THE SULLIVAN'S

September Events 2011

2011-10-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well first things first. We'll start with the new car even though we got it in August, it hasn't been blogged yet. It took a couple months for Lonny to convince me to look at one of these (I thought they were kind of ugly) but I loved it when I finally looked.

Winnemucca Mountain Bike Trail. This is the part that Lonny and Hunter do. I guess I am just too afraid of heights. I start at the bottom and ride up, the boys start at the top and ride down.
Family ride, minus Halle, Lonny rode down but the boys and I rode the bottom trail.
The girls and I rode up to the "W". Heck of a work out!
My baby boy turned 13!!!
Gifts from his brother and sister. . . . . .

Gift from his parents. . . . .
Slaughtering and gutting a pig. Mmmm, Haydn just can't wait to taste that pork!
Our friend Boyd shows us how its done.
It's just FAT!

We went up the canyon for our monthly BBQ with friends and this guys, not affiliated with our group, got themselves in the creek then couldn't get back out. Lonny had the winch hook to the Toy trying to pull them out but it took multiple tries, several different angles, and a few hours to finally get their drunks butts out of the creek.
Yard Sale Find! Snagged up the go-cart frame at a yard sale and Hunter has loved tinkering with it. It is a project and needs some cash invested but it is a great goal for Hunter.
Halle on stage in a Hula contest at the county fair for Labor Day.
We made a trip to Salt Lake so we took the kids to Temple Square and the Conference Center.

Having lunch at The Garden in the Joseph Smith Memorial building.
Inside the Conference Center. There was lots going on to get ready for General Conference coming up the next weekend.

Even though we only paid $900, many Many MANY more dollars have been spent to make it a super off-roading beast. And man is that money worth it when Lonny is mad at me and can take off and blow off some steam and totally enjoy himself while doing it. And yes, he was mad at me this day!

We had a little thunderstorm/wind storm/lightning storm roll through Winnemucca and left the town ablaze. Twenty-five initial fires but down to 11 with-in 24 hours.

2011-08-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

The Griswold's Go To Pine Lake

Bart brought a canoe and it was great fun.

Hunter, Clancy, Haydn, Gage playing in the lake

Brayton and Spencer fishing

Liam and Zhoee

Bart giving the kids a ride in the canoe

Alex, Megan, Taniel, Trisha, Gus, Mikala

All the women in the canoe

Adult ride, the married kids, rode to Pink Point to watch the sunset.

Playing in the dark at the Point.

Bart was the only guy that could keep his eyes open with the flash, all-be-it making a goofy face.

See, closed eyes

Six tries and every picture Clint had his eyes closed

Watching the remnants of the sunset

After the Thunder Mountain Bike Trail

Coyote Hollow/Thunder Mountain Trails

Those that didn't ride the dirt trails loaded up the kids and their bikes and rode, walked, jogged the paved path through Red Canyon and met us at the bottom.

The switch backs at the tail end of the trail. They were very steep with very sharp turns. I walked a lot of this part of the trail and had to get off the bike to make the corners. If you click on the picture and blow it up you can see two riders on the trail

It was a heck of a climb, then a little downhill, then another climb. All the way. (Horse ride tours are also done on this trail, watch out for the steaming piles)

(cousins) Richard and Matt on yet another climb

Spectacular views, and again, if you blow up this picture you can see Pink Point in the far off distance and that is near our camp

Having a small break (at the top of a climb)

Hunter, Clint, Brayton, Bart, Clancy, Lonny, Cousins Matt and Rich and theirs wives haven't made it here yet.

Matt and Richard pushing their bikes up the climb. We did this a lot.

The beginning of the trail, before it kicked our (MY) butts.

Halle, Lonny, and Haydn doing a little riding back by camp

Playing in the muddy creek. Clean water or not the kids still had a blast

Bart made a video with all of our pictures and clips from the Ragnar Relay. We all sat in the parent's trailer to enjoy the show.

Rain RAIN and MORE RAIN! We only had ONE day without rain on our trip. And when it rained, it flooded.

Little family jaunt lead by Grandpa

Since it had just rain the trailer slid into a deep rut. Notice the mud build up on the truck wheels making it an even more difficult pull. Lonny had to hook up to it and help pull him out of the rut and up the hill.

Hunter on the bunk playing the PSP during a rain storm

Bostyn, Halle, and Jadon playing cars during the rain

Zhoee playing paper dolls.

After Bunker Creek. It rained the whole time and created a muddy slippery trail. I wrecked the most times, 5-6, but Lonny wrecked the hardest winning the biggest wounds and breaking a part on his bike.

Taniel's Muddy leg and bike

There is a trail in all that. There was a lot of downed trees, a lot!

My muddy Lonny after his wreck

Taniel, Hunter, Lonny on the Bunker Creek Bike trail

Bart on Bunker Creek

Lonny, Clancy, Brayton, Bart, Hunter

Bunker Creek wasn't as technical as Thunder Mountain and it didn't kick my butt as bad even though I wrecked, a lot, but the wet muddy trail made it challenging.

VACATION 2011

2011-06-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

IDAHO FALLS

Haydn grabbed a goose but I think Hunter was too afraid to.

Kellie, Lonny, Matt, Arye, Hunter, Stranger, Halle, Haydn looking at the falls from the bridge.

LAGOON
The dads, Ben Clint Bart, taking their boys, Gus Bostyn Tate, on THE BAT! These little guys crack me up.

Tate and Gus up front. Funniest little guys.
Nana with poor little Liam hiding in her armpit.
Rocket!! Just like Hotel Tower of Terror
Trisha and Gus
Halle and her friend Destiny on the Jet Star
Megan, Lonny, Gus, Tate, and Clint on the dinosaur drop.
Lonny and Liam
Chilling in the shade

Nana hiding under a garbage sack er. . . poncho.
YELLOWSTONE
We spend all this money to go on vacation and the kids have the best fun at the park!

Mikala and Bella got to go into the bear compound and hide Bear food.

Kellie, Matt, Arye, Hunter, Haydn, Halle, and Lonny. All there, can you find them?

I like to get these moments on camera so we have proof that our kids liked us at one point.

There is a bull elk in there. Can you see it?
There is definitely no shortage of Bison.

It was a rather chilly day at only 60 degrees and windy so there was a lot of steam coming off the hot pots making some difficult to see.

The crowd waiting for Old Faithful to blow
Me and Haydn in the crowd, waiting.
Halle with a front row seat to the show!

Old Faithful

Ragnar Relay: Wasatch Back 2011

2011-06-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

WORKING BACKWARDS HERE:

Finish Line! With my medal in front and my O2 tank in bank. Each team receives 2 "RAGMAG's" with leg maps, rules, ads, and ragnar info. Before race day teams are asked to submit "my story" why we are running. Of the 14,000 runners only 5 stories were chosen to be printed in the RAGMAG and our story was one of them!

Fellow team mates: Sister in law Megan, me, Cousin Richard, Cousin JR. Check out all the snow! The road was only cleared days before the race. Six to eight feet of snow had to be removed. Roads had to be repaired.
You catch a little shut eye whenever and wherever you can.
Brayton still smiling after running 3 legs.
Van 1: cousin JR, (driver) Brother in law Ben, sister Trisha, Me, sister in law Megan, brother Clint, cousin Richard.

