Mountain trip!! Fun or Crazy??? ok Both!!

I know its long but its my journal also.


As you know we were able to go to the mountain for Memorial Day. Ciminy, Marlo and I decided we would leave around noon on Friday so we could get up there and get the beds made and get the cabin clean. We never got up to the cabin to shut the water off before it froze so we knew we would have broken pipes so we would need someone who knew what to do go with us. Chauncy got off at 12 so we planned to leave when he got off work; Steven wanted to go then to. Well we left Pima about 12 or so but we still had to go to town and get our food for the weekend. Marlo and I went to town while Chauncy got the horses and all their stuff and Steven and Ciminy collected all of their things they would need. When it was all said and done we were leaving Safford about 3:30 which was perfect because JJ was able to drive up with us. We looked up on the mountain and there was snow on the top. Chauncy asked me if I thought it would be at turkey flat and I told him no it couldn't be it has never snowed that low this late in the year. Well guess what? as we got closer to Turkey Flat there was snow on the ground. JJ was the first to drive on the dirt road up to the cabin in his little corolla so he made the trail in the snow for us all in our SUV's to follow. Kind of backwards huh? Well anyways we get to the cabin and there is about 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground. I have NEVER seen this before on Memorial Day weekend. After shoveling the snow so we could open the doors the very first thing that needed to be done was build a FIRE it was COLD The guys started working on the pipes that broke. we brought up some copper pipe to fix it but it was to small. The guys figured they could just cut off the spits and use the same pipe so they went to find a pipe cutter well nope there wasn't one. So they had to use a saw. After about 3 or 4 hours they got it fixed. While they were fixing the pipe us girls made all the beds and got settled in. We got the corral built for the horses. It was going to be interesting because we had to mares and two geldings in a small pin, and one of the mares had just got bread. So she was acting weird already. Well that night after playing cards with JJ Steven and I for a little bit I couldn't really sleep because I was concerned that the horses were going to get out and they kept fighting so it was noisy. The next day mom and dad showed up at noon after collecting a long list of things we needed. We played cards and tried to keep the kids bundled up because it was cold and windy outside, or keep them off the stairs and entertained while they were inside. After a while the guys decided they wanted to go on a horseback ride so they saddled all of the horses up. Steven rode Saucy with Riley; JJ rode Poncho with Kashlee, Justin rode Chico with Seth but poor little Preston didn't get to go because Chauncy was riding Milly and she was acting up and raring so I didn't want Preston to ride with him. So he got to take a nap. They all brought the kids back because they fell asleep on the horses.

