Emily's Quilt for Jason

Sometime back in August Emily asked me if I'd help her make Jason a quilt for Christmas. She has never made a quilt before. So for the next several months Emily spent most Monday afternoons workng on this quilt for Jason at our house. She cut every bit and sewed every piece together. When she was finished we took it to be quilted and I helped with the binding. But I'd say she did a great job for her first quilt. And I think Jason was quite surprised.

Wyoming in December

Usually we try to get up to Wyoming on Christmas day but since Christmas was on a Tuesday this year we decided to make a quick trip up before Christmas. We wanted to leave Thursday afternoon but Ryan is plowing this year and the forecast showed snow Thursday night. Friday Ryan left for plowing around 3 am and returned about 11 am. He still needed to take care of one place later that night so Nathan and I decided to head up without him. Ryan came up Saturday with Roland and Lizzy. For a brief time Saturday six of us were home at the same time. We were only missing Paul and Tommy and since they are both on the other side of the world right now we had everyone together that could possibly be there. That was nice. We watched to BYU game together at Dave's house. I recall making the comment during the game that I shouldn't watch it because my heart can't take it. I can't believe how horribly they played in the second half. I was sure the final field goal was going to finish the cougars winning streak, but was I ever wrong? and will my heart ever recover? I can't believe how they have pulled off some amazing endings. It was nice to watch it with my family( cougar fans).

We didn't get the snow mobiles started but Nathan had an enjoyable time sledding and playing in the snow.

We saw two deer in my parent's yard. We stepped out on the porch to take their picture and Nathan started talking with them. They didn't even leave right away. It was a short trip because Sunday was Ryan's dad's birthday so we had to make it back for his party. But it was fun to get up to see my family over the holidays.

December Activities

Nathan went to see Santa at the Fashion Place mall. This was the first year he wasn't scared to sit on his lap. He was nervous though and only remembered he wanted a skate board for Christmas. Santa told him he'd better wear a helmet. After Nathan was dissappointed to recall he hadn't told Santa he wanted a bike and computer too.

Nathan and I made this gingerbread house. It is wheat-free so Nathan could have some of the cookies we also made.






Nathan really wanted a river and sidewalk. We had a lot of fun. I can't remember the last time I made a gingerbread house.



Prior to all the snow we have gotten it rained and was quite muddy out. But Nathan loves to be outside no matter the weather so we bundled him up and put on his work boots and let him out to have some fun in the puddles.


Here is a picture of our Christmas tree. It is quite tall. You can also see the train that Nathan loves to watch go round and round the tree.

BYU Football Game

Many of you know Ryan and I have a tradition of attending the BYU Utah football game each year. We have a standing bet where the loser has to plan our anniversary. This was our 9th bet. Our first was in 1999 before we were married. That year the loser had to make dinner. I lost. Since then we have each won 4 times. With Ryan having the longest winning streak from 2002-2005. Well, we drove down with Ryan's family yesterday for the game. The homers were nice enough to watch Nathan for us. When the game is in Provo we sit in the bleachers so it is a little less comfortable. Although I have 50,000 fans cheering with me, which is nice, we sit in the Utah section so I am usually surounded by red. This year was quite civil. I think it was because nobody scored much until the end of the game. But it did prove to once again be a nail biter. But I am glad BYU won.

Allison & Evan

Steve & Terri

Jason & Emily

Thanksgiving

This year we traveled to Afton for Thanksgiving with my family. I got Terri's stuffing recipe as well as one of the three turkeys. I had seen a recipe that sounded interesting and my dad thought we ought to try it. You stuff the turkey with your favorite stuffing put a little butter and salt rub on the outside and stick it in a brown paper bag. Put the turkey in a roasting pan and stick in a cold oven. Turn on to 500 degrees for one hour then turn down the heat to 400 degrees for one hour and finally down to 300 degrees for the last hour. It turned out so yummy.

When Roland and Lizzy arrived Thanksgiving evening we were able to take a few family pictures with those Scherbels living in the US. As always that was in and of itself entertaining.

Another tradition our family has is cutting down our Christmas tree in Star Valley. We have done this the past 5 years. This year was a little different due to the lack of snow. We had a much easier time finding our tree this year. Once again Roland and Lizzy came along and within a short amount of time we had two trees in the truck.

When we got home Nathan helped his dad cut the bottom so it would drink lots of water. And it has. I strung the lights and Nathan helped me decorate it. Then Ryan put his grandfather's train around the tree. That is Nathan's favorite part of all.

You can see more pictures here. http://picasaweb.google.com/shellywagstaff/Thanksgiving

Nope, not Halloween

This is what Nathan wore to the grocery store on Tuesday. It was so funny. We just needed some milk and eggs so I thought I'd just carry him in. He was just wearing his pj bottoms and orange shirt from the day before. But of course his cowboy boots were in the car and he insistead on wearing them. And since I put on my sunglasses he wanted his as well and unfortunately they were in the car as well. So the result was the picture above.

Nathan has been enjoying riding his tricycle the past month or so. Now that he has learned to peddal it's lots more fun for both of us. We take walks around our block or I sit on the front steps while he rides around our circle.

This is Nathan on TRAX. He loves to take the "train" to the football games. He's got grandma's "nocculars" around his neck ready for the game. He's come with us to all but one game this year. He missed the snow storm against Utah State. He loves to get the nachos and eat peanuts. but he does get confused on who he is cheering for. Sometimes he'll yell Go Cougars! But he knows the Utah cheer and punches his fist in the air as he yells "Utah, Utah, Utah!"

Halloween

Nathan has been so excited for Halloween. He tells everyone he is going to be a cowboy. We bought him cowboy boots a couple months ago and he loves to wear them everywhere. He now has the full ensamble. We had play group at our house last week and he got to wear his costume for the first time.

Monday night we carved our pumpkins for family home evening. Nathan likes scarcrows and witches best when it comes to halloween so we cut one of them out as a witch and one as a smiley face. Nathan does not like to get dirty but he did help quite a bit with the scooping out portion. He was very excited to light the candle and see his pumpkins glowing.

Halloween night I made homemade potato soup. I remember my mom always making something warm and nutrition on Halloween. Since day light savings hadn't ended yet it was still a little light out when we wre ready to go, around 6:45. Walking out our door we saw some of our neighbors starting with their two girls and joined them. Nathan was so excited to be a cowboy saying giddy up and yee haa. Well, at least at the beginning. His cowboy boots are a little big so after a few houses he slowed down a bit. But his friend Ellie had it down and kept him moving. Nathan would say things like "See you next pumpkin day." (Mind you these are our neighbors we see often.) We trick-or-treated around our little horseshoe and then called it a night. Ryan doesn't love to stay home and hand out candy so we went up to the Wagstaffs so they could see our cute cowboy and Nathan could hand out candy with Grandma. All in all a bit too much sugar and staying up too late but having fun anyway.

More Pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/shellywagstaff/Halloween