A Real Tree

I have always had a real tree. Almost every year of my life.  The year I had Tyson we put up a fake tree, but that was the only time I have ever had a fake one.  EVER!  

Every year I say, "Next year, we'll just buy a tree!"  But every year we head up the mountain to find a tree.  It's where half my awesome Christmas stories come from.  Here are few reasons I am so glad that we take the time to go up in the snow and find a tree!  I would be devastated if we missed these moments and memories!

 

Run Run Reindeer

 Wahoo!  Tyson's first official race!   He was going to run the 3 mile, but opted to just do the one mile race with Santa.

 And their off!  JD was actually signed up to race, but decided to run it anyway.

 And he's back.  What!  Wait, did he take a wrong turn?  Nope, he was back in 6 minutes and 3 seconds!

 1st place!  He totally rocked it!

 JD came in 5th!  Pretty good.  He came in at just over 7 mins.

 Tyson, JD, and Camden enjoy some refreshment after the race.

 Tyson had to go rub it into Santa that he beat him!

 Maggie ran the 5K.  So of course that mean we got to play with Eva.

Uncle Josh sure loves her!

Tyson turns 7

 I can't believe this kid is 7-year-old!  Where does the time go?  He was so excited for his birthday this year.

 We bought him this awesome Spiderman clock/bank.  Two things he is obsessed with combined into one!  Could life get any better.

 We let Tyson pick out a few friends to take with us to Anti-Gravity.  They would not be serious for a picture!

 We've got from L to R: Corbin, Tyson, Bentley, Piper, Logan Ferrin, Carson Goeser, Spencer, and JD.

 They spent the full time playing dodge ball.  Super fun!

 Piper had fun on the bounce houses.

JD is now obsessed with dodge ball.  He wants to enter the tournaments and is very sad that he is not old enough to enter yet.  He got in a fight with another kid there. Mouthy kid, he gets it from his mom!

The Doty Bunch 2011

I love these people a lot.  They are a pretty good looking bunch!

Leaves

There is something magical about leaves. If you have enough to have a pile, you have an instant moment of joyful fun!  The pictures speak for themselves.  I love watching my children at play.

Thanksgiving

 We always start out Thanksgiving morning with shooting.  It seems like we do this for lots of holiday.  I don't usually get to go because I am busy cooking the turkey!  But Josh and his dad take the kids out to play.

 JD shooting the 22.

 Tyson digging in the dirt.  He does it so well.  He loves to search for casings.

 Hmmm, just because she is cute.

 We went to the Schwendimans for dinner.  It was a lot of fun and the food was AWESOME!  After dinner was cleaned up we made a huge mess and made gingerbread houses.

 Not sure what's going on but Piper is looking at Addison.  Ha, ha, ha!

 I think Tyson ate more than he decorated.  His house fell to the ground and got smashed about an hour after this.  Poor kid!

 Josh was trying to convince JD to eat a Hot Tamale. "I promise it's not hot!"

 Yeah right dad!  It was dang hot!

After that we went to Grandma's house to have dessert.  JD had a blast playing with Kaylonnie.