Today we went to cut firewood and were right on the banks of the Colorado River so after getting the truck loaded we threw some lines in the water for an hour or so and the kids caught some huge fish. I don't know if you can tell by the picture how big they are but they were big. 
Albert wasn't in the first picture so we had him hold the one he caught. The fish on the bottom of the grill are all browns and the ones on top are rainbows. Albert caught a rainbow and I think he had to fight it the longest.
Shannyn caught a brown and Porter helped all the kids by just running from one to the other bringing them in with the net.
Shannyn caught a brown and Porter helped all the kids by just running from one to the other bringing them in with the net.
Our chickens are laying at full-tilt. Connie even told me today she is tempted to take some to church tomorrow to sell so we can have room in our fridge. It's a lot of work for the kids to keep the chickens clean, watered and fed but they do a great job and I'm proud of how serious they take their work.
Hopefully it's not too far out but we would love to invite any and all of you who would like to come for Thanksgiving. I realize it's a trip but it would be worth the effort if your willing. For those of you who ski, the slopes open that weekend and those who don't, the Alpine Coaster is a very fun alternative. Grandma and Grandpa have ridden it each time they've come and Jeremy and Erica's kids can attest to what a great ride it is. Either way, give it some thought and if it works for you we would love to have you. We could also do some fishing for those who would like depending on how cold it is by then...let us know.
- Daniel
17 comments:
Wow! I am even starting...not exactly to like fish...but to eat fish. I would be tempted to eat some of that fish, roasted on the grill. I remember I even liked the trout Daniel used to catch on the mountain and cook on the grill. And, if we were home, we certainly would go to Colorado for Thanksgiving. It would be such a great time. We loved the coaster, and Daniel was telling us about a tubing run they have, where they even pull you back up the slope on the tubes, so even I could do it. I'll try that one, for sure, when we get home.
Mom
That looks like so much fun! It is starting to look autumny there. And you're gathering firewood!!! That is so cool! So are you guys there permanatly or do you think you might come back to AZ some day...that goes for you Nebraskians too.
We love Arizona and always will but right now this feels like the right place to be. Selfishly as far as I'm concerned I hope the 'Nebraskians' don't leave there because what then would we do about fireworks? - Daniel
>soapbox<
I have been thinking lately, about what makes a family, and what the experiences are that become lasting memories. What do you remember? I remember the times when Bob and Carolyn and their kids would haul the trailer up and have Thanksgiving with us (even though that only happened once or twice). My relationship with cousins John and Diane has always been strong since we spent time together as children. I remember summers at the cabin getting reacquainted with everyone, and feeling so important when the uncles and aunts would take time to visit with me. (That reminded me...I had the best conversation with Daynen the other day in Arizona. We had both finished eating dinner, and the two of us sat in the kitchen visiting...I had never talked to Daynen so much in my life, but I enjoyed it).
Even more recently, I remember driving from Omaha to Safford so that “the boys” could all go up on the mountain and have some bonding time. In fact, I still have the “hot tamale” apron that the girls made while we were experiencing nature.
I remember going to the Grand Canyon on the Biggs Express, and the girls complaining that they had to have macaroni and cheese for Thanksgiving dinner. Daniel and Thomas and I (am I forgetting anyone?) went one late night and grabbed a conference room in the hotel so that we could watch a “guy movie” on the laptop.
Then there was last year in Colorado. We packed up and drove to Daniel’s house so that we could have Thanksgiving with family. Problem was, the car broke down when we were an hour or so away. So we went into a hotel next to the repair shop, and sat there as a family next to the fireplace eating cookies, and drinking hot chocolate while we waited for the car. Connie was going to stay up all night making pies for the next day, when Daniel and I convinced her that we should just buy some. So at midnight of Thanksgiving day, Daniel and I are banging on the door of the closed Village Inn pleading to just open up so we could get a few pies (they let us).
The thing that seems to be common about these experiences is that they turned into events—family on both sides recognizing that this was a special time to be together, and making the sacrifices to make that happen. These events have not been perfect...there have been a fair share of trips to the hospital, but that seems to make things even more interesting.
How many times have you gone somewhere for Thanksgiving, piled the food on the paper plate, and then left when you were done? Where are the memories in something like that? Where are the bonding experiences that, even if they only happen once, will be remembered forever?
Shauna and I were just talking to our children about how they feel like they want to see their cousins more. We resolved to take the family to Arizona at least once a year, and maybe more. We think it is worth the sacrifice.
So, I am not writing this to make everyone feel guilty for not going to Colorado for Thanksgiving, or Omaha for Independence Day. What I am saying is that family is more than just close proximity to see each other all of the time. It is about those eventful experiences that we share that bind us together in our hearts. So, wherever, and whenever it is, I look forward to seeing you all.
