Lights and Trees

Last year I was on the Arts Council and helped get the City on board with our Christmas Festival.   It was a huge success and this year they made the event even bigger and better.  They changed the date to the weekend after Thanksgiving instead of the weekend before.   I didn't do anything to help out this year because of my accident but I did want to attend.  After standing for way to long I couldn't wait any longer and went and Sat in Brett's truck.  So I missed the whole lighting ceremony.  This year they added a light parade that was a lot of fun.  I saw parts of it.  Dan and the kids enjoyed it.  



After the light parade we went to the county building for the Christmas program it was really neat and then in the middle of that they did the Tree auction.   We have teamed up with Juab Title for 5 years and participated in this by decorating and donating a tree or in this case trees.  It is a lot of fun and goes to a worthy cause (sub for santa.)  This will be the last year.  For some reason there is not a lot of support from the community and the same people always end up buying the trees.  So we will not be participating anymore.  Last year was my favorite tree for sure.  This year I did a little work on bows and putting ornaments on hooks but Tina had to do all of the work.  We had a little girl tree full of princess and girly things and then a boy tree with old fashions  toys and sports ornaments.  They were fun and different.   I am sad that this tradition has come to an end but all good things must come to an end and I am sure Tina and I will find some other fun way to be creative and serve those in our community that our in need. 

Santa

Dan was a really good sport.  He took our kids and Jeff and Kathryn's kids on Saturday and he even braved the dreaded hour line to sit on Santa's Lap.  He thinks that it is insane to make our kids do certain things.  But since it was important for me to have pictures of Santa he humored me.  Thanks Dan I LOVE YOU.
Zeak thinks he is to big and will break Santa's lap.  He asked for a new calf Rope!

Kaci was awake this year to sit on Santa's lap.  She could make things hard for him this year she asked for a new saddle!!!  Good Luck Santa

Jake wants a new green rope but when he got up to sit on Santa's lap he couldn't remember what he wanted.  I love that he is still enchanted by the magic of Christmas that he forgot what he wanted  When he got in the car and I asked he said I forgot what I wanted then he remembered but Santa had already left guess we will have to right him a letter!!!

Kolten wasn't sure he wanted to visit with Santa.  

Kaitlyn will be easy to please this year and Santa already pulled through.  She wants a treat.  And even now when you ask that is what she says.  

Thanksgiving 2008

I Love the Holidays.  Thanksgiving sets the tone for the rest of the year.   To me it means taking a day to spend with Family, working together to create a meal for all to enjoy.   I love they history behind it and the traditions that have been established.   One of my favorite traditions came from my grandma Miller.  She always had cranberry juice and sprite mixed.  I know this seems silly and when I asked her how the tradition started she said that it replaced the red wine that  they use to drink.    Now Thanksgiving and Christmas are not complete without this to drink.  I think that with every family reminiscing is another favorite part of the holidays.

Apple Pie, homemade cream pie, pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll are the favorite Desserts.  Dusty is the pie maker at our house.   Mom always makes the pumpkin roll.
Dan is usually in trouble no matter where we go for sneaking a bite of whatever isn't being guarded at the time.  It isn't just at his mom's house.  He was getting in trouble for eating turkey before the prayer.
The other thing I Love about tradition at our house is it is definitely different then most families.  We all work together.  The boys are out cooking the turkey and lamb (yuck) in the dutch oven.   My dad is a cook my mom is the baker they make a great team.   This year the boys including Dan even helped clean up.   There was no rushing away to a football game.   In fact I couldn't resist the chance to take a picture of my sisters playing on the computers and my dad and brother cooking.   Although we all did our part to help out this year.   Thank you mom and dad for teaching us the value of working together so that we can play together.
They did take time out of the day to go cut Christmas Trees.   I usually love this and take pictures.  It wasn't in the cards for me to go this year and even though I attempted sending the camera it didn't work out.   Dan loves this tradition from my family.  When you grow up in a family where your dad is a Forest Ranger it just isn't right to not have a real fresh Christmas tree.   We do have an advantage in that Dad can scope out some good trees before hand.   Jake even got a little tree for his room this year.   He loves Christmas and decorating the tree. So look forward to seeing the trees in a few days. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am very blessed and am grateful for all I have especially my family.    I am going to quit blogging and go have the best part of Thanksgiving a leftover Turkey Sandwich.

