Beautiful Grandchildren

Steve and I are so blessed to have 14 beautiful,happy,healthy grandchildren between our two families. Just wanted to post some adorable pictures I have taken lately of a few our our blessings!

 Cash is an adorable little boy!

 Montana was getting ready to give her baby a bath and apparently a bakers hat is necessary to complete this task.

 Montana and I picked up Nixin from Allison and when we got out of the car Montana ran over to give Nixin a big hug! So stinkin cute!

 Nixin loves to collect the chicken eggs when she is at G-Mama's and Papa's. She also loves Cutter and Piper and you can see they are glued to her when she is here.

Jenna just sent me this picture of Montana after she dressed herself. Everything is on backwards but she is still looking extremely proud!

One of My Favorite Things!

Its no secret that I love horses and I love to ride! I can thank my parents for that, if I haven't I need too!

My first experiences riding a horse were when we would spend time in Panaca,Nevada with my grandparents,James and Lois Wadsworth,my mother's parents. Among other things my grandfather was a farmer and they always had a few horses around. My brothers,my cousins and I would take turns riding around Panaca. I didn't really know how to care for a horse,saddle  horse and I'm sure I didn't ride very well but I was in love. 

Somewhere along the way I became horse crazy and drove my parents crazy because I was quite persistent in my begging for a horse. My dad,trying to make me be responsible,gave me an assignment to find out what they would eat and how much it would cost so I made a trip to the feed store. I also needed to find out what else was needed such as tack and brushes and the cost. Of course, I was happy to do this because I hoped it would convince my parents that we did indeed need a horse.

I'm pretty sure my mom was the one who actually convinced my dad that we needed a horse and all of my research was to make me work for it. Then one day,I believe I was in the 7th grade, my Uncle Leo arrived in El Cajon, California all the way from Panaca, Nevada with two horses,my yearling Kawitchee and Paul's 4 year old gelding, Apachee. He sold us these two horses for 1 dollar each and I have been hooked ever since.

Over the past few months I have been lucky to find some new trails to ride with some great friends!

 Yes I know this is a dorky picture but I'm he one who always takes the pictures so I'm never in the pictures. I snapped this one today and its hard to take a good picture while you are actually riding like I am here. I was the only one on this ride wearing a helmet -safety first!

 Todays ride was to Pott's Canyon. This is Toy and his dog Sally. Look how green our Arizona desert is right now!

 Marla on Red and Teri on Big Jim, two of my neighbors.

 Just a taste of the beautiful scenery!

 Dee Patrick riding the creek. That was fun for us in AZ,not a lot of water opportunities here. 

 We rode to Cottonwood,tied the horses and had BBQ hot dogs for lunch!

 These two collages are out of order but this is one of Teri's and my favorite rides to Coon Bluff. The top picture is of some of the wild horses. The bottom picture is Big Jim in the river and a bald eagle in the tree. Teri has since found the nest.

 Toy cooking hot dogs at Cottonwood and his daughter Devan in the tree.

 Bill and Marla Patrick, my neighbors and our hosts for the ride.

 My friend Mary and her horse Cali and my boy Santannah after we had crossed the river at Coon Bluff.

I would say I am a lucky girl to have had my dream of owning a horse realized at such a young age and  again as an adult! 

A Merry Christmas 2012!

I love Christmas. Its true that the holidays can be hectic,commercial,expensive and exhausting! Do we get uptight,frustrated and exhausted? That is one scenario but there is another.............

Celebrating the birth of our Savior,Jesus Christ, families coming together,participating in family traditions,acts of service,time spent together,finding the perfect gift for a loved one and seeing their joy,children and adults that still BELIEVE and love!

 Steve opening gifts before the mayhem begins,bring it on!

 Brexton was very excited to open his iPod touch and he very excitedly informed me that we got him the right one!

 Cote's custom headphones.

 Princess Nixin and her new jacket.

 Cowboy cooler!

 Jenna and Trey moved to their new home two days before Christmas. Montana was having a hard time sleeping in her new room. Jenna said she slept great Christmas night with her new glowlight from Grandma Ina and Grandpa George!

