Thorpe Family Blog: This is our family scrapbook!
Why is it so hard to get everyone to smile and look at the camera at the same time?
The boys looked good in this picture, so I cropped myself out!!
Thirty minutes of torture about did us in!! That is why we only do this once a year...and that is just with our own little camera. The big, above the fireplace, professional family picture is done like every 3-4 years!!!
Utes are #1!! The Thorpe family came to our house to watch the Utah Utes beat the BYU Cougars! Poor Grandma Crandall (BYU fan) was a great sport and even let us put a U of U blanket on her!!
Another #1 picture to get Savannah in there. All the little kids were upstairs playing and Jantsen was at a tailgate birthday party for Josh Elison (BYU fan). Poor Josh.
Watching intently...
Riley and Savannah lovin' every minute of it!!
The first half was a little tense, but we knew our Utes would continue their undefeated season and show those Cougars a thing or two. During the game our "Cougar fan" neighbors put blue and white balloons on our yard and BYU signs on our front window. So after the huge win, we put on all our red, grabbed those balloons and went caroling to their house singing "A Utah Man Am I", and popped the balloons as they opened the door. Ooh, it is nice to win! Way to go Utes!!
The annual South Dakota pheasant hunt started out with a stop at Mount Rushmore. Greg, Payton, and Jantsen took off in Laura's car on Monday, November 17. 1080 miles later they reached Mitchell, South Dakota.
They rode with another vehicle driven by Robert Ellis. He took Conner, Alayna, his brother, Brian, his son, Tyson and Brian's brother-in-law, Jeff.
This is a picture of the crazy ones that drove. Everyone else flew.
Most of the mighty hunters ready to shoot some pheasants. It was just a little cold. (16 degrees with 25 mile per hour winds.
Greg, Payton and Jantsen trying to stay warm.
The whole group after a day of hunting: The Ellis', the Thorpe's and the Child clan.
Payton and Jantsen and the beautiful sunset...
Enjoying a meal. They came home on Saturday, November 22. Nick, Brooks and Laura held down the fort at home and were very excited for their return. They did make it home in one piece. (Barely)
Thorpe brothers and cousins help celebrate Nick's B-day. We had cake (Savannah special) and ice cream. 
Singing happy birthday to Nick. And actually we didn't sound half bad...unusual. :)
Aunt Savannah made the coolest football cake. It is a football field with Utah and BYU as the end zones. On the football it says, "Go Utes". Nick loved it!!
A closer view of the super cool cake!
Opening presents with just our family.
"Yea!! I'm finally 7!!"
Nick has been talking about his birthday for several months. We didn't do a "friend" party this year and eventually he was okay with that. He mostly just wanted to go to Brick Oven. So we all went and ended up taking two of Payton's friends...go figure! :)
We donned our black and headed up to the big Ute game against TCU Thursday night, Nov. 6. Payton and Jantsen sat in the end zone on row 6. Greg and I used Jeff's season tickets and sat more middle field, row 54.
Just after the kick-off...
The score at half-time and for most of the game. We were nervous wrecks thinking we might not score again. And then in the last 2 minutes of the game, Utah decided to win!!
The crowd rushes the field. We thought Payton and Jantsen were going to rush too. Thankgoodness they stayed in their seats and held up their signs while yelling, cheering, and jumping up and down.
The final score...13 to 10. What an unbelievable game!!
After we reunited with the boys... "U of U A Great Investment BCS x 2". Laura, Payton & Jantsen.
Greg, Payton & Jantsen...VERY excited about the win!!
I don't know how this picture got in here....:)
Payton & Jantsen just couldn't resist the "Ute" bus. Of course, we would never actually say those words.
The owner of the bus told us that the guy who did the art work was actually a graphic arts student at BYU. Gotta love it!
Greg recruited the brothers to help pour a concrete pad in the new batting cage. They all dropped what they were doing and helped out Saturday, Nov. 1. Thanks guys!! Greg, Jeff, Kelly and Riley.
Greg can hardly wait to take Nick and Brooks out Trick-or-Treating!!
Both Brooks and Nick decided to wear something different to trick-or-treat in. Lucky for them they have 2 older brothers that wore these costumes a few years ago!
Don't forget your shoes Potato Head!
Payton decided at 5pm to go trick-or-treating with a bunch of friends. I told him 14 is too old to trick-or-treat! But...he managed to talk me into finding him a Superman costume. All of the girls were going to be super heros. (I guess Payton was going to be their Superman!) Kelsie Gillen was kind enough to give him a ride and in turn I made her pose for a picture!!
Getting ready to start the Halloween program at Mrs. Sheppard's preschool. This is Brooks' 2nd year and he has been so excited!!
All of the kids have a small speaking part and they sing about 4-5 songs. This year every child sang loud and knew all of the words!! They were fabulous!
A cute little Zorro...
After the program Brooks and Brady were a little loopy!
Brooks and Mrs. Sheppard. All of the kids told Mrs. Sheppard that witches don't have yellow hair! :) Brooks loves preschool and is learning lots!!
Payton is busy texting to find out what he is doing for Halloween.
Going to wish Dad a happy Halloween at work.
Jantsen and friends Jake Anderson, Cortez Nelson and Josh Elison. Doing the rounds at the school costume parade.
And there is our little cheerleader Nick!!
Little sis, Mindy, dressed up and brought baby Jessie to the school costume parade.
The night before Halloween, trying on all the costumes...
Not too sure what or who Jantsen is...
Halloween Day on their way to school. Jantsen is a Chargers fan and Nick is our cute little cheerleader!
Brooks decided to be Zorro for his preschool program.
