God's Will

The first time I heard this song, I bawled! Naturally - any mother would right? But I wanted to add this song and dedicate it to my Weldon. So - listen please...

Happy Birthday my little Man!

Today is Weldon's 6th birthday. I can't believe that I am old enough to have a 6 year old. But as I sit here writing this blog, I am saddened. I can't have joy in the fact that my 6 year old can tie his shoes, knows his alphabet and can argue his way out of anything. It hurts sometimes knowing that he most probably will never serve a mission for the Lord, get married in the Lord's house and raise a few headstrong boys. But I do have joy knowing that he is one of the most kind, loving, charming, willfull, patient, giving and spiritual boys I know. The Lord sent him here to brighten my day and the days of those he spends time with. So here is to my little Man - I love you!

Fun in the Snow!

Now that it is no longer in the negatives outside, I decided that the "cagey" kids needed a break from the stuffy indoors! We bundled up and played for about 20 minutes in the snow. Our neighbor down the road came a couple days ago and "plowed" our yard for us. He left a very impressive mountain of snow to play on.

One of the drifts in the backyard.

Doggy kisses - Emmaline is just the right height!Emma really didn't want to come in!
But we had snacks and hot cocoa waiting...
Emma had to dip her cookie... what a fun afternoon!

Oh Christmas tree!

Haydn always wants to wear this cheerleading outfit of Gracie's. Nice huh!

I know kind of mullet-ish, but I refuse to cut any of it for fear of losing the curls!

Nope, that top tooth has yet to grow in and the dentist said it is there, somewhere...?

The candid moments are usually the best... and then again

Our beautiful, fresh off the ranch tree. It is a bit big and huge, but it sure has sentimental value! We don't spend money on Christmas trees, if we can help it! Can't you tell! Notice the stray lights on the ground, that is courtesy of our cats who try to strangle themselves in the lights all the time!

Snow = Christmas!

We have had what is called by my mother the "arctic express" here in Nebraska. We have had about 5 inches of snow - no big deal right! However, we have had 30 mile per hour wind and -30 to -40 degree wind chills. So the snow doesn't just fall, it blows! So here are some pictures of the snow!This is a plow that is plowing the grass on the side of the road. If they don't the wind will blow it back on the road. It does anyway!This is the ditch in front of our house. It is about 6 feet deep in the middle. As you can see, it is full of snow in only some parts.

Here is a quick sample of the fun I am having with my photoshop! HE HE HE HE!I am just starting out... I need to practice!

The long awaited UPDATE!

Well, as the Christmas season has started and all of the festivities involved have begun, my ability to keep up with blogging has become worse! However, there isn't much to report on...

I was able to sew my friend Gina's temple dress. She is 5 months pregnant so we needed some specialized clothing! She and 2 other sisters in our branch went to the temple to take out their endowments on Saturday the 13th. It was such a special experience to be there with them. Jeremy and I taught the Temple prep class for them, so it was like watching your child graduate from high school!On Saturday the 13th, we traveled to Omaha to attend the temple with the sisters. The temple is in historic Florence Nebraska. The temple is built next to the Winter Quarters Cemetery. The church has built a pioneer museum across the street from the temple that the children enjoyed. It is a beautiful part of the city.

Well, and my birthday was also this month on the 11th. Jeremy bought me a new Crockpot (Alleluia!), my inlaws bought me a gardening book, so now I will be the queen gardener, and my parents gave me another piano book that I can't wait to find time to play through. It was a nice and relaxing day (yeah right!) And I bought myself photoshop elements 7!

Happy Turkey Day!

Some scenery on the Ranch and Kim!

My Fav of Kim - I did some of her senior pictures.

Jeremy's family - well some of them - came for Thanksgiving. Here are a few highlights!
1. We ate a smoked turkey courtesy John from Alabama. (One of the hunters)
2. Jim and Becky, Jeremy's boss and wife, joined us for dinner.
3. Grandma brought us Clementines! Jeremy's favorites! And a new set of dishes AWESOME!
4. Weldon loved spending time with his Grandma! Haydn had a really fun time with Grandpa
5. We cut down our Christmas tree and saw lots of turkeys - the still alive ones!
6. We spent an afternoon taking Kim's Senior pictures
7. Grandpa helped Jeremy move some cows and cut down trees.
8. Everyone went to church and discovered how different a branch really is!
9. We all had a wonderful holiday spending time with family. And those of you who didn't come - YOU MISSED OUT!!

Weldon loves his Grandma!

Aunt Kim and the girls

Haydn - Eskimo courtesy of Aunt Kim

Emmaline loves to cuddle.

Cutting down juniper trees on the ranch - for our Christmas presents and our Christmas tree!

Grandma wanted to check out the cow that got struck by lightning. Notice the weird ball in Jeremy's hand - we have no idea what it is!

Jeremy showing off his tree climbing skills

The girls showing off their tree climbing skills

Grandpa attempting to jump a creek - Grandma said
"You look like an elephant jumping over that, I would look like a Gazelle!"

Daddy, Grandma and Weldon

Grandpa and Haydn

The whole clan! Grandma, Jeremy, Weldon, Grandpa, Emmaline, Aunt Kim, Haydn, me!