Tubing in the Snow

We love the snow. One of our favorite things to do in the snow is a kind of KING of the TUBE game. We tie a rope to a giant inner tube and then attach it to the back of the 4-wheeler. The driver then pulls the tube in a circle. All the kids try to jump on and stay on the longest. It is so funny. The kids fly everywhere. The kids had been in the house playing video games and really needed the excersise. By the time we were finished, everyone was tired and rosy cheeked. These were the lucky participants, Christopher, Kyle, Shelby, Emily, Josh, Jacob, Abby, Jon and his brother-in-law, Eric. I know that this can be a little dangerous, but so far we have only had one broken arm!

Christmas Compromise

When we first got married , we bought real Christmas trees. Michael was always afraid of our tree catching on fire because lot trees are so dry. Then for years we put up a fake tree. And I cried because I needed the tree smell and needles on the floor. We came up with a great compromise. We go to the mountains and cut our tree. It is great memory making stuff. We bring chili and hot chocolate. We sled if there is snow and just enjoy the whole adventure. This year we took Jon and Miles with us. Rachel and Sean stayed home and relaxed, however, I did notice a freshly vacuumed house when we returned.

Shelby and Miles


Jon's Pick

Someone forgot to bring bowls for the chili so we just took turns slurping up the stuff

All loaded up and ready to go

Velma Springs

We have a secret place, well not so secret, that we visit in the fall. It is a little place on the Payette River. Several years ago, Kyle caught a fish there and Emily named it Velma (right before we ate it). Since then the place is known in our family as Velma Springs. The Springs part is because there is a nice hot springs right by the river. It is blocked off with rocks and there are nice little tubs formed. My kids love to sit in the hot springs when it is sooo cold outside. Well, we needed a break this weekend and we went to our place of peace and family fun. We brought foil dinners to cook and marshmellows to roast. Unfortunately, it had just rained there. A LOT. So the fire pit was soaked. We would build a nice fire then the ground would start to steam and put the fire out. We never did get a really good fire going. Luckily, I brought a cook stove and a pot and we were able to put all of our foil dinners together and make a stew. It was hot and so yummy. I did forget a large spoon or ladle. Emily made one for me. She had Michael cut off the bottom of a pop bottle. She then used electrical tape and secured it to a stick. She is my mini McGyver. (for any of you old enough to know who that is) We rode the 4-wheelers around in the mud and generally had a wonderful time.

Festival of Trees

Shelby with no bun.
Shelby and Becca

Shelby performed at the Festival of Trees on Friday. It was the first time she had ever done this. There is only one other girl that performed with her. She is used to 12 or 13 girls dancing with her. She was very nervous knowing that she could not stand behind someone else. She was the star. She did awesome. We pinned her hair up with some new pins we thought would work better than regular bobbie pins. Not so. When she was dancing these pins were flying everywhere and her bun fell out. Becca said she was being pelted with them. We will definitely try something different next time. Shelby took the whole thing in stride and just kept dancing.

What does your Thanksgiving Look Like?

Christopher made his first pumpkin pies. The pies were perfect and sooo yummy. We took a walk before dinner by the river. It was brisk but very beautiful. Rachel came with baby Sean. She just had a c-section on Saturday! She looks so good. Michael went fishing and caught a nice brown trout. Then a scrumptious dinner in mom and dad's new room. Mom just wanted a room where we could all eat together. Even after two long tables, we still had room for at least two more tables. This will be helpful when Ashli and family move back. Then after dinner there was a rousing game of ultimate frisbee to run off dinner and prepare room for the desserts.

There were beautiful babies.

A bit of napping

And cuddling

And lots of loving the newborn and Great Grandma's I am grateful for so many things this year. I am so grateful for my husband and hard he works for our family. When you get married, you hope the person you pick will be a good dad. It is amazing to watch it in action. Michael is a truly wonderful father. I am grateful I have been entrusted with such incredible children. They teach me so much and keep me working hard to be a better person. I am grateful for extended family and the strength and love we share. I am grateful for President Monson and his message of hope and peace. It is so reassuring to know that we have prophet going through these troubled times with us. I am grateful for the Gospel and for the Atonement of our Savior.

Derek is going to the Mexico Leon Mission. He is so excited. I am grateful for him and the good example he is for his cousins.

