How did you "over the river & through the woods"?

                                                                                        Michael Driving us off the cliff!

 Unita National Forest                                            

Becca & Kristi

 Nicole, Kim (in back) & Arielle

 Arielle, Kim, & Nicole

 Kristi and that Hottie Husband of Hers!

 Grandpa Mac, Bec & Cole??

 Kristi Driving - Wahoo!

Aunt Alice & Cousin Laura Carlisle

From Grandpa Mac's Letter to Missionary Jonathan:

Thanksgiving was spent at the Snake Creek Cabin which has about a foot of snow.  We had 28 of us there, including Dad and Dorothy and Alice and Laurel.  We missed Joe and family, Jed and Jonathan.  The cabin activities included riding rented “side by sides” (4 passenger ATV’s), getting Alice’s Sequoia back to the paved street from the driveway of the cabin below us, eating and game playing.  It was a very noisy happy time.  I pondered how to get gratitude for the Divine into Thanksgiving.  The noise level was too much for me to try an organized gratitude sharing or to tell my favorite, B. H. Roberts/Psalm 100 Thanksgiving story.  I determined that the joy that all were experiencing was in fact a celebration of our thanks.  Religious discussion was occurring as a matter of everyday conversation.  18 of us slept Thursday night at the cabin. 

Getting things ready and organized for Thanksgiving was a project.  Family members all did quite a lot.  I spent a lot of time, and feel that this is a good way for me to spend time!  I particularly appreciate Shawn’s idea to rent the side by sides,  Kristi and family going to the cabin early and warming it up and feeding me and Shawn’s family on Wednesday, Chad with his super great turkey cooking, Mom for organizing Thanksgiving dinner and  Arielle for joining the outlaws in playing games past midnight and Alice and Laura for joining us and providing the rescue the Sequoia entertainment (probably two hours’ worth for the men).  It was fun to see 8 adult women take the ATV’s and go out for the women’s ride. Everyone for making the effort to go over the hill and through the woods to the cabin.

Duncan, Cara & Caroline IPad it!

Becca wanted proof she was being domestic!  Ha!

BYU vs. ID Game

At the last minute Dad offered some BYU tickets to me.  I took Timon and his friend Kazden!  Ok!  It was so Cold!  The boys were in full snow gear except Kazden's poor frozen feet.  But it was fun and I think they liked it!  I felt like a good mom and hey that is important.

 Funny story!  

So we left after the 3rd quarter because BYU was killing them and I mean killing them!  We went to put two half asleep kids in the car and guess what - Grandpa Mac's car was gone! This is what was there...

Being the good mother that I am - I put two tired boys to sleep in the shrubs.

Grandpa Mac word of wisedom: it's just as important what is under them as what is over them! 

I always learn something when I am around him! I'm serious.

The boys slept in the shrubs while my dad used his great negotiations skills to recover his 

towed car without having to pay the bill.  So note to all: NEVER forget to put your receipt for paid parking in the windshield.  It was still a great night and a great time with the boys.  Thanks for taking us Dad!

Halloween 2012

Here they are!  My three crazies!  Ty as Bumblebee, Michael as I don't know what the scary thing you are, and Duncan as Jack Sparrow.  They had a great time and got way too much candy.  My mom and dad came out and had dinner with us and went trick or treating with the boys.  They did Kazden's and Kaden's neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Mini Halloween Carnival

My darling friend Beka does a Halloween Carnival in her green court (I aspire to one day live on a cool green court).  Here is Duncan at the "eat a hanging donut with no hands" station.

 Nate Guiness will find the hidden gummy worms under all that whip cream.

 Duncan decorating his gord

 Digging for treasures

1st Grade Fieldtrip to Cornbellies

I have to say that one of my fav things in the whole world is going on field trips with my boys!  

 which direction should we go?

Ms. McCrory's First Grade Class

Peterson's Farm

I just have to say that I have a healthy love affair with Peterson's Farm.  It is located on the corner of 11800 South and Pasture Road (perfect name eh?)  Anywho,  I love it because it is so wonderful to make me feel that I don't live in a city.  I will be truly sad if they ever sell this property and turn it into new houses.  So we go there every year to pick our pumpkins for the season.

 Yep Ty picked a large white one & Duncan a tiny (fit in your hand) orange striped one!

Pine Wood Derby 2011

Just so we are all clear!  I am much more competitive than any Dad & I really want Ty to always do well. So then why did I choose to go with humorous Dad having a bonding experience with son over make the best car mom motives?  Let's just say that next year -- it will be mom's philosophy! Hmmmm.

The purple one with the big bug on it (that slowed it down)

was the winner of the funniest!