Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year spent with Chris' family at Grammie and Grandpa Grafs.  We enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by mom and dad Graf and good company, including "Grammie Opals" aka Grandma Jones, Aunt Beth, Aunt Brenda and Uncle Mike, cousin Anna and her two cute girls, Emmi and Ella and also another little cousin named Serenity.  It was a laid back day and perfect for rest and relaxation!

 Most of the crew

(missing: Ella, Brady & Olivia!)

After a relaxing day for Thanksgiving we headed down to the hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City for some serious shopping and to see the lights at temple square, something we'd like to make a tradition!

We stopped in Layton at Red Robin for a very tasty lunch and then on to the malls...watch out!  Four women!  Our poor men and kids!!!

Shawnae and Brady enjoy their respective chocolate milk and lemonade and puzzle over some puzzles in the children's menu!!!

 Chels and I cozy up for a snapshot!

While these two love birds get caught on film as well!

Four cheeseburgers, one corndog, one fish sandwich, two salads and a ton of french fries and fry sauce later we were stuffed!!!

After lots of shopping we went to Salt Lake City and checked into our hotel room and then hoofed it a few blocks to the TRAX where we got on board and rode to Temple Square.

We missed the narrative for the nativity but it was so beautiful.

The reflection pool in front of the temple had tons of floating candles in bubbles.  It was so pretty!

This picture is blurry but still a nice backdrop!

Two very patient children! 

They spent 90% of the weekend confined in either a car, stroller or on a train!

We also got to spend some time in the Visitor's Center.  We went up and saw the Christus and the kids thought that was pretty neat.  Then we went down to the basement (or in some cases we went "UP" to the basement!!!  Haha...inside joke, right mom Graf???!!!)

In the basement they had a ton of exhibits and unfortunately we only had a quick look around because it was closing.  Below there was an earth perched above all of the Book of Mormons in different languages.  I thought that was a really neat exhibit.
                

There was also a replica of Joseph Smith and his testimony of the Book of Mormon and also several replicas of ancient prophets who took part in recording in the scriptures.  I wish that we had more time to spend there and I'd definately like to take the children back there when it's not so busy and really engage in the displays, videos and exhibits.

On the way back to the hotel we had to wait a very long time for the TRAX to come and poor Brady had to go to the bathroom very bad.  Then the train was PACKED and there were some "delays!"  Basically, we could have walked all the way back to the hotel  by the time we rode the TRAX back!  Here are some troubled looks on mom and Shawnae!!!

Thanks for a fun weekend!