It was so cute; Papa Scott had to teach the High Priest group on Sunday so he was reading though his lesson in the kitchen. well Seth kept going in there to be with him. So papa didn't make it very long there. he wanted to go up stairs but Preston was trying to go to sleep instead he went to his truck . after awhile Seth couldn't stand it anymore not being able to talk to papa so he went and got a little ladder and put it up to papa's window and climbed up it to say hi. It was cute. Well that evening we put all the kids to bed and were playing cards. we had played for awhile and Steven was going out to check on his boys and as he walked up to the door he saw a big animal run by not really knowing if it was a bear or what. Well he saw another on and turned to us and said "The horses are out" so we all got up and ran outside to help with the horses. It luckily didn't take very long to catch them, the ran around the little hill that the cabin sits on. All we had was flashlights and the light of the moon which wasn't very bright. the horses really couldn't see either because JJ was trying to catch Chico but Chico kept running at him so JJ flashed his light right at him but Chico kept running if JJ wouldn't have moved he would have ran right over him. We finally got them in the pin. After that we played another game of pitch I had been getting tired but after chasing the horses I had another game in me. We all went to bed. I didn't worry as much about the horses getting out because if they did I thought they would just stay around the cabin like before. Well about 2 am they were getting noisy again so I looked out there and Chico and Milly were kicking each other. I kept watching and guess what? Yep you got it Chico kicked Milly right through the fence. So they all got out again. So I woke Chauncy up and told him so we got dressed and woke JJ up. In the mean time dad had got up and woke Steven up. So Chauncy, JJ, Steven, Dad and I all were chasing the horses. They ran around the hill and up towards the other cabins so dad jumped in his truck while Chauncy, Steven and JJ ran after them. I was up at the cabin waiting for them so we could put them back to the pin. it took a while, my flashlight was dying so I went inside by the fire to keep warm till i heard something they got them turned around and headed back to our hill. it was the horses so I ran out to try to help. They ran right past JJ and I and back around the cabin. Dad got back in his truck, Chauncy and JJ went after them while Steven and I waited. Steven ran for a little bit then came back. I was sitting with the doors open in the back of my car. I was scaring myself so that made me a little more secure. Steven comes running up and said he just go though talking to dad on the phone and said the horses were up at upper turkey flat. We started to get the trailer ready then dad calls again and said just get in the corolla and come help. Chauncy is chasing them the whole time while dad and JJ where in the truck. Steven and I started down the mountain in the corolla. well about 5 or 6 turns we see a flashlight flash us. It was Chauncy. We went on more turn and stopped. Dad said JJ and Chauncy have them cornered. So dad and Steven went up there to help them. They sent me down a couple more turns just in case the horses ran away again and I could at least see where they went. A couple minutes later dad comes and finds me and tells me they caught them. I went back to where they were and we waited for them to walk the horses down the hill. Steven went to get the trailer because Chico ripped part of his skin off his front right leg. While Steven was gone, Chauncy had taken off his shirt and belt and tried to bandage his leg. well it didn't stay so he ripped up his shirt and made little strips so he could tie it better. he worked on it for a while and got it pretty good. Steven at this time is back with the trailer. We load the horses because they need to take Chico to a Vet ASAP. They tried to call the vet in Thatcher and she didn't answer. Remember this is at about 2:30 am. Luckily it only took us 30 min to catch them but they sure ran a lot though. Dad and JJ headed down the mountain with all the horses and off the Silver City to the vet my grandpa goes to. They never stopped they got to silver city at 5:30 am. They were so tired. Well Chauncy, Steven and I went back to the cabin and needless to say it was nice not having the noise. well the next day was Sunday. We didn't go to church because we were so tired and didn't feel like driving to columbine. After lunch we took the kids to the cable swing. Surprisingly it wasn't taken down because the forest service made everyone take down all their swings. The kids had a blast on that swing. even Preston and Kashlee went down it by their self. When we got back we ate lunch and had a roping. it was so fun. After that we played cards. On Monday we had another roping and then we got ready to go home. We left about 3:30 we had a great weekend.

I've been tagged!!!!

1. Four places I have lived: Pima, AZ, (mom and dad’s house growing up) Snowflake, AZ, back to Pima even to mom and dad’s house again, to the love shack and then to our house now.

2. Four shows I watch: Greys’ Anatomy, Family Fued, The Bachelorette, Deal or No Deal
3. Four jobs I have had in my life: Busser at El Charro, Squeeze Driver, Gila Valley Irrigation District office, Substitute teacher and A Coach.

4. Four places I have been: Florida, California, Mexico, Utah

5. Four Blogs I read regularly: Sister, Cousins, Aunt's and Dear Friends

6. Four of my favorite foods: Green Chile burro enchilada style, Chicken and rice, Enchilada’s and steak and potatoes

7. Four places I'd rather be right now: On vacation, with my sister, on a date with Chauncy, playing at the park with Seth and Preston.

8. Four things I look forward to in the next year: Chauncy starting to work as a nurse, Moving away for a while, (to mesa or Alaska) hoping to become pregnant, did I say Chauncy working as a nurse making real money.

9. Four things I like to do in my spare time: BLOG, scrapbook, sew, visit with friends or family

10. Four favorite things to do with kids/family: Go to the park or Swim, go on walks (Seth rides his bike) and wrestle with them.

I tag: Ashley K. Margo B. and LaDawn C.

It's OPEN!!!

Ok I better update, The Mountain is open!!!! it started to rain yesterday about 4 and it hasn't stopped so that is really good for the fire. I think its OUT. So I am packing lots of warm clothes and blankets because I think it will be really chilly up there. I am so excited to get away from everything and have my hubby with me for the next 3 days and not have him have to go to work. YIPPEEE!!!! his boys just love to be with him and so it makes it hard sometimes when he goes to work. they will enjoy this weekend to hang on, wrestle with, and maybe even ride horses (if we take them this time). Thanks Chauncy for being such a wonderful dad, husband and best friend. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

isn't it FIRE SEASON???

i'm so bummed, The forest service decided that they would start a "controled" burn right before Memorial Day Weekend. Well guess what? It got out of control and has burned around 3000 acers. They only had it in control for about 30 minutes. I guess they weren't thinking because it has been so windy and hot. all it takes is common sense to know not to burn. "IT FIRE SEASON!!!! They have closed down the montain so I guess we will break our tradition this year and not go to the mountain on Memorial Day!!! Maybe I will get some things done around my house since theres no work.

