Christmas 2009

Christmas is here and we're all tired and cranky. Some of us more so than others. However, we enjoyed a wonderful meal on Christmas eve with Brother and Sister Honaker at their house, where we also were read the story of Christmas from the book of Luke. We got home and the girls went to bed as Santa was being tracked over New York City. This was about 9:30 or 10:00 last night. Jim and I made it into bed at about 1 this morning. The battery to our drill has died and so we can't get all the screws in on Jaycie's Santa gift (humongous doll house!) I knew it was big, but this is unreal. I'm not sure that we will be able to get it into the toy room. The girls woke us up at 6 this morning, hence all the cranky people in the house. I think the favorites so far are the baby doll and care set, the doll house, and the scooters from Papa and Grandma. Jaycie knows just how she's going to spend her Christmas money from Grandpa and Grandma-grandma (doll house furniture).

I was happy with the way the scrapbook turned out, for the most part. I hope everyone else likes it. Lisa gave us a Pizza stone with handles and I LOVE IT!!! Very excited. Jim and I decided not to really buy much for each other this year and wait until after the new year to buy a wii and wii fit plus for Christmas. I think that we're both excited for that. Especially since our insurance will pay for it.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jerry on Christmas Eve. I'm glad that he is at peace now and no longer in pain, but he will be missed by family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

Thanksgiving so far. . . .

Yesterday Jaycie's class had a Thanksgiving Program. Jaycie enjoyed this very much, she's never been shy about being the center of attention. They sang Albequerque was a Turkey (she's been practicing this at home and I have, consequently, been singing it myself. It's been stuck in my head for over a week now!) They also danced the Turkey Trot (Hokey Pokey but with Turkey parts). Then they fed us sandwiches, Jello jigglers, chips, and chocolate chip cookies.





In other news. . . We received a package for the girls' birthdays today from Mom and Dad - Thank you! I took the box in Jim and I's room to open and got the wrapped presents out, luckily I hid the the unwrapped one, because. . . .

Halloween 2009

This year both girls were butterflies. Luckily Jaycie doesn't seem to mind that whatever she wants to do/be so does Saree. They were both so cute, but I've since decided that I'm not going to put makeup on them for a while, they both acted like I was torturing them with the oil free Mary Kay eye makeup remover I was using. Give me a break!

Time Flies. . .

Well, things here are about to go back to normal? Whatever that is. I had surgery on my right hand for carpel tunnel release about 2 weeks ago and there is a huge difference in my hand! I can't believe how much better it feels. I had to take 2 weeks off from baby sitting and so I'll get my little guys back on Monday.

Jaycie and Saree are excited for Halloween to be butterflies. Jaycie will be purple and Saree will be pink. Jim is excited for hunting season, he hasn't had any luck yet, but hopes to have better luck tonight before his hunt closes.

We took the girls to the pipe people again, we were able to actually go in and walk around the "people". There were even some goats in there to eat the weeds and grass. The girls were fine with the goats until they started following us and then Saree had a little freak out.

We also were gifted an old Kimball piano. It's in rough shape, but it works! The girls have been busy "playing" on it and singing.

I've also been busy rescrapping some of Grandma Peterson's recipes. I wanted to download some photos, but the computer is being slow and I'm too impatient. More photos and such to follow.

New School Year

September has brought changes to the Hillstead household. Jaycie has started dance class (tap and ballet) and pre-school. She loves both. I'm now watching 2 little boys. Easton on MWF for 4 hours and Shawn M-Th for 4 hours. They are both good babies and Saree just loves and kisses on them till they are sick of her. Jim is now serving in the Young Mens - again. He loves it.

I've spent most of this month canning and freezing. I still have about 50 pounds of both apples and pears to take care of and I finnished freezing about 12 qts of corn, and canning about 7 qts of beans. Last night I finnished up the tomatoes and now have 13 qts of spaghetti sauce and 10 pints of salsa.

We are currently getting ready to go to Denver next week for a conference and I'm looking forward to getting together with Kris and her family.

Pre-school

Well, my baby is all registered for pre-school. She starts on August 30th. I can't believe she's almost 5!! Anyway, she's VERY excited for school to start and I get asked daily if tomorrow she goes to school. I think part of it is that I haven't let her wear any of her new clothes yet and she's really wanting to wear them. Saree still thinks that she is going too, I'm not looking forward to the day that she finally realizes that we will be leaving Jaycie at school and we will be going home, or somewhere.

