Meet the newest member of our family!

GUNNER!

It has been awhile since we lost our dog Dash.  My poor little family was absolutely devastated.  We came home from Connie's after the Durfey Family Thanksgiving party and Dash was in bad shape.  Shane rushed him to the vet but it was too late.  The vet figured he had some type of virus and he was so severely dehydrated when Shane found him that there was just no way to save him.  I remember Shane telling me that next morning that he was not going to get another dog.  This was the third one he had lost in not very many years.  I didn't push the issue but I knew how much Shane enjoys hunting birds so while on the internet one day I decided to see if there were any pointers for sale.  As luck would have it there were and they would be ready to leave their mama about the time we were going to be in Northern Utah already.  Not knowing what to do, I did the "practical" thing and talked it over with Brody. Practical Right?  Of course he said yes we should get a puppy because we had gone long enough without a boy dog.  I called the owner of the puppies and told him I was pretty sure we would be interested in a pup but I would like Shane to choose which one he wanted if he liked their breeding.  Brody and I kept this secret for a few weeks.  The Tuesday  before we were scheduled to go pick our pup up on Friday I received a phone call saying that the owner didn't know how many puppies he would have left on Friday because he'd had a bunch of people come and look at them.  We hadn't put a deposit down because I was a chicken and didn't know if Shane would for sure like their breeding and the deposit was non-refundable.  I talked it over once again with Brody and we decided it was time to fill Shane in on our plans.  To put is quite simply...I PANICKED!  Brody was so excited to show Shane the papers that I had printed.  He just couldn't stop smiling.  I asked Shane if he was ready for another puppy and he said "Well Ya".  That was followed by a "YIPPEE" from Brody.  Shane called the dog owner and made the arrangements for us to pick the puppy up Friday morning, and he was able to choose which puppy he wanted out of the three that were left.

This is a picture of our Dash.  He was a pretty impressive dog.  I remember one time when he climbed up the chain link to get out of his kennel.  I saw him over by Tracy's house and went to get him.  He was having the time of his life.  He was running around in the pasture with the horses and cows.  When he got bored of the pasture he would jump the fence and go around the outside.  He was a pretty dang good leaper.  Even though I was angry that he wouldn't come to me I was impressed with his jumping skills.

Brody taking care of his puppy so the larger dogs wouldn't bother him.

Haylie loves all animals. 

 While we were attending Brody's ballgame Haylie put Gunner to sleep.  What a good little tender.

Gunner has one brown leg....

....and a brown spot on his side.

He's kind of clumsy right now.

I'm not really looking forward to the puppy stage of chewing on everything but I have to admit, he is pretty cute.

Haylie LOVES him!

Gunner has been good for Savana.  I think she was in a depression after we lost Dash.  She would hardly come out of her kennel and she always walked really slowly and never seemed to want to play.  And then Gunner showed up.  She hurried out of her kennel, wagging her tail, and she played with him for a very long time.  I mentioned to Shane I was glad to see her act better and he agreed that she just needed a friend.

My whole family has really enjoyed this little fella and I hope that he will be around for many years to come! 

Easter Fun!

This year we had the opportunity to celebrate Easter twice.  Once with the Potter family and once with the Durfey family.  2 completely different Easters!  With the Potter family we went up Carcass Creek and rolled the Easter Eggs off a rock.  The kids would roll the eggs down and their parents would toss them back up to them.  That was just great for a little while but after a few times of tossing the eggs back up, a couple of us "adults" picked up the yolks and decided to toss them at, I mean to, each other.  It was a nice relaxing Easter.  It was fun to have Nissa and Angie here this year with their fun new little girls.  Haylie was happy to have other girls to play with.

 

                                      

Carter and Haylie watching a demonstration given by Nissa on how to color eggs.  Our egg coloring kit was kind of a dud this year.  The eggs didn't turn out very bright.  We had big ideas about putting foil, glitter, stickers and so forth on them but nothing we tried seemed to work.  I think the kids enjoyed it anyway. 

Corbin learning the tricks of the trade.

Haylie's and Carter's turn.

The egg decorating party.  Brody, Corbin, Carter and Haylie.

Nissa and Cory giving some great hands on instruction.

By the end of the night, they were pros!

While we were busy coloring eggs, Shane took care of Hadlee!

Saturday morning we woke up to rain/snow.  We decided that we could go down to Capitol Reef and and join their Easter Egg hunt.  Even with the weather being cold and wet, there were a lot of people there.

Brody on his way back with his eggs.

