Important Work

On the way home from church this afternoon, Clayton was telling me that Caroline was going to take care of his stuffed dog for him because he had to work. I reminded him that it is Sunday, and that we don't do work on the Sabbath. His reply: "But Mom, I have to do my Home Teaching!"

First of the Year 4-H Activity

Caroline began participating in 4-H as a Cloverbud in 2011. Our little 4-H club out here had a 2012 kick-off activity at a friends house that is right on nearby Box Butte Resevoir. It was a beautiful day, and the kids had a blast sledding, riding on sleds pulled by 4-wheelers, ice skating and learning to play broom ball.

Love Bug and her friend A. being pulled by the 4-Wheeler driven by A's grandapa.


Sledding down the hill.

I had to get in on the fun somehow!

Bubba the dog, trying to give me kisses.

More 4-wheeling fun.

Helping drive!

Love Bug's attempt at ice skating. Our sweet, ever patient neighbor held her hand for at least 30 minutes as she figured out how to maintain her balance on the skates. She was doing pretty well by the time we had to leave!

Getting her out on the ice.

Fun, fun, fun!

Stocking Stuffers!

We had an ultrasound on December 19th. Jake is the only one who peeked, and shortly afterward, he called my good friend and asked her to create something that Santa could put in a little stocking to let the rest of us in on the secret!

Christmas Eve, we hung a teeny tiny stocking, and when we woke up, instead of it being filled, it was laying on top of a good-sized gift box.

Before we opened it, my sister gave us a gift card to Target. Attached was a fun "Spin the Stork" game, and everyone took turns spinning to see what the guesses were for the baby's gender. The the general consensus was that it would be a girl. Except Papa, who after originally guessed girl, then looked at the ultrasound photos and changed his mind because the baby's ear looked like a "boy ear".

My dad HAS always had a knack for correctly guessing what's in a present before he opens it...

Merry and Bright

We were so blessed to have my parents and sisters and brother-in-law spend Christmas with us this year!


There was some X-Country Skiing and playing in the snow,

Delicous food (I assigned everyone a night and NOBODY disappointed!),

Santa visited us a day early, since we wrote him a letter asking if he could please come on Saturday so that we could focus our Sunday on the real reason we celebrate Christmas (I think he understood!),

Uncle Ryan, Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Lucinda & Aunt Kitty,

Papa, Mona and Aunt Nanny, (There is a story behind Papa's face and the cute items he is holding!)

There was, of course, some saving of the world...

And loads of fun just being together!!!

We loved having Papa (and Mona) here!

There was some horseback riding...

And more fun being in one another's company!

We spent Sunday celebrating the birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Angels - who are looking rather "sore afraid".

Connor the shepherd and Nanny the sheep.

Mary & Joseph.

We also celebrated the birth of Papa on Christmas Day, 65 years ago! He loves lamb, so that's what we had for Christmas dinner. I must say, it was my best leg of lamb attempt yet, and turned out a little prime-ribbish. Nom!

It was a beautiful visit, but much, MUCH too short! Can't wait for this little munchkin to join our family so everyone has an excuse to come back to the ranch!

Christmas 2011

A sneak preview of the holiday sweetness at our house this year. More to come!

Wordless Wednesday

All for one, and one for all!!!

Oh, Brother!!!

As in, I have a new one, that is!!! Last month, my beautiful little sister married this amazing man in the Monticello, Utah temple.


Our trip to Monticello was a little crazy, but as soon as we arrived, Papa whisked us down to the farm to help feed this little guy:

We held the reception the night before the wedding at a local chuckwagon. It was laid back, relaxed and had such a fun atmosphere!

Ryan and Marilyn with their Niece & Nephews.

The girlies.

The Redd side of the family.

The next day was absolutely beautiful and such a tender, sweet experience to be with my Mar-bud (what I called her when she was teeny tiny) in the temple to be sealed to her sweetheart for time and all eternity. Our sister Lucinda made the absolutely beautiful wedding dress - simple, clean lines, so classic and so Marilyn. She also made her own stunning dress, and little darling vests for the boys (I don't have a photo of us all after the wedding yet.) I worked my tushy off before the festivities to make little bowties to match the vests, a beautiful dress for my Lovebug and a skirt for myself.

It was such a beautiful day and we are so excited to have Ryan as a member of our family! He is perfect for Marilyn and she is perfect for him. Because we hadn't had a chance to meet him at all before the festivities, it was a lot of fun to watch them together and see how they fit like two pieces of a puzzle. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Tobler!!!

Sharing some love with her Auntie Marilyn.