Cute Buns!!!

I couldn't resist, these little buns are so cute!! they love to go to grammy's and play in the mud or water outside, so we take them in and give them a bath and they love to splash and have fun with cousins. In this picture it looks like Riley and Preston are the same age not Seth and Riley. Seth is my Giant.

SOOOO tired

I'm posting this a little late but I was looking though my pictures and saw this so it thought i would post it. After Preisthood session our family went to eat at golden corral and Seth kept whinning and wouldn't really eat. he at a little bit then he put his head on his hands on the table and he fell asleep. he must have been really tired and thats why he was whinning. he was asleep in like a minute and was drooling its funny so here are some pictures of it.

Fun trip to Snowflake!!

Valerie was going to be going to snowflake on Wednesday to be with the fam for a little bit till she goes to Oklahoma City for the summer, so I decided that I would go up then too, so we could see her and McKay one last time till August, and my boys could play with McKay. When we arrived, Grandpa Mike, Gavin and Bo were going to the swimming pool in Show Low with Mikes 11 year old scouts; I decided that it would be fun to let the boys go swimming. When we got there I changed the boys in their swimming suits and off to the water we go. The pool had a slant to the water so it was perfect for Seth and Preston to play in. Well Seth did great he could get up if he fell but Preston on the other hand couldn’t. I was right there with my shoes off but no suit on. Preston wanted to go out as far as Seth, but he slipped and he couldn’t get up so I had to walk in there with my clothes still on to get him it wasn’t bad I didn’t get to wet. I would have dived in if I needed to but thank goodness it was only about a foot and a half deep. It only didn’t happen once but twice. I think he learned because he would just sit close to me and not go to far out. When it was time to leave Kristi, Val and McKay showed up. It was so fun to see Val because she is 7 months pregnant and I hadn’t seen her with her cute little belly yet. We went to home to snowflake and made dinner then we went and watched Kristi play city league volleyball. They won that game and now they head to the finals (Good Luck MOM!!) After the game Grandpa Mike took all 3 boys home so Kristi Val and I could stay and watch another game Thanks for the break Grandpa. Thursday We went to Aunt Kim’s house and let the boys play on her new swing set the boys loved it. Then we went home and I got ready and went to show low to go to lunch with Abbi and her kiddos it was fun to see her again and visit with her. I wish we lived closer. I have many memories with her that I will treasure. When I got back they guys were mowing the lawn so the trampoline was under the basketball hoop so Seth wanted to play and shoot some hoops who new he could jump that high?J He loves playing with Uncle Gavin and Uncle Bo. They are so good with their nephews they even are willing to take them on a wheel barrow ride. Seth and McKay are having so much fun. Grandma, Grandpa, Gavin and Bo have the patients to even try to teach Seth and McKay how to play kick ball. They played for a while but I don’t think they really go the concept of it. It’s worth a try right? Preston just sat there and watched (he just woke up from a nap so they didn’t teach him) . Friday was an anxious day. Dad was coming up. He met Jay and Brittany in Globe and rode with them on up to Snowflake. We were all anxious because we all have only had a little bit of time with Brittany and were all excited to get to know her better. This was the 1st time Val got to meet her. We are so excited for them because they are GETTING MARRIED!!!! On 08-08-08 Jay I think you found a keeper. Brittany is so easy to talk to and fun to be around. That evening they all played basketball and even Brittany played she is a great basketball player. We made Cowboy dinners that evening also they were great. Poor little McKay had to be taken to the DR because he was coughing really bad and wheezing so the took him in and come to find out he had croup. But the next morning he was feeling a lot better. We made a make sure we get though call to Trevor Saturday morning and Brittany was playing with Preston with the blocks while the boys wrestled. (cant be a snowflake trip without a wrestling match). We went outside and poured a cement curb around the rest of the grass and Seth and Preston go to put their hand print in it. We went and played Basketball and Volleyball on Saturday afternoon that was so much fun. I wish I was in shape again but not a round one. After playing we went back home and at 4 pm we got to talk to Trevor in Russia. He sounds like he is doing really good he is even a branch president. How cool is that. Then about 6 we went to Grandma Kathy’s house and had a cook out boy was the food good. Its always fun to get with the extended family. Sunday we went to church Meeting were great. We went home and had Lasagna for dinner it was good. After lunch we got ready and headed for home. We had such a great weekend thanks for all the fun Russell’s We love you so much!!