Slyter Christmas Party

We celebrated Christmas at my dad's house a couple of weekends ago, and I finally got my computer up and running again. It was a lot of fun everyone was able to be there and we weren't scrambling to get to another Christmas party so it seemed to be more relaxing than other years. Keith and Jake were a little disappointed that they didn't get to go pheasant hunting but I think they survived just fine. Tina and I got to compare baby bumps. We are due to have our babies the same day, very exciting. Kim got the family a Wii video game and we boxed, bowled, and played tennis. Quite entertaining. Playing tennis was the best Jake lost to Keith several times in a row and was getting so mad he wouldn't let Keith quit until he won. By the end of it they both had worked up quite a sweat. Shayd got to play with all of his cousins. He went sledding with Chandler and Kelsey, played dolls with Joelie, and seemed to be more interested in everyone else's toys. Grandpa got him a big tractor to ride on and he has to take it every where with him. We love the Holiday season and getting to spend time with family. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday. We have lots to be thankful for at our house. We are thankful for our loving family, friends, the gospel, Shayd and our healthy little boy that is due to arrive in April, Keith and all his hard work, and sour patch kids(yummy). We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family at the Mountain Man Lodge. Its about an hour outside of Weiser, right on the river. It was beautiful. We went out Wednesday afternoon and came home Friday. We stayed up late playing games and telling stories and eating junk food. We were missing four cousins and an aunt. They were missed but we still had fun.

Papa and Shayd shooting the breeze Friday morning. Friday morning we ventured to the river and Shayd threw rocks in the river and played with a stick it was very hard to get him to leave. Shayd the Rockstar!!! After dinner we went out the front door for some good old fashion clay pigeon shooting. Here are all the cousins that were there. Aren't we a beautiful family!!

Mom's Big Helper

Shayd is such a big help around the house!! If I am scrubbing floors he is on his hands and knees helping me. If I am making cookies he thinks he needs to help taste the dough to make sure the cookies will taste okay!! I love being his mom soo much it is one of the greatest blessings.

Just the Boy's

Shayd loves doing anything and everything that his dad is doing. He is so cute and interested in everything. It doesn't matter if it is freezing outside if dad is out there he thinks he needs to be as well. We were at Keith's parents house a couple weekends ago and Keith took Shayd, Shooter, and Bailey on a four wheeler ride. Now I can remember when there was always enough room on the four wheeler for me, but it seems that in the last year I have been bumped!! It was a boys only day.

Meat in the freezer

Elk season is a big event at our house, well for some of us. As soon as the weather starts changing you can smell it in the air. Opening weekend this year me and Jessie's cousin Ty packed in towards the top of Cuddy Mountain. After hiking in rugged terrain and through a gauntlet of people we finally found one with horns and with a pulse, and I missed. After two more days of unnecessary exercise we had to return to work. After watching a herd on private land all week we were able to gain permission, and Saturday morning the stalk was on. The herd was gone, but one was left behind. One shot and he dropped in his tracks. He's not big but people say small ones eat better(good excuse for missing a big one).

One more weekend of hunting and Jessie will finally have her husband back!!!

Cross Country State '08

We are so lucky to live so close to family. This weekend was state cross country and two of my cousins ran, Tanner and Quincie. Shayd likes to go to the meets because they're outside which means he can run and get dirty and what else does a little boy want!! Shayd had a lot of cousins there to take very good care of him giving mom a break!! Thanks! I am very proud of both the runners, you guys are amazing.

Halloween!!!

Halloween was so much fun!! Shayd had such an eventful day. My dad came down for surgery so Shayd got to play with Grandpa for a little while. We dropped Grandpa off at the hospital and got to go trick or treating there. Then Shayd's cousins from Soda Springs came up for Cross Country State, and the two girls not racing decided to stay with us. Kaycie and Sydnie are so good to him. He doesn't have to worry about anything because those girls would fly him to the moon if thats what he wanted. Then we got an unexpected visit from our cousin Ty from Weiser (he decided to come see the girls) very exciting. Dad got home from work and we went trick or treating. He wasn't sure at first but he quickly decided that getting pulled around in a wagon, going to strangers doors, and getting candy wasn't that bad. Shayd is so wonderful and we are so happy we got to spend the evening with family.

p.s. we picked Grandpa up at the hospital and are happy to report he is doing well.

