Christmas Ride

Shane, Brittney and Jackson

Jackson wanted to take his friends Shane and Brittney on a horseride. The only day we could accomodate everyone's schedule just happened to be a freezing cold day! It was ten degrees outside. The horses didn't mind and we all were dressed warm enough to keep have a good time. We rode through the riverbottoms and saw a deer or two on the hillside. They liked crossing the river, loping through the field, and following the cows around.

Jackson has taken to wearing my overalls. They look just like the ones that my dad wears around. What do you think Grandpa?

New Carpet

Surprise, hardwood!

Old carpet

Thankfully, the living room only looked like this for one day!

New Carpet!

Bryan suggested that before Jackson got home the end of November, that we get new carpet in the bedrooms. We haven't replaced it since we moved in 21 years ago. It was time.

Well, between me dragging my feet and a mix-up at the carpet store we finally got carpet delivered on December 22, yep, three days before Christmas. What was I thinking?!

I do love the new carpet. It is darker than I anticipated but it soon grew on me and it is so soft to walk on. We had a surprise in the girls bedroom--both had hardwood under their old carpet! It is a pretty, light colored oak. We left Sierra's room in the hardwood, (since the carpet store incorrectly measured our carpet and we were short anyway) at least for now, to see if we like it. We will refinish it in the summer when her furniture can go out on the deck while we have it finished. Thanks to Alma, our farm hand, we got things put back together in record time. I do not recommend doing this kind of project around the holidays!

Christmas Feeding

We take our turn feeding the cows on Christmas morning so everyone gets done and home to their families. There isn't much snow on the ground this year for Christmas! It's nice and mild. Savanna was our fearless driver!

Christmas at Marge's

Ashley, Chloe, and Amber

Allan and Di and Wade and 3 handsom boys!

Karlie loved the Grinch!

Jenny's family

What a great day! I love surprises on this day and I love having all my kids around. Jackson was happy with Santa's picks. He especially liked the pull-up bar the girls gave to him! The girls got ski passes and Jackson got new clothes from Grandma.

We had a nice chat on Skype with Grandma and Grandpa Reay for Christmas. Technology is wonderful!

Christmas Morning

This is the before picture. Sierra's gifts came all in one box because she was harrassing me about my wrapping skills.

We were up at 7:00 a.m. Christmas morning

Bryan gave me this beautiful jewelry box that sings the theme song from Titanic--My Heart Will Go On.

Christmas Eve

Father and son

Caroline, Grace, Nathan, Graham, Owen

We had a great party at Marge's house on Christmas Eve. As always, there was enough food to feed a small army. It is so fun to get together. The great-grand-kids performed the Nativity story. Everyone was here this year except the B White family. We fill the house!

Best Crash Ever!

White Wash!

Frozen shirt

The powder was so good and deep at the Beav! Jackson and his friends hiked to a powdery spot to go off this great jump. We have laughed that his feet came up first and not his head. I am just glad that he had a helmet on!

O Christmas Tree

This is one of my favorite decorations

We were a bit slow getting our tree up this year. It looked cute when we did.
Jackson keeps telling me Santa missed him the last two years so he hopes that there is something under the tree for him this year. I hope that Santa can think of something to surprise him with!

Without Asking!

I think that everyone should go on a mission. It makes you do things that you never would have done before--without being asked! He did our driveway front and back, the sidewalk, and the neighbors driveway.

Busy Beavers

Savanna had my camera the other day and took these pictures of our new beaver pond. A few posts back, the dam was just being built and the girls jumped in. Now, the dam is twice as tall as it was, and the pond, even deeper! If the beavers would leave the big trees alone they wouldn't be such a bother!

Jackson's Homecoming

Riley, and two pretty girls with Jackson

More pretty girls. The one on the right is his cousin, Alisha.

Fun friends: Riley, Shane, Jackson,

Jordan and Joey

This is Jackson's teacher from the MTC and his fiance.

Bryant and Jackson

I can't believe this day came and went! Jackson is home, he spoke in church, and we had the party after. I have waited so long for this day to come. It wasn't a day that I had planned or really even thought about over the last couple of years, but to have him home, for rea,l and not just gone and waiting for his return is a fun feeling. He is so much the same but so different in many good ways. His bedroom is actually clean and his bed is made! He helps with the dishes instead of disappearing, and he actually wants to be with the family and not always with the friends. I will hold onto that for as long as he lets me because I know that it will change sooner than I am ready for. His next mission is much more permanent than the last one. Another adventure awaits!