Christmas Parties

Lucas loved the BYU Christmas party mosh pit, er, balloon room where kids jump around and into each other.

















Lucas didn't think highly of Cosmo.





















Jonathan thought he was great.

















Youd family Christmas party

Double the Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving #1
















Thanksgiving #2


Because we don't know where we will be next year, we decided to maximize our time with our families and celebrate Thanksgiving at both of our parents' homes. We started at Grandma and Grandpa Youd's house. When we got to the Christensen's, Jonathan said, "But we already ate--even dessert!"

Fall

We finally know the real reason Margaret was grieving over Goldengrove unleaving--all that raking!

(I picture a cartoon of the poet writing his poem, lying on his back and waxing philosophical about life and death, while Margaret is crying about all the leaves she has to rake--alone. Yes, the dreamy English major has become cynical.)

Ah life!

"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?" asks Emily in "Our Town."

Yes, Emily, children do.

Trick or treat!

Ahoy, matey!

















Two cute dragons. (Lucas and cousin Liam)

















Shiver me timbers! It's a beautiful princess! (cousin Haley)


















We spent Halloween at Grandpa and Grandma Christensen's house. The big hit was the swimming pool full of little ghosts (dried beans). The homemade doughnuts weren't bad either.

Youd Family Halloween Party

Derek, Ryan, Matt, Jonathan, and Kyle























From left to right: Indiana Jones, a fearsome dragon, Minnie Mouse, and an incredibly handsome pirate.


















Above: Lucas discovered the joys of a light saber.

My sister Lorilee and her family hosted an amazing Halloween party complete with a haunted house scary enough to get a few screams out of my mother.

First haircut

Before.




















After.
















The secret? Raisins.