Sleigh Ride at Hardware Ranch to see the Elk!

During Christmas vacation, while visiting my family, we went up to Hardward Ranch to see the elk. Hardward Ranch is located up Blacksmith Fork Canyon, in Hyrum, UT. The government has set aside land specifically for the elk to come to, during the winter, to be fed and taken care of through the hard winter months. They offer sleigh rides to the public to go around, stop, and watch the elk. Although it was dang cold and it was raining/snowing really hard, cold pellets, we had a really good time! It was so fun to get out and let the kids see the elk. Connor was more excited about the clydesdale horses pulling the sleigh. Afterwards, we took the kids to McDonald's to warm up and to let them play.

Michigan Friend's Get-Together in UT!!!

The Munchkins!
Zoey & Brett!

Allie

Tickly Torture on Connor!!!

Jack

The Abby's together again!

Megan, Justin, and buddies Zoey & Mark!

Rylie & Brett playing together.

Laura, Christie, and Amy

Laura & Amy

Rylie, Jack, and Connor

Anders, Mark, and Mike

****************************

With so many of us former & current Michigander buddies hanging out in UT for the holidays, we decided to take advantage of it get together with whoever had the time. We did miss those who couldn't make it. Luckily, quite a few of us were able to be there and we were able to have a great time!

The Taylor's were kind enough to offer us their home in UT to meet at. They live in Pleasant View! Now I know why it's called Pleasant View! Because they live clear up the mountain and you can see for miles!!! The view is BEAUTIFUL and quite pleastant, I must say! Ha ha! Anyway, it worked out great because it was an in-the-middle place to meet and perfect size! It was fun hanging out in a casual environment and just let the kids run wild!

Each of us were supposed to bring something to share, food-wise! I can't remember all the food that was there but, it seems like it ended up being a veggie night because of what everyone brought! YUMMY and probably the healthiest food I ate all through the holidays!!!!

We really had a good time just talking, catchin up on our lives, reliving the good ole' days of Michigan, and talking about what the future holds! It was such a great thing to get together with such special, great friends! I am so grateful for these friends and the many other friends that became our family while we lived in Michigan! I can't wait until we are able to get together again, hopefully soon!

Jeppesen Family Christmas Party

One of the lost sheep that got away(Rylie)!

Some of the Manger Scene acclaimed actors & actresses loving their Grandma!
The Angel (Shelby)!!!
Shepherd (David)

2 Shepherd Boys (Connor & Garrett)

The Star (Allie) shone bright on that night

One of the wise man (Jacob)

Rylie was one of the sheep and Connor and was a shepherd boy

Emma & Rylie playing with her new toy

Connor opening his new toy

Connor

Rylie (9-month-old picture)

*************************
On December 19, 2008 we had 2 Christmas parties at my parents house. The first one was with everyone on my Mom's side of the family. It's always a yummy party because everyone brings a finger food to share. There's a lot of people in the family so there is quite the variety of foods. After we eat we went downstairs to open gifts. Our kids got books (GREAT GIFT) from their Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa. Mike & I got the book, "Broken Things to Mend" by Jeffrey R. Holland, and then we got fun little gifts and treats from my Aunts and Uncles.

*************************

That night we had the Jeppesen Christmas party too. Nearly all my family was able to be there, except for my sis-in-law & niece because of sickness. We missed them! It was a lot of fun! Again, we ate really yummy food! Then, we went downstairs to carry on the tradition of acting out Luke 2 (the manager scene). My Mom has each of the grandkids play a different part each year in acting out the manger scene. This year Connor played one of the shepherds and Rylie was one of the (wandering) sheep with her cousin Emma. It was so funny!!!! The kids really enjoy it! After that we opened presents from my parents. Our kids got AWESOME pajamas (good job picking them out, Dad)! Rylie got a pop-up toy and Connor got this lego-type set that has knights, horses, and swords to put together. My parents gave Mike a dress shirt, me a black skirt (Hallelujah), and also a wheat grinding mill and wheat for our food storage!!!! I love getting together with all of my family!!!! We are always sure to have a good time!

McGinnis Family Christmas Party

On December 18, 2008, we had the McGinnis Family Christmas Party! For dinner had a bunch of yummy dips, sandwiches, yummy desserts, and other goodies. Then, we exchanged gift to and from each other. Connor was so excited! He could hardly contain himself!!! He asked nearly 50 times, "Is it time to open presents?!" or, "Is this one for ME?!" It was so funny to see his reaction to everything!!!!

Catch-Up & Christmas

We have returned from our trip to see my family for Christmas and New Year's. We were gone for 2 weeks so, I have a lot of catching up to on my blog, obviously!!!! So, please check back frequently because every day I will be posting something new from our trip up North!!!! Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Frosty the Snowman!!!

Connor making a snow angel!

