Pearl Harbor Day

Let us all take a moment and remember those who have done so much for us. It seems in this busy time of year, we are thinking about gifts and loved ones, and Christmas Trees, etc, which are not bad things to think about. In fact they are fun and I personally am excited for the first time in years. Some of my children are not here anymore so that will be a bit sad.

I was at Wal Mart this morning, again, thinking about some of the last minute things I needed to get to finish some projects, and don't forget the eggs and milk. On the way home, I was listening to my favorite radio station and the guy was talking about Pearl Harbor and the fact that there are very few survivors left. He talked about thanking them, and their families and loved ones for all they have shared with all of us.

In looking for a picture to put here, I was reading a little bit about the USS. Arizona. Admittedly, I didn't read much but just enough to remind me that there are still over 1000 men "entombed" in that ship. Surely a lot of you knew that, but for me, I needed to be reminded.

Thank you all, wherever you may be, for sacrificing your time, families, and your lives, for us to live here in this free country and enjoy all of the wonderful things that so many have fought for. Thank you!

And so my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America can do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address..Jan. 20, 1961

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

Ha!!! I got it!!!! Our annual Christmas tree hunt was a big success and all came away with a satisfactory tree!!!

When I met my soon to be son in law, he told us all about his family and some of the cool things they do. I knew they were my kind of people before I met them. One of the cool things he told me about was the fact that they go search for a live Christmas tree out in the Uinta National Forest. It is a fun drive out there, and lots of time to visit.

The coolest part of the story Roger told us was that when they eventually find the tree of their dreams, they SHOOT it down!!!! Yes, you heard me. They get out the trusty shot-gun and shoot it!!! I thought that was crazy. Had never heard anything like that before!!!

We were invited to go with them three years ago, and I thought, "Yea, right!!!" Well, we went and boy was it fun!!! It has become a Lowe/Lyman Christmas tradition, I think. I love the Lowes, and they have come up with the coolest way to get a Christmas tree ever. Not only do you get to get the tree of your choice, and create memories decorating it and making your home all pretty, but you get to create memories with people that you love and you get to trek all around on the hillsides looking for a tree in the stinkin' cold, carrying the guns and all of the stuff you need to keep warm. What a blast it was the first time we did it, and it was a blast yesterday.

Here is the proof!

Ready, Aim, FIRE!!!! It had been a while since I had taken my crash course on "Shotguns for Dummies" so, as you can see, I have the gun in the totally wrong place and it is gonna hurt!!!! It did!!! Still does!

Here is the prize!!!! Is that not the prettiest tree ever! One shot too!!!!!

Now, after miles and miles of huffing and puffing all over the mountainside, Big Roger and Teresa found a tree. It was Rogers turn to "kill a tree".

Hot Dang!!!! He got it!!! (but, don't ask him how many shots it took him to kill that little bitty tree!! He tends to fib a little about that! Remember, I got mine in one shot.)

THE FEARLESS HUNTER HAS RETURNED!!!!

Now it was Teresa's turn!!!! She again found the perfect tree and it was her turn to make "the kill".

BANG!!!!!! Timber!!!! She got it!!! But, sadly, she had to take more than one shot!!! But, the results were the same, except, I was the only one that was a true marksman that time!!!!

Meet Annie Oakley!!!! Well, almost!!!! She is better!!!!!


Two of my favorite people in the whole world.

All joking aside....Thank you Roger and Teresa, for asking us to go with you three years ago, and allowing us to "crash your party " ever since!!! It is a blast and something we can treasure for a long time. Oh yes, and we mustn't forget the Christmas tree hunting hat!!! See if you all can guess who is wearing it!!!

WE LOVE YOU ROGER AND THERESA!!!! Thanks for the memories!!!

Yes, Norm was there too, but we all got so excited and were having so much fun, that he didn't get in the picture. He took them!!! Just so he won't feel slighted, here is his picture from last year!!!! Talk about a wimp!!!!


"If you want to keep your memories, you first have to live them."

~~~ Bob Dylan