Progress on our new home

I haven't been to great at keeping up with my blog posts, but I wanted to update everyone on the status of our new home. It is coming along nicely. We are so excited to see the progress and we celebrate each step that we take in the building process. David has done a fabulous job designing this home and he has worked night and day to get it to this point.

YAY! The foundation is done!
Wall #1

Deer Lodge Montana Big Sky Draft Horse Show

Our family once again had the opportunity to participate in the Big Sky Draft Horse Show in Deer Lodge Montana. This is a top notch show with fantastic teamsters. We had so much fun! Here are some of the highlights of this great weekend.

Six months left

It is hard to believe that my baby boy has been away from home for 18 months. I am so proud of him and of his service to The Lord. He has grown into such a fabulous man while on his mission and I am sure that I can see the Light of Christ shining from him. It is wonderful seeing the joy that he finds in sharing the Gospel with others.

Always my American Idol

Weber County Fair 2011

We had another fun year at the fair. David took first place, and won a buckle in the men's team driving event. Some of our favorite family memories are made here.

Cassidy and Cora getting the horses ready to show

It's a family effort

Giving the horses a little exercise so that they will be good boys and girls during the show.

All dressed up and looking great!

Hitching up

David and Cora practicing before the show

Mens team driving

Cassidy (looking a little nervous) in youth team driving

That's what I want to see! We're having fun, right?

Cora and Paul in youth team driving

Cassidy and David in youth team driving

A shot of both the girls in youth team driving

The unicorn hitch (this is a scary one!)

Driving 4- in hand

Driving 4- abreast

Barn Building

Here is our new project! We are building a pole barn for the animals and to store our hay, wagons, and other treasures. WOW! This has been a challenge. Building a barn is A LOT harder than I ever imagined, but it will be fantastic when it is finished. Stay tuned for updates.

Our amazing friends came to help us.

Tamping dirt around the poles. We are all going to have big muscles!

Beautiful Samoa

My wonderful parents were called on a medical mission for the LDS church to beautiful Samoa. They are having some amazing (and not so amazing) experiences there. They are in an all Samoan ward and it is a challenge to understand the meetings, but despite the language barrier, they have accepted a call to teach the temple prep classes in their ward. They love the people of Samoa and are so grateful for this experience. Their main responsibility is to care for the sick missionaries. Health care in Samoa is well below the standards we have here in America. The hospitals are filthy and patients are required to bring their own bedding, food, and water. Often sick missionaries are brought to their clinic to be cared for there. My parents have had many opportunities to be surrogate "grandma and grandpa" to the missionaries when they just need someone to talk to. I am so thankful for their great example of service. We miss them so much, but are so thankful that they have chosen to serve the Lord at this time.

This is the mango tree in their back yard. They are finding that adjusting to the food has been a challenge, but there are all kinds of wonderful fresh fruit to eat. The other day when my dad was moving boxes he literally lost his pants. He has lost so much weight in Samoa.