So the power went out the other day and it reminded me of when I was little and our power went out. I remember it happening a lot. I also remember sitting around candles or a flashlight and telling stories. I remember it feeling like we were camping and how bummered I was when it did come back on. I like to think about how the pioneers lived without power and had to tuck there kids in by the light of a candle. I love camping and rustic life. Hiking, cooking food on the fire and bandannas on your head so your hair doesn't look to ugly! That is some of my favorite childhood memories. Camping on the beach at Lake Powell is my favorite...Definitely!!!! Thank you Heavenly Father for no power sometimes. I probably would not have spent the evening talking to my kids, telling them stories and singing song with them if the lights were on. Enjoy the simple things in life.

It is much more better!!!!

Our Piggy Had Her Babies!!!

She actually had them on Friday the 19th but I didn't want to bother them with pictures until now. They are all so cute and fun! Curly had three babies two are curly haired and one is slick hair. I am not 100% sure if we have all girls or two girls and one boy. Maybe it will become more obvious when they get a little older. Any way.... the kids are having fun feeding them, watching them and making sure they have plenty of hay to chew on! They are getting really active and love chasing their mommy. I placed an ad on KSL to sell them today. I think they will be able to go when they are about three weeks old. Troy even said we could keep them if we wanted to!!! Amazing!!! But I do not think we will. They are slightly smelly but it would be fun to play with them outside in the backyard when it gets warmer.

Dustin and Cameron with Santa

Jimmy and Sarah with Santa

St. George had a snow day and canceled school on Thursday. The kids had lots of fun playing outside and building a snowman. We only had enough snow to make one. We used all our neighbors snow to! Snowballs were thrown and hands got cold so we came in a made some hot chocolate with our Cocoamotion! We even sang a song about it! It goes like this....

Cocoa in motion it's cocoa in motion.....

(Maybe you had to be there. It was pretty funny)

Cameron and Dustin worked very hard to make this ball of snow. It was so heavy I could barley roll it! The snow was very slushy! I am so out of practice at building snowmen It has been to long since I built one. But the kids did great! I love to spend time with them! They are the greatest joy in my life!!!!

OMG!!!!

We have been so busy with getting ready for Christmas! Well I have at least!! We had such a fun time for Thanksgiving! Thanks to everyone for craft time, food and fun family time! I love Thanksgiving dinner because you can eat like a pig and nobody cares because your supposed to eat to much, right!! The kids had so much fun to. They made lots of cool project and got to play in a small amount of snow. Enough for the big kids to throw snowballs at the little ones! O' and I can't forget the train!! Dustin and Cameron had loads of fun driving Grandpa's train. I love there smiling faces. They just glow with excitement. Thanks Grandpa for being awesome and having a train for the kids to drive!!!

This is Thanksgiving lunch. Yummy! PB&J

Craft Time!!!!

Sarah and Jimmy spent most of the day making cool shapes with these beads and then I got to iron them to make them stick together. Troy even got into it. It was lots of fun! Cameron and Dustin each made one then down to the train they went!(and stayed)

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and was able to find things they were thankful for. I sure know I did!!! We love you all so much and thank you for all you do for us!!!!

Jimmy had his first pack meeting!!! YEAH!! He was able to get his Bobcat patch (and I got a Bobcat mom pin!). He is now officially a Wolf. He is doing so great and has already passed of several achievements. He is so close to getting his first silver arrow, only two achievements away! He is very motivated to earn some more for next time. Some of the other boys earned belt loops and Jimmy says he would like some of those to, but first he needs a belt. His leaders are really great people and I am so glad to have them.

Pomegranate Jelly

A team of helpers and me made pomegranate jelly yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa Merrill came over early yesterday morning to help me. We made a huge mess of the kitchen and had lots of fun. We soaked the pomegranates and then cut them in half and took the seeds out. Then we cleaned them really good and put them in a juicer. What a fun time!! It went pretty well but one time the juicer got off balance from the pulp build up and it started swinging around and making juice go every wear! It took Grandma and me to get the darn thing under control. Even Dustin got in on the fun!

We ended up with 39 jars of jelly!!! It is so yummy!!! They are such a pretty color to!!

Private Blog

I have recently made my blog private due to some disturbing news. I have sent out e-mail invitations to everyone I have addresses for, but if you know of anyone who would like to read my blog that is unable to please let me know. All I need is there e-mail address. Thanks!!! I hope this will make it safe enough to keep posting pictures.