Garrett's birthday and Lehmans Cave

Garrett turned 15 on May 26. We were in Delta for the weekend and my cousins John & Julie were there from Florida visiting. We all went to Baker Nevada to see Lehmans Cave. Mike has wanted to go there since we first got married and we have never taken the time. I hadn't been there for many years and neither had Porche. The kids had a great time and was the perfect day. We had a picnic and cupcakes for Garrett's birthday. My nephew Jack said it was the best day of his life. There were 19 of us there. What a troop. Our tour guide also did the detective program for the kids. It was so fun to watch them be involved and so excited. Here are a few pictures of the day.

Boy, How time flies!!

I haven't had even a moment to update this for quite sometime. Life has been a little crazy. Everyone is doing great and kids are growing fast. Here is the latest for them. Garrett thinks life is about money!! He works whenever possible. He won $250 at the SFW banquet and thought it was great. The other four kids have a job doing yard work at Liberty Safe and think it is also great to have extra cash. Mont won a 12gauge shotgun and pheasants at the SFW banquet. He loves basketball and plays way hard.Good boys!! Morgan is sweet, kind and a great worker. Chloe is boy crazy and a good cook. Both like to babysit.Oaklee is just cute. She turned 8 years old and had a flip flop partyThirteen girls and 1 boy came to it. She will be baptized on May 31st. She is so excited.

.Our life is great although a bit crazy. I will update the happenings of recent times in the next few.

Kyani Convention

Portia, Penny Jo and I went to the Kyani Convention over the weekend. Penny Jo started drinking this Alaskan Bluebarry Juice mixture when her blood was so low that she was experiencing organ shutdown. She had to have a blood transfusion and the doctors wanted to do some other things to her. She was introduced to this juice and her blood count went up, her organs started to function and she feels better than she has felt for years. She has got us drinking it and Mikes gout has improved, my mood swings and energy have improved and it tastes really quite good. She has also started us on these omega 3 gel caps for our hearts.(She thinks with our family history of heart problems, she can save us) To learn more about the Kyani product go to http://kyani.net/index.php. Anyway, we had a great time spending the night in a motel as sisters and laughing. I have come to realize that the best people to do things with are definetly our families. We are so lucky to have each other and this adds to my grateful list.

"Snow" phone

So yesterday I was up early to sign the girls up for 4-H. It was snowing and I thought that I would shovel a little snow before I drove over it and it turned to ice. My great kids all came out and said they would shovel it for me and I loved that idea. Needless to say my OCD came out and I had to finish it my way, and somehow lost my cell phone in the snow. We have all shoveled more snow, raked the snow and searched for the stupid phone. I am really upset and all the important phones numbers that I have in it are gone. I did not want a new phone at this time, although I really do not have a choice. So any of you that have my number, please call me after Monday so that I can save you on my new phone that I will be getting. I do love the snow and last Saturday when it was snowing we made homemade donuts. Yesterday we made Cinnamon rolls. Hope it doesn't continue real often or I may look more like the Pillsbury dough boy.

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.

November Traditions

November begins and it's time to start planning on Thanksgiving Dinner, Shopping with the girls, lots of Holiday Boutiques and decorating. This year we will be having Thanksgiving Dinner at our house.
I sent out these invitations on Friday and everyone will soon be getting them with there food assignment on them. This week I have a boutique for Christmas stuff. When I quit my job, I bought a vinyl machine and now enjoy my spare time crafting. It seems like I sell alot during the Holidays and I am very grateful for that. If you see anything you like here, email me. I would love to help you with your shopping!! Today at church the youth had a combined speaker. She did a great job and talked on Gratitude. She gave all of them gratitude journals and encouraged them to write down things that they are grateful for. It has been proven that people who write down things in their life that has made them happy, touched their hearts, or grateful for, they are in general a happier people. She read a couple of stories and it was just what I needed today. I think she was speaking to me personally. I am going to challenge everyone that reads this to do the same thing. Then set 3 goals that you can do this week to help make someone else happy. This is my favorite time of the year!!!