I'm Thankful for...

FAMILY

They are crazy. They are over protective. They are nosey. They are all over. They are chaotic. They are thoughtful. They are caring. They are supportive. They are sarcastic. They are worried. They are your safe place. They are the ones that will ALWAYS love you. They are the ones you will always love. 

Everyone has a family. Everyone has used the excuse "You should meet my family." "You wouldn't think that if you met my family." Those kind of things. And it's true. You're family makes you who you are and who you're not. 

We've all been annoyed with them. We've wanted to get away from them. We've wanted a break. But we all still go running back to them no matter what. So here are the people that make up my family.

Parents.
They are the best. I lucked out big time. My mom is just the best. She's even letting us have Wendy's for dinner tonight. Who's excited? I am.
My dad is the sweetest. He's always looking out for me and keeping an eye on me.

Brothers.
Andrew, Jackson and Spencer. They are getting so big I don't even know when that happened. Drew is 6'1. WHAT?! Jackson turns 12 tomorrow. Yeah. He'll pass the sacrament and have the priesthood and stuff. Spencer is still the little guy that is the same size as Jack but he loves me now and told me I smelled nice today. I love these kids so much. I love coming home and seeing them.

Sister(s).
Really it's just Mallory. Who is the greatest. I look up to her so much. She knows what she's doing and isn't going to let anyone change that. She is gorgeous and smart. Bonus. (And she's single. Let me know if you want her number. I'll decide if you get it. I'll decide.) But I listed Mal and Jenna as sisters. That's pretty self explanatory. I'm beginning to think that Deb Snake adopted Jenna from my mom and we really are sisters.

Fred. 
My dog. He's family. He's also crippled, deaf and almost blind but I love him. We've been buds for 6 years. He's a great dog. And he's got slacks.

Finley and Tucker. 
Oh my word. They are the absolute cutest kids in the world. Honestly. I don't know how you get cuter than they are. I often refer to them as my niece and nephew but they are definitely my cousins. They just could be. I love them to death and love seeing them when I come home.

Grandpa Jack
He was such a great example and an amazing man. I loved learning all about his amazing accomplishments when he passed away. I was blown away by how many things he did with the church and everything but then he still made sure he was always Grandpa. I'm the youngest granddaughter on that side so I got a little spoiled. He was the greatest. Man I miss him. I wrote a personal essay about him this year and bawled my eyes out. (Much to my embarrassment in front of Mike) I just miss his smiling face, his contagious positiveness  and his Donald Duck voices. He was a sweetie.

Cousins
On both sides. I'm the youngest on my Dads side and the oldest on my Moms side. So I love having both older cousins and little tykes. They are so funny and I love to be around them. It's like bringing friends to family parties. Good times.
 
Grandparents
I'm lucky enough to have 5.
Grandpa Jack and Grandma Gwen. Grandma Gwen is such a sweet lady. She is the typical Grandma. Treats, newspapers, jewelry, hugs and kisses. The whole package.
Then Grandpa Joe and Grandma Dixie who passed away almost 10 years ago. She was incredible. I miss her  happy disposition and her encouraging words. Her crafty style and all of her amazing talents. I can't believe it's been so long. I can't wait until I get to see her again someday. My grandpa remarried Ginny a few years after Grandma Dixie passed. How many people can say they went to their Grandpas wedding? Well I can. She is so nice and I'm so happy that she made it possible for Grandpa Joe to go on another mission.
 
Aunts and Uncles
Oh man. If I don't have the absolute funniest aunts and uncles in the world I'll be amazed. Goodness. They are hilarious! I love being one of the older kids that I get sit and listen to their conversations and everything. Oh man. I love them.