I have been a little slow with the blogging thing lately! I figure better late than never!! One thing we did before the Thanksgiving celebration was discussed with the kids what it "really" means to be thankful. Being thankful is more than a celebration once a year. It's a way of expression. It's how we treat others. It's a choice we make everyday. It's heart felt. We are such blessed people! I hope that we can truly have a thankful heart everyday!
While Caleb and Mubeen's family were here we did some fun activities and took turns sharing two or three things with each other about what we were thankful for. (the lists could have gone on and on!) Here is what everyone said: Analice- family, blessings from the temple,and the gospel. Kaitlyn- family, food, angles, Jesus & Heavenly Father. Kourtney- Heavenly Father, Jesus, family, & friends. Makell- friends, family, and cousins. Adam- Analice, family, and the gospel. Madyson- Zayn, house, and nursery. Caleb- Mubeen. Mubeen- children, gospel, and Caleb.
We have had a very FUN and enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday! Caleb, Mubeen and the kids came to stay and visit with us before we all made the trip down south to spend Thanksgiving with the Heaton Family! It was wonderful to see everyone and the girls absolutely loved playing with their cousins! Once again they didn't want to leave! Grandpa Shawn, Grandma Kim, and Logan (we missed Kali) also made the long trip from Texas to join everyone as well! It was great to see them! I love this time of year and it makes me even more grateful for family! I am so grateful for Grandma and Grandpa Heaton. They make things so fun and enjoyable for everyone! They don't even seem to mind when 70+ people invade their home! These are times our children will never forget! (Memories in the Making!!) Thanks to Aunt Maria the kids got to participate in the annual treasure hunt! Boy did they get spoiled! Thanks Maria!!
The day after Thanksgiving all the wives hit the stores at 3:oo a.m. to experience Black Friday's great deals!! Adam thinks we are all totally crazy! I made Adam go with me one year and he has refused to go again ever since! I thoroughly enjoy it and look forward going with all the Tonioli girls and Mubeen! Man do they know how to shop!! It was soooo much fun! We all did our best to help stimulate the economy! I am already looking forward for 2010!!
(sorry no posted pictures. I am totally disappointed in my self. I really thought I had taken more pictures than I did. For those who can check out Mubeen's blog. (the official picture taker!)
On to the Christmas Season with a continued thanks and heart felt gratitude towards all!!
The girls getting things set out! No one can go to bed without leaving a small snack for the "jolly old fellow"!
The girls put a little snack together for Santa and the Reindeer! They left cookies and milk for Santa and reindeer feed with a carrot for each one!
On Christmas Eve we reenacted the Nativity scene. We started off by Adam (aka dad) reading the Christmas story from the scriptures to everyone. Although we are few in numbers we tried our best to reenact the night the Savior was born. Makell absolutely insisted she was first to play the part of Mary with the baby Jesus. Everyone else of course wanted a turn so we ended up doing it about four times! It was soooo much fun and it really brought the Christmas spirit into our home! 
Mary great with child riding the donkey and Joseph asking if there was any room at the Inn. The Inn keeper telling them there was NO room! The kids really got into it!
The three wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. 
I love the Holiday Season! These three little girls bring so much love, joy, and laughter into our home. These past several weeks all three of them have been very anxious and excited on the giving part of the Christmas Season. They continue to ask my opinion on what they should give one another this Christmas! This is a time when you would think they would be totally focused on themselves and what they would want to receive, but in fact it has been the total opposite! It has brought so much peace, laughter, and a stronger closeness between our family. I love their unselfish acts and desires to think about others! I have been reminded many times that I can learn so much from my children! I tend to get a little stressed out with all the hustle and bustle. I am grateful for the reminder that Christmas can be "simple". I have thought a lot lately about becoming like a little child. They are so pure, meek, loving, thoughtful, caring, unselfish, and giving. If only the world was more like this. Can you imagine what it would be like?! I am grateful for the Christmas Season and the opportunity we have to focus and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. May you all have a wonderful Holiday Season! 
