To kill or not to Kill!

So Elk season was coming to a close on Nov. 30th. We went out with dad on Monday and saw deer and moose, lots of geese but no Elk (Kyle did shoot one grouse- Blasted its entire head off). So ALL day Tuesday we went out to try to help Dad get his Elk (we also got the Christmas tree that day). We even picked Gideon up at the bus stop to ditch school with us. We were on some iffy road with lots of snow and no phone reception. I was starting to get pretty good at spotting animals. Kyle was about to turn around due to bad roads, but I kept him going. I saw something on the hill and finally it was elk (3 cows....he has a cow tag not a bull tag). This is the first time I have seen an elk. kyle got out with his gun and the kids were so excited. They were about 300 yards off and as Kyle got closer they got scared and ran off. Kyle shot at them, but miss. CRAP!!!! We didn't see a single cow elk the rest of the day. We saw a 7 point Elk Bull later that night, but he didn't have any hussies with him. We saw over 75 deer and 3 moose, but the cow elk were hiding. Hmm wonder why. No elk, but I really had a good time with Kyle. I plan on hunting with him next year.

So, Elk season is over and all Kyle can get now are  ducks and geese. Saturday Mike and Kyle go out or Geese/Duck. They can get 8-12 of them a day.  We had seen hundreds of them earlier that week so I thought it would be an  easy kill day for them. What do they come home with ....12 rabbits. What....where is my goose. So lame!

Visit from Dad and Dottie!

We were blessed to have Dad and Dottie come visit us on Friday. It was WAYYYYYY to short of a visit (6hrs), but we are thankful they made the trip to see us. We just sat around and chit chatted for the first few hours as we were waiting for Gideon to get home from school. I love talking to my dad. and you too Dottie!. Dottie made scarves and ear muff bands for the kids and us daughters. I love them! Once Gideon got home it was like an early Christmas. Presents and wrapping paper flying everywhere. Gideon got a mini LiteBrite, Hannah got a my pink Little Pony, Blake got a Magnedoodle, Cami got a My Little Pony unicorn, Colton got a train, Kyle got an I Spy game, and Janel and I got TWilight and New Moon card games. We are going to not play them until we go to LaVon's next week. LOVE IT!

 Dad called out who's it was and Blake took them their present!

 I am glad they got to see the kids open their gifts.

 Hmmm, I think there is is a little chocolate on those lips!

Yeah! Twilight fun!

Good Old Fashion Christmas Tree!

So, now that I am out in the country and snow...this city girl wanted to try out something only seen on TV. ...Going out in the forest and cutting down our own Christmas Tree. It was going to be even cooler since we planned on doing it by horseback behind grandpa's house during Thanksgiving Break.....BUT NO!!!!! It had to be negative 14 outside and too cold to take the horse. Bunch of crap. I had it all envisioned and everything. So, we did it last Tuesday while we were out trying to help Kyle find a Elk. The snow was almost up to my hips. We were pulling the kids around on a sled and the selection was very "Charley Brown". The snow kept getting in my socks and burning my ankles, but we were determined to find something. The kids were having fun....except Cami who only lasted 15 minutes then sat in the truck. We had to shake the snow off the trees to even see it. But, finally Kyle calls for my approval on a tree and I liked it. It is definitely a large "Charley Brown " Tree, but it was the fullest one we could find. Kyle cut it down and drug it thru the snow to the truck.

 This is the parking part that has been packed down...very misleading.

 It's getting deeper and the kids think it's fun to make it harder on dad to pull them by laying back!

 Here's our tree Kyle is chopping! See how hard it is to tell what the tree looks like with all the snow!

 Ya Mule! Kyle dragging the tree with ease!

We set up our tree Wednesday night. We actually have 2 trees. I found a great 6 1/2 ' prelite artificial tree at D.I. a few months ago for $5 and yeah it works. Our live is a funny looking tree or a "Charley Brown" tree as Kyle would say, but I love it. It has personality. We tried to get as many ornaments on this tree as we could, but had to place some on the artificial tree because of weight. Our Christmas light we have used the past 5 years finally bit the dust. So, our tree really isn't complete until we get some on there. It was a fun night. We had a bowl of Christmas candies for the kids, the Christmas music playing and our family. I love reminiscing over each ornament as I pull them out of the box. I only have wood or metal ornaments now since they don't break. I got upset about some getting broken and decided about 5 years ago to get rid of all my glass ornaments. I gave them away and only have a few glass icicle ones. Practical Pig and I. I had a great time and it makes me smile remembering this night with my family! 

Here it is bare naked!

Blake and Gideon striving to eat all the Christmas candy before we start with ornaments!

Gideon says these are his driod lights. You silly Boy!

Cami and Blake dancing to the Christmas music!

"Beads Glorious Beads". Cami loves our wood bead strands.

Blake is enjoying them as well.

