Thanksgiving at the Hills

November 2009


"I'll eat you up, I love you so!"

Norfolk Christmas Parade to kick off the Holidays

where the Wild Things were let out to roam the streets!

Briana and Jackson had a spot right at the front of the gate
so the music and floats were within touching distance! Austin
spent most of the night on my shoulders (Ouch)! Pretty fun
for never being at a Christmas Parade before! Norfolk school
bands really know how to get their groove on! We were clapping
and dancing right along with the cheerleaders, dance team girls
and drummers.

When we were leaving I asked the kids what their favorite part
of the parade was. Both Briana and Austin said, "Santa Clause!"
but my Jackson said, "I liked the girls dancing mom!" I'm in trouble!!!!!

We finished out the night with me pulling Austin and Jackson for 1/2 mile to McDonald's, while holding Briana's hand with my free one, through a sea of traffic and cops everywhere, and then through the 18-65 something males, standing around in the parking lot, listening to music with deep vibrating bass coming out of an old black hydrolic cadillac, and then to the parking garage, all in our Radio Flyer Wagon through downtown urban Norfolk! Can we say "New adventures for the suburban mom with a little red wagon!" What moms are willing to do to feed their kids right!


My Brady Bunch with some of the parade dancers prior to showtime!

We had a really nice Thanksgiving dinner in our new home with family- the Napoleons, the Senior Smith's and us. It was the first turkey I had ever made and it actually turned out well.
We had way too much food and the kids had a great time playing together!
It has been so nice to be around grandparents and best friends here. As we get older we realize that the moments we spend together with those who truly know and love us, are so rare and precious, and that every second of those moments count for a lifetime of memories. We are blessed to have those moments often with the people we love, both living near us and far away. We love you all!

"Home is where the heart is"

Our Bitter Sweet trip to Utah


Julie and Carrie take a picture sans kids!

When Jeff heard that his cousin 34 year old Justin Crowther
had passed away from his battle with Colon Cancer, we knew
we had to be there to support his family.

Jeff's Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bevin offered their support when
Abbey died and we wanted to be there for them too. It was a
beautiful service with so many of his friends and family there
to offer hugs and share tears. Justin's wife and boys were
so strong, as everyone felt surrounded by the spirit of God, as
he comforted all who were there to witness a beautiful farewell
to a very special son, grandson, brother, husband, father, nephew
and cousin. The service really made Jeff and I aware of our
mortality and how vulnerable we all are to our physical bodies,
and how we need to work extra hard to make sure our spiritual
bodies are ready to move forward in God's plan at any point in time.

While we were there, we were able to spend time with all of our family
and it was great to reconnect with everyone! Here's a few pictures from
our reunion.

Parker and Carrie


Easton and Keagan-Seriously-I have the cutest nieces and nephews ever!


It's the new Gap Kids Ad! We were going to see the temple lights!


We had so much fun! I got to read to "Keagie" before her nap,
and sing her a song and hug her tight! She is the cutest
red-head (next to Jackson, Julie, and my mom of course ;).
Easton and I had the best talk about iPhone applications and
games, and how his mom wouldn't let him play with her iPhone,
and how his Dad played guitar, and why Aunt Carrie is the coolest
aunt ever! ;) I wish we lived closer so we could play all the time.

Jeff and I on Temple Square checking out the famous Christmas lights! Temple Square will always have special meaning for us-it's where we had a first real date. We walked around together, got some hot chocolate at the Barnes and Noble (no longer there) across the street, I talked almost the entire time (i know it's hard to believe), Jeff listened which would set the trend for our eventual marriage, and then Jeff pointed out that my wig was crooked!!! ;) It was a great night! I must have done something right, because he asked me to marry him and 12 years later he is still with me! My wigs have special powers.






Cathy, Heather, Tyler in the stroller, Kim , Myself and Jeff represented the Hill family on the square that night!



It was so cold that night, that the sheperds and sheep turned into Ice Sculptures!


Once a little sister, always a little sister! Kim and Jeff got to tease each other like old times!
















"Girls just want to have fun!" Julie, Me, Heather, Kim and Cathy. Amy and Oma were with us in spirit!






Ryan and Heather posed for the camera, unaware that they would find out only weeks after this picture that they would have a 4th baby addition to the family!



Ryan, Heather, Madison, Tyler and Sydney!

The Utah Hills Family Christmas Card.

It was great to see everyone! We even got to visit with Lawton and Amy too, and it made our Thanksgiving season that much more wonderful. We have a lot to be thankful all year round.