Ekins Express

Thanksgiving

Before the festivities began, Matt and I left these two cute munchkins:


and headed to this:


...in Logan, Utah, where we stayed at the Riter Mansion Bed & Breakfast for a quick getaway. Thank you so much to everyone who watched the kids (and took care of Rett in the late hours of the night ;)) so that we could do this. We love going back to this place and reminiscing this and that about how we met, how we fell for each other, and all the fun times we had together in this beautiful valley. Anyhow, we got a great deal for a night at this place that included gift cards to SE Needhams, The Sportsman's, and The Iron Gate Grill. All were within walking distance so after we got checked in, we spent the afternoon strolling Main Street. Oh ya, we stayed in The Honeymoon Suite since we were the only ones in the entire mansion for the night! It was fun to be able to tour the entire home and see the old architecture throughout. The new owners added on to the back for people to use for wedding receptions in which they average 150 per year!

The view from our back bedroom door. If it were summertime, this is where we'd have breakfast in the morning.

The Aggies played the University of Utah and won! It was such a good game, as they always are at the Spectrum. Even with a small student section (due to the Thanksgiving holiday) the crowd still gave me goosebumps.

Do you see Tigger in the stands? This guy dresses up in several different outfits throughout the season. He is the team's biggest fan. ESPN even flew him out to the tournament last year.

USU: 79 Utah: 62

Ahhh, how we miss the Logan Temple. It will always be one of my favorites simply because of it's amazing architecture and beauty.

Breakfast was especially made for the two of us and it was so delicious! Apple pancakes with caramel syrup.

After we packed up we were back on the road and headed home to Mom's and Dad's to relish once again in this:

Hillary made cute paper number four's for us to write four things we are grateful for. The kids had fun drawing those things they're thankful for and then we all shared ours with everyone. Thanks for the fun idea Hill!

Abby drew: our family, a flower, the sun, and a rainbow

Thank you everyone for a delicious meal! Mom had the table set so beautifully as she always does.

Tom had fun gnawing on a turkey leg (and hogging all the grape Martinelli's :))!

This little guy couldn't get enough of everything.

And the rest of the trip was spent pretty much playing Wii. If you look close enough, Abby was half asleep while Holland continued to play. I don't know if the game wore her out or if she just got bored. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Dad surprised Matt and me with two Jazz vs. Lakers tickets Friday night!! Woohoo! We were so excited and grateful that Dad would allow us the honor. Thank you soooo much Dad, we had a blast. It was seriously one of the best games I've ever seen. Jazz were down by 19 in the first quarter and came back to win by six.

This picture of Kobe is for you, Rita!

Our seats were the first row of the upper bowl! We were surrounded by Lakers fans and haters.

The crowd went wild at the end as it's always extra victorious to beat LA!

As we were walking out of the arena, we watched part of the post-game show with Thurl Bailey and whoever that other dude is.

The weekend could not have been any better. It was great to spend time with everyone, including Camille and Holland who we don't get to see very much. Matt was great to take Holland and Abby ice skating on Saturday before we had to go home Sunday. Those girls had so much fun together, as the Garner family had to leave early Friday.

I am thankful for a good husband and father to my children. I really couldn't ask for more than that. Happy Holidays!