Jim is back to school, this week is teacher prep week and the kids start on Monday. This year they are on the AB block system and only attend 4 days of the week, we'll see how it goes.



I've been saying that I would put this pic on the blog/facebook for a while now, so here is the redneck plumbing that was set up under the kitchen sink.

At the Beach

While visiting in Wyoming we drove over to Bear Lake where the kids had all kinds of fun. Jaycie definitely has no fear and just plunged in and started playing. It didn't take Saree very long to run in either.

Almost the end of the Summer

It's the dog days of Summer. Jim is still working out to the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation Farm and Ranch Enterprise for Peaks to Plain Haying company. He'll finish up with full-time employment for them around the 16th of August. School Starts for him the 17th of August.

We made it to Idaho and Wyoming for family reunions on both sides. All of Regan's family was in for a few days together. The girls got to see all their aunt's and Uncles and cousins on both sides. Jim's sisters were both in Star Valley. Cathy was able to make it for a few days.

8 Years

I can't believe that it has been 8 years since Jim and I got married! The time seems to have gone by so fast. I also can't believe that Jaycie is starting pre-school this fall.

Things here are still the same old same old. Jim is working for Peaks to Plains - they custom cut and bale hay here and in a couple of other states. Jim has been putting in alot of hours since he started his summer job. He has finally had some time off though, we figure he will probably have about a week and a half off or so before the craziness begins again. He has been working on the raking crew and works from about 2 am until about 10 am. This means he gets home, we have lunch and then instead of snack in the afternoon have dinner (for the girls) and then Jim goes to bed at about 5-5:30 and gets up at about 12:30. This is such a drastic change from our regular schedule it has taken a little adjustment and getting used to.

I'm really excited to go visit mom and dad in July. I can't wait to see Lisa and David and kids.

Memorial Day Weekend

Well, Mom is going to kill me, but we wore her out!! Here is a picture to prove it.
We went to Mesa Verde on Saturday May 25, and introduced Mom and Dad to the ruins at Spruce Tree House. Later we went for a drive toward Telluride, GORGEOUS!!

New Car

We bought a new car!! We got a screaming good deal on a 2007 Ford Explorer with the 3 rows of seats. The guy said that we couldn't have asked for another dime. In fact we're paying about the same for this as what we did for the Intrepid, so we can't complain.

To Dye is to Die.

We started coloring Easter eggs today. Jim was busy measuring and pouring and stirring, while I was putting dinner in the oven. All of a sudden Saree said "I don't want it!" We looked over and she had taken a drink of the vinegar that we had in one of the cups waiting for the dye and the water. She didn't cry, but she made sure we knew she thought it was pretty nasty. Jaycie, our little drama queen, wasn't getting her way this morning and threw herself on the floor for a good cry, knocking her head on the baby gate and giving herself a nice little bump on the forehead. (Oh the joys, and she's only four!!)

Anyway, that was the most exciting thing this week. Jim had a campout with the scouts last night and then a 7 mile hike this morning. Waking up to snow they aborted the hike and came home. I woke up with an aweful cold on Tuesday and have been trying to get rid of it since. I think it is winning.

Trapped in Tucumcari

Well, we got out of the Cortez in good time and stopped for the night in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Talk about your one horse towns. There is NOTHING to do there. We got in at about midnight and woke up to ALOT of snow. To compound the problem of closed road (all roads leading out of town) - our car heater stopped working all together. Luckily it was a cheap and easy fix, we just had to add more anti-freeze.

We spent the day in a hotel room, at least it was bigger than the car, but it wrecked our plans for getting to San Antonio on Friday night so that we could hang out with Shannon & Nathan all weekend. We ended up not getting there until late Saturday.

More adventures on our trip to San Antonio to come.

It Used to be.

I can't believe I've neglected the blog so badly for the last while! It used to be that I updated this thing weekly. Things here are a little crazy, and I'm not getting as much done as I should. (what else is new)

We decided that for spring break we are going to go see Shannon and Nathan and family for a few days and we are all excited to be on our way. I'm not too sure how excited I am for the long, long, long drive, but I can't wait to get there.

