Playing in The Snow

On Christmas Eve we decided to enjoy the snow a little and we went sledding with some family at Jolley's Ranch in Hobble Creek Canyon!  It was fun.  McKenzie was a little frightened and finally worked up the courage to slide down the hill.  She turned right into some trees.  From then on out she rode with Cayson.  Check out Erik's fabulous hat-I convinced him to buy it.  I think it is awesome!  

Christmas Cookies

I haven't made sugar cookies for at least five years!  We decided to make some today!  It was great fun except for the mess!  And maybe Austin"s glob of frosting and cookie!

The Angel in The Christmas Play

Today at school the 3rd grade sang "The Angel In the Christmas Play"  for our assembly.  Guess who was cast as the angel .  I guess it is another case of typecasting because the angel was . . . Robbie! This video isn't the best but I hope you enjoy it anyway!

What does James do all day?

Well as the wife of a self-employed bum, I have pondered this question.  Today I had a glimpse of what he does do all day!  He works! Can you believe it?  Today I have been home from work because of my little breathing problem and he has been in about the same place all day!  Right in front of the computer, on the phone and emailing his office back and forth!  I guess this is a blessing because I get a new perspective to base my expectations of what I think should be done in the day because he is home!  

Lights? Tree? Are You Sure?

This morning I learned a few things.  1. Having the teenagers and the nine year old put the lights on the tree may not go to smoothly.  2.  Maybe Sunday morning isn't the best time for this activity.  3.  Divine intervention helps.  The tree turned out great and there weren't any major mishaps!

Thanksgiving 2008

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at my parent's home in Springville.  Even though we started the day with football,  the teenagers and a few adults played again while waiting for dinner.  There were 24 of us, all of our family except for Tanner and Kerry's family.  We missed them greatly!  We played games, visited and napped until late in the evening.  It was all a Thanksgiving should be.  I am thankful that my blessings include an extraordinary family!

Turkey Bowl 2008

This  year the Old Men won yet again!  Too bad young men!  There is always next year!  The women got to play a little bit this year too!

Don't Forget

Don't forget that Austin's play opens on Thursday at 7:00 at Payson High School!  It runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday!  You'll miss out if you don't make it!

The Zip LIne at The Dreaded Grove

Do you see the fear in Jamie's  face?  That's because she wasn't the chicken.  That was me.  I even said a swear word as ground under my feet started to move.  That is McKenzie at the top waiting to go!

Happy Halloween

So these are the three Ewell children celebrating Halloween.  The costumes were awesome.  We didn't have a trunk or treat so we got to have trick or treaters.  It was fun to see all the cute neighborhood kids.  Robbie is the only one who went trick or treating.  Austin and Erik went to a party and I took McKenzie to a Haunted House with some of her friends.  Jamie came with me.  Our neighbor gave us the tickets.  When we got there we saw him and he sent us to ride the zip line.  It was awesome!  Scary,but awesome!  Thanks Jamie for protecting us all!

The Halloween Party before my battery died in the camera!

Fiery Furnace

We took a hike through the Fiery Furnace while we were in Arches National Park.  It is a guided tour that goes through the fins.  There are arches throughout and some pretty good climbing.  You know James, he loves to ask questions and learn new things.  Our ranger's name was Rob and he was pretty fun.  He and our Robbie were instantly friends.  Robbie followed him the whole way and was his little helper.  He asked him a million questions and Ranger Rob was patient and fun with him.  These are some pictures of that hike.

Moab 2008

We just took a delightful trip to Moab with our friends the Parks.  We had a fantastic time exploring Arches National Park and Canyon Lands National Park.  The teenagers enjoyed each other.  We hiked, climbed rocks, played games, and of course ate continually.  Even with all the hiking I am sure I gained more than I lost!  If you have never been to these National Parks, you should plan a trip.  It is amazing!  

Fall In Utah

Joni's blog has some wonderful pictures of fall in New Jersey.  I thought I would share some pictures of fall in Payson Canyon.  This was Sunday, October 5th, our annual conference drive.  The first picture is at the entrance of Payson Lakes.  The next picture is at the Mount Nebo overlook.  It is almost 10,000 feet above sea level.  It had been raining and snowing on Saturday.  Notice the flip flops!  Austin is taking the picture.

Congratulations Austin!

Austin just got a lead role in the school musical. He will have one solo, more lines than he wants to count and a few duets/trios. The play is Once Upon A Mattress and he will be playing the court jestor. We wondered if it was typecasting! He wanted the role of the mute king but I am sure that the directors just couldn't picture him in that role. Anyway the play will be performed the weekend before Thanksgiving and end on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Congrats and good luck Austin!

8 T.V. Shows I Love To Watch:
NCSI
Chuck
CSI New York
Criminal Minds
CBS This Morning
CSI
Numbers
American Idol

8 Favorite Restaurants:
Happy Sumo
Thai Chille Garden
Red Rock Pub
PF Changs
Fat Jack's Pizza
3 Strikes
Bajio
Zupas

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
Taught Second Graders
Went to Spin
Rode my bike to work
Picked grapes for grape juice
Ordered Pizza
Robbie's Football Game
Planted tulip bulbs
Read Email

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
New York in the Spring
Moab next Wednesday
June of 2010
Halloween
Austin's Play in November (He is playing a Jester)
Christmas??
Thanksgiving with the Williams
Anna updating her blog

8 Things I Love About Fall:
leaves
drives
Halloween
Thanksgiving
cool temperatures
school
hoodies
football

8 Things On My Wish List:
A Hot Tub
A Clean House that stays clean
A fireplace
a visit to New York
To see Wicked again
A Cruise
To be thin without running
To be thin even if I have to run

8 People I am Tagging:
Anna
Joni
Jamie
Becky
Merrilee
Gina
Kerry
Anyone who reads my blog

I just got these pictures from our play.  They are so exciting!  Thought whoever looks at our blog ever might enjoy seeing them!

The boys went camping at the Sand Dunes this weekend.  Erik took these fun pictures.  They had a lot of fun in the sand, riding the four-wheeler and sleeping under the stars.  McKenzie, Nicole and I watched August Rush.  It was good.  We also went to the BYU game.  It was a fun game but we all got a lopsided sunburn!

We finally had some free time and we went to Cascade Springs up American Fork Canyon.  It was beautiful.  Our whole family went plus Brendan and Kirsten and our new foreign exchange student, Erik.  James is always trying to show us something interesting!

Happy Birthday, Mckenzie-Look out drivers, she will have her permit and be learning to drive.  

Attention!!!

James has decided to branch out on his own.  He can now offer all types of loans.  So if you are interested in refinancing, finding a better rate or loan for you, purchasing a new home, or investing in property, remember him.  He would love to help in anyway he can.  Call him at (801)367-7093.  Tell all your friends and family as well. 

Most of our summer is spent in a pool.  We love to swim, especially Robbie.  This weekend we were in Saint George at James' uncles.  Robbie spent hours and hours in the pool.  It was the best place to be because it was blazing hot!

The Grotto

James' sister and her family just moved to Payson.  Today we took them to hike at the grotto.  This is Kirsten, Brendon and Robbie at the grotto.

Today was a sad day for us.  We said goodbye to Marcus who has spent the last nine months with us. He flew home to Sweden this morning.  We enjoyed having him in our home and we will miss him very much!