4. Funny quotes during the actual ceremony. The sealer said as the wife I wouldn't have to do much. I asked if I could get that in writing. Another one was when the sealer said he has had success in marriage doing three things; Lunch at noon. Dinner at six. Then he couldn't remember the third one. My Uncle yelled out "It's called breakfast". Later, I dropped Quincy's ring. Someone said I was nervous. I just said it was a slippery little sucker (from a famous movie).

#3.  Gondola ride. This was our big exit from the party. Quincy and I both got a surprise when the gondola driver started singing like he just got off Broadway during our ride around the lake.

#2.  Our brothers, T.J. and Kevin toasted each of us. Embarrassing both of us but Quincy got the worst of it. T.J. brought up some fun and one fake stories as he told a story with every letter from my name. Kev had a top ten list with "Why it's good Quincy is getting married." He almost got disowned by his whole family after this.

 

#1. Quincy and I differ on our top ones. But let's just say the whole day. It was perfect!

Here we are five years later.

This was our view from our room at the Monte Lago. I woke up feeling like I was in Florence, Italy.

 Big thanks to Quincy's parents for watching our kids so we could enjoy almost a whole 24 hours with just the two of us. Great anniversary! Quincy is in charge every year now!

October-Fest-ivities

We really did have an Octoberfest of Activities this past month. I can't believe what we snuck in. It really is starting to become one of my (and the kids) favorite months. So many fun activities to do, fun decorations, and the weather is wonderful here in Vegas.

At the first of the month our ward had a carnival full of food and games. It was a great kickoff to a month full of fun.

We went to a puppet show at the local library. They acted out Lucy and Jensen's favorite Halloween books, Skeleton's Hiccups and The Little Old Lady that Wasn't Afraid of Anything.

Since the weather was good we thought we would take the kids to the Strip for some of the activities there. The Kanets were able to go with us which made it even better.

The fountains are always a favorite!

The Bellagio had their gardens all done for the season with huge pumpkins, grass sculptures and even a talking tree that scared Lucy.  

It wouldn't be a trip to the strip without a crepe at Paris. Lucy liked this stop a lot!

Another storytime at the library but this time in shirts we (a couple of my neighbors and I) made by Tie-dying and then cutting faces out of iron-on vinyl.

At the rec center they had a spooktacular activity for kids of all ages. They had games, bounce houses, cake walks, etc. It would have been lots of fun but both of our kids decided to skip their naps that day which doesn't equal fun if you ask me. We only lasted about a half an hour. To top it off, Jensen {he usually loves bounce houses} got real scared by one of the kid's masks that was jumping. You can see his face below all scared. Needless to say he wanted out of the bounce house and he wasn't going back.

I even dressed up at Zumba but only because Kara {the best instructor ever} said we had to. You probably can't tell what I am. If you saw my leg warmers you might guess it. Still no? "She's a Maniac". If you don't get that then you need to brush up on your 80's movies.  

Isn't Marian's costume so cute! She made it for her and her growing tummy.

The last weekend of the month we headed to Provo which meant tractor rides and outside time for the kiddos.

We even got to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Ivie. It is always a treat to visit with them.

The main reason we went to Utah besides being with my family was for family pictures. It took most of our Saturday getting ready and then the three whole hours for the photo shoot. My kids had their moments but hopefully some turned out. Here is a picture I took. Hopefully they are not doing rat faces in the real ones.

We picked the best weekend of the year to visit because we got to see six of their cousins perform in the primary sacrament program. It made the trip even more worth it!

After church we had another photo shoot but this time in costumes. Lucy was a princess and Jensen was Super Why (one of his favorite cartoons on PBS). He loved pointing out the Y on the mountain.

The Knudsen grandkids all except Ella. The three youngest girls were all having a hard time. 

Love this one. 

We had a family dinner afterwards with Halloween treats and scary story telling afterwards.

We headed home on the actual Halloween holiday with a stop in Logandale to be with Quincy's family. We went to trunk-or-treating at the fair grounds and then did some real trick-or-treating with the cousins. Lucy didn't last as long as her brother but they both had their buckets full of candy. 

Jensen was way more excited about the cars/fire trucks than the candy.

Our tired kids on our way home. They were past worn out after such a busy, but fun month.