Look how many I found!

Haylie looking for eggs.

Look how many I found!!!!!

After the Easter Egg hunt was over I made them pose for I last picture.  Brody looks like it was pretty darn painful.

The next weekend we colored eggs again.  This time I used a PAAS kit and the eggs were a lot more vibrant.  The kids enjoyed coloring eggs 2 times but it didn't take them long to want to be finished the 2nd time.

Haylie's tongs to get the eggs out of the color without making a mess.

Wow Mom this one is really blue.

This was one of Haylie's favorite eggs.  It  had 3-D stickers on it.

After we finished decorating eggs, off to Notom we went.  After driving around to try and find someplace to roll eggs that didn't have very many tumbleweeds Lance directed us to a big sand hill that was practically weed free.  Let the fun begin!  The kids couldn't wait to play in the sand.  By the middle of the afternoon most of them had their shoes and jackets off. ( Even though it wasn't very warm)  I never got warm enough to shed any of my clothing.

Haylie, Brody and Aja were the first ones on top of the sand hill.

When we left that morning Haylie asked me if she could dress like a rainbow.  I asked her what that was and I was told.  Pink leggins, blue skirt, purple shirt, and green jacket.  You know, the colors of a rainbow.  I figured why should this day be any different.  I often refer to her as my little "Punky Brewster"



Shelton and Brody kept each other entertained for quite awhile.  They made a sand cave and covered the girls with sand.

And then she wondered why her skirt was clear full of sand.

 As you can tell by their pink cheeks it wasn't warm but if you notice their feet, they all have their shoes and socks off.  They are definitely tougher than me.

While the kids played on the sand hill, the adults engaged in playing horseshoes.  It was nice to see Allen and all three of his sons engage in the game together.  Shane and Lance threw them down....

....Allen and Dustin threw them back. 

The first game Allen didn't do so well but in the games that followed he really got his "groove" back.  It is always fun to watch him interact with his children and grandchildren.  As I watched him play it is obvious who Shane gets his "confidence" from.

Not a problem, or a little help down here, was heard quite frequently from Allen.

This picture is a classic.  I don't think he even got a ringer but whatever it was he was sure proud.  All I know is that he keeps us giggling and in good spirits whenever he is around.

Every Easter that I can remember with the Durfey family has ended with an egg fight.  Sometimes they are pretty brutal.  Kids get hurt, adults act like kids etc.  This year Brody had been planning his attack on Lance for over a week.  He told me that he was going to get Lance with a raw egg.  It was funny listening to him plot out his plan of action.  From the moment we got out of the vehicles Brody kept asking when would it be time to get Lance.  He was a good little guy and waited until everyone started cleaning/packing up to go home, and then it was on. I can honestly say this was the highlight of Easter. 

As we were decorating eggs that morning he told me he had a raw egg with Lance's name on it.  LITERALLY HE DID!

I helped him crack the egg just a little bit so that it would break more easily and then...he walked up and smashed it on Lance's pants.  The look on Lance's face was priceless.  He couldn't believe Brody would walk up and do that when we were almost ready to leave. 

Some of the egg slimed down his pants and onto his boot.  I was laughing so hard that it was hard to take pictures.

And then....the chase was on.

First the face and hair.  Look at Lance's face and tell me he doesn't enjoy it.

Brody holding tight to his ammunition.

Poor Haylie was trying to help out her brother but I am afraid Lance schooled him again. 

Brody stunk so bad that he had to ride in the back of the truck on the way home.  It took him washing his hair 3 times to get all the egg out of it.  I have to say I am always amazed that he wants to engage in this activity every year but he seems to enjoy it and no matter how bad he gets it on the receiving end he is always a good sport and never cries or gets mad.



Family fun in Gallup.

