Merry Christmas

We celebrated Christmas 2007 in Snowflake, Arizona with Ev's parents. We got there and hiked the Grand Canyon the next day. We got to have a fun Christmas Eve at the Gardner's (Vicki's parents). Christmas morning was at Bernie and Vicki's house. Hyrum enjoyed the boxes and the wrapping paper, etc. more than his tractors, farm animals, trucks and clothes. Of course, Mom loved the clothes because its like dressing her baby doll. Ev got his horse training videos and while we were there, he taught Vicki's filly to bow and lie down; then for the grand finale, he stood on the filly's back. Jen got an MP3 player and her fat baby boots--basically we were spoiled royally. We got to go to the Snowflake temple, go to Phoenix for the Arizona Nationals (a steer show), and go bowling in Show Low. We had a great time!!

The Grand Canyon

So you may think that we are holding hands and are all cuddly, lovey-dovey, etc.....BUT Evan is PULLING me out of the Grand Canyon. About 2 years ago, we drove to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and it was my first time seeing it. It was pretty neat. Evan and his family has hiked it numerous times and I told Ev that I wanted to hike it. 2 years later, we hiked half way down to the look-out point. I thought I was going to die! The view was awesome and I actually was really glad that I did it, but it was hard work...even just going half way down. Anyway, I told Bernie (Evan's dad) that I would rather give birth to 10 children than hike the canyon again because when you have babies they can give you epidurals. My dad thinks he wants to hike it someday--we'll see if I join him!

Christmas Letter

EVAN kept extremely busy on the farm this year baling, taking care of the water, and everything else that needed to be done. His highlight of the year was going to two horse training clinics: Clinton Anderson and Chris Cox. He is the 11 yr. old scout leader in Malta 1st ward and had fun with his 3 scouts this year Dutch-oven cooking, tying knots, camping, tying knots, hiking, and tying more knots. For his winter “vacation”, Ev took a job in Nevada on a ranch. He gets to train horses, work cows, and translate to the Hispanic workers.
JENNIFER has been busy as a mother. She is enrichment leader and enjoys her calling. This summer, she and Hyrum took swimming lessons at the neighbor’s swimming pool and absolutely loved it. In October, she watched 2 kids for a school teacher while the regular babysitter drove beet truck. She had a blast with Jed (3) and Jaycee (1). Now in Nevada, she is teaching a 5 yr. old kindergarten and is really enjoying it.

HYRUM (aka Buzzy, Herman, and other nick-names) has had quite the year. He learned to rollover, crawl, cruise along
furniture, and finally he is walking! When else do you learn so much in a year? In the process, he has acquired many bumps and bruises, but he’s getting better. Some of his favorites have been Baby Einstein, playing with Dad, swimming lessons with Mom, getting spoiled by grandparents, etc. He cries when Dad goes to work and gets all excited when Dad comes home.
CHUCK is our border collie/heeler cross and he has been such a great dog. Ev has been having fun showing him off here on the ranch.

CORGI PUP…Ev surprised Jen and got her a welsh corgi pup this past week. We haven’t got a name for him yet, but he is a little fur ball. We’re going to breed him to some border collie females for some “borgis!!”

What a year! We lost loved ones and had lots of family and friends go through the temple this year. We’ve had surprises (like coming to Nevada) and some things we were expecting (like our new home). At this time of year, we have tender memories of Jeb, especially being here in Nevada. We’re grateful for the Savior being born so that we can be together forever.

ejisraelsen@yahoo.com

"Whizzy"???

So....on Monday, Evan went to northern Utah to get some milk cows for the ranch. He came home, opened the door, and in ran a little, fluff ball--a little Welsh Corgi! He is so cute. He is a unique breed because he has long hair. I think I'll name him "Whizzy" but I'm not sure on that yet. He has definitely lived up to that name.... But I've wanted a corgi for a long time, so I'm very excited for my Christmas present.

Cowboy Herman

Blogging?

Well family and friends...this is it! I am going to try this blogging and see if this is a good way for those of you with computers to stay in touch! Basically, I can add Hyrum pics and other pics while we are away from most of you. There is some way for you to post your comments, and I would love to hear from you. First time, here we go!!!!