Thanksgiving 2011

First ya gotta make the Turkey Place Settings

Thx to Linds for that contribution

now a j-fam tradition

Clair and Becka helpin out

Adding the eyes

(ps--who ate ALL the leftover OREOS?  Fess up you!)

Steamin it up in the Spa

...and hanging out :)

Pre-Feast

Carri helped me do ALL the cooking...

everything from scratch except 2/5 pies

Whew!

Everyone helped here and there... 

Thanks guys!

Taking 5

Our 1st Fried Turkey

Gorgeous!

Love this boy :)

Iron Chef Vaughn

Under the tutelage of Iron Chef Marsh

Two Chefs

Two Turkeys

~you decide which is which~

Marsh cramming the bird in the Fryer

(They were big)

Captain Vaughn lowering sloooooowly...

You can see it takes a Village

(No Vaughn does NOT use these gloves when cleaning toilets)

Deeves in her new house

(contrary to how it looks, 

no animals were harmed or maimed

in the making of this blog)

Pre-prayer

Post prayer

Ben is one happy camper--

it's his first Thanksgiving at HOME in 5 years

Deliciousness

Chow Time.  Clair is HAPPY

Our second Turkey, yum

Full Tummies

Can you say NAP ?!?!

***

BEACH TRIP

Ventura Coast

Kyler and Carri (Brigham in the background)

Great pic!

Brigham playing football with Marsh

Marsh and the Coast

There were dolphins off shore too!

Vaughn and Cami flying kites!

Luvin the surf

Cami got her kite up real quick

Vaughn's needed coaxing...

It had a mind of its own and at one point, took off--

with Lindsay and Vaughn wildly chasing after it.  

Saved the day those two!

Reeling her kite in...

Such a Beautiful Day!!

Marsh and the boys going to explore the rocks, with 

Carri, Clair and Becka right behind them, just not in the pic.

They found crabs and crabs and more crabs!

Naw, we didn't have crabs for dinner,

but we did go eat fish.

Becka and I ate SHARK! (she was so proud)

I love the colors, the beach, the coast.

Yes it's true... 

People actually LIVE here!

Cool dudes in their hoodies

After the sun went down, it was cold...

The sunset was so beautiful.

Nevermind... 

Lindsay is beautiful.

yeah, I took a lot of sunset pics

No, this is NOT a postcard

Becka was theee collector of the day

Clair was digger extraordinaire

Low tide, Smooth water

Kyler and Brigham and Emma had gone exploring,

else I'dve grabbed 'em for the family photo-op. 

Beautiful 

Becka and Clair are soooo happy around the water.

ANY water. 

They're not picky.

But they especially LOVED the ocean :)

We always wish we had more pictures!

A lot of videos were taken which really captured the fun moments. 

(Unfortunately, they're too big and won't upload.)  

Here's the sum up:

We slept in, went to Puss In Boots, fried our first turkeys ever, ate lots, 

ate some more, watched The Ringer (I totally cackled a ton), 

got 90 minute massages (best ever), 

went Black Friday shopping--multiple times for some,

descended on "Susie's Deals" ...and we found some DEALS!

...made more food and ate, ATE, ATE

swam in the cold pool (go Clair and Becka) 

relaxed in the steamy spa multiple times, 

went to Breaking Dawn (some of us), 

played games, went to the mall, made homemade binoits (french donuts)...

 trips to 7/11 and Starbucks (Carmel Apple Spice is AMAZING),

o'course, ate some more...

basically played super SUPER hard.  

--I'm exhausted just writin about it--

 Everyone got home safe and it was 'back to your lives citizens' on Monday. 

Hangovers big time, but smiles on everyone.

Same Bat-time, Same Bat-channel next year?

I'm in  :)

Santa Barbara J-Fam Marathoners

Up at 5:30 a.m. ready to leave for the Drop-off zone.

Lindsay looks all pro fo sho.

It poured rain til midnight the night before--we all worried

we'd be running in the rain.  But nay nay. 