Our little Girl is turning 3

It is hard to believe that our baby girl is 3.  She has definitely changed the Woodland household.  We are not just rough and tough cowboys.  She has brought a more girlish outlook to our house.  The thing I love the most about her is her soft voice.  It seems to even out the loud rough boys.  She has a way of calming all of us including me.   I never dreamed that she would be such a girly girl.   Especially having two older brothers and a rough tough Dad.  But she truly is all GIRL.  WE  LOVE  You so much and can't imagine life without you.
Kaci has definitely got her daddy wrapped around her little finger.  He never buys just one rose anymore.  There is always one for mom and one for Kaci.

Grandma Barnhurst came up on monday again to help mom.  I wasn't sure I was up to being alone yet.    I am glad she came because we needed to get a few last minuet things for our Birthday Girl.  I wanted her to have a princess cake.  And I couldn't wrap the presents by myself the wrapping stuff was all downstairs.

Because Grandma was here, Grandpa, Dusty, Mckenzie, Brenda, and Clay all came over.  We had Princess cake and Cupcakes.  Normally I would have had all the friends and family over but do to my accident I didn't feel up to entertaining everyone.  So we celebrated her birthday Sunday with the Woodlands that was fun because all of the cousins were there.   Then we celebrated tuesday with the Barnhurst side.  She did have lots of friends visit through out the day.  Everyone seemed to understand so next year I will try to be Healthy and Well and do dinner and cake for everyone.  Thanks for understanding and still making her day a wonderful day.
The best part of her day was helping grandma make her  Cake.  Pretty fancy!!!   
She started the day being sad and  grumpy.   She wanted her presents and cake.  But we had to wait for Dad to come home and Grandpa Barnhurst to come up.

Monday Thanksgiving Dinner @ Grandma Sperry Lou's

Grandma and Grandpa Sperry love to have parties.   They decided since everyone was going away for Thanksgiving to have a dinner and family home evening Monday night.  We had a lot of fun.   Of course there was lots of good food.  Then the kids played games.  Grandpa got everyone lined up and started a cake walk.   Kaci  didn't quite understand she has an obsession with the #8 and if she didn't get to stand on it she was really upset.  I think that Aunt Diane had fun rigging the cake walk.  She made sure everyone got a prize and had fun.

After the cake walk the kids who weren't to big (Zeak ) all played Thanksgiving Bingo.   The best part of the party is just being together and visiting.  It was definitely a full house,   All of the Sperry kids and their families were there except Paul.  The Wrights, Suzy, and Jenny, and their Families were there and Dan and I and the kids.  It was a full house.  We are so lucky to have the Sperry's adopt us and be part of their family.

Sleepover at Grandma Woodlands

All of the cousins had a sleep over at Grandma Woodlands.  I don't know about Grandma and Grandpa but I do know the kids had a lot of fun.   My kids love being with their cousins and spending time with family.  So when they heard everyone was coming they could hardly wait.  Kaci was so excited to spend the night with Brinley, Ashlyn, and Kaitlyn.  

Celebrating Kaci Fae's 3rd Birthday
Most of the cousins, it is hard to keep track and make sure everyone is there.  We are missing Brinley, Ashlyn, and Andrew.

Aunt Shannon had fun doing all of the little girls hair.  Kaci loved every second of it.  She loves to be a pretty princess and Aunt Shannon said she was the best little princess to sit still while she gets Beautiful.

Forgivness

Apparently in my blogging I have forgot two people.   So I will try and mention them now and then if the rest of you will know that I am grateful for you I will be even.   My sister Brenda says I didn't say thanks for driving me to the hospital she was my ambulance.   Dan and her helped at the hospital and Brenda keeps everyone at the hospital straight.   Dan is the other one feeling bad.   He took me to the hospital and stayed with me all Sunday.  The problem was I wanted a shower Sunday morning and so the amazing husband he is was willing to help me.  Things were going OK until I passed out and he couldn't hold me up and carry me into the bedroom.   I scared him to death and he has been worried sick every since.   So now that everyone knows that embarrassing moment I am grateful for my husband and my sister.  I continue getting phone calls and surprise visits.   Thanks to all of you.   I know we wouldn't make it in this life without our family,  whether they are blood or friends we include in our families it is awesome to have all of you in my life.  Thanks, 

Lisa

SO GRATEFUL

Thanks to a family and friends who have called, brought food, just come to visit, and Andy Williams for helping move my vinyl machine upstairs.  As soon as I feel good enough I have plenty of orders to keep me from going crazy.   

