Girl's Day Out

Two or three time every year my mom and my sister Sharon take a loop from Kanab, around to Page and to the Navajo stands and home via Kiabab. It has been a fun trip for them and they have really made some connections with some of the vendors. This year the sisters were invited to make the loop (thanks to Elizabeth who was unable to go now she has moved to Alaska). The above and below pictures are on the old bridge at Marble Canyon. I don't think I have ever seen snow at the canyon aside from the North Rim.

Nancy, me (9 months pregnant), and Sharon. We missed you Elizabeth!

Above: The view upstream the Colorado River from the old bridge.

Below: A couple of shots from below the cliffs South of Page.

It truly was beautiful to see all the red cliffs dressed in white. It was just like powdered sugar was sprinkled over everything. Because of the weather, all the Navajo stands were empty. However, the day was wonderful. It was spent with my sisters and my mom just visiting. It's not very often that we are able to get together like that. Maybe Nancy and I being there jinxed the trip and saved me some money, but it was worth the whole trip to be with the girls.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve and the excitement builds!

The kids all decided to share the same room for Christmas Eve this year. They had quite the sleep over in McKenna's room. It finally got cleaned for the special occasion and she even had it decorated quite cute.

Following my family's Christmas morning tradition. We had breakfast and cleaned up before the kids could even take a peek at the tree. This year they voted for cinnamon rolls and thick sliced bacon. We ate downstairs on the floor because our living room connects with the tree. Yum!

And the anticipation builds! Here are the kids coming up from breakfast youngest to oldest.

All McKenna wanted for Christmas was Taylor Lautner, but she was content with a magazine Santa left in her stocking.

Garrett and his first cell phone. Mind you, no internet, no texting and he foots the bill every month. Nontheless, he is a happy camper!

McKenna was thrilled with her cell phone. We were lucky enough to get the last one in stock of the kind she wanted.

Addison taking a ride on her pony. She rides this little thing all over. We have been surprised it has held her weight as it is intented for dolls!

Whew! Addison succumbed to the sand man's call not long after all the Christmas was unwrapped and played with. Looks good to me!

The day after Christmas several of my siblings and I met at my mom's house for the day. The cousins had fun playing wii together. There were 14 grandkids in all that day! Mom has more little grandkids now than when the John and Elizabeth were bringing theirs home. It seems there is no shortage of children in the Schmutz clan!

When everything is said and done, I am always grateful for this time of year. The best part is the family part. I so love getting together with family and enjoying their company. I love watching all the kids, no matter their ages, play and get along with each other. I love the fact that we can count on our families and that they bless our lives incredibly.

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever!

McKenna was in the High School Play for Christmas this year. She just loves drama and the opportunity to be involved. The play was excellent. I am so grateful for the drama coaches that put so much time with these incredible youth in our area!

McKenna was the narrator and pretty much memorized the story of our Savior's birth from the book of Luke. She had the script in front of her. But I don't think I ever saw her use it. What an incredible passage of scripture to memorize.

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season to be busy, busy, busy. Garrett and Kimber just had their elementary school Christmas program. I always look forward to these programs. The kids really do a great job and pretty much the whole town turns out to support them. This is Garrett's last year (he's glad about that) and next year Addison will take his place when she starts Kindergarten. Garrett is in the middle with the bobcat blue baseball shirt on. Kimber's class showed up as hobos arriving in a John Deere tractor. I feel bad I didn't get a picture of it but it was sure cute. Kimber is in the back row with pig-tails and a plaid shirt.

What is Christmas without sugar cookies! We made these on a family home evening night. The kids love to make them, but don't really love to eat them. The problem is that there are plenty at home while they are at school for me to snack on!

Addison intently working on her masterpieces.

The gang letting their creative talents show!

We were struck with a blizzard like storm about a week ago. There were a few times when we couldn't even see the trees which you can see in this picture. The wind sure blew and truly made each of us grateful for a warm house and a mug of hot chocolate.

The first Saturday of every December starts off the holiday season with Santa arriving at the Social Hall by fire engine. He takes all the kids orders, gives them a bag of goodies, and loads them up with cookies and hot chocolate before they head home. Later on in the day is the Chirstmas home show to raise money for Sub-for Santa.

Addison has dived right into the holiday season with her own decorations. She has all types of flowers and snowflakes decorating her bedroom wall. This one she generously put up in our bedroom. What can I say, with those colors, this may have to stay up all year!

Need I say more?

Last ride of the season

We were surprised with a little indian summer for a few days here in Panguitch in November. Jeff took McKenna and Kimber out for one last little trail ride in the hills near home. They enjoyed their afternoon and I am sure that Jeff was grateful for the time in the hills also. One day we may make the switch to the Japanese horse (4-wheeler), but for now, there is one this to be said for horses, it makes for a nice, calm and enjoyable ride.

Omaha Adventure

Leaving early from Spanish Fork, Jeff, Garrett, Evan (Jeff's brother) and Jim (Jeff's dad), took off for Omaha, Nebraska for a week of hunting pheasants. Garrett took all the photos. The above photo is of Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.

Looking over the Missouri River near Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Below is the Mormon Bridge crossing over the Missouri River.

Boys and their fascination with hot cars. This one I am sure all the guys were coveting.

Outside of Laramie Wyoming is this statue carved out of stone just at a rest stop on Highway 80. Lincoln was truly one our country's great presidents.

How's this for the town's swimming pool. The boys really wanted to stop and swim each time they passed this in Jacksonville, Iowa. It was near where they were hunting. I guess size and temperature prevented the happy occasion from ever happening.

This hawk had an injured wing and was unable to fly. Pretty much this was about all the wildlife fowl they spotted amidst the few pheasants they saw and the few they were able to bag.

Finally, this is the only shot of the boys hunting (Jason and Evan - Jeff's brothers). All in all they had fun although they had an unproductive hunt. The wet weather they have had in the Midwest prevented farmers from harvesting the corn and soybean fields making it difficult to flush any pheasants out of their hiding places.

Busy!

So Jeff and Garrett went to Omaha, Nebraska for their annual pheasant hunt with Jeff's brother Jason. They were gone for a week and look at what I got accomplished! I had already started the crocheted afagan but was able to finish the border. I put up 24 pints of grape jelly thanks to mom and dad's grapes! Then I put on the baby blanket to quilt and just finished binding it a couple of days after they returned. Not bad. Good thing this trip is an annual occasion. What will I put on my list of things to accomplish next year?! Truly I am just grateful for a mother who was patient enough to teach me so much and still helps me learn from her. Thanks mom!

State Volleyball Champs!

Sorry! The pictures are really blurry, but its just becuase my mom took them! haha! That's me on the left end when we were prepping for the opening final ceremony for 1A volleyball. It was so much fun. We spent the night at Amy's (my cheer coach) dad's house then the next moring we went to state.

Us cheerleaders doing croud cheers.

Sierra and I posing for a picture after we won state! Sierra came to Grandma's house with us then we went trick or treating as-guess what?... CHEERLEADERS! Funny coincidence huh?! Trick-or-Treating was the best, we rode scooters around Spanish Fork, we said 'hey' to all the guys we saw while treating, then got sick off of candy afterwards! It was the best!

That's me with the paw-print on my cheek. We were prepping with Piute cheerleaders for opening ceremony.

That us at the opening ceremony. Panguitch is the undefeated champs but Piute is really good at volleyball too, we're just, how do you say it? Oh ya BETTER! Woo go Cats!