Thank you Robin

Robin and the boys came down this weekend and we had such a great time. We have the WII sit up in the spare bedroom, and the boys seemed to have a good time playing that. On Sunday morning, while Robin was showering, the boys and I started playing. I warned them...I'm not good at this. But we had a ball. We tried baseball...I can pitch, but I sure can't hit anything. Even when Chris tried to tell me when to swing. And Taylor...he would say he was going to pitch one thing, and then trick me and pitch a fast ball instead. Then we bowled several games. At least I could do that. But again...the boys beat me. It's pretty sad. I may have to start practicing at night so I can surprise them the next time they come down. Actually, it would probably be good for me. I haven't been able to move my arm for two days now it's so sore. I need the excercise.

The layout is one that Robin did for me...remember I won the three layouts from her anniversary blog? Well, she did this one for me, and I just love it. She ran the scalloped trim through my cuttlebug, which I totally would never have thought of. It's so cute. She also did two other layouts for me, which I'll try to get posted. Sorry I don't have a scanner hooked up that I could cut out the extra parts...soon...I promis.

Last night was the last class for my Photoshop class at CSI...I was really bummed. First, they used a old version (4) and that was disappointing, but mostly I was disappointed because we never got to do anything with any of our own photos. The instructor just went through what things do...but who can remember if you don't do it yourself. And when you went home, your version certainly wasn't the same, so it was hard to even practice. Help Robin...come for another weekend and teach me Photoshop...please...please

Weekend

Wow...a busy weekend, but sooo much fun. On Thursday night, Jeff and I went to a private party. They had prime rib roast, baked potato's, green beans, hot rolls, and dutch oven cobbler...and the Bar J Wranglers. It was awesome. After all that, the local Basin Boys jammed. They were REALLY good. What an awesome celebration...thanks Neil and crew for a great evening.

On Friday morning, Jeff and Dad loaded up horses and gear, and headed for the hills and the yearly elk hunting trip. I joke about how much it costs...horses, feed for them and grub for the guys, the 3/4 ton pickup to pull that big horse trailer that cost plenty, studded snow tires, a saddle, a bridle, etc. etc. etc. But in the end, it's just like the MC commercial..."Time with Dad...priceless". Jeff loves hearing all the stories of when Vern was young. I wish he could record them, because at 84 I'm not sure how much longer he'll be going hunting and horse back riding with Jeff. I had a call from Jeff last night...they haven't even seen a track yet. BUT...they've seen a pack of wolves...which means they probably won't see anything. But...don't get me started on the wolf problem here in Idaho.

Friday night we held our family "Craft Party". Thanks to the Johnson's for some great projects and for hosting it at their home. We made five different projects and had some awesome food. We all seemed to really enjoy the FOOD! We made clocks, ornaments, a rag quilted wall hanging, paper purses, and a birthday envie calendar. Great fun getting together with the girls.

On Saturday we made a pilgrimage to Minico's huge Craft Fair. It's one of the best. I didn't find much that I couldn't live without, but Marcy bought some things for the NEW home...then it was Doc's pizza for lunch...yummy. Then we worked on our Advent calendars...thanks Michelle and Scrapping Girlfriends for the idea. Love it. Instead of putting things to do each day on my tags (since I don't have kids to do them) I'm digging through photos of my kids, Jeff's kids, grandkids, etc. all from Christmas's past. I'm going to mount the picture on the front, but write whatever I can remember about that Christmas or child on the rest of the tag. I have already dug out some pics and am excited about it.

At 5:00 on Saturday, Danelle & Sally put together a little family Halloween party. The kids all had a great time with the cousins. I heard that Sammy (the skunk) was "lifting his tail and (sssss) spraying everyone". Too cute.

I made taco soup and hot rolls for dinner, and then made homemade cinnamon rolls for a treat. Steph made her famous chicken /bacon wraps which was super good too. All in all it was such a fun time. Robin and the boys didn't leave till Sunday afternoon, which gave us time to play a little WII with the boys. Sorry I'm not too good at that, but they thought it was great fun to "beat" Grandma. Thanks boys for being sooo good all weekend. It was so great to see you. And "thanks" Chris for that awesome bookmark you made me.

Thanks to everyone that came and made the weekend so much fun. Can't wait for another one just like it. Except...maybe more time to do all those projects we plan and run out of time for. Namely...Photoshop help!

Snow and "Bestest Grandpa Ever"

Treven was so cute on Sunday...of course, he always is...but Jeff and Gary went out to the shop to see the new workbench that Jeff built...and is so proud of. When they came in, Treven was showing Jeff that he still has the little "leatherman" pocket knife that he gave him two or three months ago. This is the knife that he cut the badmitton nets with and got it taken away for awhile. Anyway, he showed it to Jeff, and then snuggled up beside him and said...and this will melt your heart..."You're the bestest' Grandpa Ever". Now...does that melt your heart or what? Jeff thinks it's so cool that Treven is such a little "guy" boy. He loves tools, motors, bikes, 4-wheelers, guns, handcuffs, etc. He told Grandpa that for Christmas he has a leatherman picked out at WalMart that he wants. Gary told him he couldn't have it until he was eight, so Treven started counting...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8...that's ONLY 3 more years!

