Shaylor's Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for that Christmas can be about giving. Thank you that Christmas can be celebrating for Jesus. Thank you that Christmas is not about celebrating for Santa. Thank you for the food we have, and help that everyone in the world can have the food too. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Thanksgiving in Arizona

We took a trip to south for Thanksgiving. We were able to see my brother and his family in Las Vegas on the way there and back. We had planned to stay a couple of days with them on the way home, but a major snow storm was headed to Utah and to avoid it, we had to go right home. We were so disappointed. We were grateful for the time we did spend with them though.

We spent 6 days with family in Arizona (Sorry family! We know it was a long time!) We had so much fun visiting with everyone.We had family pictures...twice - which was less than fun, but of course, we're grateful for the end products. It was worth it! The food on Thanksgiving was delicious, and we had a very special Family Home Evening lesson from Grandpa Jack that we'll cherish forever.

I have lots and lots of pictures. Here are just a few:

Ian celebrating his 35th birthday!

Random November Shots

ZUMBA!!

In November, I got certified as a Zumba Instructor. Zumba ("zoom-ba") is a Latin and International dance - based fitness class. I went to Zumba for the first time at the beginning of August and 20 minutes in, I knew it is what I wanted to do. It is so much fun, and each class burns 600-1000 calories, without you even realizing that your working. So, now I'm certified to teach, and have already taught 2 classes as a substitute. I'm working on getting my own class.

Hopefully, if you're close by, you'll come and do it with me. It's a party, and you all know how much I love a good party!!

The Bear Hunt

WARNING!!!!!

This post is about hunting. If you don't like hunting, stories of hunting, pictures of hunting (or the hunted), please pass on by. (Although, there is no blood, in case you're curious!)

Just to be safe, I'm going to start out with some pictures of the scenery, which was breathtaking.

So, this post is a little out of order with the whole timeline of the blog. At the end of August, Ian went to New Mexico on a bear hunt with his Dad and Uncle LeGrand. Ian was one of a few that got a Bear tag in the area out of hundreds of people who put in for it. AND, he's an out of state hunter. He got really lucky to get picked. He was so excited. So he geared up and went south to meet up with the guys. They did manly things, I guess. All I know is he had a GREAT time!

Ian and LeGrand waiting for the bear to come to them (...I guess!)

Ian says this is a picture of him, but all I see is the beautiful landscape. I'm taking his word that he's in there somewhere.

I think they were taking a break for some target practice or something. (Why isn't Ian writing this post? I don't know what they were doing!)

Finally on the morning of the third and last day, Ian and the guys were walking to a place where they thought they'd find some bears. Along the way, Ian thought he heard something nearby. They stopped to listen. Sure enough, it was 'the one'. It was such a great experience for him, and he felt so blessed to be able to share it with his Dad and Uncle.

The bear was actually about 250+ lbs, bigger than the picture makes it seem.

Ian and Larry. Ian is packing the bear out.

We're getting the front half of the bear mounted. It will hang in our family room. We're excited. Not ones to let anything go to waste, we ate up the meat that Ian brought home.

Bear Steak - yum yum!

Halloween 2010

Witches' Retreat

Amy got to go to a very fun Witches' party and did 'who knows what' until all hours of the night. It was a blast! Gotta love a GNO!

Amy and her dear friend, Rachel.

Some of the witchy chix.

Noelle turned 9!

How do these kids grow up so fast? Noelle had a very fun 9th birthday.

Here is our beautiful Noelle.

Here is our funny Noelle!

Here is her 'cake' - a masterpiece, I must say! (Always one to be her own person - which is awesome!- Noelle wanted a brownie for her birthday dessert So, I made her a double-layer cake-looking brownie concoction which she and her friends devoured.)

Noelle had a big party with her friends where they painted nails, ate pizza and made bracelets. We feel so lucky that our girls have so many good friends.

Ashlyn's 11

Ashlyn celebrated her 11th birthday this year - which seems unreal. She is a beautiful girl; in every way. We are so proud of the person she is. She's growing up way too fast!

Birthday Donut!

She got go shopping with one of her best friends, Madi.

Her cake turned out cute - it was very 'her'.

She had a big party with lots of friend. They sang Karaoke, made caramel apples, and watched a movie.

There were lots of girly giggles...

...and silliness a-plenty.

Picking Pumpkins

At the beginning of October, we went to our favorite pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, sit on the tractors, and go on a hayride.