Christmas

Okay I admit that I have fallen behind on my blog! For some reason my computer has really limited what I can do on it so I have avoided the frustration. We survived Christmas, and I can't believe how fast it came. I swear it was only a short time ago that we were out camping and all of a sudden there is snow on the ground neighbors with treats at our door and a big green tree in our living room. How does the time manage to sneak by so fast? I think we had a very good Christmas this year. Work has really slowed down for Eric, but right before Christmas he had 2 weeks of overtime because some guys at work are out for surgery. We pulled it all together last minute and I think the kids got just about everything they asked for. Logan and Baylee are getting to the age that they are really questioning the existence of Santa. They wrote him a letter, but refused to tell us what they asked for in order to find out if he is real or not. Well Santa came and they both got things that were on their lists so I think we can get another year of believing out of them. (Fingers crossed) I think it is so sad when kids stop believing. My parents never came out and told me, so I still believe. Sad I know. I know there isn't the jolly elf with the white beard and reindeer but I believe that Santa is that little warm feeling you get around the holidays that makes you forgive the driver in front of you that just cut you off in traffic, and pick a name off the giving trees to give presents to kids who won't get anything if you don't give. When you hold the store doors open for strangers even though you are in a hurry to get in and get out. Santa is the look on your kids faces when they come out Christmas morning to a tree full of presents with their names on them, and the tingling feeling you get knowing you put that look there. I am so glad that we were able to make our kids smile again this year, and I hope that if they do stop believing in Santa the magical man that they will understand that Santa the magical feeling is very real.



This year Eric got a new snow plow for the rhino because I broke the home made one that came with it. Long story. lol He also got a lot of craftsman tools so he can fix anything else I might break in the future Ha ha!

I got clothes and some photography books and a new purse.

Logan got his bakuban balls that he wanted. I have no idea what the draw is to them but I was just happy they weren't expensive. He also got the eye clops night vision goggles he asked for and a bunch of finger skateboards and build a park accessories to make half pipes and grinding rails, and clothes, snow boots and snow pants and gloves.

Baylee got the girl gourmet cup cake maker/decorator and a make your own finger nail polish machine and clothes and boots, gloves, snow suit and hat and scarf

Hayden got a Mr potato head with lots of extras and a new bike and clothes and neat things called magniformers

Reagan got a new cabbage patch baby that she had to open to see if it was a boy or girl. It was a girl and her name is Patricia Shirley, but we call her Patty. She got a doll house, and clothes, and her and Hayden got some bouncy animals that they just LOVE.

After opening gifts and playing with everything for a while, we had our traditional king crab legs dinner. It was delicious!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas this year! I hope that you were surrounded by friends and family and warmed by the spirit of the season. I also wish you all a Happy New Year, full of hope for the future, jobs that pay well, bills that are paid, and all the happiness you can handle.

Just Hitched!

Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to announce the marriage of my Nephew Justin to Stephanie. They said "I Do" on November 27th in front of all their friends and family. I have been privileged to have a part in this event starting when Justin asked me to photograph his proposal to Stephanie at the Skeet War memorial horse race. Then the couple asked me to do their engagement photos. I was shocked when Stephanie asked me to be her maid of honor, but of course I said yes. Steph also asked me to do her bridals and photograph the wedding and reception. Now I wasn't able to take the pictures during the ceremony since I was a part of it, but I did hand off my camera to my mother in law. After the ceremony was over I took over and I have posted some of the bridal shots and wedding photos. The lighting was really bad at the church and I have asked Santa for some new equipment that would really help out next time, but I did my best and I think they still turned our pretty good. Congratulations "Fred & Snarfie" Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day. I really hope that you enjoy your pictures and when you go back and look at them through the years that you will be reminded of your special day and love you share. I love you guys. Congrats again!

Our Veterans

Happy Veterans Day!

For those of you who have followed my blog for a while now you will recognize this post from last year, but hey recycling is cool right? I have been having problems with my computer for a while now and it won't allow me to add pictures to my blog, but I did this post last year and honestly this years posting would have been so similar I might as well just use the one from last year. In my family we have many veterans in all different branches, So in honor of Veterans Day I decided to recognize the Veterans in our Family. I wasn't able to get pictures of them all, but I am going to recognize the ones that I know.

