Polar Express

I know the day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be for shopping, but I tried that last year and it was miserable. So, this year we took the kids to the "North Pole" on the Polar Express Train.Getting ready to go. The kids were so excited to go to Santa's house. Bryton just thought being on the train was neat.Grinch 1 and Grinch 2On the way we sang Christmas songs with Jingle Bells and it was a tantrum when we had to give them back.Polar Express

Looking out the window at Santa's house as we arrived.

Telling Santa what to bring.

Bryton actually wasn't scared of Santa - just mad she wasn't getting a candy cane immediately!

Oops, Ty forgot a present and had to go back.

I think the kids had a great time (I did), and what a fun and magical memory to have.

Flippin' the Fly

I will admit I'm not an avid angler. I enjoy fishing but it's something I wouldn't do on my own, only if Zach goes (we were fishing when he proposed). Usually, I will only go in the summer when it's warm (so I can get a tan) and bring a book so I can read when I get bored, because Zach can literally spend the entire day fishing. But I do love the feeling of hooking a fish. Zach enjoys steelhead fishing because of the size of the fish, but goes when it's cold. Well, I asked if this year I could go spend two days in the cold with him, because I would love to catch a HUGE fish. He warned me this wasn't like regular fishing where you're at least getting a bite every so often. You fish for hours before you get a bite, but because of the size of the fish it's well worth it. We went to Riggins, and went with a wildlife biologist we met through Zach's dad. He studies the Salmon Runs, so the perfect guy to show us where the fish are. (Zach went with him last year)

This is Dr. Burns with a "fish on"
Bringing it in.
I have to admit this isn't what I expected-- to me it just looks like a big Rainbow Trout. But it is a steelhead and 25 inches.

And this is me giving up. 7 and a half hours of fishing later, a sore arm, and NO fish!! Nope, all day I fished, I kept telling myself positive sentences "I'm going to catch a fish this cast" "Okay this time"..... I've heard there's a book that says if you throw postive thoughts out to the universe the universe will hear you and reward you -- NOT TRUE. The second day I only lasted 1 hour before I gave up and took a nap in the car. I can only say it was beautiful up there and I did enjoy having nothing else going on or anything to think about except fish for two days.

Halloween

My mom made this cute clown suit when my brother Josh was little. I can't do anything like this, she spent my and Bryn's whole childhood making sure we weren't domestic and now wonders why we don't can, cook, sew or craftt!!! :-)

Seriously, not even 5 minutes after I put the makeup on and she already had it smeared!

Go Bucks!! I thought for sure with as many BSU fans there are here, one of them wasn't going to give a treat to Ty because he's not wearing blue and orange
The kiddos off to get the candy. Halloween was so fun this year. Ty actually dressed up without a fight and just headed off with his cousins, and Bryton loved trick or treating. All the other kids ran from door to door leaving her in the dust. She took her time, and went to all the doors as well only a lot slower, but she wouldn't let us hold her or her bucket of candy. She wanted to do it and didn't complain at all.