>/soapbox<
(The following article is worth reading)
NEW YORK (AP) — So you're between the ages of 13 and 24. What makes you happy? A worried, weary parent might imagine the answer to sound something like this: Sex, drugs, a little rock 'n' roll. Maybe some cash, or at least the car keys. Turns out the real answer is quite different. Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question, according to an extensive survey — more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 — conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America's young people. And even better for parents: Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy. (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5huzgto-5dfIugyy-x8mJPvjkL0Dw)
Great comments Nathan...you should be a writer. I 100% agree it's the memories that make the effort worth it. By the way, I was the one who wanted to stay up all night making pies, preserving the traditions of the holiday but you, Connie and Shauna forced me to go with you to Village Inn at midnight. It turned out to be a great memory and I'm glad for it...Thank you.
This year I hope to plan ahead and have homemade pies, but at least we know where to go if we have to. I'm glad the Neb. Biggs are coming and will happily welcome anyone else. We love you all and like to see you that's why you're invited all the time.
Connie
Thank you, Nathan. Those are the kinds of sentiments a parent likes to read from her child. I think we all agree, too. Hopefully, some of you can make the trip to Colorado for Thanksgiving. And, hopefully, too, when we get home and the babies are born, we can take another family trip together. Let's work and save for that, don't spend your money to come to Portugal. Just be willing to sit down and look at our pictures when we get home!
Hey daniel, you can count on me being there!!!
Mary,my mom is solid about staying here in Bellevue
for the next 8 months so that Josh can graduate.I really want to move back, though.
Hannah I Love You All!!!!!!!!!!!!
We can't wait to see you guys again Hannah. Don't move from Nebraska so we can still come for fireworks. - Daniel
I would love to spend Thanksgiving where it's a real autmn time. With crisp air and beautiful fall leaves. I agree with Nathan about the memories and I'm thankful for all my family memories and want that for my kids.
I'll come for Thanksgiving on certain conditions: that we can prevent the barfing Bethany incident, our car doesn't have a meltdown, no whacking Shannyn with the door (stitches), and I'm ordering snow. That seems like a tall order! Oh, I also want to run a 5K. I'll look into that on my own. I started training last week, so don't be too impressed. My heart hurts more than anything. I'll be sucking bricks in the mountains...
OK - can we get back to the fish? I miss fish! I'll gladly join your family for a fish fry. We just got back from MN. My 4Y old niece was showing me pictures of her 1st fish, & I said great job on the fish (26"!), and she said it's not a fish, it's a Northern (said with 4Y old accent & lisp). Excuse me! I heard all about sunnies & wallies and everything else. I just know rainbow trout & catfish. We had deer meat tacos which were really good. My B-in-L is a hunter. He hunts by bow also, so his kids are all into that.
I love that you do so much as a family. I'm trying to get my family into biking or something that we can do together. So far - no takers.
My kids will eat a lot of eggs when we come. I promised to make toast holes for breakfast tomorrow - their favorite.
And go ahead & make pies because french silk doesn't fit in with my training & I don't like pumpkin pie. :-) The only pumpkin thing I liked was Rachel's pumpkin torte. Yummee! (But don't get the recipe!) TTFN
I'm not sure that I have my dates right for Thanksgiving... I was under the impression that Thanksgiving was the last Thursday of November but according to the calendar it says Thanksgiving is on the 22nd. So which is it?
As for special orders...I pray for snow every day so we'll see about that. I've heard that when someone comes to altitude they should drink extra water before coming, while they're here and even after they go so the body can manage the different pressure changes. So this year Bethany, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. As for Shannyn, she's grown tall enough to miss the door now so should be ok. For the run, We have an annual Turkey Trot that if I can lose a few more pounds and get in a little better shape I might join you in that run. They run around town along both rivers.
We had a blast fishing and we would love to have you all go with. We can't be sure we'll catch something but we usually do pretty well. As for pies and eating, we'll make a feast to end all feasts including pies but I'm still in the mode of eating only 1 - 2 oz at a time so it's hard for me to imagine pies right now. I'm told that will change.
I'm glad about the turkey trot because I couldn't find anything on the CO running website. I would love to have some company, but I'll only have been running for 2 mos. I got my training schedule @ coolrunning.com under "couch to 5K". Keep up the good work with eating! It'll be worth it. I've only been running/eating healthy for 10 days & I already feel better & can tell a difference.
Oops, I sold myself a little short - I've been doing it for 2-1/2 weeks.
Well, i dont know if i really want to move back to Az. i know u all are like omg but now that we've lived here for 8 yrs i finally got used to being with all te farmers and many seasons. and plus if we didnt stay here i wouldnt have met my eternal best friend becka. and yes she is a mormon. so nobody plan on us moving back until all of us kids are gone and my mom is dead. (she hates the az weather)
Bethany
Til I'm dead?! That's pretty extreme. I'll go wherever the Lord directs Nathan for his job. But, yes, I do prefer seasons. As you all remember, I didn't want to move to Omaha.
Daniel, can you send me the link or registration form for the turkey trot? I'm trying to do one 5K/mo. & it so happens that my 1st 3 will be in 3 different states - and not one in NE! Cool, huh?! (Well, I think so...)
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