*Back to November

Sorry I've been MIA-- yes the holidays have been busy, but the real reason I haven't been blogging was because we ran out of Google storage and so I couldn't get my pictures to upload anywhere where I could use them!  How annoying is that?

Anyway, I believe Craig has things fixed, so I should be writing a lot of updates soon!  But for now, I'd like to point out that way back in November, we had a) Thanksgiving and b) Ryder's birthday!  On the same day!  Ryder does not love it when his birthday lands on a holiday, so I like to very helpfully point out to him that at least it isn't ALWAYS on Thanksgiving-- think of all those poor souls born on Christmas!  They NEVER get a break from that!  So, yeah, okay, he doesn't find that helpful.  But that doesn't mean I'm wrong!!!  Like and Subscribe for more helpful parenting tips!  

Anyway, we celebrated his birthday early with grandparents by going out to eat at Five Guys and then heading across the parking lot to get Crumbl Cookie.  (Ryder has excellent taste!)  He opened presents back at home and then we chowed down on those cookies.

This is a Pearls Before Swine book, one of our favorite comics!

And Craig took this artsy photo

And then on his actual birthday he opened presents from us and Aunt Natalie in the morning, and then the rest of the day was your standard Thanksgiving of cooking all day and then eating leftovers for the rest of the week.  It was just as lovely as it always is, and possibly less stressful than usual?  I think Craig and I have found a pretty good rhythm of helping each other out with the dishes we make, and staying out of the way when needed.  Everything turned out awesome and I was very happy!

Bentley, meanwhile, had to stay in Utah.  We just couldn't fly him home for such a short visit.  Fortunately, the Houston Smiths were all gathering in Utah and very graciously invited Bentley and Averi to all of their activities-- we were so grateful for their generosity!  Even back in August, Brayden had asked multiple times what Bentley wanted for his Thanksgiving dinner with them!  So that made me very happy.

Having a good time at the Weber State football game!
Up front: Lindsy, Brayden, Maya, Jason; and in the back: Connor, Kamryn, Jeni, Eli, Bentley, Averi

Yay for Thanksgiving!  And happy birthday to my big 14-year-old, Ryder!!!!!

*This title is a totally on-purpose play on the early popular Taylor Swift song "Back to December"-- you're welcome!