Bass Pro Christmas

We went to Bass Prop Shops to visit their Christmas land  We frequent Bass Pro multiple times during the holidays.  They have such fun games and crafts all for free!  This time we colored pictures, made Rudolph candy canes, played games and took a picture with Santa.

We'll be back again soon!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It was a small crowd: my parents, the Terrys, the Mathewsons, and us.  It was perfect though!

I am most grateful for my amazing family.  No list of the many other things I'm grateful for this year, but just know I couldn't be more blessed!!!

 My mom set the table so beautifully.  Vance helped her make name cards for everyone.  They used leaves from the trees in the backyard and he wrote everyone's (or most everyone's) names.  Precious!

 How awesome is this real stump my mom used to serve the turkey on?  She's amazing!

Amy had recently given us some clothes David and her boys didn't need anymore.  There were a few random items in the bag: namely a pair of Santa boxers and a shirt with a picture of their boys on it.  I was cracking up that they gave those to us.  Chad came out in them on Thanksgiving and said he was "thankful for David's awesome hand-me-downs."  Haha!

At about 6:00 my sisters, my mom, and I left to go Black Friday shopping.  WE SHOPPED FOR OVER 16 HOURS!  It was ridiculous.  We bought things for ridiculously good prices.  Spent a ridiculous amount of money.  Got ridiculously tired.  Laughed a ridiculous amount and had a ridiculously good time!!!

 Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving too!

Family Pictures

We just took family picture and I love them!  I posed us, set the settings on the camera, and edited them, but a huge thanks to my brother-in-law (David) for actually taking the pictures and Amy for doing her best to help the kids look and smile.  I am SO happy with them.  I couldn't narrow down which ones to post so I made a few collages and posted a large sampling of my faves :)

Pictures with a 1-yr-old and a 4-yr-old are definitely not easy, but I think we got some great ones.  Thanks again Amy and David for helping me out!

Thanksgiving Rappelling

In Chad's family it is a tradition to go rappelling Thanksgiving morning.  They were in St George but we went anyway.  It was a blast with all the kiddos.

 Chad helped Vance the first two times but after that he wanted to do it all by himself.  He did GREAT!  He was jumping and everything.  Chad was one proud papa!

 All of the boys took quite a few turns.  I did my job making sure everyone was safe at the bottom of the rope.

 Chad set up the ropes higher up the mountain for us.  We went down together - just how I like it!

 Chad always runs down the face of the cliff one time.  This time something happened.  He jumped off this little ledge and then...

 this happened!  He took a little bit of a nose dive (don't worry he wasn't hurt).  I was laughing hysterically.  I had never seen him mess that up before.  I guess he's losing his edge a little bit ;)

Thanks Chad for lots of fun!

Top Shot 2012

It was time for my family's annual Top Shot competition again!!!  In case you forgot, I was the Top Shot 2011.  My amazing shot in the finals last year earned me the title and I haven't let anyone in the family forget it.  I may or may not have been completely obnoxious.  I got all decked out in my homemade top shot gear for the competition.

I made a crown that said "top shot" and a sweatshirt that said "top shot" on the front and had a target on my back (everyone was gunning for me to lose).  I also wore a single glove on my shooting hand to keep it warm.  I bought a bandana to wear around my face like an outlaw...cuz ya know all outlaws are top shots.  haha.  Seriously...I've been obnoxious about winning top shot since last year.

 We had some target treats to go with the shooting theme.  Too cute!

 Our family was ready and excited for the competition to begin.  Chad is the organizer and puts lots of effort into this event.  It always pays off and everyone has a good time.

 The girls, kids, and boys all ready to shoot!

 My mom was ready to be the designated scorekeeper but we made sure she participated too.

 Here's the awards table.  We have a plaque for the top shots, medals for all the different weapons, and a treat for all of the kids. The winner's cream soda said, "I creamed 'em at young gun 2012."  All of the other kids got a bottle that said, "I got creamed at young gun 2012."

 The kids shoot first.  I didn't take pictures of everyone this year but of course I got a few of Vance.

 I love Colton's face in this picture.

 Next up were the women.

 I was excited to try out my new pink gun.  I went 4 for 5 on the clay pigeons - SUCCESS!!!

 Everyone had fun shooting the pink gun :)

 We talked and laughed when it wasn't our turn.  (My mom still had her tattoo on from our 5k earlier that day)

 Last up were the guys!  I love this goofy picture of my dad.

 Chad finished top in points.

 After the guys we go to the scoreboard to see who has the top 3 scores.  Those three people go to the finals.  I was fourth :(

 The 3 qualifiers were Chad, David, and Joe.

 Things got tricky in the finals!

 David was winner!!!  Congratulations on becoming top shot!

 I was said to be dethroned and reluctantly gave David my crown and sweatshirt :(

 Chad with all of the kids after the tournament.

 Camden won the "young gun" award.

 Here's the winners:  Chad - rifle and handgun champion.  David - top shot and shotgun champion.  Camden - young gun.  Next year we are going to add an Annie Oakley award for the girls.  I would have won that this year...

 Here's a picture with all of the top shots thus far: Joe - 2010, Alli - 2011, David - 2012.  Three champs from three different families.  Kind of fun!!!  I'm really hoping Chad can pull out a victory next year though.  He always gets super close!

 Amy won the blank crown as a prize for the worst shooter.  She didn't get any points!  She's a horrible shot but we're glad she keeps coming. 

 Here's just a few more of my favorite four-year-old marksman.  He looks pretty vicious, but he is actually harmless.  There is always an adult RIGHT next to him and he's been taught all about gun safety.  He asked for a shotgun for Christmas...no freaking way!!!

Thanks again honey for planning this activity.  I look forward to it all year.  We are going to plan a "Sweetheart Shootout" for couples this February.  Let me know if you're interested!