Snow Walk

Today's adventure - a walk to the Moose Pond...with snow shoes! Those brave enough to go were Uncle Jeremy, Ethan, Grandma Libby, Grandpa Irv, Keegan, Denali and Evan.

After suiting up for about 20 minutes they were off with the 4 dogs for a nice hike. Grandma Libby had to come back with Keegan and Denali because the snow was too deep. The rest of the crew made it to the bottom and phoned up for a lift home. It was a successful undertaking...mission accomplished!

Mom's Birthday...59 years down!

On the 22nd of December we were all here to celebrate Mom's birthday! We started the day by making apple pancakes for her and then played a few games and had a lazy morning before heading down to SLC for a bowling pizza party! We had a nice lunch together at the Pizza Factory and then we all played a game of bowling. We had 5 adults and 7 children on two lanes. I'm happy to say that everyone had a great time...we all had success with the bowling...and I was not last (but very close to it!)

We finished the night with a triple chocolate birthday cake and a BYU-OSU football bowl game.

Happy Birthday Mom (grandma Libby!)

Progressive Christmas Dinner

On Sunday night the Smith family had it's annual progressive dinner....this time...we were here!! We started at the Harding home for appetizers, headed to the Smith house for salad, another Smith house for dinner, and finally the Cederlof's for dessert.

Unfortunately we added an emergency stop to Grandma Pearson's house. She was dealing with some awful pain and some of us stopped by to see her and so her grandsons could give her a blessing. After assessing the situation further it was decided that she needed to go to the hospital to be evaluated and to receive some pain management. After administering a blessing to her, she was taken to the hospital where she is getting treatment still. Our prayers go out to her.

Coordinating an event like that is always...well...an event! We were glad we could be here this year to share in the tradition. It's always so fun to see how well the big family all gets along. This year's total = 14 adults, 23 children. We missed two of the families...Carmans and Davenports, but will see them for the next event...New Years!

Old Time Christmas

Tonight we met up with our friends, the Thill family at the This Is the Place monument Christmas village. Our group of 20 people walked around the cute Christmas village and tried to stay warm. We darted in to a couple buildings for a craft and a puppet show. We rode the train around the village and down to the reindeer. We then ran over to the monument and played in the snow for a few minutes. And finally, we ate yummy cinnamon rolls, cookies and hot chocolate in the parking lot before heading home. It was a great reunion with one of our favorite families. Thanks Thills...we love you guys.

Evan's letter to Father Christmas...not sure how we'll get that mini go cart home to Texas from here??!!

We got the front car of the train for the ride back from the reindeer. Pretty cool (and cold) with the chilly night air.

Writing letters to Father Christmas....then you "send" them by throwing them in the fire and the smoke travels to the North Pole and is received by Father Christmas' fire.


McKinley liked playing in the snow. She threw a few snowballs at the cameraman...cheap shot!

Harlingen Heartbreaker

Austin and Ethan's soccer team advanced to the Western Districts as an undefeated team. The season had been phenominal and the kids had worked so hard. This was their 5 season together and they were really "getting it". We traveled 5 hours south to Harlingen Texas to compete in the Western District tournament. We we ready for our 3 games on Saturday with hopes of advancing to Sunday and on to state.

Our first game started at 7:30 in the morning, which meant an arrival time of 6:45am!! And it was sooooo cold. There was frost on the ground and my feet were numb within minutes of arriving. Not really fun. The boys were dressed in there under armor and running tights with hats and gloves to try and stay warm. Those running around on the field were the lucky ones!!

We played a great first game, posting a win 4-1. The second game was another story. When we arrived to the field we were surprised to see a team full of young men ready to face our 13 year old boys. They all (except maybe 2-3) looked years older than our boys. And they were good. Come to find out that the team we played would probably be 1 or 2 leagues above us in skill level excpet they don't have the money/time to travel as far as they would have to to compete. So they killed us. Our boys ran their little hearts out and gave it everything they had, but it was clearly not enough. They were outplayed and only managed to score 2 goals to their 7.

After that defeating loss the boys didn't have anything left for the final game that afternoon. Playing three games in one day is so trying, but to have the mental and physical drain from their second game on their backs was tough. We tried everything we could to boost them and encourage them, but they weren't able to "snap out of it" and ended up losing again to a team they have beaten before. With that loss their season was over.

Once the shock wore off the boys were able to see that they had had a wonderful season. They accomplished a lot and ended up 5th in the Western District's. Not many teams can say that!! So it was a good season...and now the boys have one more season together before they split the team, so they are determined to make it past Districts and on to State...Way to go Rangers!!

Just a note

So it's a little crazy around here...but I wanted to post so those who read this will know that we're still here....

December is usually quiet...in fact, I remember thinking it was not fair that everything was cancelled in December because people were "too busy". Library story time would end the beginning of December, dance classes finished up a couple weeks before Christmas for "a break", even friends stop calling on you in case you're in a holiday frenzy. And I was usually bored. It's no secret that I'm a girl that likes to be on the run. I like to have something on the calendar...to me that means I've got a purpose that day. I would spread out my errands to make sure I had something to do the next day.... And then my kids grew up and I took on more responsibilities...like a part time job, a room mom, the ward Activity chairman, and rural living!

So now I've joined the "too busy" bunch that wishes just something would fall off the calendar for a while. I find myself thinking, "when does dance end again?", or "do I really have time to go to lunch with XYZ?"

And add in the fact that we're leaving town for 2 1/2 weeks on Thursday. Monday and Tuesday I have a 2 day seminar to attend from 9-5, a Christmas dinner for work, and visits to make to all those friends I will miss over Christmas....and I live in the boonies. But living in the boonies is a whole 'nother post. That definitely has something to do with our house being on the market!

So that's what we're up to...probably as busy as the rest of you....but I wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

New Camera!!

For Christmas (a little early) we got a new fancy DSL camera....the Canon Rebel something. It's wonderful and complicated and easy all in one. I've only had a few days to play around with it, but it's amazing!! I've got a lot to learn and I can tell it's going to be great. Mostly I've just practiced with the focus feature and faces. I'm having fun with my close up lens. The clarity of the photos is great...a true upgrade from my point and shoot. Here's some of the first shots I took when I was playing around today: