Just north of the border

I have been down in Southern New Mexico for about a week. It was lots of fun, but nice to be home again. We were camped only about 10 miles from the Mexico border, taking 5 mule deer hunters and I was cooking for them. The girls stayed with my mom and went to school with her this week. For those of you who don't know, she teaches in a one room school, Kindergarten-12th grade, and has 8 students this year. As always, they had a great time and did a lot of fun crafts and enjoyed hanging out with nani. Thanks mom!
There were deer, antelope, pigs and buffalo on the ranch we were hunting. One of the guys shot a buffalo and I got to go with them to do that. It was kinda funny, sneakin up on it and all. Also, there was a fishing pond behind the house with bass in it. A couple of the hunters and I caught quite a few of them and that was really fun. Here's a pic of one.

Happy 6th Birthday Savannah

Savannah's 6th birthday was on the sixth. We had her party at the lodge on New Years Day. It was a whole lot of fun. She chose barbie ballerinas this year. All four of her grandparents were there, Kason and Hadley and most of her Aunts and Uncles. She got some really cool presents and we all had fun. She is such a sweet girl and is a wonderful big sister and a big helper to mommy. We all love her sooooo much. Happy Birthday!





A few pictures of our little dolly

Happy New Year

We also spent New Years at the lodge. It was a lot of fun and A LOT of eating. We watched Nepolian Dynamite. My dad had never watched it before, that was fun. The kids stayed up playing but didn't make midnight, that's ok, they're still a little young for that! Jared and Roger were party poopers, actually they both had colds and went to bed by 10:00. The rest of us stayed up and rang in the new year, playing cards and watching movies. Mom and Dad went over to their house about 10 minutes after midnight and Audrey, Boyd, Jaime, Dalon and I stayed up joking and laughing. It was one of those times when you're so tired a lot of dumb stuff is funny. We all laughed until our stomachs hurt and I don't know if I should blog this but oh well, I half way peed my pants I laughed so hard and had to go change clothes. So fun!
Here are a couple of our late night pictures: Dalon with the mom's to be: Audrey and Jaime and then us all smiling for the camera. Happy New Year!

The Whole "Saddle" story

My sweet sister-in-law commented on my earlier post about the saddles and told me I need to tell the whole story. I know she's right, so here goes.
Santa put the saddles up on the rail by the loft. Kason spotted them first and let out a " Ohhhh!", pointing up at them. The girls looked but could care less. They opened some presents and then papa said "What are those up there?" Savannah replied,"Saddles" without any excitement at all. I'm thinkin, great, this is huge and they could care less. Papa: "Who are those for?" Savannah: "Papa,I'm sure they're for Uncle Dilly" (aka Dalon). We are all laughing now, asking them if they thimk Santa would bring pink and purple saddles for Uncle Dalon. They still could care less so we climed up and got them down for them. I guess it was the not being wrapped, but they just didn't care. Now they are getting pretty excited though. They keep asking when we can saddle up Pokey Joe, their donkey. We've gotta go get some cinches and then we can! So more fun pictures of that coming soon. Also, I'm sure these saddles will be a hit for years to come as I ordered them to fit until they are in their early teens! I love my girls.

Christmas Pictures

Shaylee lookin out at a White Christmas!

All the presents

Shaylee's favorite: A princess tutu

Roger made this gorgeous side table for my mom!

Savannah was absolutely screaming with delight when she opened this "Silvermist" doll from Kason

Woohoo! We are ready to see what we got!

Christmas

Christmas was so much fun! I love the special season. We got to spend it with the most important people in our lives, family. We were in Quemado for Chistmas Eve during the day playing hard with Nani Joy and then to Luna to at the Lodge for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Boyd, Jaime, Kason and Hadley, Audrey and Roger, Dalon, and my parents were all there. The kids played until they were pretty tired, and then we told them the ol' "Ya better get to sleep or santa won't come."
Jaime and I stayed up wrapping gifts until after midnight so we would've been happy to sleep a little bit longer, but oh well! Santa brought some cool stuff and here are their gorgeous saddles he brought!

The always beautiful Mesa temple lights!

Two weeks ago Boyd, Jaime, Kason and Hadley came down for the weekend. We got to take the kids to the temple. When we were getting ready to go Shaylee asked "Where are we going?" I replied "To the temple." And Shaylee got all excited and said "We're getting married tonight!" So cute. I love it!
We had a great time. All four kids oohed and aahed the whole time and we went in the visitors center and watched a film on the Savior's birth! I love Christmas!




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Santa at Bass Pro Shop

We got to go have lunch at Famous Dave's (so good) and go to Bass Pro Shop and see Santa! When we were getting ready to go see Santa I was putting Shaylee's shoes on her, some black slip ons. I wore some brown chukkas and then Savannah wore tennis shoes. Shaylee let Savannah know that her shoes just weren't as cool as hers and mommys cause they were just tennis shoes. That made Savannah mad and she told Shaylee "Santa's gonna bring you nothin' but a lump of coal this year 'cause you are so mean."
Shaylee was so excited to go see him she could hardly stand it. On the way she asked, "how long until Santa", about every two minutes.
So when we got up to Santa he was great. First he asked them if they had been good all year. Savannah said yes, then Shaylee said yes and Savannah blurts out
"Nu-huh, Shaylee made fun of my shoes!" Santa was trying not to laugh and then said "Well, that's not sooooo bad, your shoes look pretty spiffy to me."
He sang Rudolph with them and asked them what they wanted for Christmas. Savannah had spotted a pink fourwheeler in the store right before we got to him so that's what she requested. $1700, I sure was glad Santa told her he wasn't sure if that would fit in the sleigh. Shaylee requested a real Palomino horse. Santa was like "WOW! These girls don't mess around." He then gave them hugs and candy canes. What a cool Santa he was. I will definetly take them back there next year. Also, they had such cute decorations with coloring and games. And, they had real Reindeer,(caribou) I think in full mount. You can see one in the back of the picture.

Dancin in a Winter Wonderland

Savannah and Shaylee's Christmas dance recital was yesterday. They have been in a combo, (ballet,tap and jazz) class this fall. They danced in taps for the recital and they were both so cute. "Blue Christmas" by Elvis was the song. They are both getting so good at it and love to dance.
As you can see Shaylee was fast asleep in her car seat before we even made the 2 mile drive home. Lots and lots of fun!

Fun with Nani

Nani and Papa Hulsey came for the weekend to do a little shopping and go to the girls dance recital. We had lots of fun with them, and the girls were so sad to see them go. Nani picked these huge pine cones up before she came down here and then helped the girls decorate them like Christmas trees last night. They had a ball, painted them green, then put cotton balls, glitter and glued the little puffy balls on them. Savannah's is the red and blue and Shaylee's the pink and purple. Thanks Nani!