O Christmas Tree! 12-1-12

This is our tree!  Didn't it turn out great?!  Chelsi came home this weekend and she helped me decorate it.

This is a tradition we have had for a lot of years.  We turn on the Christmas Music, make some hot chocolate and decorate the tree.  I am so glad that she was here to help me.!  We had a great time!

Our Christmas Tree 11-24-12

We decided to go to the woods and pick out a real tree for Christmas this year.  We borrowed a 4-wheeler and off we went.  It was fun to be out in the snow. 

We finally found this beauty, it was pretty tall.  That is the top that we cut off. 

This is how we hauled it back to the pickup.  This was a fun day,  it has been alot of years since we have done this.  I found out that Chelsi will be home next weekend and she said she would help me decorate it when she gets here.

A different kind of Thanksgiving 11-22-12

Well, we had a very different kind of Thanksgiving this year.  When we found out that Chelsi was going to be alone on  Thanksgiving, we decided that we would go to Utah and spend it with her.  We came up with a good plan that since there was going to be only 3 of us, we would go out to eat instead of doing all the preparing and clean up. 

So here we are, at Golden Corral.  We had to practice our patience while waiting in line.  The food was pretty good, except for the potatoes.  They were not real.  Whoever thought that you could have cotton candy for Thanksgiving?

We went down to the Gateway and saw the water show that was choreographed with music. Can you see the water dancing in the background?  We also got to see the new James Bond movie, "Skyfall".  It was really good.  By the way, Chelsi is now a red head.  She looks pretty good that way.

The Twilight Movie 11-19-12

It is the end of an era.  The Twilight Saga has ended.  Some friends and I went to the final movie and were not disappointed.  I actually had not seen Part 1 so this afternoon my friend Gailiene Rudd came over at 5pm and we watched it so I was ready for tonight at 8:20pm. 

Cari Zollinger and Sherry Archibald met me there and two other friends of theirs.  It was fun to watch with die hard Twilight fans.  By the way, I am on Team Edward. 

Annual Friend Trip 11-10-12

This is our annual Football / Shopping Trip.  Usually there are five couples that go, only three couples were able to make it this year.  There were a few changes this year.  Because of the snow and cold the guys decided to go to a Jazz Game instead of a BYU Football game.  Us ladies had a fabulous shopping day.  We started out at Tai Pan.  There is always something great to be found there.

For lunch we went to Archibald's Restaurant at Gardner Village.  This is such a favorite place to shop, eat and hang out.  We had to stop at TJ Max also.  For dinner we met the guys at a Mexican Restaurant at the Gateway.  When they left for the game...

We hopped aboard the TRAX and went to The Melting Pot for some delicious fondue.

Just mouthwatering isn't it.  This was a chocolate peanut butter fondue.  It was divine.  Then we walked to City Creek (while it was snowing) to check it out..  Then we rode the TRAX back to the Gateway to get our car.  We just didn't have enough hours in this day to do everything we would have liked to do.  We did have a great time!

It's My Birthday! 11-7-12

It's my birthday!  It is nice when the birthday stretches over several days. 

Clinton is always so thoughtful.  He gave me a chocolate birthday and a shopping spree!  What could be better than that?!

Tyson and Courtnie  and their family were here.  They cooked me my birthday dinner on Sunday.  While they were here, Kaden, Kimmie, Emma and I went to visit Great-Grandma Barrett

Friday, November 9, we went to Salt Lake City and stayed with Brock and his family.  Carrie made me a chocolate birthday cake with candles.  Payton and I are getting ready to blow them out.  Chelsi even came from Provo to help celebrate.  My family is so awesome!  They really know how to make me feel special

The Company Party 11-5-12

Agritech had the company party Monday, November 5th at the Kershaw School in Sugar City.

Clinton  was the cook of the milk can supper.  He is becoming a professional at this.

The food was delicious.  The funny thing about serving the food is, it is slopped into a trough to eat.  The cabbage is my favorite!

The wife of one of the employees brought her face paint.  Emma thought she was beautiful.

Kaden had to be a green batman. 

This jumping house was a hit for all the kids.  This was a great party!

Harry Potter Party!!! 10-30-12

Our Young Women group had a Harry Potter Party!  It was the funnest party ever!!  I have to admit that I am a huge Harry Potter Fan.  The girls in our Laurel class helped plan and make this party awesome!  They had such great ideas. 

Of the course the invites were delivered by an owl!

To enter the world of witches and wizards, each girl had to go through the brick wall at Platform 9 3/4.  I got a grocery cart from Albertson's and each girl had to push it through. (because of the great information Chelsi gave me, I was able to make this brick wall)  Each girl had to visit Olivander's to receive their wands.

On the way to getting sorted, Professor Trelawney told their fortunes.  The amazing Sorting Hat put each girl into their different Houses.

This is Hermoine's wand.  It is owned by Chelsi.  She was generous enough to let me borrow it for the party.

Hedwig was one of the guests at the party.

This great spider bracelet has nothing to do with Harry Potter,  I just had to have it.  . 

How fun to have two of my nieces in Young Women's with me.  Hailey was Bellatrix and Audrey was Luna.  I was Professor McGonagall.  We had a Harry Potter Trivia Game, a Scavenger Hunt, and yummy treats. 

Some Halloween Fun! October 2012

I have to say that Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays.  I love to dress up and have parties! 

