Good Genes

My aunt e-mailed some pictures of my grandma riding this horse and it got me thinking. I have awesome Grandma's! So let me introduce.

Grandma Firth: 86 years old and riding on a Clydesdale! Served a mission for our church at the age of 83. My favorite thing she always says, "Isn't life wonderful!"

Grandma Barbara: SaSsY! She jokes with the grandkids and never misses a beat. Never hospitalized in her life until 2 years ago. My favorite thing she tells us, "I knew I wanted your Grandad the second I saw him." I've never seen a love compare to theirs.

Good Grief, I have good genes.

6 Years!

If I have learned anything in six years, it is: I am one lucky woman. Here are six occurences from yesterday that prove that.

1. Marcus took care of Zannah and let me sleep in.

2. Breakfast in Bed

3. He took us to watch the junior livestock show.

4. He ran errands with me and never complained, even when I made him pull into Circuit City's liquidation sale because I was sure they sold storage containers that I wanted. We had a good laugh after I came back out and admitted that he was right, Circuit City definitely doesn't sell rubbermaid.....am I smoking something???

5. He bathed Zannah----like he does every night.

6. He watched Anne of Green Gables with me and even stayed awake after I gave him the evil eye. Now that is Love.

And I made him pie, he is pretty lucky too :)

Perfectly Warm Arizona

Weekend Included: Not much of anything specific, but boy oh boy did we have a good time. We got pedicures and massages. And I got a LOT of pressure from the girls to pierce my ears. (They are fascinated that I'm almost 26 and never been pierced) The Yardley girls gave a demonstration on good "hair ratting" techniques. We shopped. We talked and laughed until 4 in the morning. I can't remember the last time I stayed up that late!

AND I didn't succumb to pressure. I'm still hole free for the time being.

I'm out.....I think

A weekend has been planned. In Arizona. With girlfriends. 4 to be exact. Refreshing silliness is coming my way.

And Marcus is selflessly taking on the Z-meister for 3 days. I'm a little nervous, not for Marcus as he is the most capable person I know and definitely not for Zannah as she is happy with anyone who will give her attention. I'm nervous for me. 3 days is not a long time, but it is.

See what I mean?

Catch Up w/ Pictures-w/o Words-Random Order

Thanksgiving Greatness 2008

I am so thankful for family that not only gets along, but truly loves to be together. We had over 50 family members for Thanksgiving dinner and we were even missing a few families. Time with Grandma and Grandad always goes way too fast.

SOME OF THE EVENTS INCLUDED:
*INTENSE GAME OF NERTZ
*ROCK BAND MADNESS
*BASKETBALL
*BOYS IN DICKIES
*ZANNAH GETTING TO KNOW HER COUSINS
*PLENTY OF KING OF THE HILL EPISODES (I don't get what those boys see in that show)
*FINDING THE DORSEY MANSION











AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME WE HAPPENED UPON THIS:


AND COULDN'T RESIST THE DETOUR TO CHECK OUT THIS:




(Swimming pool in the shape of an 8)

What are the odds we would find this Dorsey mansion in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico? It was closed to tours 2 years ago, but with luck we ran into the caretaker and he invited us in. And with more luck, we weren't killed and stashed away in that mansion never to be found (the thought crossed my mind) It was built in the late 1800's by Stephen Dorsey. 10,000 sq ft of history and cluttered craziness. We loved it! Original hard wood floors, servants quarters, haunted legends, swim pool shaped in the figure 8, original owner's faces sculptured into the stone (1st pic). What a way to end a perfect weekend.

Smiles, Solids, and Post Family Blues

Miss Z's new scrunch-up-the-nose smile.


After months of attempts, Zannah has decided to eat solids. I still can't get over how great it is that she opens her mouth for the spoon! What a delight.

World Championship Ranch Rodeo. This blessed event draws my family out of Idaho and into our neck of the woods each November. We LOVE it! Or should I say my dad, brothers, cousins, grandad, and uncle love it...it being the Rodeo. A huge tradeshow full of reins, spurs, chaps, boots, and hats is a cowboys dream, right? I just love that they come. I love that we fit 11 adults and 1 baby in our house, I love that we stay up late, eat lots of food, and thoroughly enjoy each others' company. I even love that my brothers tease me until I lose my temper. And of course I love that the girls got pedicures this year, maybe a new tradition?




I always miss family, but the couple days after being with them, I have serious withdrawals. This time my coping was to eat ridiculous amounts of pie and watch ridiculous amounts of Gilmore Girls and it helped a little.