Shannon making a snow angel!

Snowball fight!

Frosty the snowman (yes, I'm still in my pj's and flip-flops)!

We woke up to snow all over the ground. Connor woke up really early and wanted to go outside and play in the snow. I hadn't gotten dressed yet so, Shannon & Connor went out and started to make the snowman. I didn't want to go get dressed so I went out in my pj's flip-flops. It's been 3 hours and Connor is still out there playing.

Has Hell Frozen Over?

It's been getting colder and colder in St. George. Has hell frozen over? Ha ha! Anyway, we had a day this week with flurries all day but, nothing really stuck at all. That is, until tonight. It started to snow this afternoon and has really only stopped once. It's been snowing a ton in Vegas and they had to close I-15! They've even gone as far as to close school tomorrow! That NEVER happens here! I love, love, love the snow! I keep going outside and just stare at it. It's so peaceful and the flakes are HUGE! It just makes me so happy! Connor is loving it too. I showed him how he can see his footprint when he walks in it. So, he's been stomping around in it and making snowballs. Looks like we'll have to buy him some snow boots, which they don't even sell here!

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

I've finally gotten around to taking a couple pictures of the Christmas tree we decorated this year! We did it a few weeks ago for FHE. I got home from work and the family had the tree and decorations out to decorate with. Connor enjoyed it so much! It's so fun to see the excitement he has as he gets older and understands it more and more each year!!! Tonight he was talking to Grandma McGinnis about how he was going to drive to Grandma & Grandpa Jeppesen's house soon. He told Grandma McGinnis that she needed to know he would be taking "his tree" with him when we go! She told him that he needed to leave it here. He again reminded her that the tree was his and he would be taking it with him. I love the things kids come up with! On a fun little side note, I've been searching ALL OVER for the perfect ribbon to make the perfect bow to match Rylie's Christmas dress! Today I found it and there was only one spool left of it!!!! Thanks to Alyson, Rylie will also have the perfect matching bracelet to go along with it!

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town!!!!

Today Santa Claus flew into St. George on his helicopter! He landed in the parking lot of "Boulevard Home Furnishings", near our house! Connor was so excited to see Santa Claus so he could ask Santa what he wanted to get for Christmas. When Connor's turn came he marched right up there. He knew EXACTLY what he wanted to ask for. So, he sat there and explained to Santa that he "really needs a new bicycle and a horn to go on his new bike!" Then, he was done. He was pretty proud of himself and what he had asked for. Then came Rylie's turn. As you can see in the picture we had taken, Rylie was not at all excited to be on Santa's lap! I still got a kick out it! After all was said and done, we walked away with Santa knowing exactly what Connor wanted, Santa knowing that Rylie was scared to death of him, getting to eat free pizza and drinks, and getting a free picture of the kids on Santa's lap! Who could ask for a better Saturday afternoon???

Thanksgiving Weekend - Part 1

We spent the Thanksgiving weekend with Mike's family this year! As you can see, Connor was all about helping Grandma make the desserts and salads! Anything that involved tasting yummy food! It was a good time! Mike's brother and all of his family came, too. There was so much yummy food to eat! The best part was the left overs that we have just barrely finished off eating! Mmmmm! We had a great weekend. There are more pictures and stories to come!

The Light At the End of the Tunnel!

Since we've been married (7 yrs.), Mike has been going to school. His goal has been to someday finish and graduate from Law School. Well, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! After today, Mike will be completely finished with his externship!!! What does this mean exactly? It means that he is DONE with school!!!!!! I cannot believe he is done! It's amazing, exciting, scary, and many other emotions, all in one! I'm so proud of what he has done and what he has accomplished! School has been a huge struggle for him but, he overcame it! He's like a pioneer in his family, being the first to graduate from College! I know I couldn't have done what he has done and gone through to get to this point! I hope that he feels so proud of himself and knows that he did an excellent job!!! Now he has to focus on studying to take the Bar exam in February!!!! Let the fun begin! :)

Scattergories & Rylie's New Funny-Face!

It's harder than it looks! Use the 1st Letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things, etc.,Nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the Person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
1. Your name: Laura
2. A 4 letter word: Lake
3. A boys name: Larry
4. A girl's name: Leah
5. Occupation: Landscape Architect
6. Color: Lavender
7. Something you wear: Leggings
8. Beverage: Lemon Water
9. Food: Lasagna
10. Something used in a restroom: Lotion

For some reason Rylie has come up with this funny little face. It looks like she's about to cry but she doesn't. She makes the face then breaths in really fast through her mouth. Almost like she's running a race! It's so funny! When we were doing our "family pictures" she kept making the face in a lot of the shots. We get a kick out of her! It's so funny what kids come up with! Oh....forgive the funniness of the bow and the location of it. I was goofing around with what hair she does have and didn't bother changing it up.