Thanksgiving

Cart and Brenden stopped on their way to Boise.  I didn't really know what Cart did at work. So she showed me. I was so impressed.   She updates web sights for the college.  She posts articles about events and issues. ag.usu.edu search Mccarty Hatfield and there is like 10 pages of her material. Way2go.

Made a few changes for the Holidays.  The girl asked "what do you want?" I said--'I want it different enough my husband will notice.'  He did. 

  We held Thanksgiving at our House this year.  It was fun to have everyone.  It was nice not to have to travel also.  We got cooking assignments which broke up the burden of food / preparation time.  We spent the day eating, visiting, playing games, being together and enjoying it.   
The kids got along for the most part.  Kylin and Katana had a hard time Sharing.  They are either best buds or fierce competitors. 

Perfect Symbiotic Relationship

Utah Truck Trip

The Kelly's bought a truck in Hurricane. Pam and I drove down Monday.  She picked up the truck and dropped me at my parents for the week.  Monday night Trujillo's family met us at Mom and Dad's for FHE (aka. free dinner).

Katana got the Royal Treatment (for grandkids that's a good thing.  I remember it being code for a "buttwhopp'n".) Anyway She got lots of attention. And we had a blast. 

 Mom is laughing in this picture because she was holding Katana up so she could swim and Katana blew butt bubbles in her face. Mom was shocked--totally dropped Katana who came up like "what?"

Katana had fun chasing the chickens.  She couldn't figure out which one was  making all the noise (the little banty rooster) but it was apparently really funny. She really liked taking a horse ride. We tried to put her on Trujillo's miniature but she thought it was a big dog (Duke) and wanted to lead it around instead.  Of course we took a buggy ride.  I helped Dad sort one day.  Fun Crazy Week.  Thanks Mom and Dad for playing with Katana-getting to know her.  For loving us both and loving each other   

On the way home I stopped in Delta to visit Timber's family.  I got there just in time to help finish building the first snowman of the year and get totally creamed in a spontaneous snowball fight. Denim has a wicked arm. It was great. Can't remember the last snowball fight I had.    They really went all out for me. Hot grilled salsa, pine nuts, pork, yum!  

A Day in the Life of Katana

Katana is very active.  When she's up she's up! She mimics me which is adorable.   Getting ready.  My hair--her hair... I use deodorant -she lifts her arm for deodorant.  Me makeup--her pretend makeup with Dads shaving brush or chap-stick   (by the way she can open them so we have half eaten tubes all over the house.)  Town--she needs a bag.  Phone--see hands free 

Our neighbors have goats that Katana has to chase off the lawn sometimes.  She loves being outside. We walk to the mailbox almost everyday.  Loves the tire swing. Likes to go High. Swings on her belly if I'm not there to put her in the baby seat.   

A quick snack (which she eats all by herself)  and then it's nap time.  

We had the crib over by the bed so she could get out in the mornings...then she started getting out at nap time....oh no Mommy needs baby to have nap time still....had to move the crib to the middle of the room after that.  

She's my little shadow.  Helps cook, vacuum, do the mending, dishes and the laundry (unbalanced washer is as good as a carnival ride.)

And for all her hard work she gets to watch home videos of herself before bed. 

Preston has class Monday and Wednesday. These are our girl nights.

She never sits still unless your doing something "pretty"

Getting ready for bed is fun.    Loves to brush her teeth. Got 12 chompers.  Would prefer long baths with lots of toys, but sometimes we only have time / patience for a quick shower. 

We got a system going-- teeth, bath, story, prayers, bottle, bed.

And then we start all over again.

Harvest Time

Part of our obligation of living in the Leavitt's home is to take care of the garden....easier said than done as a summer without tending left it looking more like a jungle. Katana was hesitant at first, not really liking the pokey forest--she did her own thing--watch cows, snack, drink from the drip hose (not at all sanitary-let her long enough to get a picture)--but soon she got caught up in the work and jumped right in. 

 We harvested the apples off of two old apple trees.  Got enough to make a few quarts of apple sauce and apple chutney. We dried and deep fried a few too.  yum!   What a big helper I have. 

 Story: one Sunday we all lay down on the bed.  Preston and I dosed off.  Katana didn't but was very quiet...very bad sign for a child.  We woke up when she started rubbing lotion on us. How she got the cap off the bottle I don't know.  One thing I do know...She smelled really good for a few days.   OH we love you sweetheart.