Merry Christmas Everyone!

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The view from my tractor

That's right...my tractor!!!

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Night Hiking

After church on Sunday we packed a lunch and went on a hike to a nearby waterfall. By the time we got there it was well after sundown and by the time we finished eating it was full on night. We hiked out in near total darkness, but it was fun.



Two cow elk and a yearling lurking in the darkness. They were just far enough away that the camera only barley picked up their bodies, but the flash got their eyes pretty good! If you look at the full-sized picture you can just make them out against the trees.

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House pics

Here's a couple of better pictures of our new house...

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Our first snow

I know, it's not really a big deal...but I just love how peaceful it is when it's snowing. We haven't had snow at our house since '95, but now that we're in Payson we should be seeing it every year. Enjoy...

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Fun in Virginia

Every once in a while you gotta force the kids out on an educational trip. Ours was to Virginia to see Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown Battlefield where Washington defeated Cornwallis. We also spent an afternoon visiting with Peggy's sister Susie and her family. After all that we treated the kids (and ourselves) to a little bit of fun..."Hallow-Scream" at Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg!

On the Jamestown-Scotland ferry to visit Susie's family in Smithfield


Having fun with cousin Beth


Troublemakers in Smithfield


Jamestown Monument


Fresh excavations at Jamestown. The pickets show the outline of the original fort.


Remains of an old mansion in New Jamestown


Drawing wool in Colonial Williamsburg


Some revolutionary girls


Hanging with the cast of the Haunted Dinner Theater


Washington's lines at the Yorktown Battlefield


Artillery surrendered by Cornwallis in one of the original redoubts on the British/Hessian side.


The house where the surrender terms were hammered out.


Surrender field where Cornwallis' troops grounded their weapons as Washington's troops stood by.


Frightening transformation of Busch Gardens


Roller coaster time!



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Our new girl...

Well, it's just no fun to ride alone, so we got a friend for Cody. Meet Pandora. She's a feisty little 4-year-old Tobiano with one blue eye. (Yes, she has another...it's normal.)

After spending yesterday morning rearranging the barn and fences to make room for her, we picked her up and brought her home.

Peggy couldn't wait to take her out for a spin so we took a moonlight ride under the full moon. It was a good time, but my hips need a little more breaking-in before I can sit in a saddle long-term!

Pandora

Cody, in his usual tongue-out pose
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Night Stalkers!

I caught these night visitors on our property about 30 feet from the house! There are quite a few elk that come through our yard every night. Gosh! I love not being in the city! FINALLY!

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Moving!

Yup. If you haven't heard, we're moving to Payson. Actually mostly moved by now.

We finally got our two acres and a mule (Well, he's a horse, of course. A gorgeous paint!)

Here's a few pics to whet your appetite. Sorry for the poor quality cell phone pics. I'll do better ones later.

Front of house


North side


Looking from North toward back of house


Looking toward the shop area from the house


Inside the shop


Horse arena


Cowboy Cody chillin' in the barn (he came with the house!)



North side of barn and corrals


Fire pit


Water well

Aviary

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Added some tunes...

Check my playlist. I added Diane by Material Issue as well as Help I'm Alive and Black Sheep by Metric. Look near the bottom.

You may remember Black Sheep being sung by Brie Larson who played Envy Adams in the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It starred Michael Cera. If you didn't see it, rent/buy/download/stream it right now! It's fun and different than anything else I've seen. Even though the story is not original (based on a graphic novel) the cinematography is. Highly enjoyable. (DISCLAIMER - Some language and mild references to sexuality and gay culture. Please preview before sharing with your younger children.)

BTW - if you have a listen, please comment. Yeah, I'm that desperate for attention! (Not really, I just like to see where people's musical tastes lie ... so I can use it against them in the future!)

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Makin' the Boudin

Pronounced "Boo-DAN." Biggest batch yet! Hope all you Lake Powell cruisers are ready for a treat!

Fresh Ground Pork. 30lbs of it!


Browning the pork.


Not-so-secret ingredient. This batch took 1-1/2 Cups! Yummy!


Adding the Tabasco


All cooked up and remaining ingredients added.


Stuffing.


Linking.


Finished Product!
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Eraserhead

The other day I went into Charlotte's room to talk to her. I guess she was bored...

Eraserhead
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Where'd they go?

Peggy went out to feed the birds in the aviary yesterday and found our two new canaries were missing! She found this in the nest box;

He didn't want to leave the nest box.

Getting ready to release him.


Free again (and very far from our aviary!)

The circle of life, I guess. We're just wondering why he couldn't eat the birds that we got for free rather than the ones we just bought!

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