Firework Frenzie

 

This year was a fun year for us to celebrate the 4th.  We invited my family down to celebrate with us.  They met us in Evanston the night of the 4th for the fireworks.  To anyone who's never been, it's quite the experience.  It's like the war all over again but with fireworks blasting everywhere.  I think it is harder to explain than if you experienced it for yourself.  Izaak, Elias, and Stetzen all had a blast firing off sparklers and other little fireworks too.  It was a little hectic trying to keep track of them.  Needless to say, by the time all the fireworks were done, the familia was speechless.  Way to go Wyo! 

 

 

The next day we decided to go out to the Gorge to fish and play in the water.  We borrowed Jim's boat for our fun-filled day.  Zach and my dad left in the morning to fish and then the girls and kids all came later that afternoon to tube and mess around at the lake.  Just as the we were leaving to meet up with Zach and my dad, I get a call from my dad saying Zach lost his phone, then they couldn't get the boat to work, and not to come for another couple of hours because they hadn't fished at all in the 4 hours they'd been gone.  So, we waited for another hour or two and headed in. 

 

When we got there, Zach made a comment that we should have waited longer because they just started to catch fish and didn't really want to stop.  But we headed out anyways to go tubing.  When we got to a good spot, we filled up the tube with air and tried to get someone to go out there.  Katelyn wouldn't go, I couldn't go, and none of the kids wanted to go.  So, Zach went out there with Stetz.  Two seconds into the ride and the tube was taking on water.  We reeled them in and the tubing fun was done.  I thought we should just go to the shore to eat subs that we made and the kids could play off the shoreline.  When we opened the sandwiches, the bread was all soggy because I had a prego brain failure and put ice the cooler when we only wrapped the sandwiches with tin foil.  The day turned out to be pretty much a bust!  Zach decided to go get the truck and bring it over to the dock so we could head home.  I don't know why, but he thought it would be easier to walk to the car the girls rode in and the drive over to get the truck instead of just bringing the boat to the car.  I think it took him two hours to come back.  On the way, Kate got stuck in some mud and broke her sandals.  She had no shoes to wear for half the walk.  When he finally got back, we loaded up the boat and headed for the dock.  Once we were there, it took another hour to load the thing onto the trailer.  It was a nightmarish kind of day, lol.  

 

The next day, I had planned to go float the canal on the mountain, but everyone was so exhausted from the day before that we just bummed around.  That evening, though, I wanted to take them all fishing at Long's Park.  It's pretty much my favorite spot to go because someone always catches something.  When we got up there, it started to rain and never let up.  No one caught anything!  Later we had cooked tin foil dinners in the fire and rushed home to get warm and clean up.  It seems like any time my family comes down the weather is bad and it's muddy.  No wonder they don't come down very often!

 

To top the weekend off, as I was getting ready for church the next morning, the power cut out just as I was going to do my hair.  I was a very nice host and let everyone else shower and get ready before me.  I showered the night before so all I needed to do was get my hair done.  Well, let's just say it was a pioneer hair day because I couldn't use anything to get ready.  We called the power company and no one else's power was out, just mine.  Weird tidbit, though, the power wasn't totally out, but just pitiful enough only to run my lights.  When I got home from church, the power company had come out and fixed the problem, but I couldn't have planned so many FAILS to happen in one weekend.  Hopefully they all had fun.  Despite all the hoopla I managed to have some fun.  Here's to another memorable 4th of July!

Bear Lake Extravaganza

To kick off the summer heat wave, we went to Bear Lake with Zach’s family.  Zach had to work during the weekend, so Stetzen and I hitched a ride with his parents and Brandon.  As soon as we arrived, Stetzen went straight to the water.  He is definitely a fish!  He takes right after his daddy.  Zach loves to swim and competed in school.  Stetzen is well on his way to outdoing his dad in that aspect of life.  Once he’s in the water there’s no hope of getting him out unless you drag him out or it magically disappears.  So, going to the beach meant an entire day of entertainment for Stetz.

 

 

When he went out into the water, all he wanted to do was sit in the middle of the water and play with his tractors.  He thought it was really fun when the waves would pick up from the boats driving by.  If you let him, he would have floated off to the middle of the lake.  He loved being able to play with his cousins Jacob and Caige. 

 

Jake and Caige loved to spin out in the water on an inner tube.  Grandpa was helping them spin, and he tried to get Stetzen to try it, but he was not digging the whole tube idea.  He did like to go out on the raft and canoe for rides, which I don’t really know what the difference was.

 

When he wasn’t basking in the water, he was digging and playing in the sand.  He had a lot of fun playing in a little puddle of water, digging the sand out with a shovel and driving his tractors around.  It was nearly impossible to get him to come back to the tent to eat or to lather on the sunscreen.

