Light Parade

I have to say I think this is the first time I have ever been to a light parade before and it was fun.  It is a small town thing so I got my first change to go here in Safford!  It was fun to see all the floats, some were definitely better than others, but it was still fun.  It was short and sweet but at least it got us out of the house for a little while.  I love the Christmas season and this year has been hard just because we don't have a lot of room in our apartment so we haven't put any decorations up.  (Colton said there was no room.)  I assured him there is ALWAYS room for Christmas decorations but he wasn't going for that.  Seeing all the lights did get me a little more in the Christmas spirit.

Hard at Work

I brought lunch to Colton today while he was at work and decided to ride with him for a little while to see what he did.  I quickly found out it took 15 minutes to go from one end of the row to another and all he had to do was turn it around, push a button to line it up, turn the plow over, and then wait another 15 minutes to do it again.  So it wasn't too exciting but it sure beat just sitting at home.  I think Colton really likes this tractor because it pretty much does everything by itself so he doesn't have to do much!  I'm glad he enjoys being on the tractor.

It's that time of year

Grandma has a pecan orchard in her yard and all the nuts are beginning to fall off.  They have been slowly coming off for about a month now but there's a lot more falling now since it is getting colder.  Grandma loves pecans and she loves to work!  Without fail, every time Colton and I go over to visit, you can count on Grandma being outside!  She has about 8 buckets full right now and she will have SO many more to come.  She was telling me every year is different as to how many nuts they get but these pecans are also very pricey.  She said they are about 10 dollars a pound which I couldn't believe!  I never realized how much work nuts are!  She hand cracks ever single nut.  She is just incredible and I love to sit and watch her.  I can't believe she is still working even when she is sitting!  I am sure thankful for all of her hard work so I can get some of those yummy nuts.

Grandma hard at work.

Thanksgiving Weekend

This Thanksgiving Colton and I spent it at my grandparents.  My Grandparents have a pit they always cook their turkey in along with many friends and family in town.  We pulled all the turkeys out, opened the lids to check them, and they weren't done!  They said this had only happened once before in the many years that they have been doing this.  So, we told everyone to put their turkeys in their oven to finish cooking them.  It only took about 2 more hours so it allowed time for us to get everything else ready for the turkey dinner.  We had so much yummy food!  My Mom came for the turkey dinner and brought her friend.  I had a great time spending it with her and my grandparents.  But, then we headed to Donelle's house for some Black Friday shopping!  We went out at 8 pm and let me tell you it took about 10 minutes to get what we needed and then stood in line for an hour in a half!  I'm so glad for a patient husband that stood in line while I roamed the store trying to find more deals! =)  We got him a new church shirt and some shoes and then went home for another big day of fun!  Friday we went shopping for some black boots that I have really been wanting and then we went to the movies to see Frozen with Donelle and her kids.  It was such a cute show!  We don't go to the movies much so it was fun and it was during the day so I figured Colton had really good chances of staying awake!  I just have to say I have a very caring and loving husband and I love that about him.  When Donelle and I would run to the store, Colton would stay home with all the kids and when we got home I found him playing basketball with the boys and pushing the girls outside on the swings.  He is so patient and I love that he loves to do things with her kids.  He is such a good example and I know that he will be a great father someday!

So we went for a bike ride with Donelle and the kids to Dairy Queen and Colton made me do all the work!

The double bike was a big hit!

Playing with the girls.

Playing ball with the boys.

Who knows what they were talking about!

Colton helping with the turkeys for the first time!

Grandma's House

I love to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house and I am so fortunate now to be so close to them.  Colton and I usually go over on the weekends since they have been spending their week in Phoenix for Grandpa's treatments.  Tonight was a Thanksgiving dinner for her ward and she was assigned to bring potatoes, 10 pounds of them!  So, I helped Grandma peel them and I could not believe how fast she could peel them.  I should have taken a picture of our peeled pile and mine wouldn't have even compared to hers.  She is such a hard worker and I look up to her so much.  Every time we go over, we walk in the door, say hi to Grandpa and I'm off to go look for Grandma.  She is always in the yard raking, pulling weeds, or picking up nuts now since they are beginning to fall off the trees.  I am just amazed at how much she does and how fast she works.  She is so inspiring and I am so glad to be with her for the next few years.

