4...4...4...4

Can she really be 4?
1 . . .
2 . . .
3 . . .
4 . . .

This girl loves birthdays more than anyone I've ever known. So you can imagine how much she enjoys her own. Sara had the candles blown out before the song was even finished.
As I put her to bed tonight I asked her if she had a wonderful birthday.

"My birthday was amazin'. It was the best birthday I've ever had. I hope I dream wonderful dreams about my birthday party all night long."

Photo Shoot

My 14 year-old niece Kelsie took Sara out on a photo shoot today. She is very talented and I was amazed how she was able to capture Missy Mae's personality.Kels, I think that this is something you definitely need to pursue and develop further!

The Elk

Bryan got home from the Elk Hunt and brought this:I wonder what we'll be eating all winter?
I love that in this picture Sara is being cutesy and Blake is being tough.

Honey, Honey,

or hunny, hunny . . . as Pooh would say. We finally had a successful year with our two hives. I should say Bryan's two hives. After all, he is the one who does all of the work. We learned a lot while extracting the honey. It was a long and very sticky job, but the reward was well worth it. We ended up with 9 gallons of raw honey.
Oh, Sara ran across all of the "soccer stuff" that she has inherited from the Hall girls. On this particular day she insisted on dressing up and kicking the ball around the yard. She will finally be old enough to play this spring and can't wait. I just wonder if she will participate? It is likely she will be the kid out on the field that is in Lala Land. We'll see.

Star

We borrowed Star to chew down the weeds in our pasture and my children have a new obsession.

Their new favorite movie: Flicka

New name for their rocking horse: Flicka

New favorite pastime: pulling Flicka around the house using "my Flicka thing" (a hanger)
Another love: feeding Star weeds, plums, apples, peaches, grapes, etc.
I'm afraid that before too long, Star may be ours.

Sisters' Weekend

My sisters and I went down to St. George for the weekend to do a little shopping and to see Aida at Tuacahn. I think we need to make this a new tradition.

More Labor Day Activities

The Washingtons and Thompsons came down to work on the cabin on Monday. We were able to get one of the bedrooms stained! Yeah! The Gillespies came down later in the afternoon for some food and fishing. Bryan built some stairs going up to the Kids' Loft. It is definitely a new favorite spot now that it is so easily accessible. Sara, Dean, Wyatt, and Kyle were having tons of fun when we took these pictures. When Bryan asked them to show their muscles Wyatt told him, "I'm so strong I can choke a chicken!"

Wyatt caught the first fish.

Katelyn's 1st fish ever!

Dan's 1st official fish. Way to go Grandpa Bear!

When the kids got tired of reeling them in, I got to complete the job.

Austin's 1st fish as well.

Dean was so fascinated by his "baby fish" aka chub.

Watching the chub die.

Austin's chub

Austin's huge Rainbow Trout.

Yummy! Dinner.