Trish and I after my 2nd Leg.

Had a chance to get a bite to eat at 9pm, 16 hours after starting the race.

JR giving Rich a drink and his shirt back. It cools down quick when the sun gets low in the sky.
Clint in---Rich out!Megan in---Clint out!!
Running my 2nd leg, 5 miles. I was thinking this would be my easy leg since it was my least amounts of miles and it was only 70 degrees but the sun was beating down on me with no breeze and I overheated and I was so tired. I didn't think I was going to make it.
Running my first leg at 7am in 40 degrees. I was pumped full of adrenaline and ran this leg with an average 9.30 pace.
All decorated and ready to go!! My mom made all the fun signs and dad had bought a colorful flag that we attached to the luggage rack (seen in other pictures) that came in so handy in trying to find our van in the traffic, crowd, and chaos.
Jake laying in the road at Bart's house catching some sun. He didn't move for cars, bikes, kids. He was warm and comfy. We all met at Bart's house and stayed the night and had a big spaghetti dinner.
The boys put a smashed water bottle against the back tire to make a cool noise. Gus said it was his motorcycle.

Christmas!!!

2010-12-26T20:07:00.001-08:00

All loaded up and on our way! We weren't as crowded as I thought we would be. There was some creative packing. We always enjoy putting a good puzzle together. It always for some nice visiting time.

The kids always like to put together a *band* and put on a concert. I brought cardboard, paint, stickers, markers, and other "trash", as Halle put it, to make their own instruments for the band. We had toilet paper tubes and styrofoam balls for microphones, cans for drums, wrapping paper tubes for the guitar and cardboard for the keyboard.

Spencer with his guitar, Halle working on her drums, Mikala painting her Keyboard.

It was hard to get a good picture with the lamp right behind the kids but they put on a great performance of the nativity. Hunter was a wise man, Haydn was a shepherd, Halle was an Angel.

THE AFTERMATH!!

One of the best presents we got was Lonny's White Elephant gift from our Christmas Eve party. Garrett and his wife, Trisha, made a 2011 calendar with pictures of various family members. Lots of Lonny and Bart. But they were not your average, perfectly posed, happy picture. The calendar is filled with some of the most embarrassing moments caught on film. CLASSIC! Generations will laugh at this and know our family has a great sense of humor.

Thanksgiving Break

2010-11-28T21:43:00.000-08:00

Because we didn't go anywhere and no one came here we had a lot of free time on our hands. We got our Christmas lights up on the house, the tree up and decorations put around the house, and I got my Christmas cards addressed and stamped and in the mailbox. Lonny took the kids sledding up the canyon a couple of times. I bought frames at the black Friday sale and did a long awaited collage on the wall. The big picture in the center is an arial view of Little Sahara sand dunes in UT (for those of you that never come to our house and haven't seen it up close! Lonny says it is the greatest picture ever! It was on a calendar in his office and he brought it home and I had a custom frame made for it).

The kids also made *graham cracker* gingerbread houses. Haydn made a -Mansion- complete with a giant dog, dog house with chew toy, a fruit tree, and cover terrace.

Halle added her own pets and Polly inside the house.Hunter was more of the secretive type. He put a privacy fence around his property.

Work in progress. . . . .

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

2010-11-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

Due to severe weather conditions we were not able to go to Wyoming as originally planned. So we were able to get with a few other members of our ward to celebrate the holiday and share a fabulous feast.

Boy's Trip

2010-11-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Little Sahara Sand Dunes, UT

View from the top on Sand Mountain. The boys camp is down there somewhere. This picture was taken Friday morning. By Friday night there were about 100 or so camps.The boys left Thursday afternoon and didn't get to the dunes until after midnight. Haydn fell asleep on the Salt Flats and didn't wake until they arrived. Not even stirring when they stopped for fuel and a potty break.
Checking the straps during the dinner stop. Lonny borrowed a co-workers Kawasaki KFX 700 since Hunter has officially taken over Lonny's Raptor 700

Setting up camp at ONE in the morning by headlight

Haydn rode the 4x4 to the top of Sand Mountain. First shocker is that the 450 made it (it doesn't have enough umph to take me up that hill, good thing Haydn is so skinny), second "WOW" is Haydn rode up that hill. Several times in fact. It was the only place he could get enough cell service to call his mommy. HIGH FIVE HAY!!

Bossy on the Banshee and Lonny with a rare moment on the Raptor

Yah, Yah, we have all seen Hunter in this pose a dozen times. That's Haydn in the back.

But this one is the best! Say NO to CRACK!!

Three year old Bostyn on the Viper 90. He rode until his poor thumb was killing him then he would use his whole hand to push the throttle lever.

The boys: Hunter, Lonny, Bart, Bostyn, Haydn, Jadon (riding Hunt's old raptor 250. Way to go J!)

Chilly nights, cool mornings, nice hot days. Lonny says he will never sleep in a tent again and to prove his point he threw it in the trash when he got home. The only thing that broke was the tail light on the quad Lonny borrowed when he was riding a wheelie and wheeled back to far dropping the back end smashing the light.

A very successful fun trip!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

2010-10-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

Carving pumpkins Practically hollow pumpkins. Not much guts to empty out.

{Devil} Frankenstein

Haydn's dragon he drew then cut out

After carving pumpkins we went to our adult Halloween Party.

The mice got out of their cage and pooped all over the brownies.

Swingers

(we draped swings from a swingset over our shoulders)

AKA: Lonny and Taniel

Troy Polamalu and his #1 fan

AKA: Eric and Julia

Clown and Housewife

AKA: Justing and Roxanna

Captain Hook and Tinkerbell

AKA: Emilee and Boyd

Cesar was getting up to get him queen but she was busy

AKA: Jess and (not pictured) Jessica--our host and hostess

Olive Oyl and Popeye

AKA: Sasha and Clint

Fred and Daphe

AKA: Kai and Kamra

I didn't get all the couples but that will give you a taste of our fun group.

We played FEAR FACTOR. All the foods were written on a piece of paper and placed in a bowl. What ever you drew out is what you had to eat. Some of the foods were cow tongue, sardines, pickled pigs feet, beef liver, beef tripe, chicken gizards. When the food item was brought out for the person to eat several other ate it just to try it. Not me! Gag-o-rific! But Lonny ate it all but the pickled pigs feet.

Family Pictures 2010

2010-10-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Day in Reno

2010-10-16T19:09:00.001-07:00

Hunter had a soccer game in Fernley today so after the game we drove into Reno and had Olive Garden for lunch then went to a couple stores. Tasha met us in Fernley for the game then spent the day with us. We didn't do anything exciting but it was still good family time.

Hunter by the fish tank in Scheels in Reno. Tasha, Haydn, and Halle went on the Ferris Wheel.

A close-r up of the kids on the wheel.

Hunter says he is "too big" for ferris wheels now.

Lonny and his baby sister by the awesome fish tank.

Obviously Scheels was the highlight of our day. How can you not love a Scheels store? So much to see. Even activities to do!

