Dragon Wrestling

The wrestling season has begun for the Malad Dragons--returning State Champs, yes, that's right, Malad High School took state last year as a team. Even though Kyle was still recovering he was there to support them and he was still considered part of the team. This year, Kyle started off strong by getting a pin on his first match. The next one he lost---but if you ask Kyle--you win some and you lose some. The next match-up was at the Malad Invitational. Kyle took 3rd place in the 119 weight class. He was very excited. He tried his hardest and it was great to see him on the mat again and enjoying it so much. We are so proud of how far he has come over the last year. Last year on this day, December 22nd, we had our second surgery fixing the hip fracture and broken pelvis. We had nearly lost him a couple of times and he was still on a vent. But, let's look on the bright side...he is still here with us and knows that he has a purpose here. We love our "baby boy" very much. We still call him our baby boy, even though he just turned 18. Keep going strong Kyle...we love you and are so proud of all your accomplishments!!!

Oh Christmas Tree...Oh Christmas Tree...

Yes, we went and cut down our Christmas tree on Saturday. It has been a family tradition to buy a tree permit and go for a beautiful drive in the Malad Valley and find that special Christmas Tree. I can still remember the year we went when I was expecting Kyle. We had a lot of snow that year and I was eight months pregnant...and little did I know that he was not going to wait much longer to come into this world. He wanted to be part of our Christmas and not wait any longer. Each year we have had fun as a family, sharing memories and enjoying the outdoors with other family members.
Now, not every year has been full of joy...yes, there have been fights and tears, and whining and complaining....but for the most part...it is great!!! Ray took us up John Evans Canyon and we found a wonderful tree right from the start, but you can't cut down the first tree you find...(don't ask Kyle)...we went hiking and looking and more hiking and more looking and yep, you guessed it...went back and cut down that first tree. Kyle and Ashlee took turns cutting it down and it is up and decorated. What great family memories we have tried to create!!




Kyle telling Ashlee how to use the saw...this went over big as you can imagine!!

The "Man" getting the job done!!!

Go Ashlee!!!

Hi...ho...hi...ho...its off to home we go!!!

Ta..da!!!

Malad Homecoming 2009

Kyle had a great time during homecoming week. There is plenty to do between working on class floats for the parade and the many daily activities, the kids stay busy. Friday was a fun day with a beautiful day of weather, parade and of course the big game against the Westside Pirates. Malad won the game and it was so good!! That night was the big dance, then dinner at our house with pizza and cheese cake (thanks Bo and Shenell for the cheese cakes) and then finishing with a movie. On Saturday then went and drove go-carts, hung out at the mall (so yes, those of you from Malad, then went "out-of-town" :-)) and then finished with the corn maze in Garland. I hear that Kyle screamed the loudest...even over the girls!! They had a great weekend and made some wonderful memories!! Here are a few pictures. Thanks to Mary Jo for taking the pictures!!

Amber, Kyle, Lindsay, Trasen, Paige & Nathan

Cousins and best friends!! Kyle and Lindz

Kyle and Amber

Fall....

Well, fall is here. The leaves have changed to beautiful colors of red, orange and yellow, we brought the cows home, and the weather is cooler. I love fall!! Ashlee helped me put up the Halloween decorations yesterday so the house looks more festive. For the missionaries, I have added some picture of Kyle moving the cows. One picture he says is just for Grandpa. You will notice the hat on sideways with his tongue sticking out!! Yes we all remember that photo from Maui!!! A couple of pictures are from this morning. A stormed moved in last night and you can see it rolling over the Samaria mountains and North Canyon!! The pictures of Kyle riding also have Kiely Jo in them but she didn't want her pictures taken. The other rider is Grandpa Chuck, yes at the age of 79 he can still move cows and enjoys helping the kids with the cows....Love you!!

New School Year 2009-2010

Well, another school year is under way. For Kyle, this is his last year in high school....yes, he is a Senior, I know, I can't believe it either. He is excited but also worried already about what life will bring after high school. Ashlee is an 8th grader and loving every minute so far. She has made the volleyball team and enjoying it very much. We took some pictures around the farm over the weekend. The pictures attached are with my camera, better ones are to follow that Shenell took with her great new camera (Thanks Shenell!!) For the missionaries, we had rain over the weekend and a pretty good storm tonight. It seems fall is in the air but the weather shows more summer for the next few days. Enjoy the pictures!!!

Nicole had fun with us too taking pictures!!

Kyle does not like having his picture taken!! We had to work for these!!

He loves his letterman's jacket!!



Ashlee had so many great pictures I didn't know which ones to choose!!

4H Sheep Show

Today was the 4-H sheep show. Everyone did a great job!! All four kids got blue ribbons in fitting and showing and quality. Nicole and Eric both make it to the final five in quality. The kids have worked so hard and it is a joy to see the final product and their hard work pay off. We are so proud of Ashlee and the responsiblity she takes to feed and care for the animals!! We love you Ashlee!!

Boating.....

We have alot of catching up to do with summer pictures but I thought I would start with the newest first. On Saturday we finally took the boat out for the first time this summer. With a rainy June and then getting the hay up, we were just too busy but this Saturday was worth the wait. The water was great, not many people and just a whole lot of fun in the sun!!! We had Lexi for the weekend and Bo and Shenell brought the girls and Malorie.