Saree has been getting into bed with us in the middle of the night, every night for a while. It's amazing how much room they command. She will get into bed and promptly start pushing us around. The other morning when she woke up after Jim left she looked at me and said "Mama, I'm so happy." I've been smiling ever since. Jaycie too, hasn't wanted to sleep in her bed. She will start out there and then we'll get up in the morning to her asleep on the couch. I really don't know how to end this middle of the night musical beds that we've been playing. Any ideas?

We finally bought a new table. Well, used table, but new to us. Our card table was definitely looking a little worse for the wear. We'd gone around to a few of the places here in town and didn't see anything we liked/could afford until we found a little shop on a side street while out walking. They had a nice used table with a leaf and 6 matching chairs. The table could use a refinish, but that is about all. I really like it and Jim says that he does too.

Other than that we have nothing new to share. We still have our callings, although there will be a bit of a shake-up in the ward. The executive secretary and the primary secretary (Brother and Sister Bass - she is also the camp director) found out on Monday that they will be moving to Houston in 2 weeks. I guess we'll see what's going to happen next.

Love to all, next time we'll have pictures of our trip to San Antonio.

Lemonade Stand Award

I'm not sure how this works, and I'm not sure why I was picked on (LOL) but thank you Maxi! My nominee's for this are:

sessionssessions.blogspot.com - because you always make me laugh.

lauschhouse.blogspot.com - because your my sister and I can.

fiddlegal-elizabeth.blogspot.com - because your my cousin and anyone that will take 111 kids to Disneyland needs a BIG award.

mc2quarterhorses.blogspot.com - because you have to put up with my brother - enough said. ;) Just kidding Shane!

theeducationofmissh.blogspot.com - even though she has no idea who I am but her blog makes me laugh till I am crying and have to pee.

www.scrapbookflair.com/GG2007 - because I'm forever looking at her scrapbook pages and wishing mine looked more like hers.

www.scrapbookflair.com/mexgirl - also because I covet her scrapbooking ability.

www.scrapbookflair.com/memarsh - not just because of her talent in scrapbooking but because she always says such nice things about mine.

www.scrapbookflair.com/ms_creations - because she's a talented scrapbooker and because her squammy stories make me smile.

summerhazedesigns.blogspot.com - aka y2bonnie - also because of her outstanding skill in scrapbooking and wonderful comments she leaves on my pages.

maxidesigns.blogspot.com - thanks for sharing the award and for being a friend at scrapbookflair. It's been fun having someone to chat with that knows where the heck I'm at!

Now that I am passing this award to you. You have to follow the rules.
The rules are: 1. Put the logo on your blog or post. 2. Nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or attitude. 3. Link to your nominees within your post. 4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog. 5. Share the love and link to this post with the person from whom you received the award.

Canyon of the Ancients

Today was Stake Conference and we played hookie from church. We went to hike Sand Canyon, which is part of Canyon of the Ancients. We had a lot of fun even though we were only able to hike about a mile in. Saree probably rode about 1/2 of the time and Jaycie, with all her boundless energy, probably did 2 1/2 miles to our 2. She would run ahead of us and we'd call her back so she'd run to us to run ahead again. If only there were a way to harness that energy.

There were a few ruins there but the major ruins were 6 miles in and the last mile is pretty steep. We're not up for that right now. I would like to ride horses in sometime though, they do allow it there and it would be fun. There were several people there on bikes - nuts. There were also alot of people there with their dogs, which Jaycie loved and Saree did too as long as they didn't get too close. There were a couple of times when Saree didn't get her way that she just flopped onto the trail on her stomach and pouted. I told her that she better get up and moving because there were dogs around that might like to lick on her. That got immediate results. I'm mean, so what.



Saree in full pout.



Some of the rock formations there.



The Sleeping Ute Moutain Range (part of it anyway).

With a Snip, Snip Here and a Snip, Snip There. . ..

I was on the computer today checking my email and what not. I had just gotten out of the shower when Jaycie declared that she wanted to comb my hair. She tried first with Saree's baby comb so I sent her back, then she came with a different combination of brushes until she finally came back with a pick. I guess she got bored with just combing my hair so she said that she was going to cut my hair. I though, no big deal, she was just going to pretend. The next thing I know I feel cold metal on my neck so I turn around and she has some scissors ready to cut my hair!!! I had to explain that we never, ever cut hair. I just know that she's going to test it again sometime though. She constantly wants to do what she wants and won't listen to Daddy or I.

