Grandpa's new addition

 My dad got a wild hair about a month ago and decided he would like to add a horse to his farm. My mom wasn't happy about the idea of having a horse in her back yard so my dad asked the neighbors if he could put it on their unused horse property for a monthly fee. They agreed and problem solved. :) His name is Chance. He's really gentle which is perfect for the kids.

 Madison even took a ride with me. She had a lot of fun, but was pretty okay with getting off too.

 It's been years and years since I've actually ridden a horse, but it was really fun and he is so easy to guide.

It's a lot of fun to have him around. My dad is trying to talk Alan into getting one too...I'm going to say that's not going to be happening...at least for awhile. :)

Daddy's friend Frank

 Two days after Christmas Alan drove down to Las Vegas and picked his buddy Frank up at the airport. Frank was Alan's mission companion in El Salvador. He is from Honduras and is visiting the United States for the first time. We have had a lot of fun showing him around and showing him what the day to day life of an American is.

 He was really excited to see Zion's park so we went up there the first weekend he was here. It was the perfect day. Nearly 60 degrees in the park. So nice!

 We got out and hiked the lower Emerald Pools hike. The water was barely a trickle, but it was still pretty up there.

 We saw some doe at Emerald Pools.

 And some big horn sheep up on the Checkboard Mesa, which was really neat. I'd never seen the sheep in the park before.

The next weekend we took Frank to Snow Canyon and hiked around some more. It was so much fun to get outside and I think the girls especially loved it.

It's been a lot of fun to show Frank around. He went up to Salt Lake this past week. We were going to go up with him, but we decided, finance wise (and work wise), that we shouldn't. It turned out good because we have been fighting the flu and coughs and ear infections for the past week...not fun! We are on the mend though and I'm sure he's having more fun up there with his other old companions than he would with us anyway...haha.

Christmas

I looked at my camera and realized that I didn't capture Christmas very well. I guess I was enjoying myself too much to whip out the camera...oops :) I thought I would share some of the pictures I did get. They are all of the girls opening their presents. Madison was REALLY excited for Santa to come this year. We had to wake the girls up early to get over to my parents house and when I woke her up and told her Santa had come she jumped up and said "Where is he?" Poor thing thought he would still be hanging out waiting to see her. She was a little disappointed, but really excited when she saw her gift.

 Santa brought Madison a trunk full of dress ups! So fun!

 As you can see. :)

 Ken got a fun leapfrog toy/book. She loves the songs it sings to her.

It was a lot of fun. Actually the whole week before and after Christmas was a blast with family and friends. I wish I had taken more pictures.