Note not too many ornaments on the bottom. Yes, we still have babies that like to snatch ornaments (Cami & Colton)

I handed out ornaments as Kyle helped the kids!

Yeah! We had fun and they still love each other after a family event. Good sign!

GingerBread Houses with Brian

So, my cousin Brian or Uncle BJ at our house is now a trucker. He works 3-6 weeks straight so when he does get time off it is around a week off. His time is precious and this visit he made plans for specific activities. Not only did ne bring us some homemade Cheeseballs to eat. He also wanted to do an activity with the kids. So, be bought the makings for gingerbread houses. AND to make it even more fun, he individually made one with Gideon, Blake and Hanna. He set up shop in his room to make the gingerbread creations. So, when they were all done all the adults had to guess who made what. I must admit I didn't have much faith in Brians gingerbread making abilities...let alone his creativity (sorry Brian), BUT I was  very impressed with the results. Hannah made hers look like Grandma Smiths house, Blake made our house and Gideon made Grandpa Lainharts house. They were so personalized and constructed so well. The kids got to eat them for a treat on FHE. Brian also bought a real Gingerbread kit for janel to make. The other ones were made with Graham Crackers!

 Here is Blake's concoction of our house here in Idaho with the HUGE pine tree up front, driveway and big grass area.

 Here is Hannah's creation of Grandma Smith's house. The huge pine trees in the back yard. The big wood pile in the back and the straws along the corners of the house for gutters.

 Gideon's creation of Grandpa Lainhart's house. My favorite part is the horses in the pen on the right.

 3 proud little builders!

Here is Janel's Gingerbready house. It is cute, but not as creative as the kids since all since they were all premade pieces.

Also, on Brian's agenda was playing Hand Knee and Foot, Piarates dice and an adult night out to diner and bowling. All I had to do was find a babysitter. We ate at a local Mexican restaurant which was really good. Janel and I ordered Shirley Temples in memory of good ol Macayo's in Vegas. Janel kept trying to speak spanish to the waiter....which wasn't very good, but hey she tried. Bowling was a little but if a bummer because we could only play one round due to a special event that started at 9. It was Lainhart's Vs. Smiths. Kyle and I lost by 10 crappy points Brian picked up in phase 10. So we had to buy drinks......the drinks we didn't have time to order since we had to leave.....SO, we bought ice cream at Sundae's. We ordered this huge 9 scoop Sundae to share! Then we played some more hand Knee and Foot and The "Smith's" womped on us again. Oh, well...we may have lost all day, but at least I had a warm body to sleep with that night to lessen the blow! LOL

 The Victorious Smith Team!

Sledding at Grampa's and Thanksgiving!

We have lots of snow this year for Thanksgiving. It took Brian 6 hours to drive here from Clearfield , Utah (It takes me 2 1/2 hours usually Non-Snow). We are really thankful he got the time off to be with us for the Holiday! We almost didn't make it to grandpa's in Wyoming because the pass kept getting closed, but we made it safe and sound! DeLand (Grandpa) made a great sledding hill by adding a 7 foot of snow to the top of the slope. It was SOOOO cold. It was -7 to -14 degrees that day! Eli's family came over to join us for sledding before they left for Utah!

 Cami on a snowmobile sled for kids.

 There's the giant hill Grandpa made! So much fun!

 Jared and Luke at the top!

 Analee and Grandpa!

 Gideon" Mom, I'm cold". Duh you didn't have your hood on. Like the snow on the eyelashes!

 Blake and Cami getting a ride!

 Jared and Kyle trying to get enough speed to beat the record longest sled ride.

 Janel and I

 Gideon and Eli in the Back!

 I know really dark, but it is me getting on with Kyle!

 Here we go!

 Kyle trying to surf down the hill. Yes, He biffs it!

 Janel and Brian!

Janel and Brian again!

There were 27 people at our family Thanksgiving diner. We all ate at Jerry's house. Fun fun. Lots of food (of course) and good time talking. My mom sent me an email with an idea for name tags with turkeys made out of oreos. So all the kids (Mine, Janels and Keri's) made one for everyone attending. The kids had a great time and I think we will make them next year! Janel and I did our clogging routine for the family after dinner!

The turkey name tags we made!

Our little family of Turkey's

Cami's turkey bow made by Keri!

Thanksgiving Diner!

We were so happy Grandpa came and sat with us!

Brian, Janel and her kids and I left that night to head back to Idaho Falls. Brian wanted to do some Black Friday shopping! We went out about 9:30AM and were done by about 2:30PM. It was fun and not too crazy. Definitely not shopping in Vegas crazy! The kids and Kyle stayed a few more days at grandpa's. One of the diners at grandpa's while I gone was grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato soup. Blake was whining because he is sick of eating soup! ( we eat soup once a week) So, clever Kyle knows Blake loves Ketcup on EVERYTHING. So he told Blake the soup was made with Ketcup. Blake's head pops up and takes a bite then replies "This is Good Ketcup soup!" Love it!