Twilight

SPOILER ALERT (Are you happy Gwen)

So I FINALLY went to see Twilight tonight with 2 out of 3 of my sisters. I say that like it's been out forever, it's only been less than a week. Too bad Nicole couldn't be there, but I don't think she read the books and she probably wouldn't like the movie.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I went in with very low expectations figuring it would be awful since the book was so good. I liked the fact that they kept most of the main scenes in the movie and didn't change too much. Some people have said they didn't like the acting but I thought it was fine. Although, I think they could've found a more handsome actor to play Edward. Robert Pattinson just doesn't do it for me. I liked the scene in science class where he looks like he's going to be sick when she comes near. It was funny when she smelled herself to see if she stunk. I do think the book portrayed their chemistry better than the movie. If you hadn't read the book, it would be hard to understand the chemistry so early on.

The movie did leave out a lot when it came to James and Bella's encounter. It left out the whole scene at the airport with Alice and Jasper and didn't show how Edward knew she was at the Ballet Studio. That was a pretty big part in the book it seemed to me.

I really liked Jacob. I thought he was pretty cute.

I totally missed the cameo of Stephanie Meyer in the restaurant. It was like a blink of an eye. I wouldn't have known she was even in it had Lauren not said something.

I liked how the ending opened it up for the next movie. I'm ready. Although, I think the second book was a little boring in the beginning.

So, I give this book a B. Go see it if you haven't seen it yet!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Big Rapids Holiday Parade

Big Rapids had an awesome Holiday parade tonight. Although, I have issues with people celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving, but oh well. Brooke actually got to walk in the parade with her girl scout troop. So that was exciting. We took lots of pictures but it's hard to see them in the dark. There were lots of floats all decorated and the firetrucks were decorated. Many of the trucks strung lights around them. People were passing out candy and coupons to different restaurants. Brooke was given a teddy bear as she was walking in the parade. Santa Claus made an appearance, along with his reindeer. There was even a live nativity!! It was a really cold night though!! They were lighting the Christmas tree downtown after the parade but Brooke was too cold to stay so we just went home. But not before getting some free hot chocolate!!

Mom, dad, and Lauren are in town. Here we are waiting for the parade to start:

A couple of the floats:

Brooke is in there somewhere. She has the purple and fuchsia coat on and jeans. Second row.

The reindeer after the parade

This time last year

So this is where we were last year at this time. We spent Thanksgiving in Arizona in 80 degree weather with my brother. Oh, it was wonderful! I wish we could go back again!!

Playing in the snow

The kids had fun playing in the snow today. Brooke and our neighbor Landon enjoyed shoveling the sidewalk, even though most of the snow isn't on the sidewalk anymore. They also enjoyed shoveling front steps, which several people thanked them for. Shouldn't they be getting paid for that? We should start charging people.
Charlotte and Peyton enjoyed standing on the picnic table. In this picture they were saying "hi" to each other.

Here's Landon doing a really good job shoveling the sidewalk.
Brooke decided she needed to shovel off the picnic table as well.
Then we got the sled out and the bigger kids pulled the little kids. Everybody had a great time.
Charlotte was ready to come in after this, but Brooke, Landon, Peyton and their mom decided to sled down the hill that is in the distance in the picture. So no pictures of that, but I'm sure I'll get some another time.

Picture from Family Fun Day

So here is the picture I was trying to get on here from the Family Fun Day we went to on campus a few weeks ago. We're in front of a castle and Brooke and Charlotte are princesses. I'm not sure what I am but Nathan, well, that's Nathan for you.

Georgia

While I was at I.U. I met a girl named Georgia. To be honest, I didn't really know her all that well. We were only there at the same time for one year. But, she was the sweetest, nicest, most genuine person you would ever meet. She had the most awesome testimony of any 18 year old I knew. Unfortunately her life tragically ended way too soon in the fall of 2002. Nathan and I attended her funeral in Bloomington and the church was packed!! She wasn't even from there, she was from Utah going to school. You could tell by the people in attendance how much she was loved and how much she was going to be missed. The best thing about it though was that her family knew they would see her again. I think about Georgia often and of her powerful testimony that she shared with so many people. I wish everyone had had the opportunity to know her. The reason I write this tonight is because today is Georgia's birthday. Her sister made a blog in tribute of her. You should check it out and see the kind of person she was. Another friend wrote a wonderful tribute to her not too long ago. Read their blogs, they're much better at this than I am. Happy Birthday Georgia!!

First Snow

It has been snowing most of the day today. Hasn't really stuck so much. The picture is one looking out our back door. I think it's pretty.

Nathan's brother, David, came to visit this weekend. We didn't do a whole lot, just showed him all the sights around Big Rapids. We got out at our favorite park to play for about 5 minutes but it was just too cold. He wants to come back when it's warmer so he can golf, play ultimate frisbee, and go tubing down the river. Our next visitors come next weekend. The Asay's are coming!! And then we'll be home for Thanksgiving the next weekend.