Thanksgiving 2011 Family is Everything

Thanksgiving this year was at Misty's house in Missiouri. Her and Brandon were so gracious to play host to this band of brothers this year. That is not an easy task by any means. The amount of food and fun that is consumed at each gathering is unbelievable. Yet they opened their home and welcomed all of us for a few days of fun, laughing, and good times. Thanks you guys!

Len was recently called to be the bishop of our ward here in Hurricane. That calling comes with huge time committments, worrying, frustration, and stress. It was so good for him to get away for a little while and just chillax with his family. This picture is worth a thousand words to say "Yep, he's relaxing". He got a bad head cold though and suffered with laryngitis for most of the time, but still was able to get some much needed R & R.

My man

The only crimes these two committ is that we don't get to spend enough one on one with each other. I love my Misty, she is such an inpsiration to me. She is so talented, such a wonderful teacher (Len got to go to school with her for half a day and see how amazing she is, he was blown away with her ablitlities with the students). Misty is a great mom, wife, daughter, friend, and christian. Thanks my sweet angel girl for such a wonderful Thanksgiving. You rock!

Partners in crime

Our darling and only grand-daughter turned 17 this past October. I don't know where the time has gone. It started right here at Ft. Leonard Wood 17 years ago, we were all gathered here together along with my sister Ann to see Kyla come into the world. That seems like just yesterday and now she is 17. Thanks for so many great years of getting to love you Kyla, you are the best granddaughter we have. You also rock!

We all changed the street name from Layla Road to Kyla Road.

To my wonderful Pete & Jenny of whom for some reason I didn't get any good pictures this trip, we love you! You have some amazing children, so smart and wise for their ages. You make us smile, sigh, and aww whenever you are around. You bring an element of wonder and amazement with you witiness, your expertise in the finer things, and your candor. Thanks for sharing the road with us and inviting us into your home. We had so much fun getting to know the little boys better and being able to spend some time with them. They are cute litte buigs for sure. To my entire family...thanks for the memories, the fun, the tears, the talks, and the time and money you took to make this all happen. May we look forward to many more great memories in the future. Summer isn't that far away...let the plans begin!

T-Day 2011 Missouri

Jordan really looks up to his brother Jack. Jack isn't always the best brother (I am sure it's the age) but when he puts his mind to it, they are really cute together. Here they are taking a walk together at Aunt Misty's house. Jack is explaining the finer points of riding in a Red Flyer wagon!

Jordan & Jackson

Cory and Kristen

Cory and Kristen flew in for the holiday. Poor Kristen was sick with the flu for most of the trip. Here they are posing for me, they are really photogenic. Kristen is an aspiring actress with any walk on parts to her credit. Cory is a great artisit and has his won website, line of products with his artwork, and does a little free lance on the side. They are sure a cute couple, (are there wedding bells in the future? They won't comment on that one).

Brandon, Charlie, and Misty

Dustin is such a great son. Like all of my boys he is such a talented young man. Dustin has built a highly successful business over the past 13 years. He is the owner of his own tattoo shop in Carbondale Illinois called Tuff Luck Tattoo. This past week Dustin took 1st place in the St. Louis Tattoo Convention for one of his Japenese Body Suit tats. He is highly sought after for full body tats along with sleeves, backs, arms and legs. He is really a success in his field. He has been remodeling his shop the past few months and I am  excited to see the end result. He has done tile, cabinets, paint, electrical, and heat/cooling system. Most of the work he has done himself, very talented indeed. Dustin is doing well after his terrible accident last year where he crushed his ankle. Is there love on the horizon? I think so...he is keeping low key about it so as to not jinx it in anyway...so more to follow I am sure.

My boy Dustin

Just had to include this one in the blog. These two have been so close over the years. Even when they were kids at home, they were close. Misty playing school, theater, or whatever Dusty was her greatest support in all of her 'projects'. They were there for each other during some really hard times like when Brandon was in Iraq, and Dusty was layed up with his broken leg. They live about 4 hours apart so that makes it easier for them to stay connected.

Misty & Dusty

The nut doesn't fall too far from the dad tree. These two men not only look alike, but think alike. They are both very ordered in their lives, very organized, and very detailed. These are good traits to pass on. They are both also very quirky...well all of us Mendenhall's are very quirky. Our quirkiness is what makes us unique and lovable, and also very annoying! Well we are who we are...so deal with it!LOL

Two peas in a pod.

More Family Fun T-Day 2011

Thanksgiving or any get togethers with this bunch means games, more games, and fun! When we all get together the noise level is usually pretty high. Everyone talking and reminiscing all at the same time. I just sit back and savor the noise.

The Kids

Misty, Dusty, Cory, and Pete

No get together would be complete without my requesting that "everyone come outside an let's get a group picture". I just love seeing the kids all together. Misty's home is the perfect backdrop for this Kodak moment.

There are no 4 children quite the same as these 4. They all are so unique and different, yet so much alike. They are all at different stages in their lives...Misty is a 4th grade school teacher at Freedom Elementary in St. Robert, Missouri. Her kids are 14 and 17 Kyla and Casey. Dustin has owned his Tattoo shop now for over 10 years and is very successful. Cory is in the Coast Guard presently stationed in Long Beach California. Pete just turned 28 and is the father of two active little boys Jack (3) and Jordi (1) stationed with the Air Force in Bellevue Nebraska. Even though they are light years apart in intersts and life, they get together and it is like time stood still, they are siblings with love and togetherness, what more could parents ask for?

Never a dull moment with this bunch!

Pete and Jenny added to the chaos of all of us descending on Misty's home by brining their cute new little puppy Riley for the visit. She was only 9 weeks old and a cute little stinker. Jack was learning to take the puppy for a walk, but I really think the puppy was the boss. The were really cute together.

Jack and Jill (I mean Riley)

Brandon seems to hold the title of Corn Hole King, ha! What a name for such a fun game. It comes from the Mid-west and is a really fun lawn game that our family has grown to love. Misty has a set and so do we, so whenever we get together "let the games begin".

Anyone up for "Corn Hole"?

We waited for the perfect day to pull out the Corn Hole game, and we were rewarded with the perfect sunny afternoon - after the big dinner. It was chilly for some of us but the competition was worth it. Go Misty!

I will take away the title!

Off to visit family for Thanksgiving 2011

It has been a whole year since we have been together as a family! The time has gone by so fast. We leave this morning for a long road trip to Missouri to be together for Thanksgiving 2011. We are taking the northern route through Denver and up into Nebraska to see Pete's family. We will stay with them for a day then all of us will travel on to Missouri to Misty and Brandon's house. Cory and Kristen are flying in from California and Dusty will pick them up in St. Louis and drive on down to Misty's. We are so excited we can hardly stand ourselves. Jordan was only a few months old last we saw him and now he is walking, so it will be great! Misty and Brandon are such great hosts, we are thankful they have a wonderful home to house all of us Mendenhall's. I think they better get earplugs it gets pretty loud when we are all together. Let the fun begin!