A mom who dropped everything to come and help her daughter, grandchildren, and son-in-law.  She just didn't know that bathing the dog after he goes out to help with the chores was on her list of chores.  We are grateful for her help so that Dan can keep working.  Thanks to my dad for letting her come and help us since they are empty nesters he really sacrifices the most being all alone.  Thanks Dad I  have the BEST Parents in the world.

A daughter who is very concerned and wants to help me anywhere she can.


So grateful for only 3 of these nasty bruises.   At least the only 3 to show their ugliness.


I have so much to be grateful for and since it is that time of year I decided to say how grateful I am for my many blessings!   I could be in worse shape than I am.   We have awesome technology that allows us to communicate and be with people all the time no matter what the distance we are apart is.  I am grateful for my an awesome support system.   I have had many phone calls and visits from family and friends.  I  no that with such awesome support I will better in no time at all.   Thank You to all of you to many to list who have stopped by or called.  I love and appreciate all of you.

The WRONG place at the WRONG Time

Saturday night was a humbling experience.  I had spent the morning shopping with my sister Brenda I was trying to finish up some Christmas shopping.   Then I spent the afternoon with Dan's side of the family at a Baby shower for his cousin Mia.  Dan's sister Kathryn was even there, her husband Jeff  had a bone marrow transplant Monday (yesterday.)  Things went well with him.   After the shower I went into Nephi to ride horses with Dan and the boys.  They were roping.   When I got there my sister Brenda who is 5 months pregnant was on my horse.  I panicked a little because the horse has not been rode in 2 months because she had surgery.  She can be a little frisky when she hasn't been rode.    She rode her to the door  where I had just came in.   I climbed on and walked her 3 or 4 steps out of the way.   Zeak had just headed a steer and was having trouble turning it off.    Everyone yelled at him to let go so  he did.   Usually the steer would run up the arena.   When I turned around to see what was happening I saw the steer coming at me and I new I was in trouble.  It hit my horse in the behind and she started bucking.  I had a good hold since I had a split second to prepare but the hold wasn't good enough.  After 5 jumps she slowed down and I thought I had her rode.  (really I got a little cocky thinking I had rode her and she has bucked Dan off  before)   She took one more jump and I landed none to graceful.   I laid there for quite a while trying to catch my breath.  Dan and Don Berezay ran right to me and finally help me up and out of the center of the arena.  I finally agreed to go to the hospital.  I walked about 15 steps to Brenda's car.   Dr Besendorfer was pretty sure I was just bruised good he said I didn't show signs of anything broken.  I wasn't in enough pain.  We took x-rays just to be safe.   They left me in the x-ray room for quite a while the first 3 were easy the last x-ray was extremely painful.   When the Dr and nurses came in the x-ray room (not normal) he said I had broke my pelvis in 2 places.  It was down low so when he was checking my he wouldn't have caught that.   He wanted to hospitalize me but I saw no reason for that.  He told me if I could walk on crutches without putting any weight on my left leg I could go.   Within 15 min I had drugs to get me through the weekend, discharge instructions and was on my way home.   I went back to the arena to drop Dan off and the Worthy priesthood holders down their helped give me a blessing.  The shot they gave me in the hospital was awesome and I really didn't feel to bad until about 4:00 am sunday morning.  I wanted another shot.  I almost passed out trying to get up.   Once the pain medicine started working I was ok.   Later that morning I decided I needed a shower since I was still covered in arena dirt.   That wasn't such a great idea.  I passed out and Dan had a hard time getting me into my room and to wake up.  I really scared him he didn't leave my side for the rest of the day.   Today I am feeling better.  I just have to wait another 5-7 days before I can put any weight on my left leg.     I feel very lucky that it is only my pelvis and not more serious.  And I am most grateful that it was me and not my sister Brenda.  Zeak and Dan are taking it pretty  hard Zeak thinks it was his fault I keep telling them life just happens sometimes.  It was no ones fault just something that happened.  Kaci is really confused she was asleep and didn't see it.  She told me that I shouldn't ride Dazy anymore that I could rider her horse Tuffy his was good and never bucks then I wont get hurt again.   :)  

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE WILLIAMS

So Tina and I had a long week of Relief Society and VINYL.  I have been doing vinyl for the last 2 weeks most nights end at 1:00 am.   We talked ourselves out of shopping which really needs to be done.    So the boys jumped all over the chance to have a boys night watching James Bond. Andy put up the sheet and we had kids movie night in the living room Tinker Belle and Kung Fu Panda.  Tina and I blogged.   Everyone seemed to have a great night.

