Decorations

We are enjoying this holiday season.
We cut a Christmas tree in the Wildcat pasture on the ranch. Morgan was the driver. Doug and Rachel were the look-out crew from the back of the truck.We found a beautiful tree. It is only about 6 feet tall, but is perfectly shaped and has a powerful smell!
Next, we put up some Christmas lights. We are trying to function without Taylor this year!
We went to the electric light parade.
We made a gingerbread house to top off the wonderful day!

Temple

Taylor was able to go to the Mt. Timpanogos temple on Friday after Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful experience.

Christmas Tree and a Roadrunner

Ok, this is quite a goofy combination. (I got the word "Goofy" from the Mtn commentator on Saturday's BYU/Wyoming football game. Did you notice how many times he said "goofy.") Anyway Saturday as I was doing the dishes, I noticed a roadrunner outside walking across our basketball court. At first I thought it was Morgan because he is so fast on the BB court..... Funny. Seriously, we all looked and sure enough it was a roadrunner. We have never seen one in our yard before.
As for the Christmas Tree. Saturday afternoon we attended a "Capitol Christmas Tree Celebration." Arizona has the honor of providing the 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree for the US Capitol. The tree is an 85' blue spruce harvested from the Apache Sitgreaves Forest south of Eagar. This is the first time a tree has been selected from an Arizona forest. Rachel's school choir sang in the program. The tree is packaged up and goes on tour across the US until it arrives in DC November 30. It was fun to see.

Halloween

We had a "frightful" Halloween weekend. Rachel had a party for her friends where she planned 3 crafts, 14 games and for dinner-- mummy pizza, witches brew, and booger sticks. We had a ward trunk-or-treat party on Saturday.

Fall Leaves

This afternoon we went on a Sunday drive to the mountains. The aspen trees are vibrant, colorful and breathtaking at times.

Morgan's Soccer Season

Morgan has had a fun soccer season. They have 3 more weeks of games. Here are some pictures of his game against Snowflake. RV won 3-1.

Rachel the Soccer Star

Rachel finished her soccer season today. She scored a goal today to top off her season. It was a fun season, especially the two games her dad coached. (The only 2 games they won.) He is quite proud of his record! Doug is a really good soccer coach and had the kids playing positions so well.

Flowers and a smart squirrel

All the education combined in this household is not enough to catch our resident squirrel. In the spring we planted a lot of flowers hoping for another abundant crop. We noticed that the flowers were not growing, so using our detective skills we realized that a squirrel was eating them. We purchased a trap and set it using peanut butter and crackers. The next morning the crackers and peanut butter were gone, but the trap was still set. A few days later we caught the squirrel, but before we could empty the trap, the squirrel moved around so much that the trap fell off the bricks and sprang open, and away ran the squirrel. One morning we were so excited because the trap was full. We thought we had finally outsmarted the squirrel, but upon checking, it was a bird! Anyway I noticed this morning that our flowers are finally growing a little. Take that SQUIRREL!

Full House Pictures

What a "break."

We got out all the toys and had so fun with Addison She was really good while visiting. We would sit around and watch her every move. She likes us all!

Morgan had to attend school and soccer practice during much of the break.

Taylor's 19th birthday party at the Homestead.

Parker taking a turn on the swing

Parker and Morgan wrestling with Doug. Parker claims he can finally beat his Dad. (with a little help from Mo)

Sweet Baby.

Full House

Parker and Taylor had a break from BYU for 2 weeks. Ashley and Addison decided to join the "break" party. We had a full house. We enjoyed each day being together. We went to the cabin for Taylor's 19th birthday. We also had a picnic at Big Lake, went shopping in Show Low, planned class schedules for next semester, 4-wheeling at Davis Ranch (pounding in posts), cooked gourmet meals each night, spoke in church for a last-minute cancellation, worked at the office, tore a wall down at a new rental house and the highlight of the break was being together as a family as Taylor received the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Back To School

We started school today.

Rachel is in 5th grade and excited about the new school year.

Morgan is in 10th grade and not so excited about all his geometry homework!

Tucson Trip

This week we attended the AZ Cattle Growers Convention in Tucson. It was held at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. The resort is located in an absolutely beatuiful location. What I loved about the resort is how it is built to fit right into the natural beauty of the landscape, at the base of Mt. Lemmon in the Catalina Foothills. We enjoyed the walking trails around the resort, with informational signs and pathways going in all directions. There is a waterfall at the top of the resort. We especially enjoyed the swimming pool where we spent most of our time. Well Rachel, Morgan and I did, not Doug. He spent most of his time at the convention. He was a presenter at one of the sessions. One night we went to a steak dinner held at U of A farm where 99% of the guests wore cowboy hats and danced to "Boot Scootin' Boogie." The dinner was cooked in dutchovens. Fun few days!