Christmas with a Bang!

Every year we have good intentions in not going out of control for Christmas and every year we blow it! Ha! The presents never stopped! The boys were in heaven! We feel so blessed to have had such an abundant Christmas this year, especially while facing difficult times in the economy.


On the top of the list for great gifts for me was that my mom was able to come visit us! We hadn't seen each other in over 2 years! She took the Greyhound to get here and boy was it a crazy trip. The bus left her in Wendover, NV but she made it work and still got to Pocatello safely! We were so grateful!

I made this blanket for Jon to snuggle in! He loves it! I used jeans I collected for the last 13 years or so from Jon's old jeans. The little squares were from my old jeans.

I was glad my mom came prepared for the cold 'cause it was cold!

Our own Nativity

It's tradition every year on Christmas Eve to have the kids act out the Nativity story. We did it with the Petersons and it was darling! Those kids look so cute in their costumes!

Madalyn - Angel, Andrew and McKay - Wisemen, Joshua - Joseph, Maryn - Mary, Caleb - Shepherd

This was the closest we could find for baby Jesus...that's what happens when you have all boys!!

Thanksgiving Enjoyment

What a feast! It was awesome to see one gigantic table going from the living room to the kitchen. That's what we get for having an enormous family! It looked amazing though. And all the food was so delicious. A lot of work by a lot of people was put into this amazing occasion.

The whole clan. I was lucky to get this picture...I got this one shot and then my camera battery died. Love how everyone is smiling....except....my Andrew. Hahaha!

The great person who took on this big day at her house! Jon's sister Gretchen.

Before....

....after.......... My tired boy from a long day of fun.

The reason for it all! Mom Ruth in the middle surrounded by her 7 beautiful children.

I am so thankful for the family I have been blessed with and especially miss the family I wasn't able to be with.

A trip to Utah

Jon and I went down to Utah for some "Christmas business" and had a great time! We went to temple square with the boys and we all were in awe of the lights! The pictures don't give temple square justice. And then we stayed in Provo with my dad and the next day I was able to take some pictures of them (my favorite thing to do of course!!)

It's always a favorite to go see the Christus statue at the Visitors Center.

Isn't this just darling...the little child and Jesus looking at each other.

When I was taking their picture this friendly horse came right up to us and wanted to join right in! It was hilarious!

Geez David has sure grown up!

Aren't they sweet together!

1st Wrestling Season

This was Caleb's first year trying wrestling and boy was it an adventure. We traveled a lot! and the matches were long, but Caleb loved being at them. He hopes to learn a lot more about wrestling and improve his technique.

A sad look of defeat...

Josh, his friend Kylar, and Kylar's sister getting a closer look.

My new little friend...Josh and Caleb's friend's sister...Nakaiya.

Natural Beauty and Man Made Beauty

Right in my own backyard, so beautiful!!

Right in my frontyard! Why leave home?!

Our trees are still baby trees, I guess I was longing for some fall leaves in my yard!

Somehow man made things can be interesting and beautiful too.

Saw this while we were pheasant hunting.

This too.

Can you see it?

Saw this while we were scouting for elk.

I love how blue the sky can be.

Halloween Time

The Parade
Halloween kicked off this year with the traditional parade through the school. I love seeing all the costumes!
Andrew was a mad scientist and he played his role to the T the whole time!
It seems that when you're a sixth grade boy it's tradition to dress as a girl. So here is my lovely daughter! (Blond for now!)
Joshua just loved How to Train Your Dragon so I encouraged him to be a viking. And boy did he make a great viking! (He was a little self conscious about his weight.)

The Party
Caleb was invited to a costume party and was so excited for it. For the party Caleb decided to "color and cut" his hair so now he's got black hair. Unfortunately he caught the flu the day before. He still pulled himself together to go but didn't have as much fun feeling sick the whole time.


Trick-R-Treating
It was just Joshua, Andrew and I for this event. Caleb and his dad stayed out bird hunting. First we hit the trunk-r-treat and boy did they load up. Then we hit the neighborhood and knocked a few doors. Some candy is not nearly as good as a whole bunch of candy!