Turkey in Vegas

We normally spend Thanksgiving in St. George at CHUCK~A~RAMA...yes, we are those type of people..the ones who like to have some one else cook it and clean it up :) we've been doing this since I was a Jr. in High school!! This time we spent it in Vegas, the whole day! We started off at the Hoover Dam. We didn't get out just drove by, then flipped around and drove back thru again. We are always marveled at the sight of the dam and the bridge that has been under construction for the last couple of years.

We headed over to our favorite buffet...At the Orleans. It was yummy as usual. Stuffed ourselves silly and then was on our way to try and see some highlights of Vegas. ( we do always make thanksgiving dinner the next day. I couldn't go the whole weekend without turkey sandwiches!! )

We just had to get our picture taken with the Sponge Bob statue at the Excalibur.

Then off to the M&M Store so the kids could pick out a prize. They were so excited to see where it is that I always get their prize from in Vegas. It is just tradition to stop at the M&M store.

Then started all the walking..We tried to go see the dolphins and we missed that by a half hour so then we walked over to Treasure Island just to see that the show was down until February...so basically the kids got to see the lions at the MGM and the water show at the Mirage. After we got back home my Sister calculated that we walked over 5 miles. I refused to get a taxi..no way was I paying all that money, besides we needed to walk off all the grub from the buffet. We had a great time. It was nice to have my family together for the weekend.

So these last pictures really deserve their own post...but I will include it here..What started it was me, I had noticed this couple, nicely dressed. The lady was even dressed in a long fur coat and here they were handing off their camera to one of their friends to take a picture of them..little did they know that they had this "hot babes" sign in the back ground. I wish I could of been there to see the looks on their faces when they looked at their developed pictures to see the practically naked women in the background. Ahh, good times!!

Get your guns!!

First things first....I am a gun owner. I don't leave home with out one. I was raised with them around and knew how to handle one at a young age ( even won over the young women and the adult women at girls camp one year for target shooting...ah, thank you!! ). We consider the riffles and hand guns that we have part of our food storage. Now secondly. Jason and I have taught our children that if they were to see some one with a gun especially a young child to stop and tell an adult. When ever we take them shooting we teach them a few lessons. One we always fill up a large water bottle with liquid and Jason aims and shoots. ( I caught this at the perfect moment...ah, thank you!! ) Thus resulting in the explosion of liquid going every where. We tell them that this could be their guts!! Guns are not toys and never EVER do we touch or handle one with out permission and an adult around!!

The other lessons are is to never point a gun at any one, always hold it up in the air. Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to aim and fire at your target. Do not cross in front of some one when they have a gun in their hand, and especially do not walk in front of the aiming line.

We have so much fun when we go target practicing. The kids in the past have only ever gotten to shoot a couple of bullets. This time was a much better experience for them. They shot my .22 riffle the most..it doesn't kick like some of the others. With the scope I have on it they were able to hit most of the bottles and cans that they were aiming at. Good times.

I think it is important to teach children gun safety. I was reading an article a few weeks back of a twelve year old who was home sick from school and shortly after her Dad left for work two Prison escapees broke in to the home and little did they know she knew how to handle a shot gun and held a state champion record in target shooting in her age group, she aimed and shot them before they could do any harm to her. Later when the Police arrived the one man had a gun on him and the other had a knife. Can you imagine what would of happened to the girl if she didn't have the knowledge of guns!!?

f.y.i. ~ Tyler was fast asleep in the truck the whole time!!

( This activity was part of our Thanksgiving adventure down in Mesquite )

haeppeee beirdaye!!

I am Two now!! If I would of held out for two more weeks like I was supposed to I wouldn't be two until the 21st but I decided I needed to start torturing my Family as early as possible..no sense in waiting.I am so smart. I am counting to ten on my own, I sing almost all the words to my favorite songs. My most favorite one at the moment is "you get the best of both worlds" by Hannah Montana. My Mommy has even made me my own mix on her i-pod so when we get in the car I can rock out to it along with the other songs I love. I am still working on the potty training..it's rough to try and remember when I am playing or getting in to something I am not supposed to.

Man how time fly's when your having fun!! Can't wait until I am 3..since I already act like I need to be a big kid like my Brother and Sister. I had a great birthday. I had a Sponge Bob cupcake. Got a Handy Many book with tools and a very load obnoxious play guitar. I am lovin' life. I know my Family love's me...I love them more!!

Maddie's Baptism

December 5th was an extra special day for the South Family. Maddie was Baptized and Confirmed a member of the True Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by her Daddy in front of several Family and Friends. It did take three times to get it right but what a great blessing it is to have been able to see Jason Baptize his only Daughter. We are so proud of her and her decision to be baptized. We feel so blessed to have her in our lives. We also feel blessed that we have so many that support her. I am so thankful that I have a man that holds the Priesthood.

The South's shared this special day with our Cousin & Nephew Jack, He was finally Sealed to his Mommy and Daddy Jeremy & Larkyn. We are thrilled to know that it is official!!

The day was truly full of the Spirit. I am so glad that we were all there for each other today. Family is really what it's all about.

Madison's dress was a Barker Original..Thanks Andrea for making her look even more beautiful on her special day..hope we are still close for you to make her wedding dress some day :)