Ashlee and Lizzy having some lunch!!!

Lizzy on the kneeboard for the first time!!

Kyle just chilling!!!

Miss Alexus trying not to smile!!

Brylee striking a pose for the camera!!

And last but not least Mikki Moo as I call her
and she cried when she had to go home!!

Stuff....

It has been a while since we posted on the blog. So what have we been up to. Well, a little bit of everything. Once we got home from Missouri and seeing our wonderful missionaries, Kyle got sick for almost a week and we had to have a couple of test run. He is fine, in fact, feeling so good he attended a wrestling camp last week. It was hard for him and he was very sore but he made it the full four days and also was able to wrestle for one hour in what they call the grind match. We are very proud of his determination.
Ashlee has been playing lots of softball and so far won all her games. She is also my helper at home, doing all the chores and she helps watch the girls and babysits whenever we need her to. She is mowing lawns and working with her lamb. She is such a help to me and her dad. She is awesome!!
A few weeks ago, Brylee and Alexus were at the house and decided to play dress up. Here are just a couple of pictures of the darling girls!!! Love to all!!

Where Oh where have we been....

well, to Missouri to see the Missionaries. Yes, we made the trip back to Missouri to Adam-ondi-Ahman and had a great visit with my parents. We spent 9 days traveling back and we also went to Nauvoo. It was a great trip. I just can not explain the peaceful feelings we had the entire time we were gone. My parents are serving their mission in such a wonderful place. We loved ever minute we were there. Ashlee and Kyle had such a great time. There was a swing were my parents live and this was Ashlee's favorite place to hang out. We seen so many beautiful places and had great feelings of peacefulness and felt the spirit that it is just hard to explain. It will be a trip that we never forget. We are so thankful we had this opportunity to visit this great place and learn about the history. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great trip!! Love you!!

Attached are just a few pictures...Enjoy!!!

New Additions to the Farm....

Well, it is that time of year...to get the sheep for 4-H. Ashlee, Nicole, Eric and Justin picked out the lambs tonight from Rauhn Panting and we brought them to their new home. We spent about an hour looking at all the lambs, writing down numbers and catching the ones the kids liked the best. It is a great summer job for the kids and they do a great job. Here are a few pictures. You can see that it is a family affair. Blake wanted to pet one so Kathy got some hay and did some coaxing. Also, the 4-H steer and other cow were very interested in the new additions to the farm!!!

Smile Ashlee!! You love these wonderful lambs!


Give me a kiss!!!


This is Justin's first year!! What a treat!!


Blake wanting to pet them!!


And now the fun begins!!!

Little Update...

Here is just a little update to what the kids have been doing the past week. Kyle is getting ready to end his Junior year. He is excited to be a Senior next year. School is a struggle for Kyle so there are many things about school he will not miss but there are friends and great teachers and those extra activities that he will miss. All we have heard for the past month is that he only has one year of high school left. This morning as we were getting ready for the day, he said to me, "I will be a Senior next year, can you believe it"...and before I could answer he said, "I guess I've grown up a little too fast" I could hardly talk. There have been days we weren't sure if we would see him graduate from high school or even finish his Junior year but we are so proud of the great young man that he has become.
Ashlee has been busy at school too. She decide to run for Student Body Vice President of her Middle school. She made it through the preliminaries and hopes to win. She has made signs, stickers and now working on a skit for tomorrow. She is our rock and Ray calls her the "Guard" as she keeps us all in line, makes sure we don't forget things and just keeps up going.
Love goes out to the Missionaries in Missouri!!

A Week in Review...

Well, it was a busy week, we got a lot accomplished in six days.
*On Monday, it was the drill team spring show and Ashlee and Nicole performed with their dance team
*On Tuesday, we had a great Young Men and Young Women's activity with a game of baseball and dutch oven cooking. We had a great turn-out!! It seems when you serve food, they come!!!
*Wednesday, Kyle went riding at the in-door barn at Simpsons and had a great time. Ashlee and Nicole mowed lawns and Ray was the fix-it man for the lawn mower. When he gave Ashlee his bill, she about fainted!!! He said he wasn't givin' free labor like Grandpa Frank :-)
*Thursday we cleaned house and worked in the yard
*Friday was branding day at the ranch. We were done by lunch and it was a job that felt great to get done. Friday night, Kyle and I went to Grace to watch the high school rodeo. The Malad kids are doing great. Lindsay is doing super in each event and we can't wait to watch them in Malad this next weekend.
On the way home from the rodeo, we picked up Lexie for the weekend.Today was also Grandpa Frank's birthday!!! Happy Birthday!!!!
*Saturday found us spending the day in Tremonton at a dance competition. Everyone did awesome!!!
Below are pictures from Friday branding!!! Until next week!!!

**Dylan and Kyle wrestling down a calf


This was one that got out of the chute so with the help of Josh they got the job done


Not sure what Ray and Ashlee are doing?? Ray has the "Davis" tongue out (I think this means deep in thought)


Lindsay, Josh and Grandpa Chuck taking time for a photo


Kyle giving a new baby calf some tender loving care!!!