My Special Sister

2010-10-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Garrett and his wife Trisha came up to Elko for conference weekend so we went over to say hello and my mom broke out the Lake Powell puzzle. It is a cartoon art piece of Lake Powell and all the activities to do there. And it has been put together many many times. The girls also made holiday signs. You can see the "h" and "a" in my "Harvest" sign in the bottom corner of the picture.

Serves me right for leaving my camera laying around. . . . . .serves her right for taking goofy pictures of herself.

Christine Billy Bob Joe Jr.

2010-10-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

He even put lipstick on but you can't really tell. And I can't get it to flip. Sorry, you have to watch it side ways.

One Last Hurrah!

2010-10-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

The weekend started out a little more exciting that we like. But at the end of summer the sand is dry and soft and this is the end result when your try to drag 10,000lbs through it. Haydn on the Grizzly. He just gets bored going slow. He doesn't ride for very long but rides real fast when he does.

Our little camp spot that we had to choose outside the actual entrance, since we couldn't get through due to the soft sand.

Hunter did a little 4x4-ing and well as sport riding.

Halle having her turn on the 450. Hunter mostly rode his dad's Raptor but every now and then took the Griz away from Halle.

We always need to get that last trip in before we winterize the trailer. Mom and Dad Tucker and the Talbots came over for the weekend and the weather was perfect. Maybe even a little too warm.

Double Date at the Dunes

2010-09-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

If you click on the picture and take a closer look you can almost see the windmill, our planned destination. Follow the tallest peak of the mountain in the background straight down to the dune and in front of the dune is the windmill, could be mistaken for a tree. Our ride with the Terry's to the windmill. This is the farthest I have ever been. I never knew that Winnemucca had such great Dunes.

The windmill is about 10 miles from the 'campground' and a slightly technical ride. It was a blast but slightly a challenge on a 4x4. Eric and Julia. It is so great having friends that we have stuff in common with and enjoy being with.

The Windmill. My first time ever back here. Yep, my first. All those camp trips at the sand dunes and I finally made it back here.

Me and Lonny on the Lake Bed

Eric and Julia on the Lake Bed with Winnemucca Mtn behind them to the left.
Lonny with the hammer down on the Lake Bed

Lonny jumping

Eric jumping

Lonny and Eric at the top of the dune. I didn't even know we had a dune this size.

Lonny racing Eric at the lake bed

Couple more Weekend Pictures

2010-09-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

After a long day of sight-seeing, soccer, picnicking, hiking this boy was beat. Ethan conked out on our drive back home from Sonoma Canyon after the dutch oven cook out. Hunter backed up the Runner on to a log in the wood pile in our back yard with his dad guiding him back. Ethan is standing by the Toy to better judge the heighth.

Sullivan Weekend

2010-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hanging out in the family room watching TV and playing on the laptops.Hunter is number 8 and he has the ball! He had a double header today. By the second half of the second game the whole team was dragging.

James, Stacey, Tasha, Lonny, Halle, Ellie, Ethan, and Marley at Hunter's soccer game.

Halle and Ellie painting while the big girls made a craft.

We made a "BOO" Halloween sign.

Our monthly ritual of dutch oven cooking up Sonoma Canyon. I hope our visiting family enjoyed it as much as we do. The food always tastes better in the mountains and the kids always play so hard.

Thanks Family for making that long drive to Winnemucca. It made Haydn's day so special and shows him how important the priesthood is. It was so fun to play with everyone. We look forward to the next time we get to play with you. I am very very sad to not have a picture with Haydn, his dad, and Grandpa James in their suits, though. I told Haydn not to change until I got his picture but even I forgot.

Dog days of Summer

2010-08-25T12:56:00.001-07:00

This a dog friendly park where we would take the dogs and picnic dinner and play in the evening throughout the summer. Now that the kids are in school and Lonny and I have some free time we brought the dogs out during the day. But it was the warmest day of the week. And a bit to warm at almost 100 degrees.

Lonny picking up the ball to play fetch with our boys, Jake and Quigley Jake would stand in this puddle of water. He was getting a little overheated.

Quigley is quite a snuggler. Even when he is gnawing on a chew toy he has to lay right against you. He is 3 1/2 months old and we have had him a month and a half. He is 50/50 Australian Shepherd-Border Collie. The best of both worlds. Smart and Loyal.

Love Love those ears. Lonny calls him "Radar". I think that is a very fitting name.

Some people actually buy or make ear braces to train their collie's ear to stay up like this. I hope he keeps his muscles strengthened and keeps them up as he grows. He tucks those ears back flat against his head when he is running and gets in aero dynamic mode.Quigley, Quig, Q, Radar. It doesn't matter what you call him he doesn't answer to any of them. But he does know how to sit, shake, fetch, OUTSIDE!, and most important NO! He is not much of a chewer. We haven't had anything ruined that we didn't want ruined and he doesn't leave the yard. Thank heavens! He has some chew toys that we bought him and he loves them and knows they are his and OK to chew on. I am already attached to this little guy.

First Day of School 2010

2010-08-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

I told my kids to be sure and have dad take their picture for the first day of school and they decided they didn't need dad. They took turns taking pictures of each other. Oh, and of Quigley, our Aussie/Collie pup.

First day in Middle School! She is quite nervous but trying not to let us see. She is being the tough girl. . . . .(just got a call from the school. Apparently she is absent today. Poor baby, must have went to her home room teacher's team teacher.)

Big 6th grader! He rules the school and was going in with confidence this year. Phew!

Even though Hunter loved his pink shirt last year it took a little convincing from me and Tasha before he agreed to get this pink shirt. He thought it was a little too bright. But he has always been able to pull of the pink shirt thing no matter the shade. And look! He even chose to wear it on the first day.

Hunter doesn't get his schedule or get a locker assignment until the first day of school so he is going into school blind. He was pretty nervous to go to a new school and not have a clue where to go or what to do.

100th Scout Jamboree

2010-08-09T11:21:00.001-07:00

There was FAMILY CAMPING at the jamboree so I scooped up my little girl and joined the boys in Fallon for 3 days of games and activities. Halle and I got to stay in the trailer near the scout camp. And it was a good thing too because the scouts had forgot to bring many supplies that I had already stocked in the trailer that was available for them to use. The scout leader was so awesome always including Halle in all the activities so she had a blast.

Halle and Tanner (scout leaders son) in front of the flagHalle with some of the 'helpers'

About 20 acres of tents. There were a lot of scouts from all over northern Nevada and California.
RV's had to park just across the dirt road--that I am parked on to take a picture of a portion of the tents.

Mud pit volleyball

Hunter flinging water balloons with a trebuchet

Hunter on the cable bridge

Halle doing a little simulated mountain climbing

Hunter climbing the wall

Halle on the cable bridge

Haydn climbing the pole to the cable bridge

Teamwork obstacle course

Swimming relay races then open swim. Check out Hunter's side burn. Straight from Planet of the Apes.

Fly Fishing, fortunately there is no fish biting.

Haydn making an arrow head

There were over 50 games, activities, and obstacles courses for the boys to do. I was very impressed with the organization of the event. The men overseeing each event were so enthusiastic and patient with all the boys and the different personalities and temperaments.

