This is just a warning. I haven't posted in so long, that I did several today so that I could start my new year off up to date. I hope you enjoy all of the pics and goofy stories. So, pop some popcorn and enjoy the show! P.S. There are other new posts after this page, so check them out!

Escaped goats!

I was talking with my sister Deneice this morning and I was looking out the window and I thought I saw some big dogs walking in front of my house. (It was hard to tell since the snow banks are quite high) They stopped at my trash cans and started butting into them. I said, "There are goats in front of my house by my garbage cans." Deneice just started laughing. I opened the door and yelled at them, thinking they would run back across the street and to the fenced area that they so cleverly escaped from, but they just looked at me like I was goofy. I got back on the phone and Deneice was laughing it up. I went to get my camera and when I got back, they were acrossing the street.

Many cars had to stop for them and you could tell that they didn't care at all. Then they started eating their owners tree. The snow bank is so high that they are just walking over the fence. I guess they have been getting loose since Christmas day. I just hope they don't get hurt.

I guess while I was looking for my camera after I yelled at them, they came up to the porch. They probably thought I was going to feed them. I have had moose tracks, deer tracks, dog and cat tracks, but now I have had goat tracks.

I started singing, "Bill Grogans goats, were bound to die. Ate three red shirts, from off the line. Bill got a stick, gave them a whack, and tied them to, the railroad track!" (For any of you that played the piano, this was a song that I learned. It wasn't nice, but hey, I didn't write it!)

SNOW, SNOW, & more SNOW!

Yesterday morning we woke up to about 10 inches of snow and then it kept snowing throughout the day. I wanted some pictures of the house at night and so Hunter took the following picutres for me. I guess this one means, "Mom, I am sick of shoveling the snow!"

He said it was fun to take the pictures because the flash made the snowflakes light up. Well, we are in Utah and this year has not been as bad as other years for the snow. I just love the way the snow make everything look.

I guess this is looking down the street.
Side of the house

The house with the flash on. You can't see the lights on the house very well. Hunter, Jeff and Jared did the lights and I think our little house looks like a ginger-bread house. I love it. I keep waiting for Hansel and Gretel to come walking out!

With-out the flash

BBBBBRRRRR!!!!!!

Christmas Morning with the Family!

Christmas was great this year, as it is every year. I just love my family and love being together. It can get a bit noisy and crazy, but I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.

I am so grateful that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent down His Son for us. I read my sweet nephews blog and about some of the traditions that they have started and it just reminded me that I need to focus more on the reason for the season and I would enjoy it much more. I was really on top of it as far as being ready and having gifts wrapped ahead of time so I was able to just set back and soak in being with my family.

We got Preston a remote controlled car. He had a ball with it and can control it really well.

Hunter checking himself and his new straps for his pod belt for paint balling.

Sophie enjoying her new Christmas bone. She found protection from the kiddos in Jeff's lap. He acts like he doesn't like dogs that much, but when she is around, it is amazing to me what he will let that little dog get away with.

See what I mean! I never thought I would live to see the day when he would let a dog lick his face. What an old softy!

Jen and Scott got this for Hunter. It is a policeman's billy club. He was so excited.

Whatever!

A great ad for Clip It Up! :)

Sophie wasn't to sure about this gift for her.

But she looks so cute in it!

Each Christmas Preston and Mikelle love playing with my wooden Rudolf and so this year I made one just for them. I was so excited to give it to them. I hadn't painted for so long I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. They loved it and.....it turned out great!

I was the most excited about this gift. It was the reindeer I had made. I think that next year I want to have a completely home-made Christmas. You have to put more thought into them and it is really fun to create.

This was before the married kiddos and grand kids got there. Hunter wanted a German Army coat that they had at Smith & Edwards. He was pretty excited when he opened it up. He wears it around the house all of the time.

Opening the stocking gifts from Santa

Jeff got a new pair of cowboy boots and he just loves the smell of new leather.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

Storey Family Christmas Party

Not all of the Storey's were here this year. Mark and Sherilyn were celebrating and working in West Yellowstone. Mark started a travel business and had some clients on a snowmobile trip. Jerry and Nedra came after Christmas so it was our family and Mari & Neils family. We all brought "Shoveunda's" to trade. I hadn't heard of that name for a white elephant gift before and Neil said that was because they are gifts that you shove under your bed. I said it sounded like a name of one of our African-American sistas!

This had to be one of the best "Shoveundas"! Hunter got this beauty and is planning on hanging it from his rear view mirror. I just hope it doesn't distract him with all of the glitz! ;)

Preston was so excited to get this helmet. I am sure Megan was equally as happy! ;)

Preston, Nathan and Mikelle had a ton of fun together.

Carson was surrounded!

This was my favorite picture. I LOVE my family!

Heileson Family Christmas Party

I didn't get many of our family party as I was running around a lot. (I was in charge this year) But here a just a few pics. It was fun to be together and we are so big now that we have to go to a church. It was a bit weird this year because even though we had reserved the church first, they scheduled a wedding on the same day. We had to be quiet a lot of the time but it was fun to be together. Thanks everyone for your help.

We all bring white elephant gifts and it can get pretty funny at times.

Love you all!

I have to tell you all a funny story about the white elephants. We had each of the parents of the Great-grandchildren who were old enough to pick out a gift, bring a child appropriate gift and we put all of the childrens gifts in one pile. Megan told me that she got something that the parents of the child that chose that present were going to be hating her for it. Well, it was a recorder (flute) and guess who ended up with it, Preston! It was a riot! Moral of the story, don't buy anything that you wouldn't want your child to have because you will end up with it!

Daughter's #1 & #4

Where does the time go? Here is my baby, but not looking much like one. She was going to her school Christmas dance. She looks to grown up. I just love her. She is the icing on our family cake!

I got to spend some time with daughter Megan in Malad this year. We took my dad to the airport the Monday before Thanksgiving. He was spending it with Bob & Annette is sunny California this year. We then drove to his house and decorated it for Christmas. It was so good to spend just some time with her. It was difficult at times getting things out because I am really missing mom but I felt her spirit there with us. I am sure she liked what we did.
Megan had not seen mom's headstone and so we drove out there. It is beautiful and dad did such a great job picking it out and designing it.

I was so touched when I saw her doing this. I love you Megan and thanks for all of your help. You know, grandma Joyce loved ALL of her grandchildren, but you were the first granddaughter and she loved you so much.