Four wheelers

Some of the men on their way a little further out to shoot the guns without freaking out the little babies. Actually, it only freaks them out when they shoot their black powder bombs…man is that LOUD!

Fidalis, Monte, Robert, Robert Jr., William III, William Jr., William

No one is allowed on the bikes without the proper head gear! Well, mommy made herself an exception because the adult sizes were all gone and she wanted to take the boys out while Aunt Brindy had Jack and dad was out shooting!

Monte Birk loves to ride but is always in a rush to get back to his cousins to play. One ride seems to be enough for him as long as it is a fast one!

Clyde was a little more cautious on the four wheelers this year than the others. He took a short ride with me, declared it to be too fast, and then walked back to the site with his dad when we ran into him on a trail.

Seth was a pro on the 4 wheeler...he laughed the entire time and begged me to go faster...FASTER! But the best was on every singe bump when our fanny's flew out of the seat and he'd laugh hysterically!

CaMPfiRe SoNGs

Lest you begin to think of us as “normal’ westerners with our guns, 4 wheelers, jeeps, cactus, fireworks and steaks… I should inform you that when the lights go out and the bon fire is lit the adults and children, men and women alike produce Ding-a-ling songs, A Too Na Tee Tah, Primary music and patriotic hymns.

Clyde and Seth

Fidalis, Karen , Grandpa, Robert

Cole Family, Bailee, Elizabeth, Steve, Brindy

Cynthia, Bill, Alison, Kathryn, William

Ah-Too-Nah-Tee-Tah

FiReWOrKs
Plenty of fireworks this year thanks to Uncle Robert and Uncle David. (Uncle Bill and Grandpa usually provide the guns) The kids had their fill of loud noises, sparklers and bright lights.

GRaNDpA

Chief here gets us together and keeps it all going. I’m not sure if we’d all come each year if it weren’t for the delicious steaks he serves us.

The day after Thanksgiving we had our "SIstTer's ShOWeR" for Lanie and Tiffany while the men took care of children and packed-up for the family outing to 4 peaks. 2 baby girls to join our family!

Lanie's next week and Tiffanie's in February.

That makes us 42 total Arnetts-15 adults-27 grandchildren

Shauna, Lanie, Tiffany, Cynthia, Brindy, Karen and Me

Christmas already?

We usually go to Pinetop-Lakeside the week after Thanksgiving for the Annual Arnett Tree cutting party hosted by my brother Bill and his Family. But they are unavailable for that date this year…the first time since I can’t remember when. Then when we checked our calendar for an alternative date we realized that every weekend for the holiday season was already BOOKED!!

TIMBER!!

Bill Arnett family…and their 20 Footer! (Yes, there are special permits for that sort of thing)

Jack’s Halloween costume doubles as a snow suit.

Cousin Sara was gorgeous in her sweater until she covered her face in dirt and soda pop. This shot is obviously pre-dirt…Jack is going to have so much fun with this gal when he gets a little bit older!

Snow angels in the slightly melted and re-frozen snow/ice

So much fun for all!! We're so grateful that our cousins are so willing to share their snow suits with us valley wimps!

Diane and Katherine-she helped us with the brethren the entire weekend, what a sweetheart!

Thank you Arnetts for the FANTASTIC weekend! We love you!!

The drive UP

What to do when your kids have a long drive ahead in the dark, with nothing to see outside and the baby cries from Payson to Pinetop? Pass back the junk food and chocolate in abundance, yes, even to the baby, and turn on the mini DVD player (worth it’s weight in gold…and gold is way up right now.)

And if this is bad parenting...I'll take it once in a while...judge not, lest ye be judged...

"craftiness"

Ornament Exchange

The last six years I have hosted an Ornament Exchange at my house. X number of people are invited to make X ammount of Christmas Tree ornaments. You come with your X ammount of the same ornament. We eat, talk, hang out, and trade our ornaments so that you leave with X ammount of different ornaments. It is a fun way to share your craftiness and decorate your tree. The only rule is that it HAS to be home made. I have the best Folk Artsy tree around because of this yearly exchange. And the best part is that my kids little hand prints don't look out of place on my Christmas tree because it is ALL home made. This year we made 20...never again...it's just too much work!