Weekend drive

Well once again, Grandpa wanted to get out of the house and go for a drive.  We went around the back side of Mt. Graham to Fort Grant and then to Willcox.  I had never been this way before and it was really pretty.  There was a lot of land and fields to see and it is that time of year where everything is changing colors.  I love the fact that Grandpa just likes to go for joy rides and especially with us.  He tells us all the stories he knows and then usually treats us to dinner.  I love this time that Colton and I get to spend with them and I will always cherish these moments.  It is so amazing to just take your time and see all the beautiful things on this earth.  We are usually in such a rush we don't look around us to see the beautiful scenery. So, I'm grateful for these rides that we get to take to enjoy the land around us!

Our 1st furniture purchase!

We FINALLY have something to sit on!  We have been sitting on camp chairs since August and it was finally time to upgrade!  We have been married over 2 years now and we still didn't have any furniture!  We still don't have a table and chairs but one thing at a time!  I thought couches were a little more important right now than a table and chairs.  It was quite a process though.  I looked at three..four.. maybe five different stores and went back to the first store.  It only took me a few hours to decide on what one and that is really good for me.  Colton was surprised it didn't take me longer!  I'm so glad we finally have some couches to sit on though!

Momma's Birthday

I am so glad that we were able to go to Gilbert for my Mom's birthday!  I haven't been able to see her on birthday because I have been in school and in a different state.  But this year we were able to celebrate!  Colton and I spent the weekend at Donelle's and with my Mom.  One night while we were there, Brooklyn took us to look for scorpions in the back yard with the black light.  Colton and I had never seen a scorpion before until tonight and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I still have a terrible fear of getting stung by one though.  I hope it never happens!

It was also conference weekend so I would say this weekend was great!  I always love visiting Donelle and the family.  In celebrating of my momma's big day, we went to golden corral, one of Grandma and Grandpa's favorite places, and then Colton and I along with my Mom and Donelle went to a comedy club.  I had never been to a comedy club before and I loved it!  It was kid/family friendly so it was clean but still great!  I would definitely go again.  This weekend we were able to watch all four sessions of conference and I always feel so much better after I hear the words from our Prophet and leaders.  There were quite a few who talked out trails and new experiences and felt this fit in perfectly because of our new move here.  We had a great time this weekend and we can't wait to come back soon and visit!

Colton teaching the girls how to play Solitaire on his phone.

Happy Birthday!!

The scorpion we found. Hopefully we never find him in the house!

At the comedy club.  Thanks for taking the picture Colton!

Salsa Festival

Safford has an annual Salsa festival and we have never been before so we were up for an adventure.  There was a live band playing, there were many booths to walk through, and there was a car show which was probably the best part.  I love to look at old cars that have been restored and I'm sure this was Colton's favorite part too.  This was a fun Saturday activity for a few hours at least.  There isn't much to do around here so when a big event is going on, we are sure to go! Colton said the blue 69 Camaro was the best looking one there and I would have to agree.  I do have a thing for chevy and camaros.

Morenci Mine

There is a mine about an hour away from us and Grandma and Grandpa took us for a drive today to go check it out.  I had been there before but it was a long time ago so it was neat to see it again.  It is huge!  I definitely didn't remember it being so big.  It is an open pit copper mine and we watched the big dump trucks travel from one spot to another dumping all the wasted sand and rock.  I love exploring the land and nature around us and it is even better when we have a personal show-fer to tell us all the stories about it (Grandpa).  We were keeping our eyes out on the way home because Grandpa and Grandma were telling us there is usually big horn sheep in the hills.  We were just about back in town and Colton spotted one up on the hill.  We pulled over and as we were watching him, the sheep jumped up on a rock and was just standing there as if he knew we were staring at him!  It was cool and kind of funny.  I wish I got a better picture but this one will have to do.   

Oh kitty

Grandma and Grandpa have a cat at their house and this is where I found him today. I just thought it was cute and kind of funny so I just had to share!

Labor Day

I am so glad after two in a half years of being married I was finally able to bring Colton to Mt. Graham for Labor Day!  This is a family tradition that has been going on for years and years!  This is a very special place and as Grandpa says, "a piece of heaven."  There are so many friends and family members that celebrate Labor Day here at Columbine and I couldn't think of a better place to be!  Thank you Clint and Rachel for bringing your Ranger and taking us for rides.  We had so much fun!  It is so fun to go hiking, play games, sit by the camp fire, and make biscuits and homemade ice cream.  So yummy!!