Camping in the Orme Wilderness

Well we promised the girls we'd go camping over Martin Luther King weekend. Well it got REALLY cold and rainy, so we decided we just camp in our backyard. Fortunately for little girls, camping is camping as long as there's a tent involved.



Here's our new tent. Tom can actually stand up inside (which is quite a feat). Our first tent was 6x6. I still can't believe Tom and I actually fit into it.



Making smores. The girls loved it and enjoyed eating them.









Payden just enjoyed stilling the crackers and marshmallows and chocolate before making them into smores.



Tom enjoying the fun.



Shelby's first roasted (or is toasted . . . I can't think right now) marshmallow.



Taylor's first.



Payden checking out the action.



My turn with the smores.



Going to sleep. As you can see, only Shelby gets down to business. If it's time to sleep, then she's going to go to sleep. As for Taylor and Payden . . . well after a few ultimatums and "snuggling" (okay she was slightly pinned) with Payden they FINALLY went to sleep.

Of course with my SEVERE allergies (I'll explain more in a later post) and Payden being so little, she and I both ended up in our beds about 2 am. The others enjoyed it. Although it was cold, there's nothing better than snuggling up under nice warm blankets. They had a good night and really enjoyed camping. It's nice to know that we don't have to be too fancy to make them happy. It was a good family outing . . . even if it was just in our backyard.

A Few Random Moments

She plays like this, draws like this, watches TV like this, and I could go on. You'd think it wouldn't be the most comfortable, but apparently it is. I just think it's too cute.



Our nighttime routine had to change a bit when Taylor's asthma was triggered, so here we are . . . nebulizer and scriptures and all.



Taylor playing the computer. She's getting quite good. I love the tongue.



Payden, who ALWAYS has to be involved in what her sisters are doing, has to take a look too.



The shoe fetish is still going. She even has to put her own shoes on as well as others' shoes when she can't find any of hers or if they look fun enough to wear.

Christmas Morning . . . Again

We're Going on a Hay Ride . . . (This is Texas; there are no sleighs to be found.)

Our Ride



David (aka the Boy), David Driggs (future brother-in-law), Karin (future bride-to-be)



Adam and Carlee



Matt and Michalle



Tom



Keith and Lori



Papa, Shelby, Madi, and Taylor



Scott and Angela (the newlyweds)



Me and Payden



The house with ALL SORTS of stuff. Fun to look at, but a little too much for my tastes.



The Gingerbread House - the pictures bad, but this is how to decorate a house.



Tom messing with the camera and taking cool pictures of the lights.

Christmas Morning

Christmas with the Dynes Family

Shelby's Class Christmas Party

Fun with Markers

Fun with Puppets

Payden's Version of the Nativity

Ward Christmas Party

Bring it On!!!!!!

Okay really . . . don't. It all just needs to stop. The girls finally stopped meds last night. Taylor and Payden are still not sleeping through the night after the whole RSV thing. I'm waiting for everything to get a little more normal, but still I've been feeling much better about things . . . a little hopeful that we might return to a normal life . . . and then last night had to happen.

I went out with the girls to take Shelby to school. Shelby went to open her door, and I hear this weird noise and Shelby making a surprised sound. I look up and there's no glass in her window and I realize the weird noise was the sound of glass falling to the ground. At first I wasn't sure what had happened, but eventually as I looked around I noticed the glove compartment is open, the iPod is gone, stuff's out of place . . . our car got broken into. I hate it. It just feels weird to know someone broke in our car. Fortunately there wasn't much to steal except the iPod and the iPod radio converter. But now instead of a day at home doing laundry and cleaning up (because I've been busy all week long and I'm way behind on things), I've had a morning of calling insurance, window repairmen, the police . . . What makes me most sick is that Tom had pictures of us on his iPod. I HATE knowing that's in someone else's hands. AHHHHHH!!!!! After getting the window fixed, I will definitely be getting an alarm put on our car. I just hate this. What's next?!?!?!?!

Putting Up Christmas Decorations