Down on the Blue

I snagged this picture before the boys took off on their adventure with Laun. They left later in the evening so they had already fallen asleep for the night. It is a rare thing to start off on a trip with children who are already asleep. I love how Porter is resting his head on Clayton's shoulder.


Coming from Tucson, this was both beautiful and cold.

You have to love the 'Porter game face', even when he is eating snow.

This is more like "deep thoughts with jack handy"

Ryan and Jon both got deer. Jonny would not wait for me to get one, he had to get back to Darleen.

Speaking of deep thoughts, here is Ryan with an idea...

The above picture is actually Ryan pointing at the spot where he shot his bear. Below is part of the 7 mile blood trail that we followed with Clayton and Porter in tow. I don't know how they made it, but they tore that trail up. It was a nasty hike.

There is nothing like Unit 27 in the fall. This was a deep canyon that got little light.

The picture does not justify reality. The mountain was so steep that Porter would climb up 10' and slide down 20'. It was a hell of a climb, and it I was proud of both of the boys.

That night, the boys checked out. They were wasted. This was in Brady's cabin and I thought that Clayton's face told the tale best.

Here was a zip-line that the boys loved. Clayton would hit the ground at certain parts. This provided extra humor for Porter and I.

It is like Catherine says, every cloud has a silver lining.

The boys (along with Mason and Pierce) built this fort to protect them from the elements.

Brady shot this bear. This was a big ol' boy.

I had a great time with my boys. I took them knowing that it would reduce the chances of getting a deer. Catherine is the primary president and had a sacrament primary program that took place during the trip. She was so nice to let the boys go with me after some discussion.
I like hunting, but really like going to be with family. It is always fun to go with my brothers and in this case with Clayton and Porter. Jared did not have a tag but brought his boys and we had quite the time.
Jared has a double saddle that has two seats. It may be the strangest thing ever seen on the back of a horse. Porter and I doubled up on it and eventually figured it out. Porter would lean forward when we would go down steep mountains and almost grounded us a couple times. Much to Catherine's disappointment we did not get a picture (if she were there the would be many) of this monstrosity.
Clayton rode Little Bitty (Ryan's paint mare) and did quite well despite a little lead in the saddle. At one point his horse fell in mud that went up to the chest of the mare. The poor horse even buried her face in the mud. It got a little sticky and Clayton the bronc buster came out on top.
There are many things that I missed out on in life that I want my children to have. Boys, I love you and look forward to every moment with you. It is also so nice to come home to sweet Catty and crazy Marlee.

Marlee's chair

Last weekend I did some thrift store shopping & I found Marlee this little chair. I thought it would be perfect on one of the kitchen chairs so she could sit with us at the table. Marlee has been dragging this chair around the house; she puts it in the living room to sit on it when she watches a baby Einstein, she puts it on the couch & sits on it, she sits in it when I do her hair, she sits at the table with it, she loves it. Who would have known that a $2.99 chair would make her this happy. The only problem is that she is very possessive of it, when the twins sit in it she screams & freaks out, she's not very good at sharing yet.

Here she is ^kickin' it in her chair watching some tv.

We represent the lollipop gang....

Whenever Laun goes on a trip he usually brings back a surprise for whoever wasn't able to tag along. Marlee and I stayed home from this trip and the boys were so excited to give us our lollipops. Marlee is too focused on her treat to look at the camera.

And I also had a surprise waiting for the boys at home. But I couldn't take the credit, my friend Rachel Allen dropped by this cute little guy:

This is probably the cutest little reptile I have ever seen.

I also had white truffles waiting for them, one of Laun and the boys favorites.

Clayton's 1st pack meeting

Clayton has been loving scouts, especially since Laun is one of his leaders. He was very excited to earn his first badge tonight, the bobcat.

