The James Family decided to donate a Christmas Tree for the Blackfoot Christmas Tree Fantasy.  I was in charge so of course I got my girls to help.  Melanie and I went shopping with the money that was donated from our family and then decorated the tree that was donated by Karen.  

Hidden Treasures

Mom & Dad came over on Monday night to help out and fix the lights.  We were about to give up until Dave got home from work.  When there is a job to do.....he takes on the challenge.  He fixed all the lights!!  He is great at things like that.   Melanie and Chelsey and I finished up the decorating the next morning.                                                                                   

I know it doesn't look that great in the garage but I hope it looks great at the fund raiser and that it sells for lots of money to help out those in need.                                

 We have some hidden incentives to buy the tree......Dave gave up his basketball signed by all the Jazz players and coach Jerry Sloan.  Karen and Barry are bringing their football signed by Lavell Edwards.  Whit and Griff are bringing a football signed by the U of U football team.  We also have some match box cars hidden in the tree (thanks to Dave for buying them in storage auction) and some jewelry in the treasure boxes in the tree.

Dave Jackson AKA Great White Fisherman

Dave went fishing in Salmon Idaho.  It was a "boy" trip.  He said he had fun but there was no talking and laughing and staying up late and going to movies or shopping or going out to eat.  There was however a cold cabin, hard beds, cold river, dirt and a bunch of smelly guys.  How is that fun????

We have been following Utah Football again this year.  We had a great time in Tucson Arizona with Chris and Colleen Thompson.  We spent a few days at their house and played Pinochle and shopped and just relaxed.                                                   

Whit and her Dad

It's a good thing I love Red!!

It doesn't get any better than this!!!  Old Age is great!

Griff waiting for a punt.

Roxy, Kathy & Louise
We rode 80 miles in the Little Red Riding Hood Bike Event.

My good friend Carla Albertson & I at the Wonder Woman Ride

Coming in to the finish!!!

We did it!!!!  100 miles:)

Proof!

Carla and I did a ton of biking this summer.  We rode all over Pocatello  and even rode to Idaho Falls a couple of times.  It was a fun summer spending time together and getting some great exercise.  We rode from Payson to Nephi and then to Spanish Fork and back.  I especially loved going through the canyon from Nephi to Benjamin. Wonder Man was at the finish line in Payson, Utah. 

                                                                2011 SISTERS TRIP!!
We went to SLC and stayed at the Country Inn and Suites and sewed bags.  Rachelle and I loved it.  Melanie and Casey thought it was fun.  Whitney had school so hers got done for her...needless to say she loved it even better.  Chelsey endured it.  Everyone did love the shopping trip the next day and the Broadway play Mama Mia.  We were dancing and singing and having a great time.  Dexter got to come with us.

We had our Jackson Family Reunion the end of July.  We rented a cabin in Bear Lake.   I wish we had taken a picture of us all together but we didn't.  Mom and Dad James came to visit for the first night.

I love this picture of Jackson and Bryson hugging.  They are such great buddies!

                                                         Cooper!!!!  Love this  boy!                                                                                                                      

The Three musketeers.  Jackson, Bryson and Russell.  They had so much fun playing together.  They spent lots of time in the sand and dirt outside catching critters!

 Josi hurt her ankle the day before we left and couldn't walk on it the whole time we were there.

                                                    Jenika was the Limbo queen!!!

                                    What if the Hoky Poky really is what it is all about??????

                                                 Getting pretty for Football Camp!!!!

                            Rachelle is in her element!!!!  This is part of Family Home Evening.

We are so glad Chelsey married Brett for lots of reasons.  His boat was a great asset to the fun we had on Bear Lake.  Wish I had a picture of him wake boarding!!!!

    

Casey & Luke moved to Florida:(  I got to keep Cooper for a week while they drove there and then Cooper and I flew to Naples:)  I had so much fun with Cooper and then it was fun to see where Luke and Casey will be living for the next 26 months.  We will miss them terribly but are glad for the opportunity for Luke to continue his education.  

Coopers room!                                                     

At the beach!  They live in a vacation spot.  I'm sure we will all go visit.

One of the cutest boys I know!!!                                               

So, I am going to try this again.  I have so much to catch up on I decided to start with last night and move backwards.  This is Cruella De Vil at our Ward Halloween party.  Yes, I actually blew smoke out of that cigarette in the church.  It was pretty shocking to some.  My mother would be so proud!!!

Melanie was a witch.  Her Broom....Josiah, is unfortunately not in the picture.  Denaie is eating her roll as Fancy Nancy and Russell is a mad scientist.

Okay, I know it has been too long since I updated this blog.  I really don't know where the time goes.  It seems the older I get the faster time flies.  I thought I would just put some highlights of the last year up tonight and see if I can remember how to do this.
Chelsey got married the week after we got back from Hawaii!!!  She married Brett Bybee and they are the cutest couple.  Words cannot express the joy, happiness, relief, or gratefulness I felt having all five of our beautiful daughters in the temple together.  Hopefully, there was one more watching from above.  It was a great day, as was all the weddings of our daughters.