Updates for Kelli...just a few

                                  Tried putting shoes on this gal. They always end up in her hands.

 These kids LOVE Freckles. Petting her, hugging her, making her jump over their obstacles courses. Endearing but disgusting, Ruby will walk up to Freckles, open her mouth wide and let Freckles lick her tongue to tongue as she's laughing.

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                                                            Samuel trying on my shoes:)

We were getting ready for a wedding. When I came back in the room this is how I found them. Samuel thought Ruby needed a tie.

A very sweet nativity and some December Happenings

Yep, Ricky and Samuel in front of a REAL, live camel. One of Ricky's first comments, "maybe we should get a camel when get back to our land." This was such a special nativity. Every character was real and a volunteer. The mom of the family that put it all together passed away of cancer a few years back. They started this tradition to honor her. All of the donations go to the Huntsman Cancer Clinic. This is the same clinic that has been working with Ricky.

After standing in a FREEZING cold line, 18 degrees, a horse trailer picked us up and transported us to their ranch. When we got out of the trailer we were met by a shepherd and a nice warm fire. He told us a little of the story of Mary and Joseph and their sacred child, Jesus. and then pointed up the hill to a barn with a star on the top. As we walked up the hill there were other fires to stop at and others who told us a little more of the story, Roman soldiers asking if Samuel was under two, camels, donkeys, weavers and a choir in the loft of the barn before we saw the sweet family.
If we lived in Utah permanently this nativity would definitely be part of our Christmas tradition, even if it was any colder.
Samuel and Ricky braved the cold of the line while Ruby and I stayed warm in the car. Ruby tried, but it was just too cold. I was secretly welcoming her cries. That meant I could go get warm too:)
Inside the horse trailer on our bail of hay.
Our stockings are hung by the "window" with care! I FINALLY finished them. When I first started them I thought they would be a relatively quick project. But I wanted to make sure I liked them well enough to be our forever stockings. So here they are: Ricky, LV, Samuel and Ruby. I'm still debating whether or not I want our names on them.
The kissing camel.
I love the detail of the fabric. It's kinda hard to see in the pictures though.





This is Mom and Dad's old plaid chair. Shoot, I should have taken a before and after. I still need to make a few pillows to go with it. This is just one from our couch.
Saturday adventure with Dad to see the fire station. Samuel LOVED this. He loved the hat they gave him most of all.
Christmas lights on Temple Square.
A close up of the fabric. I don't know why I the pictures don't go in the order I put them.
Sure love these three!
Riding on the TRAX to the BYU vs Oregon game in Salt Lake.
After the game, attempting to create a Christmas card picture. These two are a little tricky to catch both smiling and looking at my camera.
At the BYU game. Dee, aka Judge Benson, came with us, but he's not in this picture.
This stroller is my favorite, makes all of our adventures much easier. We were headed to Primary Children's Hospital and to see Besta this day.

My little Indian chief and squaw would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!



Little Ruby Cube got a taste of the stomach flu so we spent the day at home: taking baths, reading stories, watching football and just hanging out. Sure love this little family of mine!


They may or may not have been given a beater to lick. What better way to make a sick babe better?

Nothing beats reading "Green Eggs and Ham," with their daddy.

Idaho to Utah

Saturday was a beautiful fall morning. We drove up Big Cotton Wood Canyon and then hiked doughnut falls. These little ones did awesome. Samuel hiked the entire 1.5 trail! Nice work little man. Ruby happily road in the backpack eating her wheat thins.


A bridge where we stopped to throw rocks into the little river.






Susan took me and the kids to Wheeler Farm. We all milked our first cow!
Can't get enough of this little man. Such a fun, happy boy.
At the pumpkin patch. I'm not sure who enjoyed the tractors more, Samuel or his daddy.


We brought two pumpkins from our garden. I placed them on the front porch of our new little apartment in Herriman. The next day there was only one. Who steals pumpkins? So we went to a pumpkin patch to replace it.

They were in heaven being pushed in a wheel barrow. They had a really fun hay ride too.


Last day with our sheep: Erma and Cleo.
Love these two!
Ricky has become quite the sheep whisperer. Maybe with a little help from some sheep treats: Oats and molasses.
My Hollyhocks. They are one of my new favorite flowers along with Hydrangeas.


Whole grain sundried tomatoe bread. Yep, dried tomatoes from our garden. We've already found a community garden here in Herriman. A year without a garden is too long for these two land lovers.
I love this picture of the two of them.


Alex and Ruby Cube.
This wagon was a hit this summer. Samuel and Caroline's Elizabeth. These two are too cute.
Collecting eggs.
Nope, not Halloween, mid-August. Grandma Betty gave this to Samuel. He absolutely loves it!