NFR

We had a great time this year at the NFR!

My parents, Derik's parents, my sis Lacey

and her husband Mark, and my

bro Brady all joined us. It was so nice

to have so many helping hands with Reese.

The weather was warmer than Utah but it

still was pretty cold for Las Vegas. This

year we stayed at the Bellagio and loved it.

It was so fun to get away!

This picture was taken in the conservatory at

the Bellagio. Every year is so much fun

to see how they decorate for Christmas. Reese

loved the trains. Needless to say,

we spent some time here!

We got to ride in this sweet limo! It was a total fluke.

The driver just saw us walking and picked

us up! It was so much fun.

Reese loved playing in this box. So much that she

didn't want to get on the plane.

The year for a BIG tree!

The gang...Kassi, Cody, Me & Reese, Derik and Grandma Nelson

Our numbers were few but we still had a good time!

It was a bit of a slow start but once we found

one the rest came rather easily.

We love cutting down our own tree and

hope that we can enjoy this

tradition for many years to come!

Like I said in the title....this is the year for the big tree.

And boy did we find one. It is a little

over 11 feet tall and about 6 feet wide. It is

a good thing we have vaulted ceilings.

Thankful

Wow, I can't believe it is already THANKSGIVING.

It seems as though November

has gone so fast. I love the holidays.

I love them because it means lots

of family time and with that

comes a lot of great food.

I have so much to be thankful for...so

many blessings in my life. Derik

and I just celebrated our 4 year

anniversary. It is hard to believe how

fast time goes. These last

4 years have brought many

adventures and I can't wait for the

many adventures that still await.

Reese was really sick this past month.

It turned out that she had salmonella poisoning.

We have no idea how she got it but

it was not fun. I am grateful for the

power of the priesthood and that we

have it in our home. Also, this month

we hit some black ice and were not able to

stop at a stop sign. We were approaching

a busy highway. It was so scary to watch

all the cars going past in front of you

knowing that we could not stop.

BUT, we had angels protecting us.

They kept us from harm.

So, this Thanksgiving season

I am thankful for 1. my family

2. the Priesthood 3. the gospel of

Jesus Christ.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Halloween

Reese was a kitty. We had to be very careful

when putting her costume on or she

would flip out and start gaging.

I think she thought she

was going to suffocate.

Friday night we went to Derik's parents

ward party. She thought it was pretty fun.

She even got a glow stick bracelet.

Reese and Cooper.

Saturday night we took her around

the neighborhood to a few

family friends. I am

enjoying that she doesn't

understand what is going on yet.

City of Rocks

We spent the last good weekend of the season camping

at the CITY OF ROCKS.

It was so much fun!

Derik took work off early and we arrived mid afternoon.

We could not have asked for better

weather. Friday evening we took a short hike

in to the "inner city" it was so beautiful. 

Even though I grew up coming to these huge rocks

I had no idea about all the hiking trails around them.

Jared and Melissa let us borrow their backpack.

Reese had so much fun in it! Thanks so much.

The above photo is on our way into the "inner city"

We stopped and took this photo on a trail to the "inner city".

It was amazing. You would have never thought that

we were in a desert by how beautiful and lush everything was.

Also, it was nice hiking weather. I don't hike in the heat!

This picture is up on Bath Tub.  My parents and Grandma Nelson came

up to help with Reese so that we could climb up it.

The sun was just getting ready to set and it was awesome.

We then went to the OUTPOST for dinner.

They were so busy but it is well worth the

wait because the food is so good.

Also, you can't go to the OUTPOST

and not get pie. I highly recommend the

Banana Cream or Coconut Cream. Divine.

We topped off the evening with a nice soak 

at Durfee Hot Springs.

Saturday we enjoyed another short hike. This is in front

of Table Rock. Then we were off to the Ranch

to check on the deer hunters.

It was a fabulous weekend.

PUMPKIN LAUNCH

This is one of my favorite fall activities!

It is always a good time.

You have the catapults vs the air power.

Above are the air powered launchers.

There is a lot of force behind the air powered launchers. 

It is not uncommon for the pumpkin to be blown 

apart be the time it gets out of the barrel.

I wish that I would have been able to get a shot

of a pumpkin hitting the van. The above photo

shows a pumpkin hitting the ground

before it got to the van. 

Aiding to the sick...

Over Conference Weekend I got so Sick.

So sick I could hardly get out of bed.

Which, isn't a good thing when

you have a 16 month running around.

I had Strep Throat.

Although, when I went to the

doctor they so wanted

to diagnose me with Swine Flu.

Don't even get me started with all

the hoopla associated with Swine Flu.

Anyway, the reason for this post

is to say 

THANK YOU.

Thanks to Derik who took off work to

help with Reese and waited on me hand and foot.

To my mom for missing

work to come help me and for all that she

did while she was here.

Thanks to Brady for taking me to the

doctor when I didn't feel good enough

to drive. Thanks for those who brought

in food for dinner. And to all those that called and

and sent text messages to check in.

It was all very much appreciated!

Camping with the Grange's

We went camping with the Grange's up Logan Canyon. We

stayed at Sunrise Campground and it was beautiful!!!

The trees were turning colors, the weather was

perfect and there was hardly anyone

else in the campground.

In the past we usually borrow the Grange's camp trailer

and so if we went camping together we would have

to be in a tent. Not that I am against

the tent thing but once you have a baby

it is so much better in a camp trailer. We have

been looking forever for one to buy of our

own and we finally found one! Yea!

 

So this was our maiden voyage and it was

a huge success!

The above picture was taken when we

were on the Limber Pine Trail looking

down into Bear Lake.

This tree is cooler in person. It

was on the Limber Pine trail as well.