It was the PERFECT DAY! 

The bags I'm holding contain re-hydration powder, water, GU, protein...

and tons-o-Advil......which we all really neeeeded!

BRING. IT. ON.

Preston was the first to finish the Half.  He ran the first 10 miles

then started feeling some blisters on his right foot, so he walked

the final 3 miles--one of which was completely uphill (mile 10 for the halfsies, mile 23 for Ben)  

Still, he clocked both Lindsay and I.  I give his Vaughn-Johnson-Stride alot of credit.

Finishing his last semester at BYU, full time school load and full-time internship...

Ran a half marathon.  

No biggie dealie.

Here she is--she finished just a few seconds behind Preston.  

And RADIANT as ever!

And look folks, she didn't even break a sweat.  

Gotta brag--she works full time, 2 hour commute each

day, yet still found time to train for a half marathon. 

Lindsay is amazing.  She is an inspiration.

Dontcha love that smile?!?!

I love this pic...Lindsay and Preston meeting up at the finish line.

No cryin now.

The exhausted couple right after they crossed the finish line 

...just seconds apart.

Mission Accomplished!

About 10 minutes after Preston and Lindsay, I crossed.

They gave me my medal and then I heard people calling my name...

and started walking toward the best family in the world.

The first person I came to was Preston. Jeez he felt good.

Then came a huge hug from Lindsay (only seen in video) 

and then a papa-bear hug from Vaughn.  

Yep, Preston broke down.  Cry baby that he is.

Both girls were next on the hug list...(also only seen on video).

Finishers of a HALF MARATHON--13.1 MILES.

Don't we ROCK?!?

Yep, we do :)

Another great shot.  We're just so awesome :)

****

Then it was time to look for Ben

****

Lindsay was the first to spot him coming.

I'm on the left taking video.

Here I am getting Ben's triumphant finish--

he's the RUNNING GOD in yellow just under the 

second "I" in FINISH

Here I am in mom-mode to the max, getting his time on record.  

He averaged a 8'53" mile for 26.2 miles straight.

He's Man. And Machine.

Ben...catching his breath.

He only started officially training 2 months ago.

My friends think he should pay a visit to the BYU Track and Field Department...

...he's THAT good.

~Hey good lookin peeps~  

You just ran a Marathon Ben: 26.2 miles!

You just ran a half Marathon Linds and Press: 13.1 miles! 

Hey wait.  I did toooo!

***Recovery Time***

Lindsay started stretching right away.  

It reminded all of us to stretch.

Here she is in rest mode.

We all took her lead and sat down on a bench for a bit.

Water and oranges were provided.  We all chomped 

on "Chomps" for some added energy.

Who's happiest--Ben or Preston?

Actually, the leg and foot numbness is starting to wear off,

now comes the stiffness and the aches. 

More needed time to rest.

I'm in a classic Matthews pose: elbows on knees.

Preston in solemn prayer.

Ben giving signals to sideline coaches.

Lindsay...hoping her MIL doesn't pass out.

TRIUMPHANT :)

It feels good to do hard things with our bodies. 

We get cheered for our accomplishments.

Especially at Marathons.  The crowd was incredible!  

And our personal cheerleaders were precious (Vaughn, Emma, Cami). 

But I tribute my family for doing really hard things in our hearts and souls--

...accomplished with no cheering crowd.  

That is the test of strength.

That is the definition of HARD.

I love you J's  

Our precious and beautiful personal cheerleaders!

My running buddies:

Julie is on the left--she has run multiple marathons and is

my friend that got me running years ago...and keeps me

running now.

Becky is in the middle--she and I trained together for

this half marathon, a first for both of us.  

I couldn't have done this without her.

****

Videos

****

Ben crossing the finish line:

Lindsay crossing the finish line. 

(The camera person apologizes; you'll understand...)

The FAB FOUR

We apologize for the technical difficulties.

The last two videos won't upload.

Maybe later :)