Turkey Trot

Everybody say, "Turkey Trot."

Everybody say, "Turkeys. Gobble Gobble Gobble Gobble."

Everybody say, "Turkey Trot."

One of the field trips for Utah County Birders is the annual Turkey Trot in November where birders get together to go find wild turkeys. Obviously that wasn't going to happen this year. We birders, however, were encouraged to go on our own to find those turkeys so one afternoon our family took a drive to Diamond Fork Canyon to look for turkeys. Jeremy mentioned that he always finds turkeys there. No such luck this time. The trip wasn't a waste, though, because Jr. Jr. made up a story game for us to do while we were out. We each got to pick characters and help each other out on an adventure. It was fun family time.

 

The day after Thanksgiving, we decided to search for turkeys again. This time we went up South Fork Road toward and past Big Springs since we often see turkeys up there. Well, we did see turkeys. We had to look at them through trees and couldn't get a good look at them, though, so that was kind of disappointing.

 

We decided to continue trying, though. Since we were already in Provo Canyon, we tried up toward Sundance. We made it all the way up to the trailhead for Mt Timpanogos (the road was closed after that) without seeing any turkeys (just the ones in the van) so we headed back down and continued on.

 

Next we headed to Payson Canyon where Jeremy had success with turkeys recently. He told us of a field where he had seen a bunch of turkeys. Sure enough when we reached that field, there were over twenty turkeys that we were able to take pictures of. Most of them decided to go for a walk and crossed the road in front of us.

 

Lucky had been disappointed that we didn't see the turkeys very well up South Fork and we realized that he had fallen asleep and missed these turkeys. In the same general area we were looking at Lewis's woodpeckers (and other birds) when Lucky woke up. 

We decided to turn around and see if we could see any of the turkeys that had stayed behind. We could see a couple but they were pretty far back among the trees on the other side of the pasture. We drove back toward where the turkeys had crossed the road in case any of them were still near enough to see. Woohoo. We found some and four or five came up toward the road again so Lucky was able to see them. At one point while watching the turkeys with their heads up, Nichole mentioned how they may be looking at the turkeys up on the hill. What? We looked and there was a group of turkeys on the hill and another group and another group and so on. 

 

We still had some turkeys come up to the road again so we (mostly Nichole) could get more pictures of them up close.

 

Don't worry. The van was turned off and we were parked off the road.

 

So in this spot Jeremy counted over a hundred turkeys and those were just the ones he could see (there were probably more hiding in the brush). The turkeys probably felt that since Thanksgiving was over, it was safe for them to be seen.

Turkey Trot success!

Speaking of turkeys and Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my turkeys, all six of them. I appreciate Jeremy cooking the one we ate and preparing most of the rest of the food. I appreciate Lucky helping peel eggs for deviled eggs. I appreciate those who helped with the baby so I could help in the kitchen. I appreciate those that helped prepare the last of the food so I could talk to my parents and some of my siblings and their turkeys on a video call. I appreciate that mine had fun making faces with their food. 

I appreciate that we had food and lots of leftovers. I appreciate recognizing where blessings come from.

I also appreciate this adorable onesie that our birding friend, Machelle, stitched and gave us last Winter that Jet can now wear (he wore it on our successful turkey trot). She's the only birding friend who has held (or seen in person) Jet since she came to visit pre-pandemic.

Wolfenoot 2020

"Have a howly Wolfenoot."

We learned of a new holiday created a few years ago by a kid in New Zealand. Wolfenoot. It is celebrated on November 23 every year. You can find out more about it on the official website wolfenoot.com where we got ideas for our celebrating this year.

According to the website, Wolfenoot "is when the Spirit of the Wolf brings and hides small gifts around the house for everyone. People who have, have had, or are kind to dogs get better gifts than anyone else. You eat roast meat (because wolves eat meat) and cake decorated like a full moon."

We had chicken drumsticks.

Jeremy made and decorated a cake to look like the full moon (with craters).

The four oldest kids went around the house and found treats for each of them. That doesn't mean the rest of us aren't kind to dogs. We were just okay without the treats.

The kids and I also watched some videos about the Fibonacci Sequence in nature and in music because November 23 is also Fibonacci Day.

Peanut Butter Fudge

November 20 was National Peanut Butter Fudge Day. I made some.