Father/Son Outing

2010-07-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

Lonny and Hunter took the 4-wheelers out for a ride leaving from our house, going over to Water Canyon then up the canyon to the top of the Sonomas doing 39 miles and stopping for Lunch at a local Mexican restaurant on East Winnemucca Blvd (yes on quads and covered in dust) and basically never leaving the neighborhood with Water, Thomas, and Sonoma Canyons all visible from their perch on top. This is Sonoma Canyon where we go with our friends to dutch oven. So far from our house yet so close. Our neighborhood is visible from here, not the house. They are too high up.

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

Friday we started the holiday weekend out with Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief. Lonny ran to BJ's to get some Oreo's for the movie and the kids took advantage of his spot and snuggled with me while Lonny wasn't. Haydn didn't want to miss out of the fun.

Saturday we took the 4Runner to Star City, about 45 minutes from town, and had a picnic with Jeppsens. They brought their side by side and Lonny and Byron did a bit of 4-wheeling while Jamie and I visited and the kids played in the creek.

They would leave the swimming hole and follow the crrek upstream through the bushes and play like they were on a safari.

When evening came and it started to cool off we hiked to the top of the mountain to help get the clothes dry and give the kids something new to do.

Seven hours later the kids were beat. It was a quiet drive back home. Well the kids were quiet. The RPM's running highg on the 4runner going down the freeway was not so quiet.

Sunday we had dinner with our friends from our ward. The Rowberry's were so gracious to host the holiday dinner. Then we all headed into town to watch fireworks.

After not having a phone for two weeks I got out of the habit of keeping track of it. I left it in the cup holder of the folding camp chair from dinner at the Rowberry's and Emilee grabbed it for me and took a several pictures with it before returning it to me. Sad thing is I didn't even know it was missing. Emilee returned my phone to me when we recongregated to watch the fireworks show. And again I left it in the cup holder of the folding chair and when the show was over Lonny folded up my chair it fell out and hit the gravel shattering the glass. I had this phone 4 days.

Romeo Beware!

2010-07-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

We thought we would have to keep Grace away but she never ever looked twice at Romeo. Jake on the other hand is rather fascinated. He knocked the wheel off the top but Haydn was able to get Jake out and catch Romeo and save the day. But we have to keep an eye on Jake.

Hungry Anyone?

2010-06-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is our drive home from Elko on I-80. It sounded like it was raining the bugs were so thick. Only you can't use your wipers. Visibility was very low by the time we got off the freeway. We headed straight to the car wash. The "GMC" emblem on the front is bright red but you can't see any red through the bugs.

Busy Fun-Filled Weekend

2010-06-28T10:44:00.001-07:00

It was 90 something degress, not a cloud in the sky, and a small canopy providing the only shade for 30 people. And then we built a fire to cook dinner. Crazy? Heck yeah but totally worth it.

Dinners done, kids are swimming, out of ammo, time to just chill.

It was pretty darn hot even in the shade.

Tanner was real good about wearing his ear protection while the men are shooting. He is just 'so cool'.

The boys and their toys. They are nice enough to let the girls shoot too. Look close, the little white speck at the top of the picture is a clay pigeon.

Cooling off in the creek.Even this boy loves a good outting.

". . . . .my toyota is this BIG"

Seven families, pot roast, marinated chicken, pork roast, potatoes, cobblers! Watermelon, salads, cookies, chips. Yum! We love dutch oven cook outs.

Six hours of fun in the sun with good friends, good food, good times!

A day that we never hear "I'm bored, what can I do".

Finished Product

2010-06-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

The adhesive strips that held the molding on the door. Took an hour per door to get that stuff off. Using Goo Gone, a really strong acetone adhesive remover, on a cotton ball rubbing and rubbing and scraping.

After the wash and wax-but before I got Hunter to polish the wheels then give the tires a coat of armorall gel for the "wet" look.

I tried to get Halle to take pictures of me giving the truck a hand wash job and wax so that Lonny couldn't take the credit but I couldn't get her to cooperate (she wasn't feeling to good)

Blah Blah Blah

2010-06-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

Just thought we would customize our truck a little more. . . Lonny pulled the trim off his truck. It came off real easy and very quick. The adhesive, on the other hand, is very time consuming. That part is my job and I am not done yet. After tinkering on the truck, working briefly in the garden, doing some work on Hunter's quad we took to the hills for a ride. We rode back roads to a friend's house and stayed long enough to eat a package of cookies, a bag of chips with salsa, and finished off the chocolate covered nuts and 5 water bottles. Then it was a fairly dark and very chilly ride home. Good Times!

Summer Vacation 2010

2010-06-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

After the weekend at Bart and Ashlee's house we ventured south to Lagoon. Halle was able to meet up with her best friend, Destinee, who moved to Utah last summer. The Rapids changed a little since the last time we were there. The waterfall stays on. It doesn't give you false hope that maybe you can walk away dry. You know you are getting wet, and wet we were. SOAKED!
The oldest 4 hung out for the majority of the day doing the big kid rides.

Having a few withdrawals, I suppose, Lonny went on a couple kiddie rides with my nephew Gus.

After being soaked on the Rattlesnake Rapids the Log Flume was rather mellow.

My cousin, Rachael, coincidently was at Lagoon today too with several of her siblings kids. Haydn and my cousins kids on the Umbarellas.

Our camp at the Lagoon Campground. Two trailers, Two tents, Four Vehicles and Twenty-one people! Lagoon in the background. Good Times!

ON TO NEW MEXICO!

It is not a family reunion without a three-legged race!

Lonny's cousin's son killed this bohemouth of a snake near camp.

We loved having a fire and roasting Mellows but we had to wait for this one to die down a bit to get close enough to roast tonight. It put off some serious heat.

I didn't take pictures of the kids in the creek this year. I guess I was thinking, "been there, done that".

BACK TO UTAH!

Sweet Jeep! That would sure be a rough ride! On display at Hole N' The Rock. Halle doesn't think she would be cool driving this to High School.

Now that's just a bunch of bull.

We took the kids on the tour of the home built inside the rock. It is a fascinating thing.

Haydn "Davey Crockett" Sullivan. (Gift shop in the rock)

2350 miles and 13 days later we made it home. It is a long drive to Luna, NM but always worth it. We try to make it a fun trip for the kids and have plenty of stops to break up the drive but it always feels good to be home.

Utah Weekend

2010-06-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

Bart's oldest boy Jadon was baptized this weekend. After the baptism we had a fabulous luncheon and took a family picture. Trisha's husband Ben in the only one missing. He is in Kentucky doing BOLOC (military training). Two little love birds sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. . . . . .

My own Captain Morgan!

I don't know if this place is really called Sherwood Forest or if that is what Bart named it. It is a fabulous place up the canyon towards Logan that we went to for a hike to work of some of those extra calories we always eat when the Tuckers get together.
Some random children we found frolicking in the forest.

There was a fork in the road. We had to stop and contemplate whether to go left or right.

On to the next big event. . . . .

Bart also blessed his baby girl this Weekend. Nayvi Mae is very popular. She gets to be held a lot with so much family staying here.

Always the best room in the house!

