Finally. . .SNOW!

The kids had a fun time in the snow today - for hours. . .

Christmas was great - The kids were happy.
Shaun and I went and picked out our new phones the day after.
We only had to return one item.
I had to work Christmas day for 6 hours and missed
lunch at Grandma and Grandpas.
The tree will probably stay up until the end of January
so that I don't get too depressed.
Can't wait until next year.

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday
as much as we did.

The CuteKid Contest - November 2009 Contest Winners

Bo won the Pre-Teen Division for The Cute Kid Modeling Contest. Very exciting - now he has a good shot at the $25,000 college scholarship and many more prizes.

The CuteKid Contest - November 2009 Contest Winners

Cutie!

I took their pictures myself because I had procrastinated and couldn't get anyone else to take them. They turned out OK.

I will post all of them after I get my Christmas Cards sent.

This is just a fun one of Savannah.

New WOOD Stove!

When a disaster happens and ya'll regret

puting in a GAS stove -

come on over and we'll keep ya nice and warm.

Traditional Halloween Party!

Grandma and Grandpa Jake had their

Halloween Party

last night and the kids had a blast.

• Cake Walk
• Fireworks
• Treasure Hunt
• Toilet Paper Mummy
• Great Food

Bo enjoyed scaring the *&#$ out of all the little kids. Poor Hanks would cry until Bo would take his mask off and then he would just smile at him. We love him! It was a little crazy & loud with all the kids but worth every minute of it.

We had Zombie Blood to drink, Baby Mummies, Witches Brain Burgers, Spiders, Mud Cups with Worms, Deviled Eggs, Witches Heads!

Bobbing for Apples is always the favorite!

Poor Grandpa Harley was a good sport!

While they were wrapping him, he said, "I have to pee"

and all the kids kind of freaked out - and mom said,

"go for it, the toilet paper will soak it up."

The Haunted Train!

Our night aboard the Heber Creeper was quite the adventure.
I thought Savannah was going to jump out the window and
Bo loved making it worse for her.
We rode their Haunted Train up Provo Canyon as they told some pretty
SpOOky
stories.
Then, on the way back,
there were some pretty creepy ghouls that came aboard.
I won't spoil it for you, but I would suggest you take your family.
(It was much better than the Polar Express, which I thought was a waste of money.)
When we got off the train Savannah said,
"That was not one - fun - bit!"
She was a little confused.

Fun Pics of Bo!

The Beginning of Fall 2009!

This weekend we spent Saturday in Park City. It was beautiful. Our timing was perfect and it was a nice warm day. We rode the Alpine Slide & Alpine Coaster. Savannah was inpatient on the drive up there and waiting in the lines. She can't stand anything that takes too long. Bo has decided that he doesn't want his picture taken by me anymore. What? I wonder why. He says that I ruin the moment when I'm flashing a camera in his face all the time. I just have to laugh because it's so true.



Savannah was in the Primary Program on Sunday. She had her little talk memorized but when she got up there and looked down on all the people, she froze. Thank goodness there was someone there to help her get started. It was kind of crazy not to see Bo up there. Instead, he was sitting with the Deacons and he passed the Sacrament for the first time. Everyone told me how sharp he looked and how clean cut he was and how appropriately he handled himself. He looked so old and was actually "taller" than a few of the others. WOW!

In a "Rut"

Shaun returned last weekend with his prize Bull Elk after hunting for about 7 days. Bo was able to spend some precious time with his dad looking for the "big one" and cow calling the bulls right to them. The bulls were hungry for some lovin' - they call this hunger "the rut".

This was Shaun's first bull elk hunt so, considering that, he was very successful. Both Dad and Shaun shot nice Elk. They have each wanted to draw this tag for a very long time. Kind of interesting that they would draw the same year.

Something really funny to me is the two aspen trees you see below. My Uncle Alan elk hunted in this same area years ago and didn't see anything. So, he carved "NO ELK" in a tree. Years, and years later, my cousin Luke (Alan's nephew) killed a 360 BULL and carved his success in the aspen right next to Alan's. Egg in his face!

Update. . .

