Christmas at the Ranch

So every since the last football game when we got snowed on, my camera has been a little fuzzy.  I'm sure that I have either ruined it, or gotten it out of focus.  I have taken pictures with my phone also, but can't find the cord to download them to my computer, so I'm in a pickle.  Hopefully when I come home for Christmas, one of my children who is tech savy will rescue me.  Until then, you will have to see slightly fuzzy pictures on my blog. 

Dr. Young is a Christmas decoration fanatic.  Christmas decorations are his hobby and we start putting them up the end of October every year.  He says that putting together the village scenes is his therapy and he does an amazing job of it.  I would like to take you on a tour of the village starting with the front door.

After you enter the door, you encounter the main Christmas tree and the Christmas village.

As you can see, it is too big to fit in one picture.  Next comes smaller pictures of the village.

I wish you could see all the moving parts on the houses and all the little details on the streets.  There are even 2 boats on the water.  There are little people dancing and ice skating.

The hills are actually the sofas in the living room covered in quilt batting.

The train tracks go around the entire display and the train runs either as fast or as slow as you want.  My personal favorite is the little sleighing hill with sleigh riders going down continually.  I don't have a good picture that you can make this out.  Also by the village is a life-size Santa.

All I could think was how much the grandkids would like to see this.  The pictures are too fuzzy, but there is a Christmas tree in every room along with an incredible Santa collection.  One of these years, we will have to have Christmas down here in California so all of you can see this.  The outside lights are pretty amazing too, but again my camera is having issues.

Merry Christmas everyone, can't wait to see all of you.

November Good Times

You know the saying "How time flies when you're having fun."  Well, November flew by and was lots of fun.  We had lots of great family times, like tailgating before the Hawaii game.

Then, of course, the skies opened up during the game and rained and rained.  We all got very wet and cold.  Sione was the hero with his tarps and Ela had lots of rain ponchos for everyone.  All in all, good family times.

November also brought contrasts in temperature for me.  One weekend, I'm laying out by the pool, soaking up the sun.

The next weekend, I'm sitting in snow for a football game and white knuckle driving through the snow and rain home to Provo. 

We had wonderfully spiritual and family times with Clayton's blessing.  Scott did a beautiful job with the blessing and Fia and Scott did a great job with the family get together afterwards.  Thanks Fia and Scott for the family day.

Then, of course, November brings Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.  It was a good day to stay inside, be warm, and eat.  Everyone contributed to the meal and it was enjoyed by all. 

Last of all was the annual Christmas parade on Center Street.  We started out with dinner at Brick Oven and then proceeded to Center Street.  The parade was sporadic, but culminated with Santa coming to Provo.  Tre was most excited to see Darth Vadar and the Star Wars group and couldn't wait for Santa.  All in all a good month with a great family.