WWF Action Figure

Emily: Mom, I want to be on a wrestling team.

Me: I don't think they have wrestling for girls.

Emily: But if I get really good they will make an action figure of me.

Me: I don't think they have a team for girls.

Emily: Why?

Me: I don't really know. Maybe they think you will get hurt.

Emily: Mom, I can take down Ren.

Me: I know, but I don't think they have an actual girls wrestling team.

Emily: That's against womens rights!!

Emily: Christopher, do they have a girls wrestling team in High School?

Christopher: Nope. It is not a High School sport.

Shelby comes in the room and says: High School is a sport?

This is the comedy of my life.

Kyle is 15

Banana Split
Ode to Joy

Whats left of dinner

Mitch and Kyle playing Command and Conquer

Breakfast

This boy!! He is 15. I can't believe he is so old. When he was little, we prayed that he would make it just one more day. He has a host of guardian angels watching over him. They sigh quietly when he falls asleep at night. They have a very hard job. Grandpa Pearman once told me that he has a very important job to do and he would grow to be a great man. He didn't have school on his birthday and the only thing he wanted to do was play video games with his friends. He has early morning seminary and since he didn't have to go to school afterward, I told him to just sleep in. He was appalled that I would even suggest such a thing. He said "I love seminary. I wouldn't skip on purpose!" After seminary, Mitch, Zelphie and Jaqui came over for breakfast. Breakfast was crepes and sausage and orange juice. For dinner we had ribs. Since we aren't a cake family, Grandma and Grandpa Hansen came over for banana splits. He played the guitar for us.

10 Things I love about Kyle

1. His amazing sense of Humor

2. His desire to do the right thing

3. His intelligence

4. His willingness to help me

5.His love of a good book

6.His dependablity

7. He honors the priesthood

8. His love of a fluffy blanket, warm socks, and slippers

9. His determination

10. That he is mine forever

The other night he came home from a Stake Dance just so excited. He came into my room and exclaimed "Oh Mom, I love girls!!!" Heaven help me.

Saturday Punkin' Chunkin' and Leaf Raking

The young men in our ward had a contest to see which group could launch pumpkins the farthest. They had to make their own launcher and then they went to an open field and let them fly. Michael's launcher ripped to pieces but the elastics worked great. He ran home and got more fabric to make a new launcher and it worked better. Jed's launcher was great but the elastics weren't very elastic. So they joined forces and made the most wonderful amazing launcher ever in the history of our ward. However, I think that Michael's teacher group won the contest!

It has been such a beautiful fall. We were able to get all the leaves raked and blown and mowed today. It was almost 60 degrees. The sky was pure blue with no clouds. I love working with my family. We laugh and really enjoy being together.

The Ladies

Phoebe and Sylvia AKA "The Ladies"

We were sitting at the beach in McCall one hot summer day in July. These girls had no clothes on so I decided it was my duty as the "Good Aunt" to share my chocolate cookies with them. I think they enjoyed them. Sylvia was the messiest and I commented about how at least she didn't have any on her back. Just then, Phoebe obliged by rolling her soggy chocolate cookie down Sylvia's bare back!!

What?

Becky gave us this dress. Emily hates anything with ruffles, sequins or velvet. I put this dress in the dress up box. She got it out and wore it to church yesterday paired with black leggings. In my house, your clothes have to be clean and modest the rest of the choice is up to you. I never thought I'd see the day that this girl chose sequins!!!

FHE

Playing the Name Game

The Twins Sylvia and Phoebe
The wiener roast
Jon, Kayla,Lori

Shelby, Miles

Grandma and Grandpa

Once a month, our family gets together for Family Home Evening. Fun times are had by all. We usually eat something and more often than not, it is hot dogs cooked in the fire pit. Usually we have a birthday but not this time. We have a lesson and then play the name game. It is a great game for our group. Grandma Pearman always comes and she plays with us. Everyone switches names and then if someone calls your name you have to move. It is so great when Grandma has to get up and get to another seat! We always have a few people share their testimonies. I love that part. Since we are all in separate wards, we never get hear each others testimonies. It is important for the kids to hear each other and their grandparents share their beliefs. Derek and Kayla gave the lesson and did a fabulous job. Derek should get his mission call in the next few weeks.