I thought I better put some photos of the biggest project we have been working on lately. It is coming along nicely.

Septic tank line.

The clean up crew.

This is before we started the brick.

Sweeping the front porch.

This is where the table will go.

The back of the house is finished with brick.

Chris took the 8th graders on a field trip. Levi was lucky enough to miss a day of school and tag along.

Our young ewe lamb that Levi did so well in the fair with last year just had a cute little baby.

Well, I guess the baby was not so little.

We ended up having to assist her in the delivery.

Her uterus prolapsed.

Chris called his brother. They cleaned her uterus and then Chris slowly pushed it back inside her. His brother then sewed her up.

Levi helped tie the knots as they were sewing her up.

Boy is he getting an education.

I thought she was a gonner for sure but Chris has been doctoring her up and she seems to be doing fine.

Casey is getting attached to the cute little bugger.

Casey & Heston had their birthday's this month. Time is sure flying!

This is our first baby lamb that was born. She is up and running all over the place now. Luckily we didn't have any problems with her.

It has been so cold that we started letting the kids sleep in the family room. This is what it looks like every night.

Levi has discovered a new world of toys. K'nex are awesome!

We visited Hardware Ranch after Christmas. We rode in a sleigh pulled by horses to look at the elk.

Anna keeps getting cuter!

Heston keeps losing his teeth.

Apparently Anna does not like green beans.

Christmas 2010

Whit has three best friends. Annie the dog, Pearl the chicken and his little sister Anna.

This was the Christmas of Wheels

Whit got a Strider. Look up Strider on Youtube. We have high hopes.

Heston says he got a "real pro bike."

Casey got a bike with gears so she can "keep up with the rest of us."

Levi got some roller blades for the "new skating rink."

Jodi got a hole.........

and Chris got some concrete for "the new skating rink."

Actually, we finally broke ground on our new house December 12th. It has been a long process of designing, getting bids and financing. We began this process last Easter. Things are progressing very good despite the cold weather. We are pretty excited about it all. Truth is, we can't afford to finish the basement so we told the kids we were building them a skating rink in the basement. Levi asked if we could buy a disco ball.

December 2010

We had the opportunity to travel to SLC and attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra Christmas devotional. The guest artist was David Archuleta from American Idol fame. We were excited when we were randomly selected from the Church's random selection process (lottery). Later we found out that there were over 1 million requests for tickets and only 84,000 were granted. Who knew this show was the hottest ticket in town. People were selling them on KSL.com for $70 a piece. It was a really good show and a good experience for the kids to see the Conference Center.

Luckily we have a sister-in-law that lives on the U of U campus so we had a place to stay. Dallas is always a good host and so gracious. The kids had a lot of fun in the snow.

We also took the opportunity the next night to go to Temple Square and see the lights. The kids had fun but were definitely ready to get out of the city. You can imagine the crowds on a Saturday night the week before Christmas. We always ask the kids when we are in the city if they want to move. I guess it is our little way of reminding them how lucky it is to live in such a rinky dink town.

Levi was a little discouraged that we didn't have snow. He said one evening, "This stinks, we won't have snow for Christmas." A couple of days later, we were hit hard. We had a foot the first night and a few smaller storms after. In fact, the district even gave us a snow day just before the break. However, when our spring break in late April is one day shorter, you can bet that everyone will be moaning and groaning about the snow day.
Levi and Casey told us they were building a winter wonderland. We didn't get a lot of pictures but we had forts, recliners, snowmen and anything else a winter wonderland has.

Here are some pictures of the night of the first big snowfall. Whatever the apparel, rubber boots and pajamas or shorts and bare feet, everyone had fun.

We thought we had better include a picture of Anna. It is so cold she is always inside or bundled up. She is really growing fast. Time for another one.

Just kidding about another one.

Here is a cute video of Whit playing in SLC at Aunt Dallas's house.

Casey is still progressing with her gymnastics. We haven't decided if the whole gymnastics thing is worth it. She is gone 3 days a week for a total of 9 hours. The tuition for a year would be one mortgage payment. This will lead to competition which will be more money and all for what, so she can try out for cheerleader when she is in high school which will be even more money. But on the other hand, she loves gymnastics, it keeps her active and it has been really good for her confidence. Plus she loves the TV so we are certain she would sit in front of the TV and snack during the 9 hours she is gone to gymnastics. We have decided that it is worth it......as long as she still practices the piano. She is doing great!

Listen for Casey's little cheerleader. We had a family night at the gym. The girls were able to show off for their families.

Thanksgiving 2010

We went to Nevada for Thanksgiving. This was one of the best Thanksgivings we have ever had. All of the siblings and their families were there for several days. Highlights were the ping-pong tournament (thanks Tim and Zach), talent show (thanks Dallas) and a full day of photography (thanks Camrin and Brandon).

This was the last shot of the day. The grandkids were less than excited to take this picture. It was cold, the lighting was wrong and diapers were exploding. We called it good.

Jodi with her parents and siblings.

Jay and Rhonda with all of their posterity. There were no empty chairs at this thanksgiving.

Heston played some Christmas songs on the lap harp for his portion of the talent show.

Casey played the piano and did a gymnastics routine.

Levi showed a music video with pictures of him doing many of his interests. Whit danced and Chris played the saxaphone. Jodi's talent, getting us all there with our talents. Always out of the spotlight, but deserving most of the credit.

We visited Grandma & Grandpa Hills and had tons of fun. Grandpa built a fire in his cool fire pit and we roasted hot dogs and had smores. Yum!

Anna loves this little seat. She sat there and smiled at me while I bottled salsa.

Poor Levi! He held the leg of our friends deer while he was skinning it and then touched his eye. We had a little bit of a scare but got it all taken care of.

Leaves are great in the Fall!

The kids decided early this year what they wanted to be so we were able to do some home made costumes. I have to thank my sister for her help. She is amazing! This is Friday morning right before loading on the bus. They got to wear their costumes to school and participated in the school parade!

Carving pumpkins!

This year I was smart. I had them clean the pumpkins out by the garden.

We carve pumpkins every year at our friends house. Here are the kids eating a yummy dinner before the carving begins.

You can tell by this photo who the serious one is!

Heston was exhausted after he finished his carving job!

Finished Products!

Town Halloween Party!

Ward Halloween Party!

Trunk-or-Treating

Whit loves to dance while we watch Dancing with the Stars!