November 21 was National Stuffing Day. I made some.

Give Thanks

A week ago, President Nelson counseled us to experience "the healing power of gratitude." You can see his message on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints YouTube channel. You can also read the story behind his message on the Church's website.

He invited us to use social media as our own personal gratitude journal for seven days and to thank God in daily prayer. Lately I haven't been feeling very grateful even though I know that there is so much for me to be grateful for. I've been thinking too much of the stresses of life and letting it get to me. President Nelson said, "At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace." I chose to participate in #GiveThanks and since my posts on Facebook and Instagram will get buried over the next little while, I want to share here what was in my "gratitude journal" for the past week. I'll tell you I also loved seeing what other people had to share. So I'll share Jeremy's posts as well.

 

Because it comes up, I will also let you know that for a week the Orem Public Library gave ideas for "No-Stress November," tips and ideas for self-care during these crazy times. Here's a quick overview of what they shared. 1. Create Art, 2. Meditate, 3. Laugh, 4. Go on vacation, 5. Write, 6. Exercise

 

On to my posts about #GiveThanks

 

November 20 (Instagram)

I am grateful for local libraries. I miss going into the libraries (new baby then pandemic. I'm also grateful for my husband, the designated library goer). I also miss the librarians. We've been able to do online activities with both Provo Library and Orem Public Library recently (and over the past several months) and this week I've been enjoying "No-Stress November." Today I "took a mini vacation." It was very mini, but while baby and I were out running errands, we stopped by the lake for just a moment. Baby slept and I took some time to look at a novel my husband is writing. I'm grateful for engaging books and my husband's writing.

(I later made this comment: Another suggestion from Orem Public Library for No-Stress November is to write.)

 

November 20 (Facebook)

I'm grateful my children are grateful.

Lucky: I'm grateful for my family.

Nichole: I'm grateful I can still go to school even though there's a pandemic.

Lucky: I'm grateful for Jesus. I'm also grateful for the disciples. 

Lucky: I'm grateful for toys.

Lucky: I'm grateful for beds.

Jr.: Good friends.

Jr. Jr.: I'm grateful that we have a loving mother who does so much for this family.

 

November 20 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for the peaceful moments.

 

November 21 (Instagram)

I'm thankful for this boy right here. We were recently given some canned goods (I'm also thankful for the people who gave those to us). He helped organize the area to put them in (he's got some skills). I'm thankful for his little brother's help with holding boxes and cans. I'm also thankful for the other kids helping with the baby so we could concentrate on the canned goods.  

 

November 21 (Facebook)

I'm thankful for the good day we had today, ending with the kids saying what they were thankful for.

Jr. Jr.: I'm thankful for my family.

Lucky: I'm thankful for blankets.

Jr.: I'm thankful for the opportunity we have at the end of each day to say what we're thankful for.

Nichole: I'm thankful for books.

 

November 21 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for my wife who is incredibly patient and supportive. I am also grateful for my kids...most of the time. ;)

 

November 22 (Instagram)

I'm grateful for what my family did for me today. My 10-year old sent me to my room so they could prepare a surprise for me. When I came out, I found they had cleared off the table and made Chex Mix which I love. My son wanted to make Mommy happy and got everyone else involved in it.

Later the kids made dinner.

 

November 22 (Facebook)

Both of my sisters are grateful for humor today so I wanted to follow suit. I'm grateful for humor.

Jr.: Ha Ha Ha Ha. Laughter.

Nichole: I'm grateful that Jet is stealing Chex Mix from my cup.

Jr. Jr. I'm grateful that Lucky can dance. And boy, can he dance. 

Lucky: I'm grateful for pillows.

Nichole: I'm grateful that our awesome mom is going to let us play video games today. Just kidding.

Jr.: That's what I'm grateful for.

Our reaction when Daddy brought home chocolate chips.

Watching a movie and dancing to its music while juggling. I'm a multi-tasker.

Yep. They did get to play video games.

And boy, can he dance.

 

November 22 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I love the fact that my wife and I have so much in common both in our upbringing and in our interests. It is not hard for us to find things we enjoy doing together. At the same time I appreciate her honesty and that she is not afraid to tell me when her opinion differs from mine. We are growing together and for that I am grateful.

 

November 23 (Facebook)  

I'm thankful I asked the kids what they were thankful for before they fell asleep.

