A Little Bit of Random

First - a little ditty:

(Do you know the song? Thank you Guitar Hero :)

Then, our little Cub Scout participated in his first flag ceremony--too bad I didn't get the whole flag in the picture...
So the meteorologists got it wrong -- it snowed again and caused a two-hour delay for school. We didn't mind, we went to breakfast ;]
And lastly, this mess was supposed to be oatmeal raisin cookies. Hmmm, for whatever reason I've lost my cookie baking ability (only for choc. chip/oatmeal raisin - I can make peanut butter kisses just fine!) so I've imposed a cookie baking ban on myself. I don't need them anyway!
(but I really think it's my oven or the humidity....LOL)

Corben's Baptism

In our church when a child turns 8 years old they can be baptized and become an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Corben chose to be baptized, and since Lester is away, he asked his Poppy (my Father) to baptize him and Uncle Andrew (brother) to confirm him. We had planned this for the Saturday after we arrived in California, but with all the sickness being passed around it was postponed until January 3rd. It was a very special day, and the whole family participated in the program. Meme and Aunt Caroline gave wonderful talks about baptism and the Holy Ghost, and cousins gave the prayers. We are so thankful that we could be with family for this very special and sacred occasion are are so proud of Corben for making the choice to be baptized. We love you Corben!

This picture was on the cover of his Baptism program.

The Missionaries had this sign up in the lobby.
Poppy and Corben.

Uncle Andrew, Corben and Poppy.

The whole group.

We Had SNOW Much Fun

SIX inches of snow later and two days out of school [that will be made up....we're losing President's day ---> L-A-M-E!!] we had a ball. I dug out our snow boots/clothes and Corben insisted on shoving his feet into boots that were 3 sizes too small, but whatever, we loved every minute of it. I forgot how much I enjoy snow, I guess since it's been so long since I've "lived" in it.... Now I'm not saying I want to move to Alaska, but I really loved the sn0w and was very sad to see it go. We did all we hoped, except the sledding - just didn't happen, so we'll save that for the next time it snows! ;]

We made this guy the day after the snow -- he stuck together better! :)

Our front yard snowman....two days after the storm

[above and below] What 60 degree weather does to snowmen.....

This Is What We Woke Up To....

A winter wonderland! It has snowed here each year we've lived here, but NOTHING like this. So far it has dropped about 3 inches and will continue snowing all day. School was canceled - and looks like we might have a delay tomorrow as well since it will be icy.

What better day can there be with hot chocolate, sledding, snowballs and snow angels? :)

New Years at Robbers Roost

So after Christmas and everyone recovered from the "sharing of good cheer [sickness]" we packed up and headed out to our favorite desert spot in Red Rock. We spent six glorious days camping, riding dirt bikes [heaven for kids for sure!!] sitting around the campfire, amazing food, fireworks for New Year's, games and good conversation. Truly there is nothing better :) It was never dull, Corben was almost always the first up in the morning to be dressed and out riding - and the last in...no surprise there! Maddie loved to go on rides but would inevitably fall asleep if we were gone more than 15 minutes - must have been the hum of the bike.

We had some fun in the snow on a road trip we took after getting the Land Cruiser stuck sideways in a huge snow patch....we almost spent the night. Thankfully we didn't have to -- the prayers, hard work and 1 1/2 hours digging got us out.

The weather was amazing...it was chilly at night, but during the day it was in the low 60's with just a very light breeze. We couldn't have asked for better weather out there! We can't wait to go back - we LOVE the desert! :)