This is my Joseph. Next year I will be making the Mary and Baby Jesus that go with him. I guess if people don't return for next years exchange they can just call him a shepherd.

Monte Birk’s music teacher had a pumpkin, somewhat like this, on her front door. I made a rough sketch of it and had my sisters Shauna and Brindy over to make them.

Parade

I am so grateful for our Great Nation. I cry during the National Anthem, I cry during the Pledge of Allegiance, I tear up when my children sing the primary song about "my country's flag" ...and I am not one prone to public tears. Normally I would be humiliated or at the least VERY embarrased by this public show of emotion. Instead, I am grateful that I had a mother that taught me respect, allegiance and love for the United States of America. I love the Veteran's Day parade in downtown Mesa. I don't believe we have missed since we've moved back into town. What other time do you have the opportunity to honor the men and women that gave so much for our country? Some lost their lives, others their loved ones, all their innocence. I am grateful that I have the freedom to stand on the side lines today to cheer and wave my thanks to the men and women that have sacrificed so much. I pray that I will be able to teach my children the same respect, allegiance and love for this Great Nation that my mother taught me.

Seth found a nice way to 'recline' during the 2 1/2 hour parade

We came with the Langkildes (behind us) and met up with our Cole cousins on the parade route.

If our Counsin Andrew saw a flag hit the ground he went running to grab it up and hold it high

...flags do NOT belong on the ground he would say.

Clyde, Seth, Rex, Monte Birk, Walter,

(Jack under the blanket) Andrew

What color is yours?

Seth

Monte Birk

Clyde

I still DO

I just have to say that 11 years later...

It just keeps getting better!

Maybe we've learned to listen to one another without trying. Or maybe it's that we appreciate the little things more, and don't worry about the little troubles as much. We've definately weathered the storms of illness, disease, death and fatigue. But then again we've been witness' to many miracles; children, love, home, gospel. Quite possibly it is that he is far less selfish than I. Or that we compliment one anothers strengths and distract from each others weaknesses. All I know for sure is that each day I give thanks that my husband cherishes his wife, his children and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am proud to have four little boys that will learn and grow watching Monte's example of how to treat others and how to be a repected, strong, good man. I am only left to wonder how much better it will get in the years to come?

is it edible?

There are some perks to starting on solid foods... like handing the baby the tough part of your steak...medium rare...must be an Arnett because he took to it right away.

And the ever popular, cleaning off the beater with your tongue, I believe this is where all of my children have fallen in love with the pre-cooked baked items, such as, cake, cookies and short breads...

Random Sampling

Ever wonder what a Gardiner girl would look like?

Seth is such a good sport! Playing with puzzles while Mommy plays withe her new camera! Yes, we've finally done it. We've paid and arm and a leg and sacrificed quite a few date nights out but our new arrival is here. the Cannon rebel xsi...welcome little one...

Clyde's clothing fiasco!

SOOOO...Clyde got ready for school one morning and I thought to myself, "boy those shorts have NOT held up well. I can't believe how much they've shrunk." He looked like he was wearing little girl capri's. I wasn't too surprised though because they looked like the ones I got from Big Lots for $2. I made a quick mental note NOT to EVER purchase clothing from Big Lots again and decided that when he took them off I would give them to our cousin Janet. Well, it wasn't worth the fight to get him to change out of them before school, so I let him wear them. It wasn't till the next morning while picking their clothes up off of their bedroom floor from the night before that I noticed, they weren't his shorts after all, they were Jackson's 6-9 month old Pants!

Student of the Quarter!

My Monte Birk was academic student of the quarter from his Kindergarten class this month! He really is going to grow up and know TONS more than his mom! Mathematically his teachers have all been blown away by his skill and understanding and his vocabulary could stump a 12 year old!