Big Jud's Challenge

We went to big Jud's for dinner. My brother Colin is up visiting. He wanted to attempt the triple Big Jud. CRAZY! You get your picture on the wall if you can complete the challenge.

Here is the monster. 3 patties, 1lb each, bun, and all the fixings.

Let the games begin.
Not feeling so good. He's got the meat sweats.
Calling it quits.
In the end, the burger won. Colin got a consolation prize, we got his picture under the double. Since he ate equivalent to a double Big Jud.

Bill's Birthday

Bill is so busy, we barely found time to celebrate his birthday. But we managed to squeeze it in.

We celebrated with just our family on his actual birthday. He wanted an "Ideclair" one of his favorite desserts from Claim Jumper. Since we don't have one anywhere near us, I did my best to recreate one.

Make a wish.
Sunday, we celebrated with my brothers and their wives. Wish we had a bigger place so we could fit more people in. It was crowded as it was.
I made him another cake but forgot to take pictures before I mutilated it with candles. haha.

Another birthday, another year older.

Busy Bee

It's the week before Christmas and like everyone else it becomes a little chaotic with party's, recitals, shopping, and baking. Plus, it's the week of finals for Bill and I. Needless to say my house has been a little neglected, normally I have to pull teeth to get the kids to help out. But today as I was trying to get stuff done, Ellie turned into a little worker bee and started cleaning up the living room, she cleared off our over sized ottoman, picked up, and vacuumed. Wow! I love when my kids just do things because they want to help out. She was so enthusiastic about it. Ellie's little act of service made my day.

Just being Neighbors.

A few days ago, a neighbor came to my door to tell me that her son and Jared had been fighting at the bus stop. She said they were pushing/hitting. I had a talk with Jared. He said, "Mom, we were just playing, that's what we do" I know boys like to rough house but I know it can easily cross the line. I made him apologize.
On Sunday, one of the speakers in Sacrament Meeting shared this story, "Just Being Neighbors" It's a cute story about serving our neighbors. When Jared came home from school yesterday, he asked if we could make cookies for his friend & mom. So, Jared and I made a huge batch of cookies while we talked about what he learned at church. He was so excited to take the cookies over. I know Jared has a tender heart and is always quick to try to fix his mistakes. I know my kids are not perfect but it makes me incredibly happy as a mom to see that they want to do what is right.

Cruel

Cruel:1. disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings

2.: causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain

I got a brochure in the mail a couple days ago for the new Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii. I thought it was just down right cruel. One, I have no idea how I got on their mailing list. Two, it's not very nice to tease me with pictures of beautiful beaches, warm sun, and ultra plush beds. Three, we are poor college students, we have no money, it will be a LONG time before we will be in a position to take a trip here. I will just tuck the brochure away, maybe someday...

Madison Fire Christmas Party

Saturday night we went to the Madison Fire Christmas Party. I have to admit, Bill had to drag me, I just haven't felt up to being very social the past couple of weeks. I am SO glad I went. Of course I forgot my camera. The evening started off with the presenting of colors by the color guard with the Madison Fire Pipe Brigade playing in the background. The brigade also played Little Drummer Boy. I always get the chills when they play. It is quite amazing.
They presented a few awards. One of them was employee of the year which went to Bill's captain on his shift. I am so grateful he was put with such remarkable to mentor him while he is doing his internship.
Then they gave out a national award given through the state called the life saving award/medal. It is given when an outstanding job is done to save a life. I recognized several of the names being called. Then I heard William Denos...I immediately knew what "call" it was. Several weeks ago a Hunter was shot at close range with a 12 gauge shot gun in the chest. It was a remote area and they had to find, treat, and carry the guy to a place a helicopter could pick him up. It was at night in a marshy/forested area. They didn't think the guy would live. But he was a miracle. William Hansen (the man they treated that night) was there in person to thank them. His brother was their also. My eyes welled up with tears and my heart was touched. It was amazing to see everything come full circle. The countless hours of training, the sacrifices families make so their husbands/wives can serve, and their lives they put on the line when they get a call. It's all worth it.
We ate dinner, watched videos that different shifts put together (they were hilarious by the way), exchanged white elephant gifts, and finished the night with some dancing. I'm so proud of my hubby and the people he serves with. What a fun night, I'm glad I didn't miss this one.

Picture taken with my cell phone. Bill receiving the award and shaking hands with the Chief and William Hansen.

The life saving award he received. Everyone that responded to that call got the award.
This is the link to the story about the hunter:

http://www.localnews8.com/news/25412829/detail.html

Thanksgiving 2010

For Thanksgiving we went to Lander, WY to visit my grandpa. We didn't know if we were going to be able to make it because of the blizzard warnings the day before we planned to leave. But the roads opened and we headed out. My camera started acting up as soon as we got there. The lens kept getting stuck. Grrr...stupid camera. These are the only pictures and I didn't get any with the kids and their Great Grandpa Crook.

My grandpa.
Lander had one of the best city parks I think I have ever seen.
They had a little of everything. It made me wish I was a kid again.

We went to the sinks & rise. The river disappears into the mountain and then reappears on the other side.

Bill was only able to be in Lander less than 24 hours because he had to work at the firestation the day after Thanksgiving. My grandpa drove the kids and I back on Saturday.

So, I don't have any pictures of our actual Thanksgiving dinner. The kids had fun but it was stressful. My grandpa isn't around kids very often and has different ideas about how to raise them. I'm glad I finally got to show my family where I was born and some of the things I remembered as a kid visiting my grandparents.

Fall Photos 2010

We have had a beautiful Fall this year. I wanted to get the kids pictures taken before the weather turned to cold. We went out Saturday and today it is snowing. What a difference a few days make. Good timing. The kids got tired of taking pictures about 5 minutes but I hope I got a few decent ones.

Rachel

Jared

Ellie

Fall Soccer

Jared played soccer this Fall. It was only 4 weeks long because we live in a cold climate. I'm glad it was a short season. I don't know how many more 30 degree Saturday mornings I was willing to do. Jared had a great time, learned a lot, and scored a goal during his last game.

Halloween 2010

We had a fun filled October celebrating Halloween. I was worried when Halloween fell on Sunday this year but the advantage of living in a small LDS community is that Halloween was celebrated on Saturday, the kids even went door to door trick or treating on Saturday evening. The weather was even perfect. My kids went without jackets in the evening, at the end of October, in Idaho. Amazing!
Rachel wanted to be a witch.

Jared a ninja.

Ellie a ladybug.

Trick or Treating, they never ran out of energy. They kept running from door to door. The only thing that made us stop is Jared having to finally go the bathroom. haha

David & Sonja. Sonja sewed her own pumpkin dress. They joined us for trick or treating for a little while.

Loading up on candy.

Half the kids we went trick or treating with aren't even in the picture.

Ellie and her friend Mei.
The kids went to a carnival Wednesday night. Ellie brought her friend Paisley. They were both ladybugs.

Jared never kept his mask on.

The kids got their faces painted. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of Rachel.

Rachel & Ellie got their nails painted.

One of the local grocery stores brought their Giant shopping cart for the kids to ride on. Highlight of the kids night.

I can't believe October has come and gone.
Time to take down the Halloween decorations.