Happy Thanksgiving!

The Gifford's spent a quiet day at home for Thanksgiving this year. We got out of bed when we felt like it. (For Calvin that was about 11:15) We tried to wear the dog out during the day. (Dad took him for a run in the morning, and Paige and dad ran him around at the school in the afternoon) We had plenty to eat. Too much in fact. The Turkey was great! (Dakota even got his own bowl of turkey) The Mashed Potatatoes were great! The new corn muffin stuffing was great! The jello, the green been casserole, the sweet potatatoes, all great! (Thanks Mom!) Everybody had a part in making the dinner. (Kendra made rolls, Calvin made the sweet potatoes topping, dad made Pecan Pie, Paige made Apple Pie, of course mom did the rest) And having 4 pies available to 5 people was a little too much as well (Chocolate, Pecan, Apple, Chocolate, and of course Pumpkin) We ate the pie while we watched the movie "Evan Almighty". (Good movie by the way. I liked the message)

Before we ate our dinner Paige read Psalm 95 and we gave thanks to God for everything we have, which of course, all comes from him. During dinner we talked about the things we are thankful for in the last year (No "stuff" allowed)

We do have a lot to be thankful for:

• Our friends and family who add so much to our life



• Our gifts and abilities for which God wants us to use to help others



• A purpose for living



• Health to continue to climb and hike (I can't take this for granted anymore like I used to)



• Our dog



• Our teachers (that was good to hear)



• The ability to make choices (That was Paiges. What a great thought, considering in many countries having the freedom to make their own choices isn't a given. Thanks to our awesome troops!)



• Our bibles and the freedom to read them and freely live out our faith here in the USA



• Our jobs and opportunity to learn in school



• The opportunities to spend time together as a family, especially here in beautiful Colorado
  

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day as well!

The Giffords (Dave, Rose, Calvin, Kendra, Paige,.......and Dakota)

Ashley & Lucas

I love Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel!!! There so amazing. Oh I wwould love to meet them.

Ashley Tisdale is awasome actress. She plays a sweet, loving person , then she's a snotty girl. Did I mention her singing? She is amazing I looovvveee her!!! Lucas is a great actor. He's done two movies. he's agreat actor.

Hey

Hooray

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Thats What We Say

The Eighth

Day

In November

So Remember

Its Your Birthday

Calvin:-)

Why I love my dad! by Paige

Why I love my dad!
· Because he helps me when I have a problem.
· He plays games with me.
· He takes me to the mountains.
· I like his jokes too.

Love, Paige

Birthday Poem from Kendra

Dad

My dad is sweet
He gives us treats
He’s very funny
Like Pooh with honey
He loves to hike
And to bike
He loves apple pie
But his limit is the sky!

Happy Birthday, Dave, The Dad

Hi, I am the mom in the Gifford family, Rose, and I am rarely seen or heard from in blog form (not only am I technically challenged but to make this writing semi-grammatically correct may take all day), but I have a special occasion to write. It is Dave’s 44th birthday and I know he would love new entries by his family. I know this because he mentions it daily. Many of you know Dave through work or family but few of you get to witness Dave “the dad,” so I would like to share with you what an awesome dad he is. He is intentional in what he wants his children to know and in what areas he feels lead to guide them in. Last night he spent time reading with each of his kids. He didn’t spend time with any old book but carefully chose books for their personal growth. He reads at the dinner table as well, right now it is, “When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box,” by John Ortberg, which is helping to focus our family on trophies that are truly worth winning because they last forever. As we think to Christmas he is trying to think of gifts that are meaningful, lasting and as “unplugged” as possible and how to spend our Christmas trip doing things together and making lifetime memories. One of the best things he did all year was to bring Dakota into our home. That silly dog has united our family in many unforeseen ways, like all of us out of the house and on the football field running him around in the goofest game of football you ever seen. All of this has not been pure instinct for Dave and that is almost the most wonderful part. I have been able to witness his striving to be the best dad he can be. As he grows daily in his intimate walk with God he becomes the husband and dad God wants him to be and is molding him into. Psalms 15 speaks of a godly man's actions. Through his actions Dave is establishing a founation for his kids. This foundation is the one spoken of 1 Cor 3 which is Christ Jesus and 1 Tim. 6:19 which gives them life. I love you Dave, Happy Birthday. Rose (How did I do one my first blog?)