As you can see, spider rings had some great uses.  I also like to use them frozen in ice cubes.  We have Family Home Evening once a month with Pam & Ivan and Jamie & Darla.  It was at my house this month so we did a Halloween theme. 

On our bowling league we had a Halloween Party too.  Our team dressed up as witches.  There is always good food too. 

On Monday, October 29th, I hosted a Halloween Dinner Party.  Pam brought these great hats for us to try on.  Our friends the Zollinger, the Archibald's and the Blackburn's participated.  I served dinner in a pumpkin. (The pumpkin was from our garden.)  After some good food and fun visiting, we played "Mormon Bridge", a fun card game.  I would say we have had a fun Halloween Season this year.

I am not kidding! October 25, 2012

When I woke up on the morning of October 25, 2012, this is what I saw.  It snowed most of the day.  By noon I seriously had 12 inches of snow on my back patio!  It was amazing and very beautiful.  I thought winter was here to stay.  A few days later it was all melted away.  I finally got to wear my new boots that I got last year but never had the chance to use.  I can't wait until the snow comes again and stays!

From Russia with Love October 2012

Clinton got the opportunity to go to Russia for a week.  Agritech has some clients there and they wanted someone from Agritech to come to Russia to go to their Ag Show.  He had a great time experiencing another culture.  He said he ate cabbage 3 meals a day.  He has had enough for a while. 

While he was away I spray painted my old dresser.  I wanted it to match my bedroom.  I even gave it some new knobs.

Clinton is always so thoughtful, he brought me some souvenirs from Russia.  These salt and pepper shakers are hand carved.

I am loving this Russian Nativity!  I am so glad to have Clinton back home.  I missed him!

The Cabin at Bill's Island 10-19-12

Clinton and I and our friends Bruce and Debbie Nyborg went to the Albin's Cabin for a sleepover. 

We had a lot of fun talking, laughing eating and just enjoying each others company.  Sometimes it is just good to get away.

My Trip to Texas September 2012

Last year at this time, Clinton was so busy with work and was not home very much, he suggested that this year I go visit my sister.  So I called Janet and we started making plans. Here are some of the fun things we did.

We went to the Dallas Arboretum, I love to go to places like this!

I just loved this little bridge and house.

Isn't this Cinderella Carriage just awesome?!

I love how they decorated with pumpkins

The contrast of the black leaves with the orange pumpkins were my favorite!

Of course we had to visit "Sprinkles" ,  Delicious!

Then the shopping began!  We went to Canton and found some fabulous things there.  We filled this shopping cart twice.  She took me down to the "Square" in Mckinney and we found fun fabrics and great clothes and shoes.  Like she said, we really helped out the Dallas economy.

Then Janet and Martin left for 4 days to go on a business trip.  Henry, Hayden and I had alot of fun together.  We played games, watched movies, ate out at Pei Wei and got ice cream.  We did seem to squeeze in school, homework and chores.  All in all this was a great trip.  It was especially fun to get to know my nephews better!

YW Bike Ride 9-8-12

This afternoon our Laurel class went on a bike ride at the Nature Park.

Sierra Spratling, Melia Dayley, Me, Amber Palmer, Hailey Arnold, Suzanne Williams (picture taker).  I am really enjoying the fun activities with the Young Women.  It is just a party a week.  This is such a great place to be!  Clinton is such an awesome supporter.  He took time off work to haul our bikes here.  He is so willing to help with whatever we need.  I just love him!

Clilnton's 49th Birthday 8-31-12

Clinton turned 49 this year.  He wanted to celebrate by going to the Sugar Salem Football game. 

He is wearing the new hoodie I gave him.

What a lovely day to see a football game.  A little later in the evening the game was delayed because of a thunder and lightening storm.

Clinton is really excited to blow out the candles on his birthday cake.  Funny thing is the wind blew them out before the song was over.

Our grandson Payton joined us this weekend to celebrate Grandpa turning one year older.  On Saturday,  Payton and I got to hang out while Clinton, Brock and Carrie went on a horse ride to Fall River. Later that evening a few friends came over to play cards and eat treats.  We had a fun birthday weekend.

Island Park & West Yellowstone Aug 24,25 2012

This weekend we went to Island Park and Yellowstone Park with our friends, The Hancock's.  They are from Peoria, Arizona.  Clinton was their Home Teacher.  It was fun to get to know them.  When we were getting ready to leave Arizona, we made a plan that they would come to Idaho and we would take them to Yellowstone.  That was 1 1/2 years ago.  As the summer was coming to a close we thought about this conversation and Clinton called up our friends to see if the plan was still on.  Yeah!  It was. We are at the cabin on Bill's Island.

Joe and Chelsi are rinsing off their muddy feet so they can get in the paddle boat.

Jeremy, Megan and Mitzi in the boat.

When we all got out of the boats we had to wade through the smelly mud to get to dry ground.  Nice muddy feet!

Clinton got a fire going tonight so we could roast marshmallows for smores.

Saturday we drove through Yellowstone Park.  We took them to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the thundering waterfall.  We stopped to show them the boiling hot pots and mud pots and walked around them.  There was even this cave that was called Dragon's Cave.  It really sounded like there was a dragon in there.  For lunch we stopped and had a picnic.  The wildlife we saw were elk and bison.   Last, but not least, we saw Old Faithful go off.  Then we sent them on their way.  They also took Chelsi back to Provo.  The one thing about us moving to Arizona is the great friends we made while there.