Sunday, February 7, 2010

A Guy's Gotta Have a Horse, Of Course

During the Christmas holidays, Ashton  went up to Papa Ray and said, "Grandpa, I hope you know, I don't have a horse!"  So Grandpa, who is the super "Good Will" store shopper got busy and found this cute little boy a horse.  We sanded and painted and finished it just in time for his birthday.Grandma Sandy got busy and  made chaps and a vest and found a hat - a cowboy's got to have the right clothes as well when he rides his horse.
Yipee ti yeah . . .Ashton gallops away on his horse.
Hunter wanted to get on right away and the first two times, he needed help, but then he soon figured it out all
 by himself, and he was one happy little cowboy.
Pardners, Hunter and Ashton, play so well together and have figured out the sharing thing pretty well.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

So much to be thankful for

“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”-
Ralph Waldo Emerson

We spent a lovely Thanksgiving Day up in Logan with Megan's parents, Steve and Janet.  Our meal was one of bounteous goodness . . . they are both excellent cooks and we so enjoyed visiting with them and playing games.  After dinner, everyone deliberated and discussed the volumes of ads for Black Friday, but there wasn't anything that really was worth getting up early for . . .

This day I am so grateful for wonderful parents who are good, salt of the earth people and have taught me so much in generosity, integrity and goodness.  I am thankful  for a dear husband and companion who I so enjoy being with, talking with, playing with and just sharing life with - Thank you for being the amazing person that you are. I am so grateful for six incredible children and their equally incredible spouses - we love you all and are so grateful that you are a part of our family . . . and those ten beautiful grandchildren that make each day just so much brighter!
I am so thankful for the restored gospel and knowing that God lives and that he loves everyone one of us, His children.  I am grateful for this beautiful country that we live in, the freedoms that we enjoy and those who have sacrificied so much on our behalf.
 
Friday morning, we had the opportunity to help Ethan and Megan move into their lovely new townhome. This is the view out of their living room and bedroom windows on the East side and the top two photos are of their new home.  Megan said, "It feels like we're staying in a time share or a condo . . ."  but it will soon feel like home sweet home.

Saturday we were back at Brittany and Cory's home.  Ray, Cory and Ashton and later on, Will worked hard at getting some more electrical, cabling, sheetrock and a door installed. 

Ashton is loading the screws onto the gun for his Daddy and he had to clip a tape measure on his pocket just like Grandpa . . .


Enjoying a bit of Toy Story 2 while waiting for Ray's birthday dinner - his request? 
A Taco fest. ~ what else?

Brittany and Ashton lighting Grandpa Ray's birthday candles on his Grasshoppper Ice Cream Pie

Ashton blows out all the candles for Grandpa Ray

Ethan and Megan , playing Ray's latest favorite game, "Ticket to Ride."
Ashton, Ray, Cory and Hunter ~ Grandpa Ray gets all 49  candles out all by himself this time!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Our Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings." ~Hodding Carter


Shere Khan, the mighty tiger visits us ~ Ashton didn't only just model his Halloween costume, he knew exactly what his character should do . . . frighten everyone out of his jungle!
Grandma Sandy sewed Halloween Trick or Treat Bags for all the grandchildren
as well as Halloween pillowcases



Ashton and Brett get an early start at their creations.  
Sandy, Ethan, Megan, Cory & Ashton supposedly all hard at work . . . get busy all of you!

Ethan had major knee surgery, replacing his missing ACL and rebuilidng the miniscus.
He couldn't really do much, but gave us lots of sound advice . . .



Our creative contestants: Arianne, James, Brittany, Cory, Ashton, Brett, Tiffany, Charlie, Ethan, Megan, Ray

It is always fun to see the amazing creations that develop from what was once a simple pumpkin!

All participants get a certificate and prizes