Barty and Tiff on the left, Megan, Clint and Brayton on the right, Clancy in the middle.

Grandbaby #15

It was a super nice day so the kids ran through the sprinklers.

We parked our trailer in front of the neighbors house and my parents had their trailer in front of Bart's house. It was a full neighborhood with the Tucker Clan staying here all weekend.

Memorial Weekend 2010

2010-06-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hunter juming Hunter getting good air

Clancy jumping

Tiffani, Mikala, Brayton and Spencer, Clancy, Alexus Talbot

WEEEEEEEE!

Hunter doing a 360 down the dune.Hunter, Haydn and Clancy playing on a dune.

Silly Spencer

Lonny brought the 4Runner out and gave rides. It was a blast and did really well in the sand for only having 2 wheel drive.

Hunter and Clancy; Die hard riders (on their dad's bikes)

Halle's 4th Grade Talent Show

2010-05-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Each year the graduating 4th graders get to choose to perform at the talent show. Halle and a few friends got together and came up with a little dance to do.

Halle's Birthday Party

2010-05-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

SPA PARTY

Dove Carmel filled Chocolates, Donuts, Crackers and Laughing Cow Cheese, and Cherry Limeade Punch . . . . .and Birthday Cake. Figure foods at a Spa are a must (and these are the foods the birthday girl chose)

Spa Facial Cake

Manicures

Facials and Hot Towels

{Vibrating} Massage Bed (black pad blends in with couch) and Pedicures

Opening Gifts

HAPPY 10 HALLE

Halle's Gymnastic Recital

2010-05-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

HALLE AND HER FRIEND AT THEIR GYMNASTIC RECITAL.Once again I can't get the video to load.. . . . . .I'm sure you feel real bad you can't see the cartwheels and handstands.

My Pretty Son

2010-05-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hunter let me braid his hair but he didn't let me take his picture. I had to hold him down while Halle tried to get a picture.

Best Mother's Day

2010-05-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Lonny made a fabulous taco lunch, Halle gave me a pedicure and we called our friends, the Terry's, and headed up Sonoma Canyon for an afternoon of family time. It was great to just let the kids hike and play and not be messing up the house on Mother's Day. Lonny took our friends little girl, Raegan, for a ride and she was all grins and giggles. Haydn, then Hunter, then Haydn's friend Bryan all got to take it for a drive. Hay and Bry could barely see over the steering wheel. Lonny is one brave man. I, of course, was not brave and stayed back with Julia and the other kids.

Raegan is 14 months old and is dwarfed by the 'monster truck'. Lonny is so proud.

Did a little rock crawling.

Hiked to the abandoned mine.

Hunter's A Teenager!!

2010-05-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hunter had a low-key 13th birthday. Opened his present as soon as the sun was up and finished it off with "punchbowl" birthday cake. We had a couple other families over from our ward to help us eat the massive dessert.

We must have heard "I know what I want for my birthday" about 300 times and for nothing under $300. So when he finally found something within my budget I ordered it right up. But Fed Ex delivered it to Hunter while I was on the bus. Since he knew then what he was getting we opened the box and replaced his gift with a $5 sand toy from walmart. He really got ANOTHER remote control truck.

2010-05-06T18:36:00.001-07:00

Toyota Update

2010-05-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

Notice the "exo cage" on the yellow truck in the background. Lonny would like something like that eventually.

There is still much to be done. It needs to be re-geared and will need a new front driveline when it is re-geared and will need some adjustments when the springs get broke in a bit but for now Lonny and Hunter are really enjoying doing some off-roading.

Winnemucca, Nevada: Our Home

2010-04-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hunter's most recent school project was to bring in pictures he had taken. His teachers will be publishing a book with the students photos. Lonny and I grabbed Hunter, armed with a camera, and just started driving. I thought I would share a few of his 86 total pictures he took.

Abandoned mine

A Nevada Fence (alway full of tumbleweeds)

Introducing Romeo

2010-04-27T19:29:00.001-07:00

Halle has been begging and pleading for a hamster so Lonny told her that if she got straight A's for third quarter he would buy her a hamster. It was a piece of cake for her. So now we have "Romeo".

A Small Taste Of Warmer Weather

2010-04-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

After finishing our yard work on Saturday we loaded up the truck and headed up Sonoma Canyon with three other families and had a dutch oven dinner and shot the guns.

And then the weather got bad again. . . . .

4Runner Update

2010-04-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Days 1-2-3

All the parts laid out ready to use
The old parts that are no good and going to the trash

Front end out, new axle going in

Day 4
6 inch suspension lift installed on the rear

35" tires--what we ordered first

37" tires--What Lonny went and changed the order to

44" tires--Dreamin!!

(Uh, don't think so!)

Suspension on

Left to do: shock mounts, steering, front axle rebuild, drivelines, and the list goes on.

The Many Faces of BART!

2010-04-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

Post Hawaii: Utah With the Tuckers

2010-04-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Baby Blessing

Clint and the Richards. Big Daddy Richard and little Liam Richard

The Tuckers

Clint, Tate, Megan, and Liam

Liam, 7 weeks

Clint and Megan put out a great spread at their place after church

Playing at Bart and Ashlee's House

Believe it or not this is my son. Haydn has such a good time playing with his cousins. Hill Air Force Museum

At least he looks classier in this dress-up. Haydn could be an awesome pilot in the Air Force someday. There was a room for the kids with computer games, experiments, military dressups, games. It was a lot of fun.

Hunter, what can I say. Um, You are special. WOW! Zhoee in the flight simulator Don't forget that super special helmet when you jump from the plane! Bostyn: Ready for take-off! Oh how these girls love their picture taken; Zhoee and Halle Hunter and Clancy are too cool to hang with the group and have their picture taken, but if you are going to take it, it might as well be by a cool big Nuclear bomb. Hill Air Force Base Museum

Hawaii 2010

2010-04-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

I accidentally deleted a few pictures while trying to put this blog together and it won't let me reposition them after re-uploading. So they are out of order, but you get the picture.

Ocean view from our balcony.

The trip started out in an awful, ugly snow storm. It was a miserable drive to SLC and we didn't end up getting in till midnight. But we didn't fly out until the afternoon so we could sleep in for a little bit.
View from our motel room in Salt Lake.

Airport

At the airport. . . . .and it has started already. . . . . "how come you won't buy it for me? Please mom, please, can I have it?"At LAX waiting for the next plane, having an ice cream, watching the plane traffic outside.Oahu

Easter MorningThe Easter Bunny even found the kids in the Waikiki and brought them snorkel gear and floaties.

View of Honolulu from our balcony. Even though we only checked into the room at midnight (which was 4am in UT where we had just come from) the kids were still up by 6:30 and ready to go. We started the walk to the beach and found a McDonalds, which was not hard because there is one on every other block, had breakfast and headed to the beach. They didn't care that the sun wasn't hardly up yet, they were going swimming.

We swam at the "kiddie pool" when everyone was at the beach so Haydn could snorkel and Halle could just float but Hunter preferred the big waves so we would bring him by himself to other sections without the "wall" where he could swim freely.

How Haydn spent his day and therefore BURNED the back of his knees and calves.