Tom Clements II was in the Merchant marines during WWII.

He is my Grandpa.

John Clements was in the Army.

He is my Uncle.
Jim Clements was in the Army and served in the white house for President Nixon.

He is my Uncle.

Cleo Teeter, Eric's Grandpa, served in the Army during WWII.

(not pictured)

Reggie Teeter, Eric's dad, served in the Army from 1966-1968.

He fought in Vietnam and was a Radio Repairman.

Farold Naef, my Grandpa, served in the Army.

(not pictured)

Kevin Naef, served in the Air Force.

He was a Senior Master Sargent and served from 1978-2001.

(not pictured)

Dennis Erickson served in the Army,

and fought in Vietnam.

(not Pictured)

Scott Beck has served in the Navy from 1996-current. He is an Engine man Senior Chief Surface Warfare Specialist. He has been deployed many times in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He is my brother.

I think it is important to recognize our soldiers and their families. I am taking this time to thank all the ones that I know and I hope that you will do the same. Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service!

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Short Update

Sorry I haven't posted anything new in a while. We have been busy working on unfinished projects around the house in order to sell it. Today we officially put it on the market. I am anticipating much stress and serious mood swings in the forecast, but hopefully it is the right decision for our family and it will all work out in the end.

Halloween is just a few weeks away and the kids are starting to think about costumes, but I haven't even put up any fall decorations. I will get on that right away.

The kids have had a cold this week, but so far nothing serious to worry about.

My computer has a virus that I need to take care of A.S.A.P. but I have to be able to go without it for a day. That is a hard thing to do since I have turned into a facebook junkie. LOL

I would have added a few pictures that I took of Eric and our helpers doing siding on the house but the virus on my computer won't let me. I have been very restricted on what I can do. I will post some as soon as I get my computer fixed.

For Sale

I have decided to start selling some of the crafts that I have been making. I stay at home with the kids and I guess this is one way that I can make a little money. I am posting pictures of some of what I have done. There is more, but it is buried in the garage with the Halloween and Christmas decorations. When I get it out I will take pictures and post them too. I hope you like what I have done and let me know if you want something. I am buying my own vinyl cutter, so I won't have to wait for someone else to cut it for me anymore. I am hoping to have it within a week. Then I will have to educate myself on it. Hopefully that won't take long. LOL

This clock is plain, but I can add sayings

or wedding dates, ...

This one has the saying

"A mother holds her children's hands for a while,

their hearts forever.

The clocks will cost right around $30

depending on how much the hands cost me

These signs prices will vary based on size and amount of vinyl used.
Probably $10-$20

I also made the shelf in this picture and

that price will depend on the size you want.

This is a shelf that I made out of an old door.

This project depends on me finding the old door.

and how much the door costs me.

It will probably cost about $100

(this price subject to change)

This is a fun little chair to have.

I hang different signs on it for different holidays.

I have seen them for $60 in craft stores.

I will do it for $40

These blocks I actually received as a gift but

I will make them for $10-$20
(depending on how many letters)

This is another project that came to me on a sleepless night.

It is made from an old wooden window frame.

You can change the flowers to match the seasons

and it has pins to hang pictures on.

Each one will look different because I have all different sizes of windows.

Price will vary based on size.

This is a box that I use to put all the cards that I make in.

It can also be used as a recipe box.

I don't have a price on this one yet.

I am not sure how much the boxes are.

I think it will be around $15

Justin and Steph's engagement pictures.

Yesterday, Justin and Steph came to Preston and stayed with us. We went to Grace to the place where Justin and Steph met and took some photos. I think we have a few winners. Eric was a big help spotting some good locations. The deer were out, but not visible in any of these pictures. That would have been cool though. We took over 50 pictures, but I will just post my favorites. Enjoy!

This is one of Steph's favorites

Aww young love

I really like this one.

The butt shot.

This one was completely candid.

Justin actually did this and I caught it.

