A Skydazzler's Life Unwrapped...

Happy Birthday Lil'Kyle!

Happy 28th Birthday!  Oh my...only 2 years before you hit 30.  Man you guys are getting old! Hope you have a great day and many blessings throughout the coming year!

My Nephews...

I know you will enjoy this. It will make you laugh out loud.  They are fun, they are crazy, they are family!  You might think they have a little too much time on their hands? haha, I say...do you boys take requests for more videos?  How about Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love"? I love my nephews. Sam, Shea and Shyler...you've out done yourselves.

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Another Christmas Tradition...The Tree...

As a family tradition, we venture out on Thanksgiving weekend in search of the perfect Christmas trees for the season.  We have traveled in and around the Salem area, going to the West hills and a couple years all the north to Beaver Creek to find that one special perfect tree.  We've searched in sunny weather and rainy cold weather.  Being gone over the Thanksgiving holiday, the weekend after had to do.  This year is a first time we have ever gone right in the middle of a storm front.  Hey, what can I say!  Timing is everything..haha  We caravanned 3 cars to a farm just out of Scotts Mills to a friend of son-in-law Kyle.  I was rather clueless as to where we were actually going and asked Bryant...do you think I'll need a coat?  He goes...nah...it's warming up out there.  Well outside "there" in Salem was warming up...someone forgot to tell on top of a mountain in Scotts Mills...not so warm!  The wind was blowing, dropping the wind chill down to somewhere under freezing I'm sure.  All of the surrounding trees had a fresh dusting of snow clinging to them.  It was absolutely beautiful.  All the grandkids had been at a sleep-over at church the night before and were drag butt tired from no sleep.  (doesn't sound like a great start now, does it?)  We started to look at trees and within minutes the whining, crying and complaining started...and that was only me! haha.  Anyway, my thoughts this year were looking for something smaller, thinner, more open branches, you know something not so perfect and especially under the weather circumstances, could be found fast.  So we looked...for that this year perfect tree and out of the corner of my eye, behind me, I saw this majestic tall, stunningly green noble fir.  It was standing there proudly, just asking to be taken home.  haha, not exactly!  But it was the closest thing to me that no one else had picked.  I pointed out my new found treasure to Bryant, who half haphazardly said something to the effect of  "are you sure"?  I yelled back "yes" as I was already half way back to the truck to get warm.  Well we get this tree home and you know, it is the most beautifully perfectly shaped tree, full stout branches.  The type tree if you had wanted to find something especially perfect, the best choice anyone could have asked for! haha Go figure!  All of the families did find their "perfect" trees too for the year.  And even amid the crying, fussing and tired kids, we really did have a great time.  I've seen the trees all decorated with lights and ornaments...they all look so fabulous.  I'll post mine later.  Here are a few pictures of the hunt...

My new great-niece...Meet Mylie Loreen

The Family Group Picture...and more

The games....

I'm really back...not still in Utah! haha

We got back from our Utah trip the Saturday after Thanksgiving!  We had a wonderful time visiting with family, participating in adventures together and eating....lots of eating with our family.  We still had a few missing members that didn't make the trip out, but all in all, this was a LARGE family gathering!  Almost increased it by one more, but Shyla and Jay's little Mylie Loreen didn't arrive until after the holiday, on November 27th!  The "cousins" got together and had a blast playing games like Scum, Scene-it and round robin ping pong.  We were fortunate to see the next generation of cousins play and play and all get along.  I grabbed some quick shots of dinner, games and baby Miley.  The trip itself, there and back was fantastic!  Can you say ROAD TRIP!  We had been a tad antsy about that long of a drive with 6 little kids, but they all did great!  Even Hudson, who turned out to be probably the most patient baby ever.  He rarely complained at all about that darn old carseat!  I know it sounds crazy...but I'm ready to go again.  Can you say Disneyland in the Spring?  haha

Happy Thankgiving!

Hug a...Happy Veterans Day...we honor you!

Today I honor all the men and women who have served our country to preserve our rights and protect our freedom.  We all know someone in our lives who is a veteran, whether that is a family member, friend or a neighbor.  Take one moment out of your busy Sunday and give that Veteran a hug and say Thank you!  Without them, you wouldn't be enjoying the freedoms you have!

Happy Birthday Bryant!!

This is a special birthday wish to my husband and the love of my life! Hope your day is as wonderful as you are! Happy Birthday baby.  I love you.

Bauman Farms- In Search of Pumpkins

Last weekend, when the sun was still shining, the family headed over to Bauman Farms in search of pumpkins. There were animals to pet, hay mazes to be run and yummy caramel popcorn.  We had a great time, you can see it in their smiles.  I love family outings. I forgot to mention we had so much fun, we ran out of time and never did get our pumpkins.  I think we need to go looking again..hehe.