A New Addiction.

Well, I realize that we have neglected our blog for a couple of weeks, but I'm new to facebook. It's a regular family reunion going on over there!! Not to mention all of the friends from high school and college that I'm finding there on a daily basis. Even Jim has gotten into the swing of things and now there is hot competition for the computer. I've really enjoyed getting to know my cousins better. Layne and I are bowling competitors.

Saree started singing a new church song yesterday. I think it is the Welcom Song, Hello, Hello. She is finally warming up to the other kids in there and making friends.

We thought we had Jaycie broken from sucking her fingers, but all of a sudden this last week she has started it up again. Grrrrr!

Both girls are excited to get their pictures taken with the school mascot this week. Saree doesn't really like the Panther once she's up close but she waves and yells at it all the same. There was a home game on Thursday that was against a big time rival from Durango. The house was packed!! I left wondering when Mom and Dad attended the games if they were a little shell shocked from the noise like I was. It was sooooo loud in there! Not to mention the music was terrible, well some of it anyway. I'm starting to think that I'm getting old.

Klondike Camping in Colorado

Jim went camping with the scouts this weekend. There is an annual Klondike Derby held for the Scout District. I guess they've been doing it for several years now. The campout went well. The boys had fun. They got to participate in various activities which inlcuded pulling sleds that resemble dog sleds. I guess this year was mild compared to past years. It only got down to the low teens. It warmed up into the 40's on Saturday. I guess last year it was at 5 below before the sun even went down, then never warmed up much more than 0 the next day. We got to camp out in a wall tent that included propane heat and a wood stove. It got a little chilly until I opened the flute on the stove, allowing the fire to properly breathe and heat up the tent.

This picture demonstrates the proper attire to wear when klondiking- a light jacket, basketball shorts and tennis shoes.

The boys attempted to build a couple of snow caves, but neither were big enough for them to sleep in. They had fun though digging around in the snow. It also kept them busy and wore them out for the night. On Saturday they spent about 4 hours running around the moutain side doing different activities, so they will sleep soundly tonight in their comfortable beds at home.

We only had four of our scouts go with us. I think it was a successful trip. No body got frostbite. I look forward to doing it again next Winter.

Dashing through the snow. . .

We took the girls to story time today. I'm glad that they started doing a session on Saturday mornings, because both girls at that was too much for me to handle by myself. Saree just isn't quite ready to sit through the 30-40 minutes, but Jaycie won't sit by herself. Then they have a craft time afterward. They both have fun with that. Today we modge podged some paper and tinfoil onto bottles to make candle holders.

Then we went geocaching again. I didn't think it would be too successful considering we have snow, but it was nice to get out and see some of the area. We went to Dolores, CO. It is a rustic, kind of quaint, little town about 10 miles North of Cortez. The first cache was a virtual cache, that just means you read something or see something and answer a question about it correctly and then you get credit for the "find". The second one was the one that turned out to be problematic. We had passed the cache and turned around in a parking area for the hiking and skiing trails in San Juan National Park when Jim decided he was going to pull of to the side of the road. It wasn't a good idea because he promptly got us stuck in a snow drift that took 5 men to get us out of.

I've also started potty training Saree. She was already pretty much trained except the wetting part. I have had a difficult time getting her to go in to the bathroom for that. I finally got her some M&Ms and that seems to be going well. Another chocoholic in the making. That's the first thing she says after "I'm done", "M&Ms"!!! She is also finally going into nursery by herself and not screaming and crying for Jim or I.

Jaycie is loving her new primary class. I can't believe she is a Star 5. She also has started on a jewelry thing. She wants to have jewelry on all the time, of course it doesn't stay on, but she still insists on it. I've gotten to the point of "forgetting" so that she won't be a disruption at church.

I have to talk again in church next Sunday as part of the Primary presidency, can't tell you how excited I am about that. Jim gets to go camping next weekend and can't wait. The girls and I are looking forward to our girls night. I get to watch a Barbie movie (again), eat popcorn and share my bed with the girls (not so fun). Anyway, I'm going to make Jim take the little camera camping so we can see how it was and I'll post the pictures next week.

Love to all.