Annual West Yellowstone Trip

January 22-24, 2016

We decided to head up to West Yellowstone for our annual snow machining trip. It was a little different this year for three reasons.  1. There was good snow! 2. Brian's family could come! 3. Three babies under a year old!  

It's hard work getting all the stuff into the condo!

Molly's such a little poser like her mommy! Ryder's shirt says Wave Rider, pretty cute.

The kids had a great time in the pool!

Saturday morning, Jared, Nikelle, Brian, Celia and Maden went for a ride. Maden loved it.  We need to get him and Nikelle helmets that fit better. Brian found out he kind of liked riding too.

This seems to happen quite a bit, getting stuck that is.  Celia got stuck in the morning, and Randy or Jared got stuck in the afternoon when they went on a big boys only ride.

Maden and Annie went out to play in all that snow. 

Celia and Clark came out to help build a snowman.  It was hard work because the snow was pretty powdery, it didn't pack very well, but with Celia's determination, she got it done.  

There were games played with Maden and Annie, walks in the halls with the babies,  and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

There was a lot of eating and feeding happening.  Grandma gave Clark a cookie, and he loved it! He didn't love the cleaning up after the cookie though.  On Sunday, we went to Sacrament Meeting. Randy, Courtney, Ryder, Jared, Nikelle, Molly, Blake and I all squished into Randy's pickup to ride to church.  Nikelle and Courtney had to get really cozy.  It was a fun weekend and a great get-a-way.  

Love these Babies!

I can't blog without including a page of these cuties.  We are starting to see their little personalities coming to life.  They are all so different and fun in their own ways.  They are beginning to notice each other and interact together.  I think the fun is just beginning!

Grandma Purcell is 90!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Blake's mother, Helen Purcell's birthday is on January 19th, it was a big year for her, she was turning 90! I know she never really wanted to reach this milestone, but she did it anyway! Blake's sister decided we should have a grand party, so she organized it for the Saturday before.  It was a very good party and lots of people came to wish her Happy Birthday.

We had family come the first hour, we sang happy birthday on a classic cake made by Merralee.  Of course I had to get some pictures of these little ones.  Ryder and Molly were really talking to each other, and Ryder and Grandpa matched!

We got some cute pictures with Grandma.  Ryder and Clark like to study Grandma Great. 

Merralee had 6 stations for the great grandkids to do activities that taught them something about Grandma Great Purcell. I think there about 60 great grandkids, and I would say there were over 30 there. We had yummy soup and rolls and cake. It was a good party for a special lady.

Nikelle's 24!

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Nikelle's birthday was on  Wednesday, January 6th. It was a very busy day for everyone, especially Nikelle, so Celia was very gracious to organize a party for Nikelle on Saturday the 9th.  She got some scrumptious cupcakes from the Cocoa Bean. We played some games and had a great time.  We're so thankful you joined our family, Nikelle!

Earlier in the day Jared and Nikelle were able to buy this fancy pickup truck! Jared is very pleased with his new prize!

Christmas, Parts 1 and 2

December 24-31, 2015

Christmas kind of got divided into two parts this year, which is great, because it lasted longer than one day!  Randy and Courtney spent Christmas with her family in California, and Cindy and Ken were coming on the 28th, so we decided we'd have 2 Christmases this year.  Disclaimer: I did not take a ton of pictures of some of the happenings, I guess I was living in the moment, not thinking of the future when I'd like to look back at pictures!

Christmas Eve: We spent the day in Idaho Falls going to Texas Roadhouse with Brian and Jared's families, then we went to Brian's house to watch the kids while Brian and Celia had a little day date.  Jared and Nikelle came to spend the night, so here's a picture of their Christmas jammies. Molly had a nap on Grandpa while we watched a movie.

Christmas Morning: Molly got to open her presents from us, her parents and Santa.  She is at a fun age, she gets excited about everything.  

Brian's family got here about 11:00.  We got some cute pictures in front of the tree. Molly was so excited to see more presents that Brian and Celia brought.  I didn't get any pictures of opening presents, it happened so quickly! We have two babies riding their new cars, just missing one Ryder!  I can't get enough of Clark's cuteness!

Before and after dinner some of them braved the freezing cold to go outside and shoot their new guns.  Even Maden took a turn to shoot one.

Christmas Part 2:

Cindy and Ken got here about 2:00pm on Monday the 28th.  Everyone except Jared and Blake came too.  After Blake and Jared got off work, we ate then opened some more presents.

The kids drew names, but some of them cheated and bought for more than their assigned names.  I don't think anyone complained about that.  This is the extent of the pictures I took of the gifts!

Tuesday, Dec 29: Everyone that wasn't working came again! We did a little craft project that we drew on ceramic mugs with oil based markers, then heated them in the oven to set the paint.  It was quite a "feet" getting Molly's foot traced!

Now we have all three riders!

These three are all dressed in their camo, ready to go hunting with their dads on their 4Wheelers!

After a great dinner of elk steak and sweet potato fries we played a fun game called 5 second rule. I didn't get pictures of all the games Cindy played with Maden and Annie, but they did play a lot of games!

