Christmas 2013

The week before Christmas was very cold and dreary. The wind had picked up and the clouds moved in. In the mornings we found ourselves trapped in by a thick, ghostly fog. It would then stay cloudy and cold all day, only getting up into the 40's. 

But then Jessica sends us this picture of what it looks like out her front door and I realize we have nothing to complain about!! I love our Arizona winters! :)

This year we spent Christmas at home. Pet Care 4 U was very busy, leaving us with 19 dogs and 1 cat to look after over the holidays. 

We put all our names in and each one of us picked one. We then just got a gift for that certain person. It worked out really well and we opened our gifts Christmas morning before our friends arrived..

We had time to sit down and play some games as well before lunch.

Ticket to ride. Our Uncle and Aunt got this game for us for Christmas and we've been enjoying it.

We played volley ball two days before and Justin twisted his ankle pretty bad. Christmas day found him hobbling around on his crutches. I felt sorry for him, cause we played multiple games of volley ball and he missed out. The Yeske family came down from Texas and brought there Grandpa and Grandma along to spend the day with us. We had a really good time of games, food and fellowship.

Roseanna and Joanna

Grace and I

An older friend of ours that we new for years also came and spent the day with us. We had a wonderful Christmas!! I didn't get too many pictures, but I hope you enjoy these! ;) 

Our family picture. I know I just put it on top of the blog, so I am sure you all have seen it, but I wanted to put it on here so I can keep it in the archives. :)
Tomorrow is 2014!! Crazy, I know!! Where has this year went?? I wish I knew. So much was packed into it. Three camps, a new nephew and niece, a new job, etc.. etc.. All I can say is that it was a wonderful year for me and my family. The Lord has blessed us greatly with so many things that out number everything else by far. I hope that it was the same for all of you and that the new year will find you even closer to the Lord then the last. God bless you all and Happy New Year!! :)

Butchering Day

Our cute, soft, cuddly little calf grew up.

And growing up wasn't a smart idea. He got so big we decided he would fit better in the freezer. He was very friendly and it was hard to see him go. 

Cutting the meat off the bone..

Grinding it into hamburger...

Packing...

We got close to 300 pounds of meat off of him. We have been enjoying it ever since.

Birthday Wishes...

...to me and my AdoRabLe little nephew Micah David. So I usually don't make my own birthday posts, so this is a bit different, yet fun! :) Well, I am no longer a teenager. I have passed over that point of my life and sadly never to return. I loved my teen years. I have lots of fond memories and want to thank all my family and friends for the part that they had in it, and especially to the Lord that brought me through them all! But don't think I am here just to tell you all about my life when it is also a time to celebrate Micah's birthday also!! Micah missed my birthday by two days. He has been such a joy to all of us and is becoming such a little man. 

Aunt Jubilee and him spend lots of time playing together. It is like having an older brother for Jubilee and even though they don't always get along, they still love each other dearly.

Did I mention he absolutely adores his little brother? ;) He is such a sweet little gift from above. Grandma, Grandpa and all his Aunts and Uncles wish him the best!
Love you Micah!!! :)

So on Micah's birthday we had everyone over for the day. The Salzman family recently moved into the area making our small youth group larger. We are so excited about their moving here!!

The weather was cold, but we hiked a few miles up the mountain and just hung around having fun. We then had a hotdog roast before coming home to play some volley ball.

We played till we were to cold and then we went and played games inside. It was a really fun day!!

Jenny made a such a cute little cake for Micah.

He loved all the frosting!!

Lots of fun presents!! :)

Sorry for the long wait on a post. I'll try and do a bit better! :)

Well, that's all for now, I'll talk to you all later!
Have a great week!!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a wonderful thanksgiving. Hope yours was just as well!! It so happened that the people that we usually have over for Thanksgiving had other things planned this year, so we just had a fun day to ourselves!

Our day started out crisp and cold outside. Daddy started the wood stove early to get the house all warm and cozy. But don't think for a minute that we got to sleep in. Thanksgiving may be a holiday for all of you, but it means a lot more business for us. :)

With 16 boarders we were up early getting them all exercised for the day. 

Out for a run!!

...waiting for their breakfast.

After the dogs were all taken care of we went inside for breakfast.

Dad and Micah started smoking the turkey.

Happy Turkey Day!

We all have so many things to be thankful for, especially this little girl!! :)

I had just got in from helping with the dogs and Justin says that he needs me to go with him to wal-mart to buy clay pigeons? I grabbed something to eat and before I knew it I was on my way to Benson. Jaylon and Justin came up with the idea that they wanted to go skeet shooting after lunch and Justin was too young to buy them himself, so that's where I came in. :) We got back just as Jaylon and Hannah arrived. We then sat down to... 

...an AMAZING meal!!

Then we went...

...skeet shooting!! Yes, the entire family decided to go!!

We went through 4 boxes of pigeons and over 400 rounds.

I kinda have a lot of pictures, so enjoy! :)

Micah took his play gun along and he thought he was hitting the clay pigeons. It was so cute!

It was a total blast!! Someone even mentioned we should make it a tradition! :)

We all came back to play some games that Mom came up with.

By the expressions I think you can tell that they were pretty funny!! :)

So that was our Thanksgiving Day!!

Hope you all have a great week!