He thought he was funny. . . . . .I say funny LOOKING.

Mom and Dad catching some sun on the beach watching the kiddies play. Love the Waves. Not a good place to swim.

Good place to swim!!

Halle just wasn't much of a swimmer. She didn't really want to brave the waves either.

Even with the "Man of War" warnings it was still a blast to play in the waves. But 45 minutes was enough. We got water logged and exhausted from fighting the waves.

Don't get sucked back in!!!!

His back was straight this time!

The famous Mermaid. Last time we were here I took Lonny's picture "grabbing" the mermaid. We made each of the kids stand by it and have their picture taken. They didn't want to. . . . After the first day on the beach. I take full responsibility for not getting his legs, but really, do you ever think to put sunscreen on the backs of the knees??

I sprayed Halle's part in her hair so her head wouldn't sunburn but she already had her cover-up on so I didn't get her back in the room. By the time we got to the beach I forgot to spray her back. And it only got darker and darker. Then blistered. . . . .shirts were a no go unless mandatory when we left the room.

Night view from out balcony.

Dole Plantation
Hunter and Halle doing a little browsing in the pineapple store.

Having a Pineapple Whip at the Dole Plantation. Pineapple Hula kids

The Pineapple train returning to the station.

Waiting for the train to come. Haydn was able to hobble his way through the maze. He had a pretty good sense of direction. Hunter on the other hand, not so much.
Goofy Hunter in the maze.

Our rental car: GMC Acadia We liked it.

They have really cool pine trees. This is not cut and shaped, this is how they grow.

Temple

Commonly referred to as the Honolulu Temple but is actually the Laie Hawaii Temple. It is so white back there in the distance it is hard to see.

Haydn sitting in the shade since he doesn't get around all that well.
When a wheel chair was not available this is how we got Haydn from place to place because of his sunburned legs.
At the visitor center.

Condo
Chillin in the condo eating pizza and doritos. Once these two got sunburned they didn't go out much during the hot hours.

I took them for a walk at night and this is how it started but they ended up swimming for an hour-in their clothes. Lonny brought us some towels from the room. This was the best time for Haydn and Halle to swim since they couldn't get burned more at night.

Honolulu Zoo
We put Haydn in a wheelchair because he couldn't walk to good. His blisters popped and became big sores that burn and itch and the skin is tight so he can't straightened his legs so looked like he had cerebral palsy.

The chimps were a favorite. They were so cool to watch swinging around. They were so fast and graceful. This moat with fish is all that kept the monkeys in. There wasn't a fence.

There was a ton of turtles. They hold so still you can't tell if they are real or decoration.

Halle and Lonny watching the turtles waiting to see one move.

The only view of the elephants we got.

My beautiful baby girl with the beautiful Hawaii vegitation.

Not much of a wall to keep giraffs in. . . . .

Ahhhhh. . . .some shade!

Giant fish tank with a tunnel to the center so you can be one with the fish.

Honolulu Zoo (I don't remember what Haydn was mad about this time)

Then we left to clean and fuel the rental, get our last meal in Hawaii, and catch our plane

Man I Am A Slacker

2010-03-29T19:00:00.001-07:00

3rd Quarter Winner

Halle is this quarters recipient of her choice of prize money or toy. Plus, her dad told her that if she got straight A's he would buy her a hamster. So. . . . we are just waiting for the pet store to get in another shipment of furry critters!

First Salon Cut-Kentucky was a bit far to travel to get Trish to cut hair.

I let her choose her cut. She wanted short hair and bangs.

What a stinking Cutie!

My 4-eyed Geek-He is still so handsome even with glasses
Orthodontist, dermatologist, and now the optometrist. . . .Man teenagers are expensive!

Happy 37!!

We celebrated by going out to dinner and coming home to his favorite Birthday Cake!

"Project 4-Runner" The Broken Part. . . . (above) It will be completely different when it is done!

Other than being really dirty, the interior is in really great condition.

Sneak peak of the front springs for the lift kit. . . . .

WHAT THE. . . . . .?

2010-03-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

Don't know where she got it from and I don't know what it is but the only way to get it out was with scissors. So off went a chunk of hair on the crown of her head.

My Famous Artist

2010-03-01T19:48:00.001-08:00

Haydn did this picture for his Art class at school and it is hung in our town's art gallery.

Chaos! The Best Fun

2010-02-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

My parents had all 13 grandkids at their house for Valentines. Wow! We can make a big mess, eat a ton of food, dirty every towel, play with every toy, but most of all love the time spent together.

The Triplets

Gus, Bostyn, and Tate will turn 3 in April and May.

Ba Da Bing! Hey Fatso!
Who says teenagers don't play trucks anymore?

Clancy and Hunter building tunnels and houses for their trucks.

My sister, Tiffani, and my Aunt Jeri put on a fabulous Valentine Dinner for the couples complete with decorations and games. I forgot to take my camera to my Aunt's house and took a couple pics with my phone but they wouldn't send. So you don't get a visual. You will just have to use your imagination.

This is how it is, none stop, for three days. We need to get home to have some break.

Hunter's Bike Jump

2010-02-17T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hunter spent the afternoon making a berm and a bike jump. I had to disassemble the whole thing the next morning to get the flat bed trailer out. But. . . .it is so nice to have the nicer weather and have the kids outside and be more active.

Poem by Hunter

2010-01-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

My grandpa's house is so peaceful.
It's as if you were a bird flying through the air.
The birds singing all day long.

The carpet was like walking on a cloud.
The carpet sqeezing through your toes.

The food so mouth watering.
It was as if you were biting into juicy steak.

Hunter Sullivan

Just A Lot Of Mish Mash

2010-01-23T16:36:00.002-08:00

Hunter had his first appointment to prep him for Braces in Elko on Tuesday morning. Since we didn't have school on Monday for MLK day we went over early and Lonny took Clancy and Hunter out riding. The boys got real muddy. Lonny made them strip to their skivies before they could get in the truck.

Later that night Lonny and I went to dinner with my mom and dad and Tiff and Brayton for my 34th Birthday!

Halle just didn't want to miss out on a Kodak Moment.

The other little kiddies got the "Rock Band" instruments and some other home made instruments and had their own concert. (Bart and Ashlee are in Mazatlan this week so their three kids are staying with Tiff)

Keyboard: Haydn Guitar: Halle Lead Singer: Mikala Guitar: Zhoee Drums: Jadon

Just mixing things up a bit. Bostyn is the back up dancer climbing up on his stage.

The boys are in trouble. . . . .again. We basically gutted their room. No toys, electronics. They can read, do various jobs, breath. . . . .that is basically it. It was starting to be a long Saturday. We finally agreed to let them have some toys if they could play together nicely. And they did, for HOURS! They took and lunch break and to go out and clean the garage but came right back to the Legos. They had houses in the living room, went on a trip to the family room, and created their means of transportation in the kitchen.

Actually, I need to blog about a day Haydn isn't in trouble. That would be something to celebrate and really brag about.

Crazy Genetics

2010-01-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hunter had to do measurements for his math class which lead to comparing. . . . . . . only 4 more inches until he is as tall as me. His foot is passing his dads. (You can tell which is the 12 yr old and which is the dad, right?)

