DUETS!

Mara's good friend Darby is spending the weekend with us while her folks are in Texas. We live so far from town that the kids don't have friends over very often. They are having fun with a duet book they found in the bench. In fact, they are still in the living room playing away. I'm so glad my kids have so far chosen good friends - makes life even better. Look how grown up they look - I keep trying to deny that Mara is old enough to be leaving us for college this fall. Two very beautiful young women!

Snow and Calves

It's that time of year again.  Wednesday we woke up to take Megan to early morning cheer practice to a blizzard.  We had a bunch of new snow over the weekend and I think it all blew into our driveway during the night.  Jim's truck is in this picture if you look closely.  Some of the fence posts are about to disappear - that is what Jim wished for and he may just get his way this year.

Last week one of the cows decided to calve early - yup Twins.  These are pix of the girls with the little girl twin.  She is on a bottle 4 times a day - she has already become a real pet and likes her neck scratched.  The boy is not quite as friendly and likes him mom more than his sister.

Rowdy is getting big - he loves going to the ranch.

Shelby feeding the baby - Megan's turn is today.

Jim and his dad will be extremely busy over the next few months.  The calves will start coming any day.  It is tons of work and they are both worn out by the time spring comes.  They are up in the middle of the night checking for calves, plus feeding, putting out straw, doctoring calves, not to mention Jim's full time job. It is fun for the rest of us on weekends playing with the babies.  I think Jim will be happy when spring gets here - well maybe not, then it will be time to fence.  There are times when living on the ranch is hard - especially for Jim - the kids whine sometimes too, but I'm glad we are here.  My kids are living a lifestyle that not many have anymore and they are becoming good people for it.  O.K. enough with my rambling - just remind me when I start to complain in a few weeks.  I really am glad we are living in Wayan.

Basketball, Basketball, December is all about B-Ball!

O.K. - I know I have been missing in action from the blogging world, but my world revolves around Christmas and Basketball in December. I've posted some photos from December:

#1 A Cardinal Blackout - Mara and Seth are in there somewhere cheering for their friends on the undefeated Lady Cardinal Basketball team. Record is 20-0 and districts start Tuesday - guess who is in charge of the snack shack? Sr. class Pres. so you know where I'll be.

#2, #3, #4 - Seth in action: shooting a layup, foul shot, and moving the ball down the court. Mom's just a little proud of her ball player - It has been fun watching him and only 3 more weeks left - he is a starter on the J.V. team and wishing for the chance to move up to varsity for districts, but we'll have to wait and see.  He is doing a great job for the first year as  a guard.

#5 Megan cheering at the pep assembly for what else - basketball!

#6 This next one is of Megan singing the national anthem at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake. She was asked to sing before the Soda girls played an exhibition game. We were lucky enough to get to go to a Jazz game that night also.

#7 The gang on our way to the Jazz game - My brother Blake and his family came with us and we had a fantastic time trying Thai food - yes we did try the duck. Then we cheered the Jazz on, even though they lost.

#8 Mara and Katie making signs for the Jazz game in Office Depot. They even managed to get on the jumbotron and later that night on the postgame show. A great time was had by all.  #9  Shelby right in the center of things getting the rebound - here we go again, she just got the call last week for the 5th grade all-star team.  Now we will be chasing her around through March. 

It is a little crazy to schedule, but I love following the kids around - I figure I only get 8 more years of having them around, so I will be at everything I can.  It helps that I love to watch basketball.  

Snow Days

We had a blizzard Christmas day so Grandma & Grandpa didn't make it to Wayan as planned, but came with Aunt Pete, Uncle Craig & Aunt Laura, and of course cousins the day after.  The kids all had a great time playing in the new snow.

This is Shay and Mara ready for the ride.  There was a bit of a wind chill behind the 4-wheeler, but no one seemed to mind too much.
Who need sleighs - Shelby & her cousin John spent more time sliding on their knees.
Rowdy was completely worn out after playing with the kids.  He slid down the snow pile countless times after the new ball.  We found him later sound asleep in a heap of boots and snow clothes.

Seth and Colton are getting hooked back up.  That is Jade and Megan ready to go for a ride down the road.  It is so nice to live somewhere that the kids can be kids and not worry too much about them getting run over.
Seth is having too much fun sliding of the snow bank.
Jade and Megan - aren't they cute?

We love it when cousins come - just wish it could be more often.