Suprise snow sledding

We've had quite a bit of snow already this year! It snowed on Sept. 16th! We've had a foot or so this month. In our past experience, it rarely snowed before halloween. Crazy...crazy fun! We're gearing the kids up for a big winter with our first sledding trip. Darion and Jon took in the most runs. Dalton was a little timid, but he went down a couple times. Although Delyla is smiling in the pictures, I don't think she really liked it. She tolerated it for the enjoyment of her brothers...She really runs the show.

Family Fun Day!

We all played hookey today - it was great, even though we were setting a very bad example for the kids. Darion was thrilled to stay home from school (that's a no brainer). I was desperately in need of a day of R&R before my boss leaves for 3 weeks. Jon's boss was out of town...thus - FAMILY FUN DAY!

We had a huge breakfast and started dehydrating apples from a friends orchard. We started a batch of applesauce that lead directly into a batch of apple butter...yummo!

Around 11:00 we went with the Batchelders to Red River. There is a great park with a tennis court converted to a skate park and an awesome frisbee golf course. It was chilly while we were eating our picnic, but once we got out the frisbees and skateboards, and footballs, we all warmed right up. I've never played frisbee golf - there was reason to believe that I never should again... Dalton showed promise and Darion was awesome at jumping across the river to retrieve my wayward frisbees. Did you know that there are different frisbees for different shots, just like different clubs in golf? I can't wait to start scoping out the resale shops for frisbees now. We were at the park the majority of the day and it was so relaxing and enjoyable. Afterwards, we drove around Red River to see what had changed since we were last there - not much;) Life moves slower in the mountains for sure!

On the way home, we stopped to collect some really beautiful quartz like shiny rocks for Dalton's collection - precarious...a 4 year old with a rock in his hand. Please say a prayer every time the thought comes into your mind.

We came home and watched an awesome movie called Alaska. Totally worth searching out. A dad crashes his plane in Alaska and his 2 kids brave the outdoors to rescue him when everyone else seems to have given up hope. You should give it a try!

Now, the boys, without any prompting from me, are wearing vampire teeth and flaring up at eachother. It is hilarious! - And a little odd...

I'm searching for new crock pot recipes to ease the burden of figuring out what is for dinner at the end of a 10 hour day for the next 3 weeks. If you've got any great recipes, please shoot them to me. If I live through these three weeks, I'll be able to live through any job that anyone could throw my way. Wish me luck!


I am a retard and left the memory card from the camera in the computer today. Although I don't have any real proof, this day really did happen. I promise;)

Sunday afternoon at the Bohannon's

Jon came to church with us today - it was time for the Primary Program, so he wanted to see the boys do their parts. So great! Especially since I didn't have to do anything but watch it for the first time in so many years. The boys did great!

Afterwards, we came home to watch some football. We do a family football tournament called Pig Skin Pick'em on ESPN. We all pick who we think is going to win and then we give out a silly trophy at the end of the season. It is really fun!

I made some popcorn for everyone. Jon and Delyla were eating on the couch and he said - "Gala, check this out..."

Delyla had fallen asleep right there. Luckily she didn't have any popcorn in her mouth. It was adorable.

I have concluded that the Dolphins bore her as much as they bore me.

Go Vikings!

Hello, finally!

We got internet set up at the house today. Into the 21st century - at least partly...we still don't want to deal with cell phones. I've got so many things to share and pictures to upload. One thing at a time, I guess;) I'll start the updates this week! I sure miss all of my Houston friends - especially Sweet Mama K! I wish I was there to go see New Moon with you guys! We've already had some snow here - I'll upload some sledding pictures tomorrow. Can't wait to catch up on everyone's blog.

Last, but not least

Just a quick note to have everyone take a look at the blog for the garden at www.hopefarms.blogspot.com. We'll keep you posted on what we're up to and on what's growing on around here!

A few more pictures

Here are a few more pictures - starting with my absolute favorite. Delyla in her save the planet shirt, with pony tails and sticking her tongue out at me. This is her personality to a tee! Precious and Precocious!

Here's Dalton eating roasted marshmallows at the 4th of July church activity. The relief society prez has this big barn near Eagle Nest Lake where they shot fireworks. We all went there and ate sloppy joe's, roasted marshmallows, drank home made rootbeer and watched fireworks. It was a great night!

Darion is blowing out his marshmallow fire. What didn't come through on the picture, is that he has about 6 marshmallows on there! Sugar head!!

Delyla with her pig tails again waiting patiently for me to give her more rootbeer;) Cutie Pie!

One last one of Darion with a few kids from his rugby team. Darion wasn't actually the littlest kid on the team, but he was the fastest! It is a great sport. I was never familiar with it and can't say that I know many of the rules, but nothing is better than seeing your kid break through and score a tri! Gooooo Darion! We can't wait for next season.

The Wedding

We were lucky enough to participate in the most romantic day ever last month! Matt and Alison, our best friends ever, had a special ceremony that blessed their marriage in the Catholic church. Their vow renewal ceremony was beautiful! I've never been to any kind of Catholic ceremony and I found it to be a wonderful experience. Alison's oldest brother Peter, we call him Father Uncle Peter, is a priest and he came to perform the ceremony. Paxton and Stanton were altar boys. A lot of Matt and Alison's family was present in the tiny little historic San Antonio Catholic church here in Angel Fire. The music was beautiful as were the vows and readings. The spirit certainly was present and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. That top picture shows Matt's mom Shirley, then Matt and Alison, and Hope and Peter, Alison's parents.

Here are Alison and I right before the ceremony. There is a tiny little room off to the side of the chapel that we waited in. It was girl time.

Here are the guys having their guy time right before the wedding at the house. Jon was Matt's best man and Alison's sister Patty, who is super awesome and fun and lives in Austin, was the maid of honor. We had a wonderful time.

Here are the love birds. Sooo romantic to see people that you love, people that you know have stayed together even when it was hard, re - pledge their devotion to eachother. Jon and I were both so touched by the whole thing.

Here are the Altar boys - Paxton, looking absolutely thrilled, and Stanton rubbing it in that he was thrilled to participate. The altar boys help with the host (their sacrament) - it was really cool to see Pax and Stanton working hand in hand with their Uncle Father Peter during the ceremony.

Here's Alison with her parents. Hope's jacket was soooo beautiful - just the same color as her eyes.

Here's a shot during the ceremony.

A great shot of the altar boys waiting for the ceremony to start.

Peter, Alison, Patty and I right before the mass started. Happy Day!