Garbage Can

Who ever said a garbage can wasn't fun, was mistaken. Shayd thinks that an empty garbage can is pretty cool. He loves to jump up and down on dad, mom, and Shooter. I think when we write Santa this year we are asking for a rocking horse!!!

Playing in Leaves

Fall is here and I love it. It means the leaves are changing and falling of the trees, and the start of the holiday season is uproaching, which means we get to eat all kinds of tasty treats and not feel guilty until January. I just love this time of year. Today we were playing outside enjoying the last few warm days of the year. Shayd sat in leaves that had fallin and loved it. I raked a pile for him to sit in and piled them around him. Then he thought it would be fun to rake. I don't know what it is about little boys and sticks but they love to have one. My grandpa says it is an extension of there own arm, so they can explore further. Shayd explores alright, right into the dirt.

I always thought I liked the baby stage the best but this stage is pretty cool. Everything is new and exciting. Very entertaining.

Pumpkin Patch

Last night we went to Linder Farms. We decided that everyone else was doing it so we would to. Shayd's favoritist thing was the hay ride. He really wanted to drive the tractor but he decided that riding on the wagon was okay. The petting zoo was very cool. Shayd's favorite animals were the baby goats. He would pick up a handful of hay off the ground and throw it at them. They were about his size. Very cute. I told Keith I wanted to take one home, he didn't think that would go over well with the neighbors. The zebra got a little friendly and licked his hand, which caught us off guard. It was a wonderful evening. I love being able to spend so much time with my family.

Picking a Gun

Keith was packing for his elk hunt this coming weekend and Shayd was right in the middle of it. He is a boy through and through, which makes his dad very happy. So as Keith was getting everything ready Shayd was helping him decide what gun he should take. Keith can't wait for a couple years to take Shayd.

Pumpkin Carving

Shayd and Keith carved Shayd's first pumpkin this weekend. I know it is a little early but it was the only time Keith had before Halloween. Shayd was soo cute he didn't know what to think at first, and he didn't like what the pumpkin guts felt like. Keith tricked him by putting Shooter's ball in there and had him get it out. I was in the house NOT supervising and that is how he got a hold of the knife. No blood was shed thank goodness. And the final project is soo cute. I love my boys!

Bathtub Fun

Bathtime at our house is always fun!! Shayd will not let anyone be in the shower or tub by themselves. If he hears the water turn on he is in there wanting in. But at least I know that if he is fussy and nothing is making him happy, the bath will do the trick.

Our Trip to the Park

We ventured to the park to play on the playground the other day. Shayd didn't know what to think of it all. He would watch the other kids but he didn't like walking on the screen metal stuff. He did like the slides but he didn't understand why the other kids could walk up them and he couldn't. His favorite by far was the swing. I think he would do that for hours if I let him. He makes me so happy. The way he explores this big new world of his just makes me smile.

We took Shayd to the park to feed the ducks. He wasn't quite sure what to think. He would rather eat the bread himself than feed it to the ducks. His favorite thing to do was dragging Shooter around by her leash. She of course did not find this funny in the least and would just look at us for help me.

Shayd's First Tricycle

Shayd got to sit on his first tricyclye!! Our friends made this free hand. It is pretty amazing. Shayd thought it was pretty cool.

Ashlynn's last day

Thursday was my last day babysitting Ashlynn. We are sad to see her go. Here are some pictures of the cuties together. Shayd is going to miss her.

Riggins Cousin Campout

We went camping in Riggins, poor little Shayd was very sick and not that much fun. Chandler and Joelie had a fabulous time playing on the beach, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs. They are quite the campers.