This is what it looked like Saturday after we had snow most of the day. They say we received anywhere from 14-18" that day. Danelle and Gary live in Albion, and they said they probably received two feet there. Their front door wouldn't even open. It was really a heavy, wet snow, so it didn't blow much. We saw trees broken because of the weight. It was beautiful...just way too early. There are farmers that had just cut their hay, had beans still in the field, lots of potato's and tons of beets still out. Hopefully this dries up and it warms up so they can finish harvesting. I've lived here nearly all my life, and I remember snow storms...even on the 4th of July...but never this much, this early. I know we need the moisture though, so I'm not going to complain too loudly.

The other thing I loved on Saturday, was watching BSU win their football game. We made pizza and watched...and hollered. I tend to scream and cheer just like I was at the game. The team is still undefeated for the season. We will be going to Boise for the Hawaii game on Friday night. I certainly hope it warms up and the snow melts before then. I understand though, that Boise didn't get anywhere near as much snow as we did. Go Bronco's.

Sunday, I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner early. I had a 22 pound turkey, that I wanted to cook so we would have turkey slices for Jeff and his dad to make sandwiches with when they go elk hunting. I knew that was huge though, so we had Danelle, Gary, and the kids, and my mother over for dinner. I cooked pies, made my salad, and prepared alot of stuff on Saturday. Then finished my rolls, potato's and corn on Sunday. It was very good. I think I'll try to have each of the families over at some point before Thanksgiving, since this is the In-law year. I get all my kids every other year on Thanksgiving...So...maybe Jeff and I will have to run the "Turkey Trot" this year. Last year, I was cooking, but Steph, David, and Jeff went and helped with sign up and taking photo's.

We are getting SNOW...

One of the ladies that retired from my workplace, called earlier this week, and we met for lunch today. It was so good to she her again. I miss her. She's just like a sister to me. We went to the Upper Crust for lunch and ...ummmm. It was super good. But, as we came out, it was beginning to spit snow. I can't believe it is soooo cold today. And my husband and my FIL went deer hunting (opening day since they didn't draw) at 5:30 this morning. I'm thinking they are probably frozen by now. I'm sure they would have snow up there. They are planning on hunting through Monday...then it's elk hunting season on the 24th for a week or so. It really doesn't bother me though...we have a family crafting party the night of the 24th, and we're going to scrapbook on the 25th. Victoria Jean is planning on coming home too, which will be nice. She hasn't scrapbooked with us for awhile now. I'm looking forward to little time with my scrapping friends.
The real news today though...is my Gazelle finally came in. We ordered it for my birthday towards the end of June, and it just arrived. I can't wait to go home and set it up and see how it works. I'm hoping I like it as well as Danelle's Cricuit. It is pretty pink though...I'll keep you posted on how it works. It's suppose to even cut chipboard, so I'm excited!!!

Weekend

This weekend, it rained all night on Friday and most of the morning on Saturday. It was sort of a crappy weekend, because on Friday night we found out that we are probably going to have to put our horse down. He's gone down with Jeff a few times, so we took him to a trainer to look at, and he told us his back was out in two places. No worries, he had a lady that works on horses for that, and if they could get it back in and get it to stay, he should be fine. He had him for two weeks, and the back stayed in place, but he said his knees are going very weak. He said eventually, he would buckle and it would break his leg and throw Jeff. Now, we're not sure whether to chance riding him at all, just feed him and keep him as a pet, put even MORE money into taking him to another vet...or what. So, it was just one of those dreaded weekends. Besides that, Jeff's old (retired) boss is coming through on Wednesday, and Jeff invited him to spend the night at our home, so I spent Saturday cleaning. Not that my house is really dirty, but it was a job just getting everything vaccumed and dusted. Luckily I did my windows a week or so ago...of course since it rained they need it again, but...too bad. They aren't going to get it!
Jeff is excited to go deer hunting this weekend. His father turned 84 today, and is still going hunting with him. Even elk hunting where they ride the horses all day. This weekend they're taking the 4-wheelers. We've made several trips to Sportsman's warehouse in the last week getting everything he wanted...why do I worry about what I spend on scrapbooking? It's a drop in the bucket compared to what guns, horse trailers, horses, feed, bridles, all the gear, the pickup and diesel...etc, etc, etc. But...time with Dad....PRICELESS!

Finally- scrap pics

I finally got an editing program loaded, and even figured out a little so I could post something new. Next week, my sis and I are slated to begin a community college class on Adobe Photoshop Elements. I'm excited. Maybe I'll get the hang of this stuff yet.

Well, I certainly haven't arrived yet...otherwise, I would have rotated these pictures before I imported them into here...soon...I promise I'll get better.

I went to Gooding to watch one gd play volleyball, and another gd cheering...it was awesome. I took some pics, but haven't downloaded them yet. Afterwards, we all went to dinner together, which was awesome.

On Wednesday, we left work at noon and went to Boise for the BSU game. What a kick. It's always fun tailgating, wearing our orange and blue, screaming...even though BSU won 38 to 3, it was an exciting game. Loved it!