A floor at Last

In May Dan & I found what was to be our dream home.   After looking for several years and trying to build several times we finally found a house we could call home.   Dave Clark our realtor is still in shock.  Tina Williams and Mike Sperry were always looking and they would have Dave look for us.  We looked at the house Monday morning first thing and signed papers that night.   The clause in the contract was that we had to wait until July to move in.   In June the kitchen flooded.   The Bastians called me really upset.  They had discovered a leak in the kitchen.  The laminate floor was ruined and the laundry room ceiling was completely ruined.    I was ok with it because I wanted gas run into the kitchen.  We  had to tear up the cabinets and the laminate in the kitchen.   Where the ceiling flooded we could run gas to my kitchen stove.     We moved the first part of July and November 5,  Dan started putting in my new hard wood floor.  

The original
I even got in on the action.  I cut most of the boards.   I stayed away from the angles, and tiny cuts.  When it was time to take Jake to school he came in and said," if you guys have this done by the time I get home I have a surprise for you."  We are still waiting for our surprise the kitchen was done when he got home.  The kids love it.  Zeak says,  I love our house it is awesome.    It really is true that everyone needs a place to call home and have a," refuge from the storm!"
One amazing Contractor I highly recommend him!   And now that we have our own house you might stand in line behind me because he is really enjoying working on our house.  It is still a slow process but it is definitely worth the wait. 
Finished product. Next on the agenda is to fix the backsplash that got ruined in the flood.

Veterans Day

Today I was expecting just another day.   Instead I had a deep sense of appreciation for the men and women who serve and have served to keep our country free.   Mona Elementary still believes in music and programs,  They did a Veterans program honoring the veterans in our community.  The songs were gorgeous and uplifting.   It brought tears to your eyes when they played a video clip and had the men stand up during there division.   There was someone from every division in the armed forces.  Each grade sang a song and did a tribute to each division of the armed forces.    After the program I was home doing vinyl and turned on the TV I like to listen to Good Things Utah.  After GTU A show The View comes on.  It is a panel of Ladies that usually argue the topics of the day.  I kept listening because they were arguing Veterans Day and war.  One lady was Pro Bush, Pro the War.  One lady was very Anti.   The Lady that was anti was even anti veterans day.  It broke my heart to here someone that may not agree show no respect at all for life or the blessings we have of being Americans.   I was impressed by the lady that was pro that said today is not about the your views and beliefs on the war, it is about honoring the men and women who have given their lives for your freedom.  Woopi defused the argument by saying show respect to these men and women today and let it be that.  I am very grateful that I have relatives who have served and fought for our freedom and I am grateful to the men and women and their families who have sacrificed everything including their lives so that I can have the many blessings I have.  Even in these days of turmoil and uncertainty we are truly blessed to live in a free country.  The thing I am most thankful for is the freedom of religion.  Because with out that I would be very scared about the outcome of our country.  I know that our country was founded on good principles and will survive because there are still good people with good principles.  I know that if we are trying to be good and do good things we will survive.

The program was at 9:30 am.  Jake is in pm kindergarden they invited the pm kids to come and be part of the program.  On our way to school Jake said,  I am nervous to go in the morning.  I said that is what you have been asking to do all year.   He said ya but mom I am scared to sing in front of everyone.   I  am scared to go.  I pushed him all the way in and all the way to his teacher.  Can you believe Dan has a shy kid?
Posting the colors.

21 gun solute.  They had seven guns and shot 3 times

Taps played by Troy Rindlisbacher.

Rodeo is a very patriotic sport and has given Dan and I many teaching moments on patriotism.  Zeak has always been very contentious of saluting the flag.  

