matt's last day

well, matt headed back to utah today for the last time as a colorado resident. his new job with zions bankco starts tomorrow and our life of being separated until our house sells begins. hooray! makes for a fabulous holiday season :( although we're sad to split for a bit--we'll come through. i think we've been sufficiently prepared on how to function as a family while we're living apart. matt is excited for this new challenge. he's working in a position that we didn't think would cross our path for a few years so we're feeling really blessed. the kids and i will head over for christmas and, depending on the house, will come back if we need to, which is looking more and more likely as our house, cute as it is (wink, wink), hasn't sped off the market like we'd anticipated (again, wink, wink). so those of you out there expecting your own personal holiday greetings from the mcqueens, expect a card in February (or march). hopefully by then we'll have a new address to announce (keep those fingers crossed)

on to a thanksgiving flashback.

we did go home for thanksgiving to have a look around at neighborhoods and areas. we still have no idea what part of the valley we'll call home but were encouraged that maybe we'll be able to afford something.

we had thanksgiving at jus and lucy's with my side of the family with everyone there except shem and luisa. my kids were in 7th heaven surrounded by so many cousins. we've missed so many family events that they can't wait to get back into the mix.

grandma and grandpa the creators of these chaotic children :) love you m&d. was fun to see you and reconnect a bit before we come back and take over
the four first graders--spencer, sam, jackson, and isaac. oh boy. look out for these four. they're crazy--isaac loved every minute of wrestling, tackling, teasing the girls, jumping, sword fighting, the list could go on.
mallory, in her second of four outfits that graced the thanksgiving table. i think these are viv's pjs. what's wrong with tiger stripes and china?

megan and maren. have been bestest buds since the womb. 5 weeks apart and only separated by 600 miles--not for long. sleepovers await

the post dinner mess. many hands means a huge cleanup. fortunately everyone does their part and who cares if your doing dishes if your gabbing with the gals right?

the newest hawes. sarah ann hawes. just a week old--ok maybe 2 but still the cutest little peanut with the most well defined features for a newborn that i've ever seen. jared and dana can't be done when they produce such beauty. right guys?

Isaac's first turkey bowl. because of his innate love for tackling, this is the sport for him. much to mom's dismay. football drives me crazy. (sorry rachie) but the boys and the dads got a chance to release all their wiggles.

eli, who slept through the whole of dinner, enjoyed his own thanksgiving meal.

thanks everyone for the great food and great time. i fear this is my last family function where i will be allowed to show up empty handed while my mom, sister, and sisters-in-law do all the prep and bring all the fabulous food. i somewhat enjoy the role i've played for the last four years as visitor and guest instead of hired hand but all unfair things must come to an end...or what ever a good saying is to sum up this entry.