These last 2 didn't make the cut :(

The sun went down before we could get them,

I like these pictures and wanted to share them

even though the lighting wasn't there for us.

Announcing the engagement of Justin and Stephanie

When Justin got down on one knee and asked,

"Stephanie, will you please marry me?"

Her response was quiet and simple,

"Yes, Justin, If you really love me."

"I do" he said with a tear in his eye.

"Forever" she promised, as she started to cry.

Congratulations! We love you both very much!

A Weekend in Almo!

Okay so we like to follow Eric's cousins, Mack and Chase, around in the rodeo circuit. If they are riding anywhere remotely close to us then we are so there! They rode in Preston 2 weeks ago and in Grace last week and this week we camped out in Almo at Eric's aunt and uncles house. We loaded up the trailer and the kids and headed out for a fun filled weekend at the Burley fair. We left Thursday and got out there kind of late. Friday, Chase took the kids horse back riding. They also have a HUGE rock in their yard so the kids and Eric climbed it. Then we went into Burley to the fair and the rodeo. Mack was in first that night, but by the end of the night Saturday he ended up in 3rd. We were planning on going to the horse races Saturday and then going home after. My nephew asked us to go, because he was proposing to his girlfriend, Steph, and wanted me to get pictures of it. That was a hard secret to keep! Well about the time that the 9th race started, Hayden fell on the asphalt and sliced his head open. We cleaned up the blood and went to the ambulance display at the fair. They helped clean him off and tried to tape the skin back together so we could stay long enough to get the proposal pictures that were planned after the 11th race. It was so sweet! The 11th race was the Skeet Warr memorial race in honer of Justin's grandpa who recently passed away. The family went down to the track and took pictures with the winner and the horse. Then after that the family stuck around (they all knew what was happening) and Justin got down on his knee and asked Steph if she would pretty please marry him. (I don't know what the exact words were) I was worried that the pictures wouldn't turn out, because I couldn't see through all my tears! LOL I'm hopeless that way. Then we headed to the E.R. for 2 stitches and a sucker. We got back to the trailer pretty late and decided to just stay again and leave early in the morning. We finally made it home and we brought with us a lot of good memories and some good stories to tell. We can't wait to go again. Tremonton's rodeo is in 2 weeks! YEEHAW!

Half way up the big rock!

Hayden does this and is fine,

but walking on asphalt sends him to the E.R.

Go figure!

It was Baylee's turn first on the horse.

Chase even taught her how to get on

all by herself!

Next it was Logan's turn.

Then Hayden, I love this picture!

It is my favorite from this weekend.

Almost all of us waiting for the rodeo to begin.

Logan and Clay had left to get ice cream.

Uncle Scott and his wife, Michelle, and Aunt Anita,
Justin, Steph, Hayden, Eric, Reagan, and Baylee.

Chase's ride. I got a few good shots of him,

but the ones I took of Mack didn't turn out that great.

I will have another shot in Tremonton though.

Hayden's taped up injury.

The 11th race! The Skeet Warr Memorial Race.

We were rooting for #8, but in the photo finish I think he ended up in 3rd.

Justin and Steph right after the proposal.

Congratulations guys!

A Few Finished Projects

I finally finished a couple of projects that we have been working on for a while. We built a closet for our bedroom, and this shelf that is made from an old door. I have seen them at the fair and at the The Gingerbread Shoppe selling for around $160! I thought "I can do that" so I did. Actually Eric did. I told him what cuts needed made and he cut the shelved and screwed it all togehter. Then I painted it when I painted our closet. To make this it cost me the $30 that I paid for the door. I have another door in the garage that I want to finish too. We have been putting in a new counter top in the kitchen and I posted pictures of it before. We have now finally finished the backsplash. We hired Jason Kerr to come do it for us. He was so fun to work with. I can't wait to have him come do our bathroom! If you need tile work done call him! His website is www.kerrtile.com There's a little free advertisement for ya Jason. Thanks a lot.

Now my problem is that I am not sure that the brown glass tiles go okay with my red paint. Do I need to paint my kitchen a different color? Let me know what you think please.