Thanksgiving & Christmas Tree Cutting

Kids looking for the perfect tree!
Cody and Porche trying to make them have fun!
Aunt Phene always enjoys being with the kids.
We went to Delta this year for Thanksgiving. Mom was up here on Tuesday and took the girls home with her. They didn't have school on Wednesday so it was perfect. When we got there Wednesday night, we had a party and dinner at Portia's. Then we all played Bunco. Sunny was so funny! She would say "Ready, Go" and then yell "Bunco". She doesn't want to miss out on anything. Thursday morning we all got up and went to Dry Creek up Oak City Canyon. We scoped out the perfect tree and cut it down. It is really hard to pick the right one when there are at least 7 opinions on it. Besides that they all look really small when you are on the mountain and when you get it home, it is way to big. We'll have to do some prunning to get it to fit in our house, maybe even cut a hole in the roof. Then mom saw her tree she said that it would fit better in the city park than in her house. Our kids haven't got to do this for many years. In fact, I'm not even sure that they even remember when we used to do it. It was alot of fun for us. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at the Willoughby's and I ate enough for the next month. Unfortunaltey, I felt like I needed more leftovers so Mike will be cooking turkey dinner tommorrow. One of these next days I'll have to get back on that life long diet and do better. I am very thankful for my family and all the help, support and love that they show me. There is nothing more important to me than my family and their happiness. Hope all of your Holidays are great.

Happy Holidays

This month has been great! Business was booming and Christmas was coming. I was ill prepared for it all. I went to Delta one day to make candy with Mom and Porche. It was a great success and hopefully a new tradition. We spent the weekend before Christmas at mom and dad's in Delta. Church in Delta was incredible with music you couldn't believe. There are some super voices from the young people there. Portia and I worked in the wood shop with dad doing last minute crafts while Neil, Mike and the boys went duck hunting.
They were only gone a short time when they returned with a whole lot of ducks, carrying a whole lot of ducks. Then the "Clayton Family Party" began with the traditional movie, dinner, story, and presents. The weather was real stormy when Mike and I headed back home so that Santa could find the kids at their own house. We made it slowly but safely. Oaklee had the time of her life with 2 gift certificates from "Build a Bear Workshop". She said she had waited her whole life for such a prize.( All 7 years). The boys received muzzle loader guns, girls cameras and scrap booking and Mike and I were as happy as punch to have it over. I am always amazed at the stress we as parents go through to have a successful event. Seems a little crazy to me. May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas, have love and peace in our hearts, and most of all love for the Savior.

Time Flies

I have been so busy lately with Christmas Crafts, gifts, etc, that I have not updated my blog. Boy do I feel bad. Thanksgiving was great! My family was here and we had a full house. My microwave started on fire in October and we hadn't replaced it because I wanted one that goes over my stove. i really did need the counter space, but on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and after being made fun of because I was like Laura Ingills (you know- The Little House on the Prairie) Mike came home from work early and we got a new microwave. He installed it before the rush of making Thanksgiving Dinner. Mom, Portia, and Penny Jo came down early to help cook and make their food assignments. Chloe had made name tags for the tables and it was set beautifully. Food was especially good and plenty of it. Then was time for our annual shopping all night adventure. Last year I didn't get to go and had a real hard time getting in the spirit. This year I was determined!! The girls left at about 8:00 pm Thursday night and stayed out and awake until Friday at about 5:30pm. Portia and I almost feel asleep eating our lunch at 3:00 pm Friday. The things we do for fun. We have to stand in line all night to make sure that we are the first ones in the door at the store. It isn't as fun if you aren't first. Then the race is on. This year Penny Jo and Portia were in and out of JCPenneys in 11 minutes with arms full of loot!! Can you just imagine them running through the store grabbing the things they want? It is a fun tradition for us and the men think we have all lost our minds. Pictures will be posted as soon as I get 5 seconds!! I have been super busy with my vinyl stuff so everthing else has had to be put on hold.