On Wednesday, we went up to see Grandma Purcell, and to Brian's and Jared's houses.  We went to eat at a Mongolian grill, then to Kiwi Loco.  Somehow, I think it was bribery, Annie finally gave Ken a hug.  There was a lot of hugging babies going on all the time.  I didn't get a picture of Cindy with Molly either.

More pictures of these triplets.  They are getting so big!

Thank you Cindy and Ken for coming to the frozen tundra, it is the best present I could be given, to have all my kids here! We had a great extened Christmas!

Thoughts.....

During this holiday season, I have done a lot of reflecting and pondering. Starting with Thanksgiving, I decided I would like to have a more gratitude attitude.  I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I love the idea of being grateful and not asking for anything.  I have been thinking for this month how grateful I am for my family.

I love this picture that was taken as we were preparing for our family photos last summer. We are not perfect, but we are perfectly happy to be together. I'm so glad that my kids are good friends and like to be together. 

 I am so thankful for each member of this family.  Blake is my rock, he is such a hard worker and wonderful provider. He is an amazing dad and grandpa. 

I appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity that Cindy and Ken exhibit all the time.  I'm so thankful that Brian, Celia, Maden, Annie and Clark are living so close. Brian did such a good job getting through Anesthesia school, and I'm thankful for Celia's support during the long school journey. 

I'm grateful for the all help Randy is to Blake, he's always just a phone call away, and Courtney is so willing to let him come help.  I'm so thankful they trust me to tend Ryder.

I have really appreciated Jared's electrical talents this year, and his willingness to help us. I'm also thankful for Nikelle's dedication to family.  

I can't even express how grateful I am to be called Grandma by Maden, Annie, Molly, Ryder and Clark.  I remember when Maden was born 6 years ago, I was surprised by the love I felt for him. That love is just as strong today, and I couldn't imagine loving other grandchildren as much, but as each were born, I found I love them all just the same. I didn't think my heart could hold so much love! They are all so unique and special. There is nothing I would rather do that spend time with them.

I love this picture depicting Mary holding her sweet baby, Jesus.  When I found it among my Christmas decorations, I almost cried.  I guess with these three babies being born into our family this year, this picture has special meaning to me.  As I reflected on the feelings I had as I held each of them for the first time, and could feel of their sweet pure innocence, I couldn't help but think that Mary could feel the same thing from her son. I so appreciate her willingness to bring him into the world.

I am so grateful that He was willing to come to earth as my Savior.  I am so thankful for His atonement and sacrifice in my behalf. I love Him, and I'm trying to be more like Him. 

Jared and Nikelle gave us this beautiful picture of Jesus holding this precious baby. I love it! I know that He loves us all, and wants us to be happy and to follow Him. 

Snow

Dec. 12 & 19, 2015

There is snow in Island Park!  Randy and Jared went up on the 12th.  The trails had not been groomed yet, so it was pretty rough, but there was a lot of powder to play in.  It's been a few years since there was this much snow! Randy wears the green helmet, Jared wears the yellow one.

Blake and Jared went back up on the 19th, there was even more snow. They were the first ones on the freshly groomed trails, so they were nice and smooth.  

This is at the Big Springs bridge. The picture of Jared on the left was on the 12th, and the one of Blake on the right was on the 19th.  There's about a foot more snow. 

Gingerbread Houses and Jared's 25!

December 12, 2015

We had a gingerbread house making party! We had kits, so it was pretty easy.

The finished products! They all turned out so cute. Annie isn't really mad, she was just trying hard to make a cute smile.  I kind of cheated, I made a candy train.

Jared turned 25 on the 11th, so we combined our gingerbread party with a birthday party! It's hard to believe my baby is 25, and that he has a baby!  Maden and Annie love to pile on Jared.

There was a rousing,but chilly game of flag football.

Can't get together without some pictures of the babies.  They all had their turn in the saucer, sometimes just looking on from the outside, sometimes Brian tried to put two in at the same time. It's so fun to watch them starting to interact with each other.  I hope they can be good friends.

Molly crawls really good now, she crawled over to Ryder and tried to steal his binkie. Then she stood up to the chair to see Ryder while he was sitting on Randy's lap.  So, Randy picked her up and got her with his beard, she didn't like it so much.

Randy got his turn at holding 2, then 3 babies.  It's quite a lapful!

Maden's 6!

December 5, 2015

I don't know where the time has gone, or how it's even possible, but Maden had his 6th birthday!  I love this little boy with all my heart! We met at Leo's Place for pizza and the arcade.  Ryder and Molly were having a great time in the high chairs. Grandma Beth is trying to convince Clark to take his bottle. Everyone had fun in the arcade, Nikelle won 100 tickets in the Deal or No Deal game!

After Leo's, Maden got to open his presents. He was truly spoiled! He even got tired of opening presents and wanted to start playing with them.  He looks so grown up in these pictures!  He is such a smart, happy, loving little boy.  He keeps us all entertained with his knowledge and zest for life.  

Christmas Stockings

With the addition of the the 3 babies, I had to make three new stockings and holders. I was so excited to put them on my new mantle.  I love how they turned out!