HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We hope you were able to eat all the candy you could every want with out throwing up or getting fat!

Our punk rock girl!

Transformer - I am not going to try and spell which one he is.

How long does it take green food coloring to wear off skin? Hey look it is Larry the cable guy!

Cody won 3rd place in the older elementary division.

Sierra knows how to make her costume more realistic.

Cameron said he is a crazy person...isn't that how he always is?

 

4-Wheeler Fun)

No this is not a battery operated 4-wheeler...it is a small one that Barry purchased at a horse sale for the kids for less than $200 -- I said they would never had one...guess it didn't work out the way I had planned.  Eeeek!  Creed loves it and he is probably the best driver other than Cameron.  Go figure.  Is it too late to bubble wrap my children????

I am not sure if any of you will remember except Andrea (who really does not do internet), Spencer and Jason that we, at a VERY young age, drove a mini bike.  First Michael taught us how to ride it behind Grandma & Grandpa's before all of the big houses were built back there.  Then we took it to our home in South Jordan and I drove it around and around and around the back yard - I think we had a 1/4 acre lot.  We had even built a dirt jump for it.  One day when Andrea was over we were playing Dukes of Hazard and I asked if she wanted to do a wheely (sp).  She was all for it.  It was pretty cool until we hit the house.  We were pretty straight up in the air on one wheel when we did it. I remember the front tire rolling back down the brick.  It is a wonder how Andrea stayed on.  This 4-wheeler I think is a little safer but now that I have children of my own - why did my mom let me drive that thing and jump it for Pete's sake???? :)

And who is Pete anyway?  Why do we say that?  I know Grandma said it all the time...hmmm.

LA School For The Blind

It is hard enough hiking around our property being able to see, but what if you were blind? Do you think you could do it?  What about climbing and riding as well?  Every year for the past 4 years the LA School for the Blind brings 35 +  students to our ranch. 

Last week was the annual visit, each year there are new students but the same counselors. These students go into their learning program for 6 to 9 months to learn how to be blind in the real world.  They come from all over to attend this school.  You have to be 18 years and older to be a student.  Not all of the students are completely blind yet or will be legally blind the rest of their life.  The people in the photos where night shades are either part sighted or they are the counselors.

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It was a fun and stressful week all at the same time.  Trying to guide people on a trail ride and steer them around tree limbs and away from the pond can be a challenge to say the least.  

It is pretty amazing to see everyone going up and down the hills to the climbing wall, to the barn or to their cabins. 

It really makes you appreciate your sight.

X-COUNTRY REPORT

October 14, 2008 was Cameron's second x- county meet of the season.  (He missed one when we went to UT for Grandma's funeral.)  This one was in Lamar Arkansas about 1 1/2 hrs away from home.  He was pretty nervous for this race because last year this is where he had his P.R. (it is a 2 mile race for Jr. High) which was a 12:30.  He wanted to run a 12 or break a 12.  

He came in 10th over all with a time of 12:12 which he was not happy with.  I was thrilled.  They gave medals to the top 10.  I think there were about 64 Jr. High boys (all Jr. High grades) running the race. 

His coach is finding one more race for them before they end their season.  Cameron really wants that 12 minute race. 

Warming up.

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Waiting to start...

Cody's Birthday Part

Cody's actual birthday was Sept. 30 BUT I was in Utah.  Soooo, Barry and Cody planned a zip line and for the boys a ti-pi sleep over.  I think about 10 friends showed up.  He had a lot of fun with them all.  Only three boys ended up staying the night - which was fine by Barry.  

This is actually one of the ranch guests...she just had turned 12 and her father brought her to the ranch for her birthday.  So they zipped with Cody and friends.  They all got a long very well. She and her father were actually members of the church which was neat.  He takes all of his kids somewhere for their 12th birthday

 

Cameron and Wade, Cody's friend, pretending they are in a photo shoot.

Creed really did not want his photo taken after he did the zip.

Barry: Mr. Server of the hot dogs. The kids were ready to eat when we got back to the lodge.

The birthday boy!

It wouldn't be Cody if he had a clean face and a normal smile. :)

Need a cheerleader?

I found this note on the floor yesterday.  I didn't realize but Sierra is a cheerleader for hire.  She also sounds like she is the manager of her squad.  Hmmmmm. 

It is that time again, almost.  The last two years Cameron and I have run this race - Barry joined us last year.  We are signed up for the fun again.  Killer hills, cold temps. and late night make this 5K a fun challenge.  Part of the race is through the park through the Christmas lights and people singing.  Afterwards they hand out Christmas cookies and hot chocolate - which taste really good after that throw up feeling from a hard race goes away.  The only thing that would make the race better would be if it was closer to Christmas  or at least after Thanksgiving.

SIERRA'S BAPTISM

Sierra was baptized on September 21, 2008 by Barry.  I was lucky enough to have Barry plan the entire program.  I was quite emotionally worn out from our trip to UT for my Grandmother's funeral so it was very nice to have him do that.  

Sierra did choose who was to speak and give the prayers.  Cameron gave the opening prayer, Dara Anderson, one of her best friends from church, gave a talk about baptism.  She was then baptized.  After she was all dry and dressed in her Sunday clothes I gave a talk about confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She was then confirmed by Barry.  Cody blessed the refreshments and gave the closing prayer.  

It was a nice day.