 Yes my mom is holding her new Furby and I love it! Cote and Brexton in their new Volcom hoodies,a tradition.

 New bike for Allison,pink cowgirl boots for Presley,new wagon for Harlee and Montana,lucky horseshoes from Jenna.

Cash so loves his puppy dog sleeping bag,Crew's new bow and arrow,Harlee's 1st Christmas,Miller's favorite dragon and Mallory.

Polar Express,Deer Farm and Gingerbread Houses

I love family traditions! I am so thankful for parents who loved family and started some wonderful traditions. I have to say that my Mom did things right. Her Gingerbread houses were made from scratch where mine have evolved into store bought kits! Still it is a family tradition enjoyed by myself and my siblings,my children and my siblings children,now my grandchildren and my brother Paul's grandchildren! As you can see this tradition is loved by all store bought kits or not,the candy is just as delicious! 

 Montana made a gingerbread cup :)) and sampled all the candy! Harlee will do the same next year.Brinton's family are pros and we were happy to welcome Brinton's FIANCE,Allison and her daughter Presley(check out Presley lovin the licorice) to the mayhem!

 The Gunnell boys,Crew,Cole and Cash,Brexton,and Nixin were all doing such an awesome job. Gracie and Presley were enjoying the candy and looking adorable.

 Martin had their house all planned out! Miller was right there helping,gotta love that face! As you can see our sweet Mallory has a mouthful of candy :))

On to the Polar Express. This is another family tradition that we don't always do every year and not always with everyone but has been a lot of fun. This year for the first time we went with my brother Paul and his family and I can honestly say a good time was had by all! This was the first year we did not have snow,I love the snow but I have to admit I enjoyed being a little warmer and not not worrying about the kids getting soaked!

 Matching PJ's is part of the tradition. Cote and Brexton rocked their long johns and the girls were super cute in their matching PJ's. Harlee was ringing the bell Santa gave her.

 Chris and Jeni,Montana and Ryann,Paul and Joanne,stalker Trey and Brinton and Allison. 

 Beautiful families!

 Now we have a mix of Deer farm pictures and Polar Express pics. I loved Montana's pink hat and pink jacket a gift from her other grandma. Ethan on the train. Nixin and Montana riding the deer.

 Coincidentally Nixin's best friend Bella was at Polar Express and the Deer farm. Ryann wasn't to sure about feeding the deer. Brexton looked super cool in his leathers feeding the deer and Montana was a crack up. If the deer tried to eat the food out of her cup she would push their head away and tell them NO! Then she would put some in her hand and feed them!

 Harlee enjoyed hangin with Papa and of course Ethan and Brexton would be on the tractor.

My fav Polar Express hat,Justin hang in with the boys,Papa and Cote and Steve and I with Brinton's and Allison's crew. As you can see a good time was had by all. We are so blessed!

Montana's 1st Gymnastics Class

Yesterday I went to Montana's first gymnastics class. I have a feeling it will be the first of many such classes! She had so much fun and is wiling to try it all as you can see by her photos. I have to add and it goes without saying that she is so stinking adorable while she is doing it!

Montana is a natural,she certainly takes after her mom,Jenna, when it comes to gymnastics and that is a good thing! Just to mention,I'm not sure who had more fun Jenna or Montana,hard to say!

Nixin's Christmas Dance Recital

Nixin had her Christmas dance recital Saturday. Her group danced to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". As you can see she looked beautiful and she did such a good job dancing. She was the best one in her group for sure. She had a lot of support from her family who came to watch and cheer her on.

G-Mama and Great Grandma Ina (Papa Steve and Great Grandpa George were also there)

 Her buddy Presley was dancing in her seat along with Nixin on stage.

 A proud Daddy and Allison!

Nixin has attended many T-ball,baseball,soccer and football games,how nice that her bros could be there to support her. 

Gingerbread Houses With Boulder Mtn Ward Young Women

The young women in our ward made gingerbread houses for Mutual last week. We will be delivering them to families in our ward this week for Mutual. It was so much fun and everyone did an awesome job. I loved that each house was so creative and so different. I certainly got some great ideas!