Lucky: I am thankful for paper... so I can write.

Jr. Jr.: I am thankful that I have a wonderful mother that does so much for this family.

Jr.: My wonderful family.

Nichole: I am thankful when we can have Family Home Evening.

 

November 23 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am blessed with two great sets of parents. There is the one set that raised me, loved me despite my shenanigans, and now treat me like an adult despite some of my decisions. And there is the set I married into, who trusted me with their daughter, made me feel comfortable in their home, and treat me like an adult despite some of my decisions. I know both sets love me, and not just for the grandchildren.

 

November 24/25 (Instagram around midnight)

I'm grateful for my walking buddy. Sometimes he's awake and sometimes he sleeps through our outings. The last tip from Orem Public Library for "No-Stress November" is Exercise. So on a particularly stressful day, this little guy and I went out for a walk where I was able to enjoy a nice view of the lake. It felt so good and really helped. I'm also grateful for The Piano Guys because their music helped calm me as I drove to our walking spot. 

 

November 24 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for nature. It is one of the great stress relievers in my life. Being an introvert often I find relaxation, comfort, and am reenergized by being at home. In reality I also have five kids so home can also be taxing, chaotic, and draining. When that is the case a few hours out in the woods or by a lake away from people usually does the trick.

 

November 25 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for friends. I am grateful for the variety of friends I have. I have friends on the far left and on the far right. I have friends who believe in some incredible conspiracies. I have friends who are atheist and those whose lives revolve around God. I have friends where I am the weirdest person they know, if only they knew some of my other friends! I have friend that are close enough they could be family, and some of my family are my closest friends. I have friends I have never met in person and friends I have not seen in years. I have good friends in other countries whom I worry about when things get bad over there and who worry about me in return when America goes crazy. I have many friends who would and have gone out of their way to help our little family and whom I would return the favor to in a heartbeat. I am grateful for all of you my friends!

 

November 26 (Instagram)

I'm grateful for our gratitude jar. We started writing down things we were grateful for and putting them in the jar before we were counseled to post our gratitude on social media. Recently I was trying to narrow down what I wanted to post and I realized I didn't have to narrow down my list. I was able to write down each thing I was grateful for on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. At least one of the things we're grateful for is humor. 

 

November 26 (Facebook)

I'm grateful that the point of #GiveThanks is not to spam social media but to let gratitude make a difference in our lives. So I missed a couple of days of posting. During that time I had the opportunity to focus on the second part of "the healing power of gratitude." Prayer. The last couple of days I've had some very sincere and personal prayers where I was able to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father (even during stressful times). It reaffirmed to me that He is there, He is aware of what is going on with me, and He cares. I believe this counsel was inspired of God and it has led me to have a very full heart and for that I am grateful. 

 

November 26 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for animals that taste good.

We're Thankful For... Jet

"When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way From your first bassinet to your last dying day."

Jet had a good birthday.

Birthday boy bonding time with Dad

Happy birthday boy with birthday cupcake

Ice cream is cold

Present opening time

Ostrich made from LEGOs by Lucky

 

What a blessing to have this little guy in our lives. We love you, Jet. Happy Thanksgiving!

What?

Family Home Evening

Since Thanksgiving is coming up, we had a Family Home Evening lesson about being thankful, just like the Jaradites in the book of Ether in The Book of Mormon were thankful when the Lord help them cross the ocean.

We read a story from the November 2009 issue of The Friend magazine. The story was called "The Thankful Jar" and we made our own thankful jar to add slips of paper to. Lucky really got into it and went through so many slips of paper. I'm glad he's so thankful.

For our activity, we played Jenga. We hadn't played that in a while and we did a pretty good job if I do say so myself. I think it was the tallest tower we've ever made as a family. 

For our treat, Lucky made us melted snowmen with ice cream, chocolate chip eyes and mouth, and pretzel stick arms and a broom. Yay, creativity.

Homemade Bread Day 2020

Homemade Bread Day was November 17. I wanted to make honey oat wheat bread from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner but it would take too long so I made white bread and made the wheat bread the next day.

 

Homemade bread. Mmmmmm. 

Thanks, Nichole, for making honey butter to go along with the bread.

P.S. November 18 was William Tell Day. We had apples with dinner.