Just for the record....

Ever since Dallin found out he and his brothers drew out for the non-resident hunt in Wyoming, he has been walking around the house in his hunting boots, wearing camo hats, watching hunting shows, and looking at the latest camping/hiking equipment. Sigh....the hunt is not until OCTOBER! So, I fear I will have to endure the obsessive nature of my husband for the next 8 months! And, just so you know, he wears a different pair of hiking boots every day! He has printed out a topographical map of the area they will be hunting and is already studying the lay of the land. I think I need another girl in the house...my boys are on a hunting rampage! I know there must be others that can relate?! Maybe the girls need to plan a HUGE party to be thrown upon their departure and we can spend the next 8 months planning it! Who's with me?

The field trip

It all started when Dallin volunteered to help a man in our ward wrangle sheep. The man needed to corral his sheep into the sheep barn so they could be sheared. The night before this event, Shebli asked Dallin why he was wearing his camo. Was he going hunting? He told her no, he was going to herd some sheep. Shelbi, looking at her dad with the saddest expression and near tears, says to him, "Daddy, I don't want you to do that. We love sheep!" It took a moment to understand her sadness. When Dallin said he was going to "herd" sheep, Shelbi thought he said "hurt" sheep (I would cry too)!

The next morning, Dallin calls and says that I should bring Kam and Shelbi out to this man's house because they would really enjoy seeing the sheep get their hair cut. So, we loaded up and away we went!

The missionaries in our ward also helped. Shelbi was elated when she saw they were there! Both Gav and Shelbi LOVE the missionaries!

This is after the shearing. Shelbi asked if it hurt and I told her no. However, I was really glad she didn't notice that some of them had a little blood on them (from being nicked). Kam loved the sheep, but I think he was more excited about the dog and the chickens that were there too! I laughed almost the entire time they were moving the sheep into the pens! The sheep didn't want to go and tried to escape and sometimes the boys were run over....by sheep! Good times!

My fabulous 3!

Let me tell you why my kids are awesome: Gavin is still at the age where waving at his mom and sometimes holding her hand is still cool (yay!), Shelbi is the best big sister to Kam. Even though I worry about her dropping him when she picks him up (and I ask her not to at least 12 times a day), she is great at keeping an eye on him. If he gets too close to the stairs, she picks him up and takes him to safety! Kam...is a doll! He's always excited to see me and gives the best, tightest hugs he can! If I'm lucky, he licks my face as well (it's his kiss)! I AM the luckiest mom!

Shelbi's spare time

Shelbi is such a big helper! She "tends" Kam for me when I'm cleaning, helps me empty the lint catcher in the dryer, and in her spare time she does a little decorating!

Or, maybe I should call this one costume designing! And Kam obviously has no problems wearing her designs!

Merry Christmas!

This year's Christmas brought snow! My kids probably spent at least 2 hours in the frigid temps playing in the snow. They made snow angels and tracks all over the yard! However, they were not able to make a snowman. The snow was so dry and not at all packable. After some hot cocoa and a change into warm clothes, we had FHE and the kids were able to open their Christmas Eve gift....I'll tell you what it was because you will never guess (ha ha).....PJ'S!!! I think Gav was a little disappointed that he wasn't able to open any more gifts on Christmas Eve.....and I caught him peeking (yes, peeking) later that night (yes, I was wrapping gifts in the living room...lesson learned).

Gav and Shelbs raced to open their Christmas socks first!

Gifts from Santa!

Kams' new noise maker!

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

Did you know this cat continues to meow even though no one is playing with it?

Over all, we had a very enjoyable holiday. We were a little sad that we couldn't be with family, but we were able to talk to them on the phone. And even though we were not with extended family, we were together with our own little family and I couldn't have asked for more! Happy New Year everyone! See you in a few weeks!!!!

Readers Beware!

This is going to come close to a marathon post! I have so much to catch up on and you might need a snack (or caffeine) should you choose to read on! November brought us several birthdays..Gavin turned 6 and Shelbi turned 4 on November 18! Here are a few pics...

Gavin decided that this year he didn't want to share his birthday with his sister. So, because Gav had school that day, Shelbi and I went to the bounce house in the morning (that's what she wanted to do for her birthday). When Dallin got home from "work", they opened presents. Then, the Saturday of the same week we went to the mall and played in their play place (That's what Gav wanted to do).


I also let them choose what kind of cake they wanted. Gavin wanted a motorcycle cake and Shelbi wanted a big cookie with candles on it! Next year Gavin wants a day all to himself!

Then, came Dallin's birthday on November 25 (the big 3-5, but don't tell him I told you!). He "worked" on his birthday and I prepared a nice dinner for him to celebrate. This was also another big day for Gavin (and it helps me to remember).

He lost his first tooth! The tooth right next to it followed 2 weeks later! Do they ever stop growing up so fast?

Our next big event came on December 11 (Happy birthday, Ian). My AWESOME husband GRADUATED! I cannot believe it's over! Now he just has to pass the BIG test (no pressure there!). Here are some photos of the graduation....

Dallin with his friends from the program, Kevin and Tim. I am SO PROUD of you, Dallin!
A big thanks to Dallin's family for all your help and we are so grateful you were able to make it to the graduation!

After graduation, Dallin, Kam, and I headed to Gillette, Wyoming to find a house. Gav and Shelbi stayed with a friend of mine (thanks again, Shalene). Our trip was successful and we returned from a very cold Wyoming to beautiful sunny days in Texas. This was our weather on December 23.....

Our high that day was 75 degrees! We played at the park in shorts and t-shirts! We awoke on Christmas Eve to this....


I'm not sure if we even hit 40! The kids were so excited that we got a WHITE Christmas...in Texas!

They just keep coming!

The past two Christmases we have spent in Texas, we have been blessed by a Secret Santa or Secret Elves. I am so grateful to whoever it was that left packages at our door for my family. What a great opportunity it has been to teach my children about giving AND receiving, because not all that we have received has been a physical gift. Our gifts have come in the form of blessings: great friends, a great ward, and amazing experiences since we have moved here. It has been such a joy and blessing to teach my kids about blessings from our Savior. And even though there are days when I fall desperately short of my expectations, He still continues to bless me and my family. My best gift for Christmas? Seeing the joy on the faces of my children Christmas morning.