Thanksgiving in Utah

Look at Cody's face. That's the look he has right before he does something sneaky....like start it and put in gear. The 3 little chipmunks took a cruise around town on Uncle Matt's 4 wheeler. I wish I would've taken more pictures during our Thanksgiving festivities!! We had a good time and a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was so good to see family. We love going to Logan!! We often wonder why we don't live there. Maybe when the kids go to USU we'll move there too. Anyway, as usual it was a fun time. (We love waking up to Grandma O's french toast. )Now it's on to Decking the Halls!! It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Did I mention that Ryan had to turn around after work and drive to Idaho Falls for work? Poor Guy. He drives soo much, at least he doesn't have 3 fighting kids a puppy and a backseat driver with him. That must make his travels a little easier, but still that's a lot of driving in just a few days.

Little Daisy

Here is our new puppy. Isn't she cute?? The kids love her, Especially Madilyn. We had a "ruff" night last night. After the long drive home from Utah, the kids were exhausted but not Daisy. Finally at about 1 A.M she settled down and she slept on the couch with me. She was my little foot warmer. She got up about every 45 minutes to go outside....sometimes just to play for a minute. I was worried about leaving her outside in the low 20's without a dog house or other puppies to snug with. She would have loved to stay out all night. So tonight we made a fort in the garage with a big blanket and a toy. Hopefully she sleeps better. I wish I had her winter coat!! By the way, June likes her new playmate. Madi has a new best friend

They played all day!!!

Even Ryan cannot resist her cuteness.

This Just Might Make You Cry

I did not write this.

*Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
*I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, And the mothers and fathers who are struggling to have a baby of their own.
*And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............

"Evening of Thanksgiving"

Madi's 2nd grade Thanksgiving program was so cute. We got there 20 minutes early but that wasn't early enough to get a good seat. I had to stand in the back so I could see her better. Ryan and Emma stayed put. Doesn't she look so grown up. Emma told her she looked like a mom and Madi thought she looked like a Teacher. I think she looked beautiful. Notice at the end of the video....she's asking to wear her favorite pair of jeans....again!! It's a never ending battle. When I don't let her wear them she cries all morning and constantly asks if they are clean yet. Ugghh! I mean we all have our fave pair of jeans but come on....Seriously.....calm down.

Finally!!

Cody's haircut was long over due. I promised him if he was a good boy I would buy him a happy meal. Well, that wasn't good enough. He told me he wanted a balloon too. Fine...whatever. It was truely a miracle. I didn't think he would do it because up until we walked in the door he was saying No, NO haircut, it hurts! As soon as we walked in he walked right up to the lady before she even greeted us. He was ready. He climbed up in the chair by himself and sat there with a huge smile on his face. I still can't believe it. Those who know Cody, know he doesn't just sit there with a smile onhis face, especially when getting a haircut. He surprised me. Whe he was done he said I love my haircut and srutted out the door with his sticker. Then we went to the dollar store to get his balloon and then to McDonalds for his happy meal.

A happy meal for a happy boy!! Good job Cody!!

Mom and Dad,
Thank You so much for coming to see us!! It was so good to have you in our home. The kids were so glad you came. You could not have come at a better time. Thanks for all the groceries, goodies and everthing else. You always seem to make our life easier. You are such amazing parents and grandparents. We are so lucky to have you!! We wish you lived closer.....We Love You!!.....
Happy Anniversary!! (belated) My parents were married on Nov. 2nd.....35 years ago.

Home is where the Heart is....

My Parents and Newt came out for a visit. It was so good to see them. The kids loved having them here.

It's been awhile since we've taken a picture together.

Newt was writing their names on rocks and they threw them in the lake. That was a hit!

Always my little brother....although he's not so little anymore!

Madi in her favorite pair of jeans.

Cody about to throw a tantrum....

Here is Ryan trying to make Cody happy. He might have to stand on his head.

Oh... Emma wants her Dad.

Tree climbing at the creek

I love this picture!!

Look at Cody and Newt.....So cute!

Cody's about to take off running for the ducks

Emma finally has her Dad.

Happy Birthday....Babe

Ryan turned 32 yesturday!! Whoa! He's getting old. Madi made him a card with "Awesome age" written all over it. Emma made a card and taped a couple quarters on it. So sweet! I love when they make cards....priceless. Ryan had a pretty good Birthday. He got everything he asked for. A couple Louis L'amour books and a couple thermal shirts. What else does a dad need? Maybe next year he'll get a flat screen TV or a new car....maybe.

Ok, I know Cody's hair is long. He often is mistaken for a girl....by elderly people....even in his "boy" clothes. Most people love his hair and say not to cut it. What do you think.....besides a trim, do you think I should cut his hair...short?

I Am a Child of God

Madi and Her Bugs

Those who know Madilyn obviously knows that she loves bugs! We got her this bug collection kit for her birthday and it is finally complete. The whole process took her and Ryan about a week. It took a lot of patience and hardwork to get the bugs just right.....Yes, these bugs are real and all the way from Thailand. After receiving the bugs Madi had to follow the directions on how to moisten them...3-5 day process. Then she had to pin them ever so carefully to a styrafoam board just how she wanted them so wings legs antennas all had to be arranged. The butterflies were hard to do. We were so afraid the wings would break. After pinning them in place she had to wait a few days for them to dry.....Then.....She had to pin them in the case.

Didn't she do a good job? She is so proud!! I can't belive she likes these creepy things.

Trick-or-Treat

Cindy Lou Who. Emma turned lots of heads on halloween night....lots of comments and Awwww!

Cody was so excited about his candy! he really got into the trick or treat thing. He ran from house to house and yelled twick o tweet or sometimes it came out tank you tweet. At least he was getting the thank you in.

Madi stayed out a little longer than the little ones. She really worked for her full bucket. Emma and Cody got tired..their buckets were to heavy so I took them home and Ryan stayed out with Madi and our neighbor friends that we went with.

Miss Sweet tooth!! I think this is really why she wanted to come home.....CANDY!

Big Superman....Little Superman. My boys...aren't they the cutest?

As you can see, they did not want their picture taken....Lets go already!! It was such a fun night. Our neighborhood was really festive and spooky. The streets were packed with trick-or-treaters. Our neighbor passed out candy to 96 kids. My new nick name for Emma is Emma lou who. It fits!! She should have entered a costume contest!! She was so cute. when she would run that puffy part on top of her head just bounced all around. After one house she ran up to me giggling and said "I'm afraid of my own shadow." I don't know why it was so fun this year maybe part of it was the weather it was so nice. It was about 70 degrees.... It looked like it was going to rain all day. We lucked out!!