 

As a mom, I must admit that it was a little overwhelming keeping track of a overexcited toddler.  He was running from one place to another—water to sand, sand to water.  I was worn out just playing with him and keeping him alive.  I did enjoy it and the cool water, though.  I would definitely make sure Zach could come next time.  It would be a little easier on a mom.

 

I think we both had a lot of fun, and we both ended up burning despite my efforts to keep the sunscreen pasted on.  His poor little cheeks burned just below his eyes and my entire back decided to fry.  I’m definitely not a fan of sunburns, but who is?  Next time, we’ll have to spray it on every hour.  Bear Lake, we enjoyed the fun, the water, and the family!  We’ll see you again in August, with lots of sunscreen!

Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad!

 

This year we wanted to give Zach a special gift for Father's Day.  Both Stetz and I decided to give him this picture which we framed for him.  I didn't get a picture, but Stetz and I also made a dozer card for him using Stetzen's footprint as the main body of the dozer.  It was cute.

 

On this Father's day we want you to know that you are a great husband and father, and I know you will continue to be when baby Tinzley comes!  We want you to know that we love you and appreciate all that you do to help us and support us!  We hope your day is amazing!

 

Easter Bunnies and Eggs!

Our Sunday morning surprise from the Easter Bunny!

 

This year for Easter, we went down to Aunt Jen's for egg-dying and an Easter Egg Hunt.  Emily was also baptized today, so we were able to watch her make a wonderful decision to join the church!  After the meeting, all the grandkids, along with all the BIG kids (aka Rachel & Fred, Josh & Kayla, Sky, Brands, and of course, me) gathered up all the eggs and began the dying festivities.  It was a great day to watch them get so excited about the colors and designs, even Joshy got wound up in it.  

 

After the dozens of eggs were all dyed, we went to the park and went hunting for eggs.  All the kids were extremely excited to find their specific colored eggs, but all Stetz could think about was playing on the toys.  I think he found three or four eggs and his mind was set upon climbing up the toys and slides.  I'm glad he enjoyed the day, though.  He loves to be with his cousins and kids of his age.  It's a blessing that he has two of them that are only months older than he is.

 

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter by attending church.  Rusty Burnside spoke, and he brought up an intriguing question, how did Easter become about bunnies and eggs?  Bunnies do not lay eggs, yet they disperse them to all the little children.  I'd never really thought about that.  Afterwards, we went over to grandma's house and had a delicious Easter ham dinner.  It was a beautiful day, and perfect for the analogy of new spring life.

 

 

On a more serious note, though the talks and lessons on the Savior are always my favorite.  He truly was the perfect example for us and all that he suffered was in our behalf.  I know that we can get caught up in eggs, bunnies, candy, and egg hunts, but the true reason for this important day is to remember our Savior and that he suffered and died so that we might live!  I truly do love my Savior and know that HE LIVES!! 

 

It's a...?!?!

 

The Young Family proudly presents baby Tinzley!  It's a girl!

Snow Storm of the Year

 

You think that in March, the snow would start to subside and Spring would start to kick in.  Well, here in McKinnon, it's just the beginning of winter.  Today we were pleasantly surprised to get over two feet of snow.  I took a couple of photos in the afternoon when it had only accumulated about 18".  Stetzen thought it was pretty neat and wanted to play in it barefoot. 

 

Branding

 

This week was branding week on the Young Ranch!  It's quite the event, and we all get to dig in and get dirty.  This year Brands pushed calves and dehorned them, Nancy and I did the shots and gates, and Allen and Zach branded and cut the bull calves.  Of course, we had to get our little cowboy Stetz in the action, so he helped brand, open the gates, and chase calves. 

 

 

He did not like it when the calves would biller out to their mommas, though.  I don't know if it scared him or if he felt bad for them, but he cried right along with them. 

 

 

Once we got out his "tractors" it didn't seem to bother him much.  He is quite the tractor nut.  Any day is a good day when he's got them around.  When he wasn't pushing these around he helped chase the calves back into the field.  I think he had quite the day.

After all the excitement, we went to Grandma's house and ate sub sandwiches and salads, their annual after branding lunch!  You'd be surprised how delicious this sounds after spending the day with the cows, dirt, and nasties!

The Loves of Stetzen's Life

 

Stetzen really only has two loves in his life besides his parents:  shoes & ice cream!  Anytime he finds a pair of shoes he has to try them on.  It's a major fetish that I'm sure will last for quite a while.  His other love is ice cream (ice cream cones to be more precise).  He will snark them down and not share.  It is HIS treat and by golly he is not going to share that wonderful goodness with just anyone.

My Adventures in Movie Making

Before Jake left on his mission, I decided that I better give him the ultimate farewell gift.  The night before he spoke, I gathered everyone together to show them a movie I had made especially for Jake.  It took a while to get everyone convinced that they should come watch, but when they did, it was a HUGE success.

