The Gauntlet was thrown down...and answered

I would like it noted that when we got to Disneyland our first day, Brandon wanted to know what my high score on the Buzz Lightyear Astroblaster ride was. I told him what it was and cordially asked what his hight score was. He told me and I said that mine was higher and he said that the gauntlet had been thrown down and that we needed a matchup. However, the opportunity for our faceoff wasn't coming around soon enough and Brandon kept accusing me of ducking his challenge. Finally the time came and we rode together to make it as even match as possible. There were a few slow parts that allowed us each a little extra time to shoot some more targets, but I have to say that as far as who did better...I'll just let our scores speak for themselves...I'm on the left...Space Ranger 1...Just in case we looked too alike...

I think it's a Phase

I went to go and check on Bailee the other night after class and when I got to her door I saw that she had posted a warning sign for all to see. For those of you having issues with the translation, I'll help you out: "No boys allowed in my room, except dad". The girl has her priorities. At least I'm still allowed in her room. I say I think it's a phase because you can see where the boy had almost the exact same sign on his door. Please refer to my post on October 1, 2009 titled: Start 'em Young. That's right Bailee, you keep those nasty boys out of your room

There's a first for everything

This last weekend I experienced a first in my 31 years of living: I went Ice Fishing! And it couldn't have been a better day to go out. The Elders Quorom put on the activity and the Young Men and High Priests joined in with us. There was a pretty good group of 20 people or so. We hiked out onto the snow and ice and started drilling down to get to the water to fish. It was all very new and exciting. We had some good success. I feel kind of bad because my phone battery was dying so I had to stop taking pictures mid-way through the day, but I got to take a picture of my little beauty. It snowed on us all day long and the wind, and sun, came and went. We trekked out about 200 yards or so from the shore in about 8 inches of snow. We stayed out and fished for about 4 hours before some of the group members had enough and were ready to go. By time we got everything packed up and were on our way back to the vehicles, it had snowed a couple more inches and the wind had completely blown over our original path. So we had to cut a new trail getting back to the vehicles. The best part of the sun not really being out: no sunburns. I have to say I am now a fan of ice fishing. If anyone else is going, let me know!

He's a Trooper Now

Since Jeremy has turned 8 years old he has been introduced to something that he's been very excited about: Scouting. I have to admit that I hold my reservations and am a bit skeptical about the whole thing, but Jeremy seems to be very excited about it all. As I was walking into class last night I got a call from the boy and I could hear all of the excitement in his voice. He was getting ready to go to his Blue and Gold Banquet (his first one ever) and he wanted to tell me all about it. His troop had been working on a skit that they were going to perform and he told me that he was going to have it recorded so that I could watch it when I got home. When I got Jeremy up for school this morning the first thing he asked is if I'd watched the video. I didn't get home until really late last night so I told him I hadn't but that we'd watch it together when I got home from work tonight. He was bouncing off the walls just thinking about it. I'm excited he found something that he loves and will be good for him.

Life's Little Pleasures

You know, life is busy. I get up early, I get the kids up and dressed and eating some cereal, I go to work all day, I drive to school and sit in class all night, I get home between 10:30 and 11:30 at night depending on what class I have, I go to bed. Now this isn't the routine every night, it is the majority of my work week. Yesterday I was getting ready to go to work when I saw both of the kids go running into our room with giggles echoing down the hallway. I went in to give Abby a kiss good bye and this is what I found: It's the little pleasures in life that make it all worth while. Being able to see my family all cuddled together, even if it's just their heads, with big smiles on make's my day so much better. I love you guys and especially you sweetheart for making us the wonderful family that we are.

One Month!

This last weekend I did something that was totally awesome. I know it may seem like a rather ordinary activity, but I was pretty excited about doing it. This weekend, exactly one month after I finished planting the seed in my new yard, I mowed my lawn for the very first time!! Yes! Understandably there are a couple of thin spots in the back yard, it was only the first mowing. But I'm confident that they'll fill in and our lawn will look excellent. Come by and take a blade if you're up to it...or just for a visit if you'd like.

New Faces

The last couple of weeks have seen a few new faces on the Bailey Ranch. About two weeks ago Lynn calls me up and asks me to help him go and get a couple of two year old colts from George Jackson. He said that he and George made the deal that if we break both colts, Lynn can keep the one of his choosing as payment. Sounds like a good deal to me. Then on Monday Lynn calls me and asks if I can go out to Kylie Shepard's place and pick up a brood mare that he got that still has a colt on her. So on Tuesday I load up the kids and we head out. The kids were so excited for the new baby horse to come home with us, Bailee especially. We got the pair loaded up and back to the meadow and Bailee couldn't stop talking about the little baby horse that she was going to take care of and brush its hair and everything. I thought I'd help Bailee get closer to the colt so I gave her some little hay flakes to put in her hand and helped her in the pen to feed them to the colt. She thought it was the best! The picture isn't the best. It was getting late by time we wrapped things up.