Tree Hugger

I LOVE trees! I've always dreamed of living in a home surrounded by trees. When we bought our lot, and started building our home on it, it only had one tree. A beautiful cotton wood tree by the wash on the back of our lot.
So while Adam was building our house, I was planting trees. Apple trees, peach trees, pine trees, willow trees and poplars.  I had planted over 50 trees!
I would tell Adam that we could never move because these trees were my "Horcuxs'" meaning that a little piece of my soul was put into each tree I planted (read "Harry Potter" if you still don't understand).
Lately though, with winter still hanging around a bit and with most of my trees still missing their leaves, I decided I needed just a FEW more Evergreen trees around here......  So I bought 35.

Actually, they are seedlings. But with a little care and a lot of patience, they'll become trees. And according to Eliza "We'll live in a forest."

To celebrate our new forest, we decided to build a campfire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows!

Happy Campers!

A Happy Hello

Many of you may remember our "Sad Goodbye" when we said farewell to our beloved old Ranger.
We took our time replacing him because we wanted to find one that was a perfect fit for our family. It took many months, and just when we were starting to wonder if we'd ever find what we were looking for...we found her!

 It was truly love at first ride with this beauty. She's fast, she's strong, she seats 9!!! And, most importantly, she sparkles like a Cullen!

One of the first rides we took her on, was to our favorite canyon nearby. It's only about a 20 min buggy ride to get there from our house and we love all the trees and rocks we get to climb on.

Even the new Ranger did a little rock climbing!

We know we will have lots of grand adventures with her, and if anyone would like to join us just let us know! (Did I mention she seats 9!!!)

Search, Ponder,....and Snooze!

Several Months ago Caleb asked me if I could get him a reading lamp for his bedroom.

"Why do you want a reading lamp?" I asked.

He replied, "Well, I really want to be a good missionary so, I need to start reading the Book of Mormon every night before bed, so I can teach people about it."

Of course, I got him a reading lamp. True to his word, he reads the scriptures every night before bed. I never have to remind him. This is something he does all on his own.

 Adam and I found him like this a few weeks ago before we went to bed.

I am grateful, and truly humbled that this spiritual giant (in a skinny little body) was sent to our family. I know that he is, and will be an amazing missionary.

Let's make a Deal !

 I don't like feet. Feet are gross. All feet. Left foot, Right Foot, feet, feet, feet, I don't like any feet I meet! I know, I'm weird like that. It's nothing personal, I just don't like touching feet.
This presents a problem in our household because Adam loves having his feet rubbed.  Adam's feet crave affection, and I won't touch them. (Unless it's his birthday, or our anniversary, or I "accidentally" gave his favorite old shirt to charity.)
Lucky for Adam, Our children did not inherit my disdain for feet and will gladly rub daddy's feet for him....if the price is right!
Caleb and Eliza love to play with Dad's ipod. And he will gladly let them,... if they rub his feet. 1 minute of games on the ipod for every minute they rub his feet.
Sarah loves being read to. So, Dad will happily read aloud Junie B. Jones to her...as long as she rubs his feet.
And that's how it works around here. It's a deal.

 So....what would you rub Adam's feet for?

Sunshine and Snow!

Yesterday was the perfect combination of sunshine and snow.
So, we took Grandpa's snowmobiles, along with our sleds and snow boards up to Green's Peak. We rode the snowmobiles until we found the perfect hill. Then, with our own private ski lifts, we snow borded, and rode sleds to our hearts content. No crowds, no lift tickets, no bitter winds and frigid air. Just the sunshine, the snow, and each other! What a perfect day!

This is our summer camping spot. For those of you who are familiar with it, Grandpa Quist's bench is about a foot under where Adam is sitting!

Front to back: Eliza, Sarah and Nacho...I mean, Caleb!

Caleb is becoming quite the snow border and he informed us yesterday that he is training for the X-games!

It's True...

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly,
both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness”
President Marion G Romney. (in Conference Report, Apr. 1980)

Caleb is a Bobcat!

We had a wonderful time at the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet a couple of weeks ago. The best part of the night was when Caleb advanced to Bobcat. In his pack, there is a tradition that when a cub scout becomes a bobcat they have to "bob" for their bobcat badge in a pie while everyone yells "Bob, bob,bob....". Caleb doesn't like getting "messy" but he was a good sport. He, along with his friend Ty both had to bob for their Bobcat badge and eventually they both got them.

Caleb did a great job earning this award within a couple of months of becoming a Cub Scout. Way to go Caleb!