If you are ever up Logan Canyon and want

something to do I highly recommend the

Limber Pine Trail. It is only 1.3 miles and

you can take a stroller on it.

Talia, Sarah and Ruby

Reese and I out for our morning stroll.

Reese enjoying brushing her teeth.

September Happenings!

For Labor Day we went camping at High Creek.

It is just north of Richmond. We really

enjoy this canyon. We brought the horses

and Derik, Darris, Erin, Tyler, Mark and a 

family friend Doug when for a ride.

Reese enjoyed riding the roping dummy.

Her new obsession is to ride Derik's trophy saddles

he has in the living room. 

It was cute for about a day.

Reese also had a lot of fun playing in the dirt. One thing

that I am requesting next time is that we have some

grass. It was just to dirty. This was also another 

favorite spot. Her and Cooper had a battle

over the toys the whole weekend.

This picture is a little out of focus but you will

get the point. Reese was a bit confused and

wanted to ride in the stroller.

I had a photo session with my friend Sarah

and her darling little girls Talia and Ruby.

I couldn't help to snap some shots of Reese

while I was at it. She didn't want to sit

still for very long. That seems to be the norm

these days. Aghh. I can't wait for nursery.

Derik's new hobby....

STAMPING LEATHER. This something that

Derik has been interested for a while.

Back in July of 2006 we ran into

Russ Reeder at 24th of July

celebration and Derik talked

to him about learning the art

of leather working from him.

Well, as you can see three years

later he is finally doing it.

This is a spur strap that he practiced on for 

his first project. He has since been

working on a set of chaps. I will post

a picture of those when he finishes them.

We have really enjoyed spending

time with the Reeder's. Russ even pulls

out his guitar and sings, recites cowboy

poetry and always has a good joke

to share. Thanks for your time Russ.

The County Fair

I love going to the county fair. In my younger years I couldn't

wait for the fair. It was

 always so much fun 

to see my friends after a 

long summer and to wear my new school clothes.

I remember staying all day and late  

into the night

hanging out with friends. One year

I remember my legs would ache as I would

climb in to bed and as I would lay there

trying to go to sleep I would

feel like I was still riding the Zipper

at the carnival. Oh, the good times.

The only sad thing about it that it means

the end of summer is coming.

Last night we went to the rodeo.

Wow, was it cold AND windy.

However, it was worth it.

Texas Thunder came to preform.

Holy Cow. If you get the chance

to go see them you will love it.

Texas Thunder is a team of Percheron

work horses. They are so big and beautiful

and are so amazing to watch. I could go

on and on...but you can learn more here.

Also, Reese had her first horse show today.

She was so stinkin cute. She was so

big and brave and even waved at the crowd.

And yet...another reunion.

Bear Lake.

Beautiful.

Warm.

No Wind.

Perfect.

YUMMMY!

In case you were wondering...she thought it tasted really good!

Page Reunion

The Page Reunion was at Cinnamon Creek.  Reese

was enjoying her new found freedom in

walking. It was a great time. Janalee and

Larry did a great job with being host and camp

cooks. Thanks for all you did to make it

a great reunion. 

Loving the Summertime.

Reese was helping us wash our

vehicles. I have failed to mention

that she is WALKING now.

So cute!

She loved to play with the hose.

Forever Friends

My friend Teri from Arizona was in 

Idaho visiting 

her family. I can't 

remember the last time I saw 

her so I had to

 go see her and her 

cute little family. We enjoyed an 

evening at Lake Cleveland.

Even though Teri and I grew up in the 

same area I didn't meet her until 

I went to Ricks College. Wow..was

that awhile ago. She lived

two doors down from me and we

became the best of friends.

I am thankful to still have her

as a friend. Although we live

far a part we still keep in touch.

I love that when we see each other

we pick up right were we left off.

Teri, Spencer, myself and Reese.

Reese and my Bro. Brady

Teri and her kiddos enjoying

 the camp fire.

Weston fell and cut his head.

He looks very concerned but

he was a tough kid.

Island Park-Take Two

A couple of weeks ago we went to Island Park for

the Leishman Reunion. It was a wonderful time.

Day 1-Thursday

*Arrived at camp

*It was the Dallas Leishman's family turn to cook so we

made Taco Salads!

*Enjoyed scones with honey butter and Grandma Leishman's

frozen jam. Yummy!

*It got down to 35 degrees that night. Lucky for us we had

a good heater in the camp trailer.

Day 2-Friday

*Enjoyed a relaxing morning

*Mingled with family. I am still getting to know a lot

of these people. 

*Floated the Buffalo River!

*Made a quick trip to West Yellowstone.

*Taco Salads again for dinner. Isn't it crazy that of all

things to eat two families planned the same meal? Oh,

well. They were still good the second time around-but

I don't think I will have one again for a bit.

*Smores!!!

Day 3-Saturday

*Delicious breakfast-stuffed french toast. Oh sooo good.

*Morning trip to West Yellow stone. Picked up a few good

finds. Enjoyed some ice cream.

*Floated the Buffalo River

*Patrick caught a water snake in the water and tried

to bite him.

*Summer Sausage dutch oven dinner, smores and cobbler.

*Glow in the dark sticks for the kiddos

Day 4-Sunday

*Packed up camp-never fun

*Big Springs & Johnny Sacks Cabin

*Mesa Falls

It was a wonderful trip!

This all of us floating the river. As you

can see-we had a party barge going on.

Reese getting her bath in before bed. She kept

trying to get out-thats why she doesn't look

very happy.

Darris, Dixie, Reese and myself.

Reese loved this little frog chair of Coopers!

Derik, myself and Reese. Having a good time.