Can you believe the exactness of these feet?! He got more than just his dad's looks.

Updating the Neglected Blog

2009-12-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

Trekking across the great white tundra to get to that perfect spot to let it slide!All the kids slept together on Christmas Eve in the family room waiting for Santa to Come.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear? T'was three anxious children seeing Santa was here.

Halle's Version of Jingle Bells

Haydn's very first school concert.

Enjoying the winter wonderlandon our Christmas Break! Sure is some good tubing just a mile up the road.

Temple Square, Salt Lake City

2009-12-24T20:31:00.000-08:00

We jetted over to Salt Lake for a night to let the kids experience Temple Square at Christmas. It is a magical experience. We saw lots of my aunts and uncles and had dinner with a couple of my cousins. It was a quick trip but it was a great way to jump start our Christmas vacation. Inside the tabernacle (we had to sit inside for a bit to thaw our noses, it was freezing)

Haydn's Photo Gallery

2009-12-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

Haydn had gotten a camera for his birthday and was having a photo shoot with Halle and Mikala and wanted to show off some of his pictures.

Haydn playing the trumpet in the school band and having his first concert.

Haydn's best friend BOB! made out of K'Nex.

Spooners

2009-12-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

One boy is usually on the top bed and generally they don't like to share. Tonight was one exception. They wrestled and played and giggled and mom and dad kept making threats. . . . .then suddenly it was silent. Lonny went to see what was up and this is what he found. The boys passed out from exhaustion, sharing a bed, spooning :)

Videos of our Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-12-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

I tried for a week to get the video of Mikala and Jadon singing so Mikala's parents could see it since they missed it. I will keep trying, stay posted. I just couldn't resist not sharing this video of Tate.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

Grandpa playing ball with Bostyn, his favorite game.
My siblings and I all love to congregate in the living room and reminisce and tease each other. The in-laws don't love it as much. They get a little bored and detached from the conversation.
Tiff, Brayton, Alex, and Megan
Grandpa Richard, Tate and his dad Clint.

Trish and Ben, Bart, Lonny

Bostyn and mom Ashlee

Lonny, Hunter, Grandpa

We had plenty of hands to help prepare Thanksgiving Dinner.

(The second best place to congregate: the Kitchen!)

What would a Tucker Family Gathering be without a night at the church playing games?

Football in the corner, basketball in the middle, kids on bikes everywhere!

Playing London Bridges and Ring Around the Roses with Nana and Grandpa.

My future WNBA Star!

Making gingerbread houses.

Grandpa playing cars under the dining room table with Tate.

Watching the BYU/Utah State game on the 10 foot screen, yes you read that right, 10 feet.

Shopping, Games, Playing, Visiting. We stayed real busy. Mom and dad converted the storage room into a SEVENTH bedroom and we got to have it. It was the best room in the house and everyone was already calling DIBS on it for the next gathering. You are always great hosts, mom and dad. Thanks for a great trip.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-24T18:30:00.000-08:00

My goofy boys, that were supposed to be washing dishes, singing a little holiday song for you. And yes that is Lonny yelling at them in the background. I got them in trouble but they were so cute in there singing and doing dishes I couldn't resist getting a hard copy.

Family Picture Day

2009-11-21T16:13:00.001-08:00

This what Lonny wanted to do to me after making him take soooo many pictures.

2009-11-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

It was not a primary or even a church activity but we had a couple motivated moms in the ward that organized a halloween "carnival" for the kids at the church. The only stipulation was that if you brought kids you had to do a booth or activity. The kids loved it and there was a great turn out.

Some of the kids in their costumes.

Cookie Walk

Rat Toss

The kids had to throw tiny rubber rats or skeletons into the baskets for points or prizes

Fish Pond

Face Painting

Coloring

Folding Frogs

Bean Bag Toss

Happy Halloween! See you next year, I'm real glad it's over. Sure was a busy season this year. Between dressing up for school activities, church activities, actual trick or treating, we all dressed up several times. And each time I told myself I would take a picture NEXT TIME! That 'next time' always came to soon and I didn't get any pictures of my kids dressed up.

Hunter's First ATV Race

2009-10-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

I am currently uploading Hunter's race on YouTube but it is a ten minute video and is going to take a while. I will post the link if and when it finishes uploading for any of you wanting to watch. Hunter took First Place in the first race and Second Place in the second race giving him a FIRST overall win!! The mom was a nervous wreck but Hunter was awsome!

Waiting in the pit for Hunter and Bryan's turn.

Waiting at the gate.
Lonny, Ayre, Hunter, and Bryan watching the Metal Mulisha Stunt show.

Lonny's sister, Kellie, and two of her kids, Jessica and Ayre were here from Wyoming.

Stunt Man from the Metal Mulisha

It is so much cooler seeing it in person than on TV.

A short clip from the halftime stunt show. These boys put on a show for us between the race heats.

2009 Halloween Party

2009-10-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

Good friends, good food, good games, good times!!

Billy Ray and Miley's Redneck Cousins, Bubba and Millie Cyrus Mary Poppins and her Chimney Sweep

The Nerd and her "Homey"

Bonnie and Clyde

Robin Hood and Maid Marion

Fred and Wilma

The Pregnant Cheerleader and Ursula (or something scary)

(Roxanna, somehow I didn't get a picture of you and your biker babe of a husband!)

What Do You Get. . . . . . . .

2009-10-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you combine a soccer outfit. . . . . . A princess dress. . . . . . .

Butterfly wings. . . . .

And a feather boa?

A Scary Fairy!

Gone Dune'n (again)

2009-10-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

A few action shots. . . . . . .

Halle taking over mom's Griz 450.Hunter carving the hill on dad's 700.

Dad on the 250.

Hunter on the 700.

Haydn on Hunter's 250 (Learning how to jump. I think he has it down)

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

Same group of people as last year, different house. We got pumpkin guts all over our friends house this year. Pumpkins stink and are messiy and I really hate the feel of the guts on my hands. But the kids love it. Gee, maybe that is because they don't actually do any of the carving. The parents always end up doing the dirty work :) It is always a good time and we love getting together with friends. Boyd [helping] Halle carve her pumpkin.
(And wouldn't you know I would forget my camera so I had to take pictures with my cruddy cell phone camera.)

Hunter's Cross Country Race

2009-10-12T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hunter ran in the cross country race (1 mile) again this year. He didn't place but are proud of him for participating. Isn't he just the epiphany of fashion?

Harvesting

2009-09-26T21:48:00.001-07:00

Up Next: Applesauce Already Done: Beef and Squash
We bought a cow with some friends of ours this spring. After letting it feed for the summer and get good and fat we slaughtered it and cut it up :) There were two cows that were cut up today.
We had three "Seal-A-Meal's" going. Making the bags, then sealing the meat in them. They got real tired after a couple thousand pounds and started to over heat.

Lonny and the gang cutting the steaks and grinding the meat

Boyd bagging the ground beef

Hard at work. It took 12 hours of cutting, grinding, and bagging. Talk about tired backs and feet.

Our Half a beef in the Freezer. About 80 lbs of ground beef and oodles and gobs of steaks and roasts.

