2011 Family Picture

Christmas Pictures

Christmas this year was really special. It was the first time in 8 years or so that we've all been home for Christmas. Scott and Jamie have stayed in Idaho but Scott and Heather have been in Japan, Erin and Jeremiah in South Carolina and of coarse we've been in Arizona. It was so nice to be all together, especially for the cousins. They are all really close in age and had so much fun opening presents, decorating cookies and playing Wii Just Dance 3.

Christmas Eve

In Idaho we do things a bit different on Christmas Eve! Our family fun somehow always involves guns. This year my brother in law brought over his father's 1940's fully automatic machine gun that fired 3 shots a second. It was seriously gangster! I wasn't really sure I wanted to try it or not--it made me really nervous. But, my dad stayed right behind me while Clint and my brother Scott took pictures while they laughed.

I look completely ridiculous (check out all the shells in the air) and Erin looks pretty much professional.

Merry Christmas!

A Visit with Santa

The kids were so excited to see Santa at our ward's Christmas Party. All day Pierce kept adding to his list and drawing pictures in case Santa had a hard time reading and he was so nice as to write Cole's list for her on the back of his paper.

We thought Cooper would be really nervous but we got there he ran straight up to Santa with a big smile and was so excited to meet him. Pierce and Cole were really sweet and gave him their lists.

"Dear Santa, I know what I want for Christmas. Our family wants a trampoline. I want a lot of things so please just give me one or two. I've been wanting a new knex roller coaster, a crayon maker, trash packs, Mario Cart Wii set that the car goes down and around a cool track." Then arrows to turn over to show Cole's list. I love that he drew pictures

Elmo Got (Uncle Scott)

Uncle Scott was on his way from Idaho to Florida for "Top Secret Military School" and made a one day detour to Phoenix. We haven't seen each other for almost five years since he and his family have been stationed in Japan so he hadn't seen Pierce since he was two years old and had never even met Cole and Cooper. The kids were just immediately in love with him--especially Cooper who just followed him everywhere saying, "Elmo Got, Elmo Got!" Poor Scott won't be making too many stops by our house since I put him to work moving furniture and helping me finish up some projects on our house. In my defense, I did take him on a hike and picnic to Pinnacle Peak so he could get some good Arizona cactus pictures and as a bonus we even found a baby tarantula! When we got home he took some great pictures of the kids. I wish he lived closer to save me money on having our pictures taken--his photography is so amazing! Here's a sample of some of his Arizona pics...

And here's some quick pictures the kids let him take. They really weren't that cooperative about having their picture taken.

Ward Trunk or Treat

The ward Trunk or Treat is always fun. They have a Chili and Cornbread Cookoff. I actually won the chili contest one year. This year I couldn't get my act together and didn't get mine entered in time. Then the kids have a costume parade and then the best part Trunk or Treating! We have such a huge primary. I can't find Cole or Coop in the picture. Pierce is hiding behind the kid in the Toady Costume right next to Taylor.
I know it's hard to tell but Cooper was Woody from Toy Story (the vest and hat didn't last long). I kept trying to get him say, "There's a snake in my boots!" from the movie but everytime I said it he got all concerned and kept looking at his feet.
Pierce always wants to have a scary costume. He was supposed to be the scary guy from the movie Scream but since we couldn't wear the mask we decided he was the Grim Reaper. Taylor was Darth Vader.
Cole was a cute little cowgirl and Savannah was Hermione from Harry Potter and Charlotte was Raggedy Ann.

The Lake in October

The best part of living in Arizona is being able to go boating with our friends in October. We got on the lake around 8am to get the best smooth water and to beat the crowds. Clint and I both took turns skiing and then the kids had a blast learning to waterski behind the sea doo.

Jaycee's looking good.

Cooper had a great time hanging out in the boat and getting water everywhere.

Taylor the pro showing off one-handed.

Cole has some funky form.
Pierce would not turn around and smile for the camera

Road Trip to Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico

The drive from Santa Fe to Taos on the "High Road to Taos" is beautiful. It starts out through the desert and then winds through small towns tucked away in the pine trees. We went just a week early since the leaves on all the aspens are just starting to turn colors.

Taos Pueblo Cemetery

This is one of the oldest and most photographed Catholic Churches in the Southwest.

The high bridge over the Rio Grand

My Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Rio Grand

Yea! Happy Birthday to Me! I got to cross off a big one from my list--A hot air balloon ride through the Rio Grand Gorge in Taos, New Mexico. This was an amazing experience and I loved every minute of it. We got up so early and watched the sun rise over the mountains while waiting for the wind to die down. Clint helped blow up the balloon and then we were off. It was absolutely perfectly peaceful floating above and through the gorge. The gorge is amazing. So Beautiful. The company we went with had two balloons out and it was fun to radio back and forth with them and to see them ahead of us in the gorge. Our pilot was pretty adventurous and actually touched the basket down on the water a couple of times and we definately went higher than them. After the trip we headed back to the high bridge rest area and ate brunch.