Pumpkins at Grandpa and Grandmas

Grandpa and Grandma grew enough pumpkins to have a cousin pumpkin painting party.  It was so much fun to get together with my family, and to let the kids play on the farm and with each other, one more time before Grandpa and Grandma left on their mission.

Parker  and Jarin

These two boys don't see enough of each other.  They are such good friends, but live about 45 minutes apart.  I know that's not so far, so their parents need to get on the ball and get them together more often!  :)

Some of the cousins had a rotton apple/tomato throwing competition.  Is that supposed to be fun???  I guess I probably would have thought so "way back when" (as my kids like to say about when I was a kid - like I crossed the plains with the pioneers!).  

Zac and Brayden on top of the hay, while the younger kids run around below and try to hit them with the rotton something.  

Good thing Emilie has protection in the old barn.

Grandma went to a new level of "cool" when she provided this fun activity for the kids.  It was cold outside, but not one of them cared.  They just kept on painting.

Kam

Des

Jarin

Emilie

Jaxon

October camping, hunting and 4-wheeling

My purpose of this post is to catch up on my blog.  I have no ill intentions of making my dad homesick!  Maybe it would be best if you didn't look at these pictures Daddy-o :)

September and October are my very favorite months to be in the back country.  I love everything about it.  I love the colors, the smells, the crisp air, etc. etc. etc.  It is just heaven to me.

We didn't get to go on many rides with dad this summer.  We have both had crazy schedules this summer, and we both missed out on one of our treasured experiences together.  However, we did get this ride in.  We brought him to our neck of the woods (the Utah side), instead of his neck of the woods (the Idaho side) of the same mountain range.  Really, it doesn't matter where you go, it is just all heavenly (did I mention that already???!)  

If we can manage to find a good mud hole or two - we know it's been a great riding day.

Brayden

Later in October we went camping and riding at Willow Flats.  Hardly anyone there that time of the year.  It is just so..........heavenly.  (Seriously, I can't think of another word to describe what it's like - LOVE IT!)

I got to scratch something big off my bucket list.  It was hunting with my dad and cousins.  I have always wanted to go, and this was my year.  Of course, my scratching it off my list only means that I scratched it for the first time.  Not the second...third...fourth...etc times.  I had so much fun on this adventure, that I can't wait to go again, if all those boys will let me again! :)  They all tell me that this was the best weather year they had had in a long time.  So maybe in all the snow and cold, I wouldn't love it as much.  But this time, I loved it A LOT!  

On our way to the "secret spot"

My nephew Nathan

I loved getting to experience this with the next generation of "Moser Men"- Brayden and Nathan.  

Brayden with an old hunting hat he found in Grandpas barn when he was helping to clean it out.  Who knows who it belonged to at one time, but it's seen a lot of hunting days for sure.

According to tradition, there has to be sardines and oysters.

Not so sure what I think of that tradition, but if that's what it takes to be a "man", then those boys can have their sardines and oysters.  I'll stick with tuna!

Cousin Lyndon

Lyndon, Dirk and Dave

My dad, My brother Shawn, my nephew Nathan, Brayden and me.  See that gun I'm holding?  If truth be told, that's the only time I touched it was to pose for the picture!  

The boys laying on the rock, overlooking the mountain below - looking for the "prize" deer.

Dad with my big "brother" David.  He's not really my brother, he's my cousin.  But dad loves him like a son, and I love him like a brother.  

I found me a cozy spot to take a nap.  It was....yep, you guessed it - heavenly!

Yes, traditions can be a little awkward at times!  But apparently, this special secret rock known as "Moser Rock", has a certain spot where many Moser Mens lips have kissed it.  Don't wanna know how that tradition began, but my lips have now joined the generations of slobber on the corner of that rock!

David and Dad sharing a special moment!!  ha ha

Until next year "Moser Rock".  I think this rock deserves it's own anthem to be sung to it each year.  I think past Moser generations would roll over in their graves (with laughter) if they heard this group singing to their rock!

Me and David.  

He has been through many trials the last several years.  And he just keeps on fighting.  I admire him and respect him for his strength and courage.  He is a good man with a kind heart.  I'm so grateful that we finally got to go to the rock together.

Dirk with the Dutch Oven Taters.   Mmmmmm!!

