Shotguns and Shovels

After our experience last week, we found it was important to know the difference between a shovel and a gun.  The fact that the weather was an unusually warm 50° didn't hurt us either.  This is only the second time I have ever shot a shotgun.  Let's just say, I was visualizing a zombie apocalypse.

This is just how we raise them in Idaho...
Ladybug - safety off, ready, aim, fire, safety on.
(we said that a lot)

BLT, Miguel's best buddy.

KT being a man about it.

And that's just how we roll...

Football for Christmas

Yeah, It's true!  It's almost February, and I am going to make a Christmas post.  That is because I have had creativity blockage.  Back in December I posted about some Flexibility having to do with the Holidays, because I'm pretty much a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas.  But, by the kindness of a friend, we were in possession of 5 free tickets to the Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas to see our favorite BSU play some football the Saturday before Christmas....a 12 hour drive.  Christmas in Vegas?  I wasn't so sure, but the promise of seeing my Grandmother in California the day after the game had me consenting.  Besides, I came to the realization that I was probably the only one who cared about those silly traditions.  We were to drive home on Christmas Eve.

As it turns out a major storm watch was in effect for Utah (our route home) on Christmas Eve.  So, (more flexibility here), we packed up a day early without seeing grandma to make it safely home.  We still hit 2 hours of blizzard, but that was far better than twelve.

I really should get some kind of award here.  But, time with KT, Air Force Man, Ladybug and BLT was time well spent.

FYI, BSU won!  So worth the trip...

Hospital Swag

I mentioned that my mom was going through a fairly serious surgery.  On the way to the hospital, she got a call postponing it for a week.  It was rescheduled for the day before Miguel's mission departure.  We loaded up the kids to go visit her in the hospital.  The boys wrote some goals on her white board...

1.  Don't Die and
2.  Get out of here.  

I hear it made quite the impression on the nurses and doctors.

Bryce (aka BLT) and Miguel thought it would be fun to don some hospital swag...

Then all three boys wore that swag home in the car.  Windows down, they were trying to speak in British accents to the other drivers with their hospital swag.  They had me laughing so hard....

I'm going to miss this...

Goodbye Party, and a Photo Shoot

Miguel invited lots of friends and family to come over for a send off party before departing for his mission.  We kept so busy that when it would be finally time for him to leave, this mama would be too exhausted to cry.

Then later we dressed up for a photo shoot.  

Last family picture with us all together for two years.

Third year in a row...

Remember when TJ graduated, and then Miguel?  Well, last night we attended another graduation.  That would be the third year in a row...This is for my son who isn't really my son.  But we say he is because he is at our house a lot and he eats a lot of our food and we love him.  So that pretty much qualifies you as a member of our family.  And he makes us laugh, so yeah, you are in....A lot of times I'll walk out of my bedroom in the morning and there he is crashed out on our couch.

 B-Lew!!!!  We knew you could do it.  We are so proud of you!!!  

We enjoyed a little BLT last night.

No more Taco Bell Arena for four years.  You know until Ladybug graduates.
Unless, of course, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood or Rascal Flatts comes to town.
Then all bets are off...