 

Watch Movie NOW!!

 

It was a great surprise for everyone!  After watching it, Katelyn had no idea what was going on.  It was kind of funny, but we had to explain that we are PREGNANT!  As soon as my mom saw the ultrasound, she got teary-eyed.  I didn't think she'd be that emotional, but she is a Jones, and that's what Jones' do.

 

I have to explain that the Star Wars theme is a tribute to my dad.  As children, he got us all interested in the Star Wars Trilogy and subsequently the hex-ology (if you would call it that).  So, I thought it only fitting that we present the news in true Star Wars fashion.  You may all think I'm a geek or weird after this, but the truth's out and I'm proud of it!

 

More importantly, we are very excited to see what this little bundle of joy will be and can't wait to meet her on (or near) September 8.  

Basket of Terror

 

 Hopefully this post doesn't make me the worst mom ever, but I thought it was really funny.  Stetzen was playing in the front room for a while, then headed down the hall.  After a couple minutes, I hear this heart wrenching shriek coming from down the hall.  I start running towards Stetzen and he comes out of the hall with the hamper stuck over his head.  He had somehow managed to get it on him, but he couldn't get it off.  It terrified him to no end.  Being the good mom I am, I had to get a picture before I removed his basket of terror.  His poor little face shows how scary this hamper really can be.

Birthday Boy

 

Happy Birthday Hubby & Dad!  Yesterday was Zach's 26th birthday.  Sad to say, I was a little busy and wasn't able to make his cake this year, so we bought his favorite, coconut cream pie.  It was a hectic day, but we managed to celebrate after he got home from work.  As you can see, he is quite the party animal!

As for his gifts, you can never fail with tools.  For Christmas he got a cordless hand saw.  He had mentioned before that, that he wanted the circular saw and multi-tool.  He was so disappointed when he didn't get them for Christmas, but I had them stashed away for his birthday.  Like a little kid, he had to open them up, try them out, and just stare at them.  I'm glad he liked them!  I hope he had a wonderful day and knows that Stetz and I both love and appreciate him!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

I love Christmas!  It's a wonderful time to celebrate family and the birth of our Savior.  This year Zach was able to take Christmas off from work so we got to enjoy it early in the morning with all of us there!  I was excited to see how Stetzen would like Christmas this year because last year he was too little to get any of it.  I think he liked it, but he still didn't really get what was going on. 

 

I think his CAT Loader and Dump Truck were his favorite toys this year!  He loved getting rides from his dad while sitting in his dump truck.  He also thought it was a great little chair for him!  Santa came through this year for sure!

I also had to post this picture of Stetz.  After his dad had pushed him around the house a dozen times, he still wanted rides.  This is his desperate cry for yet another ride on his dump truck.

In addition to his CAT trucks, Stetz got a nativity set, clothes, a fire truck, and some John Deere tractors.

 

This year I hope Zach liked his presents.  He received a saw-zaw, wolf call, pajamas, and a gun safe.  I think I really surprised him with the wolf call.  He had been looking for one for several months but couldn't find the kind that really brought them in.  I did some research and decided on one and hoped it was what he was looking for, or something as good or better.  It turns out I found the exact one he wanted.  Now he's planning his wolf hunting trip to use his new call.  

 

This year Zach did pretty good!  He bought me speakers for my iPod, a new laptop for church, a comfy robe, and some pajamas.  I thought they were all perfect! 

 

 I love that my two favorite boys are here to share this Christmas with me!  It wouldn't be the same without them here, and I love them both!  I hope they had as wonderful a Christmas as I did!

 

 

After the work opening presents, Stetz needed a bath and a good bottle to relax and enjoy the rest of the day.

Hello Santa

 

This year the youth were in charge of planning the Ward Christmas Party.  Hence, that meant that the leaders were in charge.  The Young Women took charge of the program and we planned the "12 Days of Christmas" theme.  Each auxiliary was given an assignment to fill the McKinnon version of the 12 Days of Christmas as follows:

 

1.  On the first day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, a green, sparkly, decorated tree

     Audience Sings “Oh Christmas Tree”

2.  On the second day of Christmas, mine ears were glad to hear, a Christmas Story.

     Favorite Christmas Story read by Carol

3.  On the third day of Christmas, mine ears were glad to hear, little children singing.

     Primary Sings "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

4.  On the fourth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, Christmas joy is spreading.

     Young Men Charity skit

5.  On the fifth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, a star brightly shining.

     Young Women sing “O Holy Night”

