Happy things from the Weekend....

I am grateful it's Monday.

I am grateful I made it through the past weekend with great strength.. energy.. and no sickness.

I was truly blessed... and I am Grateful.

Wednesday.. I decorated a wedding reception for a Darling girl Evelyn in my ward.

The reception was in the Provo library.. and since it is over 30 minutes from my home.. I had to be down there from 3pm until 11:00 pm.  It was fun, stressful and exhausting.. and I am just so grateful for Chad.. and all of the loading and unloading.. and patience he has for all of my service and "projects."

For the wedding.. there wasn't a budget.. so I just used a ton of what I had around my house ( as she likes vintage stuff too ) and then I showed up and had to decorate with what was brought there... make good use from what was given to me.. and somehow put it all together.

It was a fun challenge!

Everyone seemed to have a good time.. and there was a lot of dancing!  We were so tired by the end of the night... that after we loaded up the car to take everything home.. it was all I could do to drive the babysitter home.  I left everything in the car... and went to bed.

We woke up Thursday morning ready again to tackle the day!!  It was a beautiful day.. and so fun to prepare to have our family in my home for the first time on Thanksgiving!

We completely rearranged the living room and made room for 18 to sit.  I needed to make room for close to 40.. and it was a joy.. knowing it would soon be filled with people I love!

I decorated... and used many of the flowers from the wedding the night before as center pieces.  I wish I had enough china dishes to feed a lot of people.. but I don't.. so we had to make do with paper goods.

Chad and I tag teamed.. as always... and spent the morning decorating.. preparing food and making  Mashed Potatoes for around 50. 

And then family came and  filled my home! 

My cute Grandpa Tenney that is almost 90.. said to me as he was leaving " Thank you honey for sitting me at a place that I could look around and see everyone I love.. and see  their smiling faces."

It was such a happy day. 

 I was surprised at the comfort I felt the whole weekend in spite of it being the first Thanksgiving without Dad. 

We felt extra blessed that Jeff was there to be with us all through the meal without being called in to the hospital.  He was worried since he was "on call" all weekend....

We also had the lovely "Cecily" ( Erin's friend from Australia ) with us.  We love her... and her patience with us.. and our children that  don't like to give her a moments peace.

I love each of my cousins... and family members so much. 

 Amanda and Alana brought us 2 different kinds of cheesecake from the cheesecake factory.. and we had fun sitting around talking, laughing.. and eating amazing food.

Happiness is seeing your kitchen like this and feeling joy instead of stress!

Knowing  I am rich with family and amazing food makes me feel content..and happy!

Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Taffy made us plenty  of Orange Rolls.. and I made sure to hide a plate in the fridge.  I feel zero guilt for it too.

Happiness is having people feel comfortable enough to sleep in your home....♥

Happiness is Banana Grams after with the fam.

Happiness for the kiddos is a weekend of fun movies all gathered together in Mom's bed... and Mom letting you sleep in her bed until Dad gets home is bliss....

( In Memory of : Grandpa Wright, Grandma Wright, and Dad )

Happiness is our annual Wright family Christmas party that is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  It is always fun to gather with my Wright cousins.. and celebrate the season!

Our family is so large.. even a church is almost too small for us now.

  My Dad is the oldest of 12 children.. I am the second oldest of over 60 + grandchildren.. and they announced that we officially have 80 great grand children.. and more than 1/2 of the grandchildren have not started or finished having children.  Our family is LARGE. 

( And no polygamy here. haha  :)

Everyone gets ONE present under the tree.. and it gets loaded with so many of us.....

We have always embraced our Swedish Heritage.. and dance around the Christmas tree as my Uncle Layne plays the piano and we all sing Christmas songs.  You can see... dancing around the tree is almost impossible now... as pretty soon we may have to make 2 or 3 circles to all fit...

We had the happiest kiddos who got to play with cousins and open a present...

Happiness is seeing Uncle Layne so happy.

My Dad's twin brother and his wife have been called to be Mission Presidents

 ( Portuguese speaking. )

We feel great joy for them.. and the adventure that awaits.

I know Dad will be there assisting him.  I just know it!

Today I am Grateful for:

Monday.  A day to sit home and clean.. and be lazy if I want to.

Being surrounded by lots of amazing people.

Feeling truly happy and content this holiday weekend.

Christmas music and Decorations have begun!

Being able to Hug and cry with Kelly and Sherie's family this weekend.

Our hopes, Faith and Hearts are with you.