Jackson Hole---Elk Refuge

On January 17, 2009. We went to Jackon Hole to the Elk Refuge. Our new family/friends Ericka and Brock McClain went with us too.
We were just sitting at home and thought we would go for a drive. Jackson Hole is about 70 miles Northwest of us. It is a gorgeous drive through a canyon with lots of wildlife. The Elk Refuge houses about 6000 elk during the winter. It was really cool to be able to get that close to the elk. They were huge.
What they do is take you on a sleigh ride through the refuge. It has to be a sleigh because of all of the snow here:)
After the ride we went into town and took our picture at the famous antler arches in the town
square.

Christmas in Wyoming 2008

Wow, our first Christmas away from home! It was sure made me feel homesick. But mom sent us some cream cheese croissant rolls ( a tradition for Christmas morning for as long as I can remember), so that did help.:) It was nice having a white Christmas, it seemed like that was how it was supposed to be. Lainee was nervous that Santa wouldn't find us in Wyoming, but never fail, he did. After a couple of days at home we headed off to St. George to see all of the Grandmas and Grandpas. By the loot that the kids brought home from the grandparents you would have thought Santa left a stash in St. George for us too.:)

Going out in Style!

On Saturday, December 13, 2008, we attended our first light parade in Pinedale. Oh it was a chilly evening, 8 degrees to be exact. Brrrr! I know, no surprise:) We weren't going to let the cold keep us gals at home. Maggie, Anna(Harber gals), Lainee, Toree, and I found a great spot on Main Street to watch the parade. We came to support the 4-H club that Cole was in. Cole, Clint, and Dara (our miniature pony) were on a flat bed trailer.

Equipped with our hot chocolate and donuts, we were ready to endure:) After a couple of fire engines and fancy cars here they came. Dara was part of the decorations with her red, snowflake scarf on. It was adorable!

The reason this is titled "Going out in Style", is because that is just what Dara did. The next day Dara had collicked. It was a sad day at the Andersens. We loved that little pony so much! We'll never forget her, on a flatbed, with a scarf around her neck, in a parade in Pinedale.

Getting Caught Up!!!!!!!

Trip to Pennsylvania

On December 4, 2008, the kids and I ventured to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to see the Iverson/Pectol clan. It is so hard to be so far away, but what fun it is to visit. I didn't get many pictures (we we're to busy visiting and shopping). I must be the luckiest aunt on earth to have so many nieces. I miss them soooooo much.

What motivated us to go, was that Jo and Brandon were going to get sealed in the D C Temple. So off to the really big city we went. The big kids went with us and the little gals stayed with a babysitter.

First on the agenda was the temple and it was absolutely beautiful, I was so happy to be there with my sis:) It sits up on a big hill, it almost looks like it is just floating.

Next was a really fast tour of the city. We hit some of the highlights of the city. Lunch (of course) and the Museum of Natural History. What an enormous place. It had so much to see!And you can't go to D C and not at least drive past the White House. It was neat to see, but a bit smaller that I had imagined.

A great trip, can't wait to go again.

Roping Clinic

We have found that since we have been here in
Wyoming, there are so many opportunities for the
kids. Through the 4-H program they put on free
roping clinics for the kids. Cole and Charlie have
been going.
Cole even came out of the box for the first time!
What a proud, but scary moment for us all!!

Grandpa and Uncle D Visit

The first part of November, Grandpa Dexter and Uncle D came up to visit us. They were hoping to get some good fishing in before it got too cold. We took them to Willow Lake and New Fork Lake and neither one of them turned out to be good fishing. But needless to say, fun was had by all!!!

Halloween 2008

Halloween came and went so fast this year, I can't believe it. Does it seem that way to anyone else? The businesses on main street handed out candy, so that was first on the Halloween trek list. We went with our friends; Kim, Preston, and Broc. After main street, Rendevous Pointe (a senior center here in Pinedale)had pizza and lemonade for anyone who wanted to brave a crowd.:) Then we went to the church for games and trunk or treat. (which I am still trying to adapt to):)

It was funny, after the first place that we went, Toree said, "Thanks mom, that was fun!" Then she started to eat her candy. I'll have to remember the days when she is so easily pleased.