Our Children

I am going off a bit from "catching up" on my blog to write a little bit of what I'm feeling today.  With the shooting and killings of so many of God's babies this last week, my heart has been full, and my emotions near the surface.  I have definantly taken a step back to remember what is most important in my life.  I had been so busy with Christmas preparation, that it was easy to put my family on the back burner.  But not this weekend, and not today, and hopefully not tomorrow or the next day.  Our little boys like to fall asleep in bed with us.  Sometimes we let them, then we carry them to their own beds.  Only to find them snuggled in our bed or on our floor next to the bed when we wake up in the morning.  This weekend they have fallen asleep in our bed, and I have left them there.  I don't mind hearing their breathing in my ear, or having their arms draped around me.  I am just so grateful that they are still here with me.  So many mommies and daddies don't get that privilege after Fridays shootings.  

Before Jarin left to school, I hugged him every chance I could.  I sat with him and we colored Christmas pictures.  Those dishes and the messes can wait.  But how do I really know that my babies will come home to me every day?  I don't. 

I just sent Jarin out the door to catch the bus.  I watched him for every second I could as he turned the corner out of sight.  It was a lot harder for me than I expected it would be to let him go to school today.   I wasn't here when Brayden and Emilie walked out the door.  Maybe that was a good thing, because sending three out the door with my emotions so close to the surface, may have been too much today!

I am sure that as time goes on, that these emotions that are so near the surface right now, will become buried in the hustle and bustle of life again.  But I hope that at least a part of it will stay on the surface for many years to come.  On those days of frustration and fatigue with the day to day events of raising children, I hope that I will not forget the feelings I feel now of loving them a little deeper, and taking the time to hold them a little tighter for a little longer.

I look at the piles of unwrapped gifts I have bought for our family this year.  Things that I thought were "needs", some "wants".  But now when I look at it, it's all just "stuff".  All we really need is each other and our faith in God and Jesus Christ.  

I read this poem on facebook, and really liked it.  I am so grateful for my knowledge of my Savior and that death isn't the end, it is just a new chapter in our journey.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled wit

h such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Getting Involved

I love to see our kids get involved in things.  I love to watch them as they discover new things about themselves - their likes and dislikes.  I love to watch them as the light bulb turns on and they "get" somethings.  I especially love to see the smile on their faces as they are participating and loving their new-found activity, and building self confidence along the way.

This year has had a few new-found activities.  Jarin played flag football for the first time.  He had lots of fun running around the field trying to pull of flags.  (See the boy in brown with the big smile, running right to Jarin?  He is a friend of his, and he just kept chasing Jarin the whole game - and jumping on his back.  It was so funny, and fun to watch as they would both fall to the ground in a giggling heap).

He especially had fun just being a kid with his friends.

Emilie tried Volleyball for the first time.  When we got to her first game (she had to miss the first and only practice).  I asked her if she had any idea what to do.  She said, "ya, I watched it on the olympics".  So she had the basic concept down from watching TV, but we still walked through some of the rules.  She got out there and just pounded the ball.  That girl isn't afraid of anything.  She really likes the sport and is pretty good at it too.

Emilie also joined the Orchestra this year, playing violin.  She has really liked this too. I'm glad to see her enjoying a musical instrument.  Piano just wasn't her thing.  

Birthdays

Happy Birthday 2012! 

 Jarin turned 7

He got a new bike without training wheels!

Jarin wanted his jungle toys on his cake.  I reluctantly said OK, but had to scrub the things first! :)

Kamdens turned 4, his birthday is 7-11.  So free slurpees for his birthday!  Can't beat that.  His cousins came over and we had a water party with slurpees.

Grandma & Grandpa

He couldn't decide which flavor of pudding cake he wanted, and we had lots of cousins over - so we made it big and half and half (chocolate and lemon).

Brayden turned 16 (SERIOUSLY!!???)  So strange that he is that old.  He got his first cell phone.  Since he's old enough to drive (scary!), we decided it would be OK for him to have a phone.  I have to admit, I have really liked him having it.  It's a great way to keep in touch with him throughout the day.

I haven't had a picture of these two showing any form of tolerance for each other in quite a few years.  So this picture is a treasure to me.  I guess miracles happen on birthdays!

Emilie turned 12.  She gets to go to Young Womens at church - EXCITING!  She got to have a birthday party with girlfriends.  It was a "peace sign" party.  I think it was a big hit with a bunch of pre-teen girls.

 Her gift was a bedroom makeover.  She got it painted and a new bed and bedspread, and new decorations.  She loves it.  I had hoped it would motivate her to keep it clean.  I guess miracles THAT big don't happen even on birthdays! ha ha