Laun had the boys compete to see who could tie a knot the fastest:


Clayton putting a pin on me (I can't believe how tall he is getting or how short I am):


Marlee was so bugged that Laun was at the front without her so, she went up & joined him:


It was cute how Clayton carried the flag, kind of like a witch with a broomstick. I guess he will need some practice on flag carrying:


The handsome crew with Clayton holding up his chocolate bar-every boy who earned a badge got a chocolate bar:

After the pack meeting I set up name tags for the upcoming primary program with my first counselor. I am anxious for the primary program. It was a busy Tuesday night, which means I missed one of my favorite tv shows- The Biggest Loser. True sacrifice I tell you:)

Kids & Chocolate

Tonight Laun & I were in the kitchen cooking while our kids were in the living room playing with blocks. Or so we thought...we came in to find Marlee like this:

Apparently the boys got sick of Marlee knocking down their towers so, Clayton thought this was a great solution. I have to hand it to him, he is a creative problem solver. Marlee on the other hand wasn't a fan of being connected to the entertainment center.

Laun & I were sidetracked with making these homemade recess cups:

The finished product was a little neater looking:

Or maybe not when you look at what a mess our kids faces are:

I realized Clay still had on his church pants, luckily his white shirt was off though:

Port looks like he is growing facial hair at age 6:

And Marlee even shared with her doll, disgustingly sweet:

And we have been having camp fires in our backyard lately. Is it cold? Not really. Maybe the weather will get the hint & cool off already.

And with all this baking going on lately, I am on sweets overload.

cinnamon rolls

Since Laun & Clayton were out of town on a round-up, I thought I would welcome them home tonight with cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese frosting. Porter loved helping roll out the dough (I like how Porter is still in his pj's). Too bad I got side tracked & forgot to let them rise before I started rolling them out. And Marlee who was sick this weekend woke up earlier then I planned & cried while I finished making them. And then I thought about all the things I needed to do for school and that my house was still a mess. Why do I bake when I have so many things to do? It is my way of putting off my to do list, that's why. Plus people don't usually come over & say wow Catherine I can tell you mopped today; no, they think man these cinnamon rolls taste good. Except they would be lighter & fluffier if you remembered to let them rise:)


Sage salivating at the door.
I think Marlee is her fav now since she throws her food from the table.


The finished product without the frosting:

The sweetest part of the evening is that my husband is back home.

Blue Eyes & Freckles

Laun took Clayton with him to the Smarts Ranch to go gather cattle. Clayton had so much fun. He had a fight with a tree and lost (notice his hat is missing in the 4th picture down). He ate pinon nuts and prickly pear. His cousin Pearce was there too and those two always have fun hanging out together.

Clayton the mule skinner^

Half way through the round up Clayton stopped for a granola bar, a drink, and a lizard.

Clayton feel asleep on the way home and when he came in from the truck I told him to jump in the shower. I never heard the water come on so I went in to check on him and this is how I found him:

A sure enough cowboy^ though he's only eight.

I LOVE this man

Yesterday I told Laun that my car brakes were bad & before the day was even half way over, wah lah he installed new brakes. I love that he knows how to fix anything. No mechanic necessary, he's go that built in.

Thursday night I have school and Laun not only took care of our kids, he did laundry & mopped too. And I didn't make dinner that night so, when I got back, he went out & picked up something for him & I . Sometimes we have date night at home. I don't know what I would do without Laun, he is so supportive of me & helps out so much. I'm so thankful for all he does and I love him so much.

student of the week

This week was Porter's turn to be student of the week & he was so excited. He filled out the poster: Read All About Me & brought in some photos of his pets, family, things he enjoys, etc. He also took in one of his favorite books, some rocks, and a coin to show his classmates. The teacher said that he has enjoyed explaining his pictures to the class.

He filled in the poster all by himself^

last nights celebration dinner...

Laun suggested that we have a special dinner for our friend Carrie since she is officially a CPA. Laun thought it would be fun to have chicken, pasta, and asparagaus since those foods start with the letters cpa.
And that same day we found out that her husband Davey, who is in medical school, passed his boards. So it was a great night of celebration. These two have accomplished so much, especially considering that Davey has battled with cancer throughout a lot of their marriage. And they have twin boys on top of it (which are the same twin boys I babysit).

We also had the Allen family join us last night for dinner and dessert.

I let Costco do the honors of making the cake- it said Congrats' Horners on CPA and Boards.