It's been a long while since I've posted anything. Things have been pretty average around here. The kids are back to SCHOOL and it always seems to take a few weeks to get a routine going. Bo is doing an oral report on Africa today. He went over it once last night, so it should be interesting. Knowing him, he will somehow pull it off. Savannah invited Grandma Jake to go to school with her last Friday for Grandparents day. It was really special to Savannah and made her feel important.

Shaun is ELK HUNTING and has been gone for several days. I think he is enjoying himself and getting much alone time with nature & wildlife. He calls each night to give Bo an update. He is seeing many elk but just not the right one. Truly, he say's he is waiting for Bo to come back up because he would like to share the manly moment with him.

The Simmons' FAMILY REUNION was Saturday and it was a joy to see all of them again. It has been one year since LaJoy passed. I think it is important to keep in touch more often. They're all good people.

A couple of weeks ago, Bo was ordained a Deacon and received the PRIESTHOOD. Grandpa Harley Gillman ordained him and said all the right things. Grandpa Harley is a man that I honor and respect more than anyone on this earth. He loves his family so much. What a great gift. I don't think Bo fully understands it quite yet. He is enjoying the Young Men's activities but he is nervous about passing the Sacrament. I think I would be too. I need to go buy him a suit $$$ (as soon as I have the money). I am so proud of him.

Savannah started back to DANCE last week. I think this year may be much better for her. She has already made some new friends on her team. I have told her stay away from the little girls that are "clicky" and just be friends with everyone. She will now have 3 different instructors. It is always good to change it up a bit. Her Jazz/Ballet technique instructor is Kelly Messerly! It wouldn't be the same without Alexis so she will still be doing her company choreography. YEAH! The question is whether or not to do a solo? We'll see.

That's it in a nutshell!

School Begins. . .

School started smoothly - without any major breakdowns. Bo was anxious to see his friends again and Savannah was anxious to wear her new clothes. All I can wish for is a smooth and pleasant year and for both of them to do well learning what they should.

Bear Lake with the Jacobson's

My Parents gave us a trip to Bear Lake

for Christmas last year.

The big weekend arrived and we had a great time.

We stayed in a condo that had a balcony

overlooking the beach and the beach was a short distance away.

It was a little crazy with all the kids in a tight space

but well worth it.

I thought the pic of the 3 girlies (Indy, Swayze, Sav.) was so cute.

Oakley was buried in sand and didn't seem to mind.

Stryker braved the freezing water with dad.

Cute DIVA in the sunglasses.

Bo was so cute with Shilo, she would run away giggling

everytime she seen him and loved it when he chased her.

I don't think I heard Hanks cry the entire weekend.

He always seems to be so content -

and looking pretty cool in his shades.

Steele loved hangin' with Bo.

Sav. and Indy were buddies and got along great.

Love the pic of Swayze jumping over the waves.

Oh, and let me introduce Sebastian in the pic with Hadlee

(he loved the sand as much as her).

Ellery planned a couple real fun activities - material tied flip-flops and

manicures & pedi's. Savannah decided she didn't want her toes done

because it took her mom waaayyy too long to do her fingers.

Kite flying, playground, and rides on the tube were other fun festivities.

Great memories!

Bo Rowdy

I just loved this picture of Bo.

He is so great and fun-loving -

for the most part.

Sad to see summer end and he is too.

He's gone for 5 days and I will miss him.

See you soon Bo Rowdy.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. . .and don't need the practice?

So. . .I was watching So You Think You Can Dance last night and was enlightened when they interviewed Janene. She told of when she was a little girl, she really hated to go to dance class and it was her mother who forced her to take dance lessons beginning at the age of 3. It took her years to enjoy dance and quit fighting her mom. She now believes that her mom knew what was best for her.

This reminded me so much of my little "dance relationship" with Savannah. I had nearly made the decision to pull her off the team because she hates to practice and I'm sick of fighting.

Coincidently, her Team Auditions were today. So. . .I felt like that interview was just what I needed to hear. . .and just in time.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Mom invited the kids over for a swim party on monday.
GREAT idea!
They had a blast with their cousins. . .
some they hadn't seen for quite a while (a.k.a Mitchell's).
They can all swim like FISH and have no fear -
even Shilo was jumping in.
We started in their backyard and then ended up at the neighbor's pool.