Woops! Forgot a Few Things!

I somehow missed a few posts about Christmas and New Year's. Ok, going back...

J's brother K got home from his mission in Colombia December 18th, and J and I flew into SEA to greet him. R made a welcome home banner, and M got balloons. We met K down by the baggage claim (an ironically good place to meet up with family, no?) and when we yelled "Welcome Home K!" The whole crowed of people waiting for their bags clapped and cheered too! It was so neat! We had a good little visit with everyone, then caught the next flight home to PDX.

Just four days later we were all back together to spend Christmas in Sequim with J's family. It was a lot of fun having the whole family together. A&J&co were up from the Bay Area, R was home from school, K just back from his mission, and everyone was healthy and happy. We had a great time playing with the kidos. I spent most of my time sward fighting with Ev, dancing with C to her new Taylor Swift Red CD, or coloring with Juju by the fire while watching cartoons. M got some really fun frosting and candies for us all to decorate gingerbread men. We played with our Christmas gifts, went target shooting, and had a great time together. With all 11 of us home, it was a warm and busy Christmas!

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We went to Cle Elum for New Year's, and had a great time. Mom and I played with the horses, even though the temp was in the teens. In the winter it is better to ride the draft horses. They are stronger and taller for walking through the deep snow, and warmer and more comfortable to ride without a saddle so you don't freeze.

 Mom on Abby at River Bend

 Me on Jake

Tia out in the pasture.

Peter running in the snow. 

 
Leta and Kyle came up the 31st and Leta and I went ridding. We all stayed up playing games, watching movies, doing puzzles, and eating much-too-yummy food. At midnight we set off a few fireworks. What a great way to start the new year!

 Mom's AMAZING chocolate cheesecake. I can't even begin to tell you how good this was! It was worth taking a picture of just so I can remember the taste when I look at it. 

April 4-8, 2013

April 4-9th I spent at my folks at the ranch. It was great being home, and enjoying the early spring days there. I flew into Seattle, where Mom picked me up. We stopped off by the temple to pick up some missionaries that needed a ride, and this is what the trees looked like there.

When we got to the ranch mom's daffodils were blooming and it was beautiful! Then it got cold again overnight. This is what it looked like out my bedroom window when I woke up the 7th.

And this is what it looked like on the 8th!

Banner and Caleb are best buds.

It was a great visit. Mom and I cleaned up the tack rooms, played with the horses, and enjoyed conference. 

February 7th

I made this cake for J's birthday. I know everyone has birthdays, but I love having a special day to celebrate him and that he is in my life.

Looking Back

Mom put together a little book for Nan with family pictures and it came out great. Here are two pictures of Nan's house that she included in the book. I loved living there, and these pictures bring back a flood of good memories.

Fall Visit to the Ranch

October 23rd we were at the ranch and Mom took us for a trail ride to show us more of the horse trails she made. Cutting a trail is a lot of work, and yet she does such a good job, and many benefit from it.

My attempt to get an uneducated draft horse to collect. Abby really is a great horse, and even though she is a large pulling horse, she has the personality and willingness to try anything I ask of her.

Duck Hunting

This was J's second year duck hunting with his dad. They hunted at a wildlife refuge in Umatilla and brought home duck for me to cook up. I made stew, but am still looking for game meet recipes.

Randomly found this picture and it didn't have a date... not sure if it is from 2011 or 2012.

September 19, 2012

On the 19th we spent the day hiking to and around waterfalls on the Lewis River. These were the most unique and beautiful falls I have ever seen. I took a lot of pictures that day, and don't know which to post and hate weeding through pictures, so I am just going to post a bunch.

It's hard to tell, but this water was very deep and very clear. We were able to see trout swimming at the bottom of the pools.