6.  On the sixth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see,  all the symbols of Christmas.

     Poem “The True Meaning of Christmas” by Venetia & Doug

7.  On the seventh day of Christmas, mine ears were glad to hear, tickling of the ivories.

     Piano Solo “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by JaNae

8.  On the eighth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, one redneck reindeer.

     Music Video, “Leroy the Redneck Reindeer” by Rustyn

9.  On the ninth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, carolers singing.

     Audience Sing Favorite Carol

10.  On the tenth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, chipmunks sing & dance.

       Skit by Bishopric

11.  On the eleventh day of Christmas, mine ears were glad to hear, Herald Angels singing.

       Audience Sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

12.  On the twelfth day of Christmas, mine eyes were glad to see, Santa Ho-Ho-Ho-Ing!

       Primary Sing “Here Comes Santa Claus”

 

It was a fun program and the audience loved the skit by the Bishopric.  They stood behind a table and put pants on their arms and the young men stood behind them and were their arms.  They sang and danced to a Chipmunk Christmas song, and the whole audience roared in laughter.  I didn't get a picture or video of them, but they looked like this.

 

 

I really hope that I won't be in charge of the program again.  I'm not the creative, funny type to handle that kind of thing.  Hopefully everyone enjoyed the night.

 

After the program, Santa came in and the children went crazy!  They love having Santa come.  Stetzen was on the fence with him again this year.  But, he did love the orange Santa gave him and tried to eat it, skin and all!

 

 

Petey Boy

 

Here is the latest edition to our family of pets!  It's Petey.  I really do love the markings and look of this stud colt.  Among the list of colors of horses I'd like, I wanted a sorrel horse with 4 white socks and a white diamond on its head.  Petey pretty much sums all that up!  Now all I need is a creamy red dunn, and I've got all the ponies I want! 

 

Ever since I found out that the Hickey's sell colts every year, I have to take a peek at all of them each fall.  This year, I, along with Zach's dad, were able to convince Zach to buy yet another colt for the ranch.  I've decided that instead of raising cows, I would like to have a horse ranch to breed and break out colts.  Of course, Zach would have to do all the riding, but I could play with all the cute babies and do their ground work!  But, if we did that, I think we'd just be horse poor.  I do like the idea of "collecting" them though! 

 

Nothing beats having a horse that will walk straight to you from the field every time he sees you!  That's my goal with all these new horses.  Mr. Darcy is starting to do that now, just like Fred and Stumpy do.  I'm glad I picked him out.  I think he's going to be the nicest of the four colts we bought a couple of years ago!

Howl-O-Ween!

 

This year Halloween was quite fun.  After that horrible day when you realize you're too old to Trick-or-Treat Halloween just never seemed to be as fun.  When Stetzen came around, it changed things up and Halloween's excitement returned.  We were a little late in getting things kicked off.  I had planned on taking Stetzen to a pumpkin patch, but between Zach's schedule and trips we never made it, so we opted for the Wal-Mart specials. 

Stetzen loves to be involved in EVERYTHING we do, so why not helping his dad draw and cut his pumpkin?  We ended up carving pumpkins the night before Halloween.  Zach was working days, so Stetzen and I cleaned out the pumpkins before he got home, and then we got down to working our magic. 



As you can see, Stetzen is very excited about his wolf.

 

Once we finished, Stetzen had to show off his masterpieces (completed with the help of Zach and I).

 

The next day, our ward held a Trunk-or-Treat party.  They had dinner, carnival games, and, of course, Trunk-or-Treating.  I wanted to go with a theme this year, so I chose Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Stetzen was my little Oompa Loompa, I was Veruca Salt, and Zach was Mike Teevee.  I had planned on Brandon being Wonka and his parents on dressing up with us, but it never panned out.  So we were a few characters short.  For the trunk, I decorated it as Wonka's Factory.  It didn't turn out quite as I liked, but we ended up winning the Best Trunk Award...YAY!

 

When we got to the party, everyone kept asking me what Stetzen and I were supposed to be.  I was floored that no one 1) knew what an Oompa Loompa was, and 2) had seen the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie.  Major culture shock!  Not even Stetzen's Grandma Nancy had seen the movie.  Zach had to work on Halloween too, so it was only Ted and me to represent.  
 

 

After the dinner, Grandma Nancy took Ted around to do all of the games.  He went around the cake walk, bowled, and tried the fishing pond.  Of all of them, he really loved the fishing pond.  He won a couple of scary sling spiders (which he LOVED) and some stickers.
  

 

 

When it came time to Trunk-or-Treat, he was ready for bed!  How sad is that?  We made the rounds with Brands, and of all the candy he got, his favorite was a cookie he got from Nella Rae.  Overall, I think he had fun and enjoyed all the attention he got.
 

 

 

When we got home, we did a little photo op with Zach, took a bath to wash out his cool green hair, and went to bed.  I hope he had a fun night because I did especially since Zach and I could ration his candy haul (the biggest perk of a parent's Halloween!).