THE BLACK FAMILY: January 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

2011 Roundup

So, I just realized that there are a few things from 2011 that I never posted, so here they are, some of the Black family's final moments in 2011. Enjoy:

A FAMILY TRIP IN THE SEMI

We traveled all the way to Elwood, Utah in the Semi truck to bid farewell to our nephew Aaron, who is now in the MTC, preparing to serve a mission in the El Salvador, San Salvador mission. We congratulate him, and wish him the very best! While we were there (and the reason we brought the semi) we got a load of silage in the end dump. We've never fed silage, but to avoid having to buy high-priced hay, we decided to give it a try. We were also able to help my brother J.J. and his wife load up their stuff so they could move to Blanding - Yay!!! J.J. is working at Recapture Metals and Tamra is doing her student teaching at the High School. We are so excited to have them here! So anyway, here are a few pictures from the trip:

Now this is first class travel - see that comfy bed in the middle? That is my spot - yeah!

Lucy is lovin' the ride with her teddy bear and a cup of juice

Yes, we ate at Burger King; and yes, Stetson got a crown - He LOVED it!

I'm sad I didn't get a picture of Aaron, but I did get a picture of my cute little family at Dave & Marlene's house after church

KENNY'S BIRTHDAY

I feel bad that Kenny's birthday is so close to Christmas, and it always seems to get a little overlooked. The kids and I wanted to get him something fun this year, and we have noticed him eye-balling the remote-control helicopters ever since last Christmas . . . so we got him one! I know, it is kind of a little kid toy, but he is still a little kid at heart - even though he turned 34! Wow, I remember when I thought that was pretty old, ha ha! We also got him something useful, a yellow rainsuit to wear when he cleans out his bull wagon (trust me, it is a must!). We had him try it on, and Stetson said, "look, dad is the man in the yellow hat!" So funny! So, I had him hold our little Curious George for a picture - LOVE IT!!!

Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat

And now, the worst part of Kenny's birthday . . . the cake - or the lack thereof. Kenny wanted a red velvet cake for his birthday. We found a recipe, but not in time to do a practice run - bad idea! I was trying to bake the cake and quilt at the same time, and the baking got the raw end of the deal (as usual). The cake was supposed to cook for about 35 minutes, and I think I ended up cooking it for about an hour and a half! Yeah, it just wouldn't cook, and by the time I was done I had a condensed, crystalized mess. I offered to make another one, or a pie or something because I felt aweful! But he just made me feel worse by saying, "just don't worry about it!" All the frustration from the first few meals of our married life came flooding back, and I remembered why I hate to cook! Sorry honey, I hope your birthday was great anyway :)

GETTING WOOD IN THE SNOW

Yes, we waited until the mountain was covered in snow to get the wood we started to get when my dad got hurt. I had never seen our cabin surrounded by snow, and it was beautiful.

There's the man, cutting wood in the snow

Stetson had a blast, he was even able to climb up on the infamous rock

Lucy was not impressed, she was cold and couldn't go anywhere in that dang snow!

NEW HAIRDOS

I wanted a change, so I decided to try bangs. They were good for about a week, and then they started driving me crazy! I felt like my hair was always in my eyes, and my eyes and face would itch constantly. So, I went back to the half bang comfort do. Maybe someday I will try again.
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The full bang look

Lucy's hair was starting to grow and thicken up, but it was so uneven it just looked straggly all the time. So, I had my mom cut it, just to even it up a bit. Kenny was not happy, he thought it made her look like a boy. So I started trying to curl it a little with a mini flat iron, and that helped give it a little body. Here are some of Lucy's cute hair-dos:

low piggy tails before the hair cut

high piggy tails after the hair cut

And this is what Lucy looks like in the morning . . . too cute!

And the lazy-day-do (Lucy's favorite!)
No pony-tails, just a little curl, but notice how thick it is getting!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This year we celebrated the new year with my family, and had a blast! We ate Chinese food and played games, and the kids both stayed up to ring in the new year! Best of Wishes in 2012!!!

The best part is being TOGETHER

Stetson's, saying good-bye to 2011

Yes, she IS picking her nose - isn't it adorable:)

Monday, January 2, 2012

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

I believe Christmas starts on December 1st and doesn't end until December 31st, Christmas Day is just the day you get off work and school, but the rest of the month is just as wonderful! Here are a few things we did to celebrate the Christmas season this year:

VISITING SANTA

Stetson had to make sure Santa knew he wanted a big truck with a flatbed carrying a back hoe

Lucy didn't care if Santa knew what she wanted or not - "just get me off this guy's lap!"

