Thanksgiving with the Skousen's

Happy Thanksgiving!  

 

Today was a great day!! We woke up early and headed to the Turkey Trot.  It was so tough! Stephen ran a super fast 23 minute 5K and I ran a 26 minute 5K!  Craig, Blair, Jared, and Faith all joined us on the hilly course.  It was so hard.  We ran three big hills that felt like they were trying to torture us!  It was so fun to have my two brothers come and run with me.  

Craig and Blair hosted Thanksgiving at their house.  It was awesome.  Landon made the turkey and my dad made his own turkey.  All the food was delicious.  We played games after dinner then headed to the movies, where Edward was working.  Stephen also had to go to work that day but got off just in time to come to the movies with us.  

 

Friday, I made everyone get together for a Christmas photo so we could make our Christmas Cards early.  It was a very fun and relaxing weekend.  I missed my sisters and hope I can see them sometime early next year.   The boys helped me put up the Christmas tree!!  It is so huge!! I love all of our traditions.  They bring me so much joy this time of year.  

 

Thanksgiving with the Barnes

 Sunday, we drove over to Snowflake, Arizona to have an early Thanksgiving with Stephen's parents.  Edward didn't get work off so he stayed home to watch Pearl.  Edward has been super loyal to his job and I am incredibly proud of him for being a good employee.  We got to Susan and John's house in the afternoon and just talked the evening away.  The food was delicious and it was great to get to know Sonya's children.  They are all so cute!  Such a fun weekend.  

 

Happy Golden Birthday, Nolen!

 Happy birthday, Nolen!  This week, Nolen started drivers ed.  It has been pretty painful because it is 4:00-7:00 every night.  Nolen gets out of school at 3:40 then has to drive straight over to class.  He has complained every day, but this will be the best birthday gift.  His freedom behind the wheel will be a huge treat.  I have prayed long and hard about Nolen being able to drive.  When he was diagnosed with autism, I worried that he wouldn't be able to drive or have many of the normal experiences that most people experience.  

Nolen is truly kind.  He loves so deeply.  He has been getting more and more into the bible and has found a new sense of purpose in allowing Jesus in to his life.  He has been very successful at creating roblox games for other kids.  He has made more than $3000 this year.  It is pretty amazing.  I am extremely proud of his hard work.  He also started school at Early College Academy.  It was a rocky start but he has finally got his legs underneath him.  He is doing really well and has made friends.  

Today, we just went and got his permit and then got menchies frozen yogurt. Nolen wanted to eat at Panera Bread so we all met there for dinner and enjoyed yummy food.  It was a nice and quiet birthday.  I love this sweet boy of mine.  I am so lucky to be his mom. 

 

An Autumn Hike and a Girls trip

 I have been doing a lot of running with my friend, Pam Martinez.  She is truly the sweetest.  I love spending hours running with her.  My friend, Lauren Lighthall, asked if I would go on a hike with her this week.  We went south to the Fourth of July trail.  So many people told us it was the most beautiful trail during fall.  We drove nearly two hours to see that we had just missed the leaves changing.  It was a little bit of a disappointment but we had a great time.  

I also went on a whirlwind trip with the ladies who lunch to Farmington to visit our friend Shannon Holley.  She moved away this summer and our group have missed her so much.  We drove up early Saturday morning, stopped by her house, went to lunch, and then off to the Temple.  It was a great day.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by amazing women who I can call my friends.  They truly make my life easier.