It wasn't until after I planted 3 rows of squash and zucchini that we heard that "One plant each, per season, is enough to feed a family". We had Squash out the yin yang! So we shredded some (40 cups) and bagged it and added it to the freezer. I also just sliced up some squash.

Hunter shredding Zucchini.

After giving away, throwing away, and eating a few hundred squash I finally tore out the plants from the garden, with about 50 more growing, because I couldn't stand to even look at it. We have also been enjoying the corn on the cob. Wish we had as much corn as we did squash and zucchini.

Trisha's Visit

2009-09-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

Trisha stayed with us for two nights as she was passing through from our parents house in Elko to her husbands parents house in Carson.

Trish and meGus loved to play in my planter with his trucks

We ordered a Pizza and went up Water Canyon to picnic and play

Halle and Gus crossing the bridge over what is left of the creek.

Haydn on a hike

We played at the park while Haydn was at football practice.

Hunter, Halle, Gus, and Bella on the merry-go-round

Trishy chillin in the shade at the park

Trisha gave me and Halle haircuts while she was here.

I love Halle's cut. It is real cute on her.

Our new Pet!

2009-09-22T21:03:00.001-07:00

Gracie was going biserk in the back yard so Halle went out to investigate. She came running back in and informed me there was a hedgehog in the tree. A What? She rattled off a few animals, gopher, rat, creature, something. My best guess was a porcupine. I called dispatch to get some numbers of persons to call to rid my tree of the "creature". They directed me to Division of Wildlife. D of W told me animal control should take care of it. After a little run-around Div. of Wildlife told me that he should scamper off in the night because they are nocturnal creatures. If he didn't they would come and get him. In the mean time my doggies get to be inside. We don't exactly know how it got in the yard and that maybe it doesn't know either and now it can't figure out how to get out.

Labor Day "Weekend"

2009-09-10T13:37:00.001-07:00

The Talbot Family: Tiffani, Alexus, Clancy, Mikala, Brayton, and Spencer.

Mikala was baptized Saturday so we went to Elko for the weekend. My brothers Bart and Garrett also came with their families.Trail head up Lamoille Canyon.

Cousins; Bella, Haydn, Jadon, Zhoee, and Spencer.

We like to take this hike and enjoy the greenery. This is one of the few lush, green places with so many trees in Nothern Nevada. But you better get a friend to check you for ticks!

Me with nieces Zhoee and Bella.

Zhoee by the beaver dam.

I took the kids to the Carnival on Labor Day in Elko. Halle rode the most rides (over and over).

I thought she would be afraid of most the rides but she ran around, by herself sometimes, and just went on ride after ride.

5 times in this thing and the boys started to feel sick.

Clancy and Hunter's favorite ride. It doesn't go round in circles and they could still go on it with queasy tummy's.

Whoa there Nelly! Better keep your arms in on this roller coaster. It goes mighty fast.

(hope you're catching the sarcasm here)

Yet another spinning ride. And I didn't even post pictures of all the rides.

Wingers Sticky Fingers, Cotton Candy, Icees, Carmel Popcorn, Funnel Cake and a little face painting on the side. It was a fun and busy weekend!

Football; And I don't mean "soccer"

2009-08-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Football is in full swing here. After Ten hours of conditioning, the boys wore their pads tonight for the first time this season . Hunter is on the "Senior Tackle" team this year. He is a scrawny little thing tackling some big 8th graders and he has the bruises to prove it!

Second "First" Day of School

2009-08-25T08:24:00.001-07:00

4th Grade

(get a load of those Punky Brewster shoes)
She made it!! After being sick on the first day she was able to make it the second day. She has her bag of all the school supplies she is required to have and is excited to go! Too bad it won't last.

First Day

2009-08-24T08:42:00.001-07:00

6th grade

(look at those swollen eyes, he will be the next to have a sinus infection) 5th grade

(he spilled on his pants before he even got to school)

should be 4th grade
(home sick with a fever and sinus infection, she has puffy eyes too)

Lonny had to go to the Doctor Wednesday and is on an antibiotic for sinus infection. Sure wish he wouldn't have shared it.

Quickie Camp Trip

2009-08-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

We thought we would have one last HOORAH before school started and went camping at the dunes with our friends the Terry's. But because the boys have football until 8 we didn't head out until late. Terry's made it out there before us and got stuck. We didn't get them out until almost midnight. I would say about 85% of the time was trying to get their trailer unhooked and drug out of the way. Once we got the trailer moved the truck was cake to get out. We camped outside the main entrance. We weren't going to risk trying to make it through the quick sand.

Trip after the Reunion

2009-08-08T15:34:00.001-07:00

Sunday, after the reunion we pulled the trailer the 15 or so miles to my Aunt Nancy's house in Monroe, UT where we stayed two more days and was thoroughly entertained. The boys went with my cousins to move sprinklers in their hay fields, we got to eat at some great small town joints, and do a little sight seeing.

While Hunter and the other boys were moving sprinklers Nancy took us to their hot springs.

It come out of the mountain here; pools a little on top;

then flows down the face in a weeping manner;

creating nooks and crevices along the way. The mineral

build up gives the hill a unique look. We did a 3/4 mile hike at the Fremont museum just of I-70.

It was a warm day, to say the least. Lonny is always saying how much

this looks like New Mexico. I have to agree.

A stick tepee on the hike.

We rode 4-wheelers to Monroe Mtn up the Sawmill road.

It was a trail the pioneers used to bring lumber down the mountain to build and settle

Monroe. Again, glad I was not a pioneer. This is a view from the trail overlooking Monroe. Richfield is just out of view on the right behind the point of the hill.

Kortney is such a rock star!! He saddled up a horse and followed the kids around

letting them have ride.

Even though Halle loves riding, it took her a minute to warm up and go solo.

And the best part: Aunt Nancy taught me the art of couponing. It is not a big thing in Nevada. Not enough mormons I guess. She showed me the tricks and what to watch for. I think I will try it for a bit. After a few shopping trips with her and a bundle of practically free food I am stoked to try it on my own.

Floyd Jensen Tucker Family Reunion

2009-08-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

It's getting to be quite the crowd.

The Group heading out for a ride on the Paiute Trail What we see while on the ride.

Spencer and Bella playing in the creek a stones throw from camp.

Spencer on the trail to get to the creek. We don't see foilage like this at home so I like to have pictures to remind me. . . .

Bostyn, Gus, and Tate might be two but that aren't terrible! They are about the cutest little boys!

These boys like their wheelers! The four-wheeler fetish starts young in this family.

Campfire Skits
Tiffani, Trisha, and Taniel

Dallin, Spencer, Bella

The Girls had a mean game of Phase 10 while the boys. . . . . .

did what they do best.

Floating the Sevier River. About a 20 minute drive from camp.

Hurry take the picture before the kids get dirty!

Awww, aren't they cute!

It all started so innocently. . . . . .

Then things started to get a little goofy. . . . .

Then goofy turned to whacky. . . . .

Then others joined in and it just got down right crazy!

My Family Tree Is Full Of Nuts!

This is a boring video but I just wanted to show you a little of the trail. I was riding with Lonny so this is a section I didn't have to hold on.