DECORATING GINGERBREAD SHAPES

I found a kit to make 5 little gingerbread houses, and I was so excited because that meant we could each have our own - not a good idea! They were so tiny, they were hard to put together, and it was just a mess. Besides, since we are a family, we should all live together, right? In the future, we will just do one big one!

Stetson was pleased, and very proud of our houses
From left to right: Lucy's, Mom's, Steston's, Dad's (he got two)

The gingerbread men we decorated for Stetson's friends

PLAYING IN THE SNOW

My awesome friend Jeanna brought over a Snowman kit - minus the snow, and it snowed the next day! She has amazing timing, don't you think? Okay, it wasn't a lot of snow, but there was definately enough to build a snowman, so Stetson and I took the opportunity. Meet Frosty the Snowman, beloved by Stetson and tortured by our dogs, sorry Frosty! Stetson knew the dogs were out to get Frosty, so he would run out and check on him every little bit, and each time he would dance around him singing Frosty the Snowman - so cute! The sun finally got the best of Frosty, but he got more love than any snowman I have ever met!

The one and only:
Frosty the Snowman

This proves you don't need much snow to make a Snow Angel!

There was a little more snow up at Devil's Canyon, and Stetson definately needed his snow boots while we were searching for the perfect Christmas Tree

And here it is!
Daddy, cutting down our tree

Lucy didn't bring her boots, so she stayed by the truck and took care of the dogs - so cute!

The day after Christmas we had a party with the Black cousins, and it started with sledding up at Devil's Canyon. Lucy fell asleep on the way there, so she missed most of the fun, but Stetson had a blast!

Trace and Stetson ready to take on the hill

Stetson, Mom & Aunt Suzie, enjoying a tabogan ride behind the 4-wheeler

A GIFT FOR THE HORSES

We have tried to make it a tradition to take a treat to some of our animals on Christmas, and this year we decided to do it on Christmas Eve. The kids had so much fun, especially Lucy!

Lucy was not afraid at all, and just wanted to walk right up to them

This is Misty, and she was kind enough to let the kids pet her while she gobbled up her Christmas treat.

And here is Stetson on his horse Mater

I absolutely LOVE this picture!

CHRISTMAS EVE

It has always been a tradition in Kenny's family to have a candlelight dinner on Christmas Eve. It was decided that the family was getting a little too big to get everyone together for this event, so it was left up to the individual families to do what they wanted. I'll admit, I was a little bummed. However, I was so excited when Kenny's parents invited us over to celebrate with them. We had good food, good company, and even some good entertainment. I found out that Stetson is not shy at all, he would have sung Christmas songs all night if we would have let him! Thanks mom and dad, for a wonderful Christmas Eve!

My two cute kids performing for Grandma and Grandpa Black
(with ornaments off their tree)

GIFTS!

The kids got to open their gifts from Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas Eve, and they were thrilled!

Lucy got this adorable rocking chair that she absolutely loves!

And Stetson can get all his energy out, bouncing around on this cool ball

And when we got home, I had a Christmas surprise waiting for me! I was so excited, I didn't know what to say! Thanks Kenny!!!

My very own piano . . . and it is beautiful!

The kids in their new jammies on Christmas Eve

CHRISTMAS DAY

After Santa's visit . . . isn't it magical?

Gifts from Santa

Stetson and Dad, just checkin' out the new backhoe

Lucy rocking her new dance and play puppy

What did you get in your stocking?

The best sibling hug ever!
This was after these two had exchanged gifts:
Little animals for Lucy and a dart gun for Stetson

Stetson with his Christmas loot
Yes, we finally got him a Black Stetson:)

Lucy, showing off her Christmas treasures
notice the cowboy boots - super cute!

Miss Lucy, all ready for church, just trying out mom's new piano

After church we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Grover's house where we got to talk to Uncle Jesse on skype! It was so great to see him and talk with him! He is doing well and enjoying the mission life in California.

Then we had a yummy dinner and opened more presents!

Lucy got a new blanket from Aspen, and went right over to Grandpa to snuggle up

Stetson got a new sled from Paige, and it came in very handy when we went sledding the next day!

We actually had a party the night before Christmas Eve to exchange our sibling gifts because J.J. and Tamra weren't going to be here for Christmas, but my gift from Jesse hadn't arrived yet, so we opened it on Christmas day. I sure do love these guys!! Thanks for everything!