Thanksgiving 2012

It was our year with the Durfey family this year for Thanksgiving.  We were so excited that the Quist family and Uncle Dust were able to come and spend the holiday with us.  We missed the Walton's and Uncle Lance but we were very thankful for the family members that were here.
Something new and fun this year were the minute to win it games Daph and Ty put together for the family to participate in.  It is always fun to watch the interaction between the adults and the children.  Sometimes it is hard to decipher who are the adults and who are the children.  The elephant trunk game was definitely the favorite.  Lots of laughter from all involved.

Shane and Ty battling it out. 

Brother vs. sister, + Boo vs Midge

The next game was rolling a marble across the floor with your nose.  The kids had a blast! Thanks everyone for coming and making the holiday special. 

Brody's first Coyote

Brody is a little trooper.  He goes with his dad hunting all the time.  Hiking for long distances, sitting in the cold and being quiet for long periods of time, and spending hours just keeping up with his dad.  

On this particular day he was in the position where he could be the shooter.  As you can see from the smile on his face he was more than happy that he shot such a big dog.  Plus $50 for the bounty.  Brody is an excellent shot.  He is very patient for a boy his age.  Pretty proud moment for his dad for sure!

 

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

What a special birthday this is for our little Midge.  The big number 8.  She started the day off with a stack of  different colored pan-a-cakes with a candle in the middle.  She was so excited!  She didn't even complain about having to get in the shower before breakfast.

New shirt.  Turning 8 is Great! 

We gathered up these cute little friends and headed to Richfield for a party day. 

The party started off with lunch at the Chinese restaurant.  It is always so much more fun to eat food with sticks instead of forks. 

Next up...bowling!  

  And...what party would be complete without a trip to the arcade?

  

One last stop at Ideal Dairy for a slush and icecream before heading home. Something Shane used to get with his grandparents when he was a little boy.

 Haylie had to wait until we returned home to open her presents.  She didn't mind because on the way home we surprised her and told her that her BFF Laine was going to have a tend over at our house.  They were beyond excited.

She took time to read the birthday card before opening the blanket Brody made for her. 

She was absolutely thrilled with this gift! 

 

 

They jammed out until about 2:00 a.m. then I finally told them they should probably turn of the karaoke machine and go to sleep.   

Birthday cake with the family the day after. 

These two fun cousins are only 3 weeks apart in age and good little buddies.   

One thing I absolutely love about Haylie is that she is always sincerely grateful for the gifts she receives.  A true example to those around her. 

This is what you do when it is your birthday and all the guests have gone.  I think she finished what was left.

I am extremely grateful for this little girl and for the happiness she brings into our lives each and every day.  She is a little ray of sunshine.  She smiles often, laughs easily, and is constantly bringing joy into our household. Such a fun little girl to be around.  Love you Midge!

Pinewood Derby 2012

Brody was excited to race his car in the pinewood derby.  Lots of hours went into making the car.  He knew exactly what he wanted.  He wanted a blue car with a lightning bolt on it.  And...he did just that.  His car looked GREAT!  

His car is finished and he is ready to go.

The cheering section anxiously waiting for the excitement to begin.  

Ready...Set...Go!

Really close races for the most part  

Graphite on the wheels between heats. 

  

Winners of the Derby.  Brody took 2nd place but more importantly, he had a great time! 

Good looking boy with his good looking car!  

Way to go Bud!  

Winter Fun!

This year we had the opportunity to go to Aunt Daph's several weekends in a row to help work on her new house.  The kiddos really loved spending time with their cousins and they didn't even mind helping out. What they liked the most was the fact that Aunt Daph had really good snow for making snowmen and snowballs.

They couldn't wait to go out and play in the snow.  We had a difficult time getting them to come in.

Even though it was cold outside they had a blast!

  

Even Lex decided to join in on the fun.  They made this giant snowball in hopes of getting it to roll down into the pond.  They gave it their best shot but it didn't quite make it.