It's been a long time!!

Branson's first day of Kindergarten!! I had to go get him from the shop to get ready for school. He wanted to wear his work clothes, but I convinced him to take a shower. Some of the grease came off of his hands. Then he decided it would be okay to wear his new Broncos shirt, even though he thinks it has lions on it. He looked so cute.

Who could resist those fat ears? I think Justin is going to miss Branson, even though he won't admit it yet.

Cowboy?!? Carson is stoked to be sporting his new George Strait Wranglers, and the belt buckle he scored out of Justins drawer (those were the good ol days).

So excited. A new year of school. Off to the big 3rd grade. Carson is ready to show Branson all of the ropes.

Carson loved horse 4-H. We finally found "Lilly" and it made a world of differnce to have a horse that he like to ride. He can't wait until Justin thinks he is good enough at riding and ground roping to start team roping.

I think Carson got all red ribbons. Maybe if he could have remembered which person in the arena was the judge it would have helped him out. Not to mention is ability to pay attention to everygthing going on in the world, except what he is supposed to be. Oh well, he had fun and looked cute.

"BEAST"

What a pig? This was the biggest pig of the bunch. Our banker bought this pig. And Carson wrote him a thank you note and told him that he planned to use the money for college, and hoped Beast tasted yummy! I bet he will have a repeat buyer next year. Ha Ha

You better watch out or the pig will be named after you next year.

This is the calf that I thought Justin killed by dragging it around with the four wheeler. But the little sucker did learn to lead, when it came back to.

Branson doesn't even care about his calf. Other than it is fun to ride. If you climb up the fence a few rails and jump off, you can land on the calf and ride it. Thats what Branson and his friends did right before the calf show. And Branson wanted to have a "soft" calf. So Carson shaved it for him. It didn't really matter, as soon as he got in the ring he just wanted to play with the halter rope anyway.

Like I said, Branson was most interested in riding the calf. Payson thought it was great fun too.

Nothing compares to a mans first fish. Especially when he does it all by himself. Just look at that smile, and those squinty, surprised eyes!!

I LOVE LITTLE BOYS

My Boys

Branson was in trouble today. So he had to stand in the corner FOREVER!! And he was thrilled to be there too.

After he got out he was a much nicer boy.

This is Carson's scout cake. He made it with Justin. It was funny to watch them make it. Carson is sure that he is going to win first place. I just hope we get this one back and not another kids cake. We know this one is clean. (After Branson licked the spatula we put it right in the dishwasher).

"Everybody 'wook' at He"

Carson and Branson wanted Payson to wear a tie on Sunday in a bad way. What a stud muffin. Justin had to pray in Sacrament Meeting, and I think he should have taken Payson to the pulpit with him. Everybody would have loved looking at him. Him is 'berry' cute!!

Payson's First Haircut

Now he is a little-big boy!! How sad to chop the fur. I love it when little boys hair is long and shaggy and hanging over their ears. But someone called Payson a girl, so I guess it was time. He is still cute. And I think his hair will look cutie biz in the summer when he gets tan and his hair is still so white.
Payson is #1

Look how long his hair was before the hair cut. The boys love to make He into Alfalfa. Carson did not want me to cut his hair. It made it that much harder to do.

I just had to get a few before shots of the cutie biz fur.

The last picture of Payson being a baby. Ok, he is 18 months old and probably not a baby anymore. But we made it last as long as we could.

PINEWOOD DERBY

Carson wanted a "Sponge Bob" Pinewood Derby car. And Justin was thrilled because he thought it would be easier to not have to carve a old fashioned pick-up. Next year I think I will vote for more carving and less painting!!

So here is Carson in his cool scout shirt (its the most expensive shirt that he owns, actually than any of us own)!! Oh well, he loves it!

How can you resist these cute little mugs?? Carson got 4th place in the Derby. And he got 1st place in best paint job. He thinks that he got first place overall. We haven't had the heart to tell him different.

This morning when I went to wake Carson up for school this is what I found. They always sleep in the same bed, even though they have their own. It took me so long to take pictures of them that Carson almost missed the bus. It was worth it!!

When Beast came to visit last week we decided to try making truffles. And they turned out. I will admit that I didn't eat any of the truffles with nuts on them at first. I knew the boys wouldn't eat those, so I ate the other kinds first, so I could get some!! They were yummy (and cute).

Carsons Baptism Day

The family on Carsons baptism day. It was such a fun day. Carson was so excited to be baptized. I can't believe that he is already 8 years old!!

Carson is so lucky to have so many cousins!! He loved being able to see all of them. I think he such a good example to them.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Before Christmas we went to Andy and Megans for a party. We had some yummy stew and then the kids, including Justin and Megan, acted out the Nativity. Carson was excited to be Joseph. I think he especially liked pulling Mary (Grace) around on the donkey (rocking horse). Of course, Branson was the cow. What else would he be? Payson had some wool pinned on him and he was supposed to be a sheep. But he thought he needed to be in the cradle. It was cute!!

On Christmas Eve it snowed about 9 inches. Then on Christmas day the wind blew really hard. That much snow and wind doesn't make a very good combination. Justins phone started ringing at about 8:00 a.m. The calf feeder was stuck. Justins dad went to pull the calf feeder out and Loyd got stuck too. So Justin had to go pull bring both of them to the dairy. Then the milkers shift was changing so Justin had to drive the go get them and bring the to work, and take the other one home. So he went to work until about 5:30 p.m. It wasn't really what we had in mind for Chirstmas Day. But thats how it goes.

Donette, Justins mom, came over and saw the boys. Branson got this Santa Claus costume for Christmas. He told me on Halloween Day that he wanted to be Santa next year for Halloween. And he loves to wear his cow costume so much I thought it would be nice for him to have some variety. He keeps saying, "Come over here. Sit on my lap. What do you want for Christmas?" It is so cute.



Carson the mighty hunter, in his cool new hat.

If Cason shoots a pop can (which we had to go to the neighbors to find one, ha ha) ten times then he wants to start shooting birds. We will see how that goes.

Branson decided that he needed to put a present in my stocking on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Day I was excited to find a blank paper, folded a million times!!

Payson didn't finish opening his presents until the day after Christmas. He was having too much fun playing with everyone elses toys.He finally go the hang of it. Although he really didn't care what was in the box. He loved the tissue paper.