oh yeah

this is Pippin', Emma's cat. he's an outdoor cat despite the picture. he's our mouser.

our tree, not too bad for out in the woods.

Dan works thru the holidays so this was our Christmas break a little early.

Our Christmas Break

Dan and I haven't been to the Boise temple, where we got married, for 10 years, so that was great!! Thanks Libby for babysitting.

We haven't been to Boise for 4 years, when Will was brand new, so it was really fun.

Janey really loved that swing. She has not swung since we left ABQ. 5 months.

Snowman in the making with Grandma.

this is the snowman in SLC at Christophers baptism. That was a blast Chris and Rachel, thanks for letting us share in the fun.

Ethan and Will falling down the "hill"

that silly stray cat that wouldn't leave us alone

Christopher "King of the snowman"

random pic. the kids love that silly banister, they slide down it all day long.

hunting for the perfect Christmas tree. our picture for our Christmas card came from this excursion just 2 weeks ago, despite the date on the photo.

our new hickory island.

we got our tree 5 min. from our house.

another shot of the island.

Can you believe he's 60???!!

Is it possible that he has passed the 6 decade mark? That's what the calendar says, but his joy and delight in life will keep him young forever! (We hope!!!) We love you Gav! You are the best:)

Christmas Gift exchange

Sunni- Dan
Dan- Sunni
Chris- Carson
Carson- Chris

Well I am excited to announce the christmas exchange list for 2009. These like last year are who's family is giving to which family. I love celebrating Christmas and I know its always fun at Christmas with all the Gee's. Grandpa's trained us well. So have fun shopping for your family.
love
Rachel

Grandma Redd - We've done it!!!

Ten years ago, a friend gave me this African violet. (It was a centerpiece at her son's wedding and I helped decorate.) This is the third time it has bloomed and each time I think of my grandmother. She grew African violets and they never bloomed. She had a friend that grew them and hers bloomed all the time. Grandma Redd tried everything her friend suggested without any success. So each time my little plant blooms, I think, "This is for you Grandma Redd. We did it!"

I really do like it here

Notice Dan way in the back drilling holes with an auger.

with a borrowed pick-up and a rented auger, 52 holes later, we have the beginnings of the deer fence for our garden and orchard. we are getting excited.

the snow and cold weather was short-lived

so this week we decided to go ahead and get started on the deer fence for the orchard. notice how tall the fence posts are. we are serious because around here, the deer are serious.

Janey and Will were a HUGE help, as you can imagine

One thing I hate about blogs is that sometimes I really wear my heart on my shirt sleeve when I get emotional like my last post. so I'm going to try and make up for it, because there really have been some great things about being here. Over labor day, my family was here and my mom and sisters taught me how to can. i haven't done it since i was a kid and couldn't remember the first thing about how to do it, but i am living in apple country and have had apples coming out of my ears. everyone gives you apples around here, so thankfully my mom taught me what to do with it all. and it's been really fun for me. but I had so much that I ended up freezing alot to can another day. just can't do it all at once, it was so much apple pulp and juice. So far I have made oooodles of apple butter, apple sauce and everyones favorite: apple strawberry jam. so put your order in now for which you would prefer for Christmas:)

Will was a firefighter one night and a ghost the other, but it looks like he should have been a missionary. with 3 sisters, I have to admit this little man has to fight pretty hard around here to get any attention.

Pippy Longstocking and her pet monkey, Mr. Nelson, actually won the costume contest at the trunk or trunk.

it's no joke, she's a monkey.

Brookie and her teacher were both ABBA. I could not find a ABBA costume Brookie's size so I made her one and then her teacher told me she saw them at ShopKo, DON'T TELL ME THAT!! seriously, that is not even funny.

I think Brookie was a little jealous that Emma won the costume contest, but I was really proud of her sportsman ship.

this was an emotional evening for me. as I'm checking everyone's blogs, my heart is in my throat as I read about Shelley S. and Holly A. having beautiful healthy babies and at the same time, Stephanie and Taylor losing their mom from cancer and now Tomy's dad is not well with cancer also and my heart is going out to all of you. I hope you all know we love you and miss you all. I think I am at my height of missing ABQ and wanting to go back, and wondering if we did the right thing. the school here has been a huge disappointment for me. I miss NACC so much I could cry, I actually already have. I feel like staying here is like committing to a life of dumbing down America and just resigning to the fact that my children will have a 3rd rate education and that's how public schools are and there's not much I can do about it. I'm starting to be okay with that, because I don't think we are moving back. I think I'm the only one who wants to and maybe Emma. But I think I would have to ddddddddddrrrrrraaaggggg Dan back. He loves it here and the job situation is so much better and we do love the area. so, I miss you ABQ and I guess visiting will have to be enough. it is starting to feel a little more like home here, I know time will help. okay, enough of my blah, blah, blah!! hfg

Halloween Challenge-Post Your Pics Now!!

Can't wait to see what you all looked like!!!!

This is what we wore for a Halloween party. I got one vote for "scariest". Guess they must have heard how tough I was as a Cub Scout den leader - right Chris???

Your dad entered for me in the contest for guessing the number of pieces of candy in the jar. Just imagine how surprised I was when I won!

Gavin the Younger takes the plunge in Austin!

We had a great time in Austin! Janice and Erin were wonderful hosts - Erin took us to the capital and he and Janice gave us a tour of the university and the downtown area. It was great to be with family! We are so grateful to have so many amazing nieces and nephews. The wedding was wonderful. Denny and Gavin had everything beautifully planned. Her colors were orange and green - don't you love her orange shoes? (She wore another pair with her wedding dress but I didn't get a picture of them.) The San Antonio temple is beautiful - stained glass windows with Texas scenes. I didn't get any pictures at the reception but it was a backyard fairyland with votive candles in jars hanging from the trees and all kinds of wonderful sweet treats.

Snow

Janey turned 1.

We made her an ice cream cake and Emma decorated it with Janey's favorite things (marshmallow mateys, bananas and kittys)

Janey got lots of help opening presents.

we've finally introduced her to sugar. mint oreos are everyones favorites right now.

we got snow on the morning of Janey's birthday. (ignore the date on the photos)

she's learned how to walk.

we planted four trees.