Summer Love

This morning I woke up early and worked out in our back yard. It was cool and peaceful. The birds kept me company and all the vegetables I planted are springing up. I'm loving summer this year in our new home with all of grandma's flowers around me. We've been spending all our time we can swinging and playing in the back yard with nieces and nephews.

We bought Trent's grandparents' home. It has a huge big back yard with fruit trees and a grape arbor. There's a swingset and tons of room for imagination to flourish. The home has a wonderful big front room but there was tons of wallpaper. Trent and I have been busy remodeling and hope to make a great place for our family to grow.

That 70's fireplace has been cut down to size.
The front entryway was a cold white marble. Soon we hope to have hardwood floors.
We tore up the carpets and will be replacing them with a nice plush carpet.

We Don't Care If We Don't Know the Words

What we found out this Christmas is that we don't know the words to "Frosty the Snowman" very well. You'd think we would with as much as James sings it every year but when we went caroling to Jim and Jennifer's house we messed up twice and then quickly tried to recover by jumping to the "Thumpety, thump, thump" part while handing over the cookies. It was good for a chuckle or two on all sides.

We did better at Uncle Ray's house and all the other houses we went to that night. I still goofed up the words here and there (as always) but everyone else sang the carols right. We had 11 of the nieces and nephews to add to the caroling this year. I love having nieces and nephews old enough to jump in and participate. It makes Christmas even better.

We also started our first annual nativity reinactment. Yes, that is me being the donkey above for Mary and Joseph. Here are two adorable angels below.

I would have more pictures but I misplaced my camera and didn't get any pictures from Christmas Day and the great excitement of presents. We all went in to get new tires for Dad. He had actually been driving on them for 2 days but hadn't noticed. Uncle Roger came for Christmas dinner and stayed to play games. Trent and I had to leave to go work on the house but everyone else enjoyed having him there.

Christmas Eve's Eve

The holidays start with soup in bread bowls and tons of fun. Trent's mom made pajamas for all the sons and grandkids. She also made beautiful bags for all the daughters. She says this may be the last year she makes them because it is such a huge project and fabric just keeps going up in price but then the kids look forward to it and love them- even the teenagers.

Trent's dad made M&M dispensers for all the grandkids. T was the first to get his and he was thrilled. His eyes got big and he asked, "All for meee?" then the most sincere "Thank you, Grandpa," I've ever heard.Heather helped Trent add some aps to his new phone. Then he and the nephews played Angry Birds all night.

We listened to Jonny's new CD that will be released in a couple of weeks. We were so excited to hear him sing. Shelly tried to skype with all the brothers and sisters that couldn't make it home for Christmas but it didn't work as well as she hoped.

My favorite part was watching the grandkids dressing up and act out the nativity. Trent's dad then talked and testified of Christ and we ended with family prayer. It was a wonderful evening.

Thanksgiving Stuffing

We had Thanksgiving with Mom, Dad, James and Joe's sweet family. Delicious turkey, mounds of potatoes and gravy, pistachio salad, green bean casserole and all the trimmings that go with Thanksgiving laid on the table in splendor for a few minutes. Then after pausing to give thanks we stuffed ourselves.

Ditto the next day. We celebrated the Day After Thanksgiving with the Huntsmans. Trent's mom decorated every table beautifully. The grandkids enjoyed a Hawaiian theme while the adults had fine China. Turkey, ham, potatoes, yams, coconut cream pie, more stuffing... delicious.

Later we had a freezing cold football game and fun at Heather's house. How I love these times together. I'm so thankful for my family. I may get stuffed full with food but I never get my fill of fun with my family. I love you all.

Jumping Into Lake Powell

Curtis and Julie invited us to Lake Powell. It was beautiful and warm. A wonderful way to end the summer. Trent and I were both able to wake board and surf. On the last run Trent decided to to go for it and had the most spectacular flop of the trip. He did a Superman dive into the wake. Hilarious!

Here are the real experts- my 13 year old nephew and 10 year old nephew. Jumps and 180 rotations, skiing backwards and switching hands. The are simply amazing in every way.

The always smiling spectator.

Hours of Entertainment

Isn't it great how the simplest things can be the most fun. Trent bought a new Compound Miter saw and it came in a great big box. Trent was clearly entertained with the saw and the nephews played all day long with the huge box. Fun for everyone!
After the boys got done playing with the box. Trent put them to work. Tee hee.