ELECTION EVE

November 4, 2008 History was made.  America in my opinion will never be the same.  The one thing I know for certain is that if we are prepared we shall not fear.  Less than a month ago this was confirmed by our loving Prophet Thomas S. Monson.  I believe change is inevitable and that we will all experience hard times and trials but I also know that we can Find Joy in the Journey.  If we do the simple things we have been asked to do then we can and will make it through to the end.  Family Home Evening is one of those things. So a few months ago when I was in the Dr.  Office I was reading in LDS Living about an idea for a family night.  You teach your kids about voting and election, democracy and freedom and then you hold a family vote on dinner for election night.  So we did it.  The kids had a lot of fun and to our atonishment Jake new a lot about the elections.  He knew who was running, and even what some of there agendas were.  Dan and I were shocked.  Zeak had a very strong dislike for Obamha and was hoping McCain would be the president.  His main concern was that his guns were going to be taken away.  After our discussion we voted on what tues. nights meal would be.  Zeak lost and he was very upset.  We tried to explain that this very thing could and would probably happen tomorrow night.  He was very upset.   Tuesday night didn't go as planned Dan and I ended up going up north to his Uncle Wayne's viewing.  So the kids went to Tina's house.  About 9:30 she txt us to tell us our son was in tears and very upset.  They had just announced Obahma would be our new president.  We hurried home and he had calmed down but the adults had not.  This will definitely be remembered as an emotional election for everyone.   




And the dinner election results were 1 Macaroni and Cheese 2 chicken pot pie 2 deer steaks (Zeak)  Dan let Jake call the coin toss since he was the only Mac & Cheese vote.  He called heads for Chicken Pot Pie.  Needless to say Zeak was upset once again, wed night when chicken pot pie was served.  

Grandma is 29 and Holding

Since Stefanie and her kids were down we decided to have a Birthday  Party for my mom.  Her Birthday is Nov 5th she turn 29 again.  We had a barbeque I'm sure my mom can count on one hand how many birthdays were warm enough to ride horses and play outside with the kids.  Some of us even ate outside.  Brenda & Clay, Becky Trevor and Rylon, Stefanie, Ariel, Tel, and Wes, Dad , Dan, Zeak, Jake, Kaci and I were all there.  Dusty had to work and Cody is in South Africa on his mission.  The best present was having most of her family together.


The most surprising gift (for all of us) was the birthday serenade by her son-in-law.   I went out to turn off the grill and when I came back in my mom had already cut her own cake and started eating without us singing happy birthday.  I even had candles for her so Dan took the oppertunity to embarrass her.  Bet she will wait for the candles next year!   We love you mom and are so glad your ours.  We couldn't ask for a better, mom, or grandma!  

Halloween

This year we took a different approach to Halloween.  We have spent several years in Mona at the school carnival this year they had it on Monday Night.  So that left Friday all for trick-or-treating.  This year the biggest treat was having Stefanie and her kids come and spend the weekend with us.  Our kids live to far away to spend Halloween together.  We had a lot of fun and we skipped the trunk-or treat.  My kids think it is dumb they are more into seeing their family and friends than having bags of candy.  Hopefully they will keep that tradition.

What a sad little princess she fell asleep right before we started getting dressed to go trick-or-treating.  Ariel took a trip back to the 90s and dressed up like a punk rocker.  That is the same costume her mom and I had when we were a little older than her.  Sparkles even got to dress up.


Meeting up with the other cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Woodlands.  Madison and Andrew are adorable.  

Boys will be boys! At least we get the concept of Halloween, and there are no cowboys in our picture since that is what they are every day of the year.

The evening ended with a trick.   We came home and had homemade pizza for dinner.  Brenda and Clay came out and we were all just finishing dinner when the doorbell rang.  The kids ran to see if it was more trick-or-treaters.  Sure enough but they left a treat instead of wanting one.  Our friends the Williams' left a bag of treats.   The kids dug in! Pretty soon the door bell rang again.  This time there was a fuel filter (brand new).  The kids got concerned and went out looking,  I new I had seen the fuel filter a couple of nights ago in the Tahoe so I wasn't concerned at all.  The kids went out and saw nothing.   They went out the door to get some bags out of Stefanie's car and Tel asked who's car was behind theirs.  Zeak said he didn't know and they got there stuff and came back in.  The door bell rang again and it was a jar of peanut butter.   This time I sent the kids out and I even looked and didn't see anything,  They were parked behind the car which was behind the truck and their dark gray tahoe was camoflouged.   They were in the car the whole time.  They finally came in laughing.   Tina said we made Andy's Halloween.   It was fun to have treats and tricks.  Especially since they were all with family and friends.