While we were in Cabo in November my little cousin asked Haylie to be the flower girl in her wedding.  So off to Gallup New Mexico we went.  Thank goodness my Rees cousins (the cousins I had grown up with) and their little families were attending the wedding as well.  It was so nice to be able to spend some time with them and reminisce about all the fun we had while growing up.  My mom and my Aunt Stacie were a little nervous about having the younger children attend the wedding because of the fact that Uncle Bill and Aunt Natalie are not members of the LDS church and their way of conducting a marriage is a lot different.  My mom mentioned to me that at Natalie's wedding to Uncle Bill there was a rock band, alot of chanting Hallelujahs and thank you Jesus out loud during the ceremony.  She told me to please take a moment to prepare my children for what they may experience.  On the way down to Gallup Shane and I discussed the matter in great length.  He advised me to talk to the children and let them know that Uncle Bill and Aunt Natalie are very great people but they do things a little differently than we do.  He also advised not to give too many details just in case the ceremony wasn't as vivid as we expected so as to not spark more curiosity.  I did just that.  At the rehearsal dinner Uncle Bill asked Ryan to offer the blessing on the food.  Boy was I nervous for him!  The only Mormons in the building were those of us who came from Utah.  Let me just tell you...we were greatly out numbered.  As I listened to him give the blessing on the food, I was completely comforted by the presence of the spirit and the calmness it brought to me.  After he was finished, I was very grateful that HE had been asked to offer the blessing.  The ceremony the next day was absolutely beautiful.  It wasn't nearly as over-the-top so to speak as I had expected.  There was a very powerful message given and the scriptures that were read I could definitely relate to.  My kiddos didn't even notice anything out of the ordinary and neither did the other younger cousins and for this I was extremely grateful. 

All dressed up and...waiting on the wedding party!

Still waiting.

On location for the pictures.  This place reminded me a lot of the Torrey area.  Especially because of the red dirt that seemed to get on everything.

Her bouquet was her favorite part of the whole ceremony.

Haylie and my awesome and fun Aunt Natalie.  She is so good to support us in everything we do. Absolutely love her!  I think Haylie looks a little like her. Yes???

Haylie and my beautiful cousin Heidi Nycole. (Named after yours truly.)

The next generation of Rees cousins.  Look at all those boys!!!  My cute little Gass girl cousins sat right behind them.

She was soooo nervous.  I couldn't even get her to look at me and smile.  Her eyes were focused straight ahead and she had a very serious look on her face the whole time.

Ok, there's half a smile.

Uncle Bill and his baby girl Alyssa. The video of Alyssa and her "daddy" that was played during the ceremony was absolutely amazing!  Uncle Bill has always been such a hands on dad and very patient and loving with his family.  After the video had finished I think it was safe to say there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The wedding party.

Can we be done yet?

Haylie with Heidi, and the happily married couple, Alyssa, and Nathan.  What a great couple the are.  I hope they are together for many many years to come.  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hatalla. 

After the ceremony was over and everything was cleaned up, we all headed back to the hotel where we were staying.  How fun it was that we were all staying at the same hotel.  The kids couldn't wait any longer so the race to the pool was on.  Our kids got there first just for the plain fact that our room was only two doors down from the pool and the other cousins had to take the elevator to their rooms.  These little cousins played so good together.  Their ages ranged from 15 to 6 and they all got along famously.

Ty (oldest cousin), Ryland, and Haylie (youngest cousin) having a good time.

Ty was so good with little Haylie.  There were so many boys that she felt a little left out.  Ty scooped her up and made sure she had a good time.  Thanks Ty, you're awesome!

Making a plan.

Trying to chicken fight with 3 people.  Ryland was having a hard time making it to the top but... 

...after several attempts...V I C T O R Y!!!

Then it was Haylie's turn.  She only had to try twice.  What a good looking tower.

Ty tending Haylie again.  I wish I could find a babysitter like him in the Torrey area to tend my kids for the summer.

Brody and Haylie, the youngest chicken fighting team.

The hot tub was clear full of bubbles.  I told the parent Rees cousins it was because of all the dirty bodies that had been in there.  This didn't deter the kids from covering themselves with the dirty bubbles then jumping into the swimming pool. If you look closely, you can see the "dirty" bubbles all over Easton.

The next morning as we were leaving Aunt Natalie's house with the care packages she had prepared for everyone, we decided to travel together on the way home.  At least for a little way.  Seating arrangements were decided and we were off.  First stop...Four Corners.

When we arrived at Four Corners the kids decided they would like to place 1 foot and 1 hand in four different states at the same time.  The easiest way to do this??? A backbend of course!

Wow Midge, that is a really high backbend.  Higher than anyone else did it.

Each standing in 2 different states.

Shane standing in Colorado, Brody in New Mexico, Haylie in Arizona, and me in Utah. 

Our travelling party.  Once again Haylie is the only girl.  She doesn't seem to mind too much. 

 After leaving Four Corners we travelled to Bluff for lunch and then went our separate ways.  My Rees cousins went via Blanding and we went over the Moquois Dugway.  Shane said he remembered going over it with his Grandpa.  I have to admit I am grateful that we decided on the route we did.  We were able to see new country and the travelling time was only about 10 minutes different.