Such A Crazy Time Of Year

What a totally crazy time of year. It seems there is so much to squeeze in between Halloween and New Years, that there's no possible way to get it all done. Finally, I just decided to do as much as I could, and that would have to be enough. However!! I didn't get to do much in the way of recreation, and therefore, no blogging either. While I am very greatful to have the job that I do in an economy that is struggling, I have been working WAY more hours than normal, and don't get to spend as much time goofin' off with the family.(and frankly.....i'm spoiled....and I like to take off and putter whenever I can)

Since we purchased our cabin back in 2007, I have gone there at least once each month to check on things, or work on things, or just hang out. (it's about a 3 1/2 hour drive from home, so we usually try and make the most of the trip by staying as long as possible. Plus, once you get there.....it's so beautiful that it's really hard to want to come home, so one day trips are no fun at all)There have been months that I spent every weekend there.....but it has been almost 3 months since I had seen the place. OH MY COW!!! (that is a cross between the now famous OMG, which I will not use, and Holy Cow.....created as an alternative by my once missionaried nephew). Anyway, it's been a long time for me. So we went a week or so ago and I was so proud of myself that I took pictures and would have something to blog about, but cannot find the cord to my camera, and cannot download the pics. I'll do better next time.
On Saturday, basketball season began, which will also put a damper on winter traveling. It would be so much better if we got two weekends each week, one to stay home and do sports(.....and laundry), and one to go off playing....other sports(.....and avoid laundry). Never the less, each Saturday for a couple of months we will gather at the schools and watch the kids play.....and then venture off to the wild blue yonder for whatever else we can squeeze in. I even took pictures with a camera that I could download.
Cuy had a rough day, only scored 7 points, compared to most of last years games when he exceeded 26 points per game. But he did well on defense and had lots of assists.

For the first time ever, Jordan and Megan and Kim are on the same team. Randall is coaching all three, so it should be quite a fun year. I thought that little Megan would have been intimidated, but she held her own. They didn't have as many girls sign up for the league this year, so they have 4th through 8th grade on the same team. She sneaks in a pretty good effort at a jumpshot, but to no avail. This basket is a tad higher than the ones she had last year in the younger league, so it's a bit of an adjustment.

No points scored by Bean or Moge, but Kim had a couple good shots, and it's very helpful that she's one of the tallest on the team and gets LOTS of rebounds.

However, one rebound didn't go so well, and was a square shot to the face, giving her a bloody nose. We only had five girls show up, so they all had to play the entire game, no time to sit down and recoup from the injury. Good thing those Brown girls are tough.


Anyone who knows me, knows that my favorite thing to do is take an early Sunday morning drive just to take in the scenery. (yet another thing I have not been able to find time for...until now) We took a ride near the edge of town to see a herd of elk that has decided to spend the winter there. They're actually only about a 1/4 mile from Matt and Debbie's house. It was really foggy, so the picture is not too good, but you get the idea, there were some pretty big bulls in the herd.

I thought Grandma and Grandpa might like a photo of home on a brisk Sunday morning in the winter, so here's the peak above town and a road trip to South Willow.





Further up the canyon was a small herd of Turkeys. It seems they were all excited to have made it through the holidays without being someones dinner, and now just stand in the middle of the road laughing at passer-by's as if to say....'na na...you can't get me'.

My rides don't have to be long, but they are a fantastic mental break, and great therapy, so I was feeling pretty good that in 45 minutes, I had covered half the valley and saw elk and wild turkeys, but as I was coming up the road by my house, standing near the field behind my house, is a rooster pheasant. Struttin' his stuff....no worries.

Funny......there are never this many animals hanging around when hunting season is open,lol.