A Pirate's Life

oUR RancH

2012-01-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

We have been working very hard on our shop out at Plano. It has been a long process, but I think we are very pleased on how everything has been turning out! (other than a couple of missing light switches) :)

here is before, durring & after...

this was our first home..a house made of sticks!

then we decided to go with Bricks!

counter tops come next week! Sutherland Cab did a great job!!

lOvE CaKeS!

2012-01-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

On the 6th of January, a lady from our old ward called and asked if I would do a wedding cake for her son on that Friday. I agreed and went to work. Really you need a couple of weeks to get the vision, practice, do some research, and all the shopping! I had 3 1/2 days...I am glad that my mom was here, she went shopping with me and for me, and helped with the kids. too bad she didn't get to see the finally!

My cake helper...he wanted to help make frosting! and got everything that came with it! I had to grab the camera fast!

I was asked to make enough cake to feed 200+ people. so I made the big center piece (3 tier) then 1 sheet cake & 2 1/2 sheets! I love how it turned out, could have been a bit more purple instead of white, but it was a fun marbled butterfly cake! I am using the $ from this cake to buy a Cake Cricut to share with my fun sister...cant wait to use it!!!

First of the 2012 Year

2012-01-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

We had a great holiday! All of them! Here are some random pictures of what we have been doing the last couple of weeks to get the year off right!! Grandma & Pa Merritt came to visit for the new year, and Grandma spent the week with us.

Nephi got out a long lost box...wrestling, old hobbies & mission memories! He was so patient with the kids, letting them hold, look, & taste everything. they enjoyed seeing everything and listing to all his stories! even the rattle from the rattle snake Nephi & Uncle Enos found in the T. Canyon!

got these crazies on film too!

This is Coconut! Nephi has also gotten hooked on a new hobby...Trail Cam. His friend Ryan and him check their cameras 3-4xs a week since October abt! they have found some beauties! Nella has helped name them all! I would show you where, but you would have to be blind folded first!

this is "He who shall not be named"

Kamber fell down the stairs at Plano, this is our first major blood! her teeth look like they went through her lip and she scraped up her lip. poor girl.

Christmas Morning!! 2010

2011-05-22T16:37:00.000-06:00

Well start out the post with Santa...just for fun. This is a couple of many.

Then Presents and Paper

We got a huge chair full of treats & drinks for Nephi for Christmas!! So fun. He saw it in a magazine months before & thought it was cool. Then he saw it at Big 5 and still liked it. We will use it for our Birthday chair!

Tiller loved his Race car track

Kamber had a fun day

with paper an toys.

Brogan just liked it ALL!! Even if it wasn't his :)

Tank checked this book out of the school library and kept it for a couple of weeks,

so when Grandma Merritt gave it to him he was so excited!!

Grandma Merritt came to visit...so she had to try out the chair.

Can you tell how big it is??

Kambers 1st Christmas!!

Nella was in baby doll heaven. Vian and her kids made these cute snowman presents for the kids! So creative!!

Nephi and the kids gave me the beautiful

locket and earrings that I am wearing!

Kids all got cute pajamas too!

What a fun Day!!

Thanks Everyone!

Christmas Eve

2011-05-22T16:05:00.000-06:00

We started a new tradition in addition to the Nativity play a few years ago.

On Christmas Eve, right before bed, we have the kids all bring a "Gift" for Jesus, (all week long they were supposed to think about their most prized possession/ or something of great value to them, and place it in the cradle for Jesus.) We have a little family devotional and tell each other why we chose the gift before it is given, whether it be a favorite toy, a service, a picture of the family, starting a new habit (or breaking one), we have had a wide variety which is fun. Then in the morning...the gifts are gone, and have been "given" to Jesus and we hope that they remember their present through out the year.

Our play was small this year with Arrel and Marcia on their mission, & Joe and Holly had a great ski trip to Targhee...Wish I could have gone. But we carried on with out them with Vian and her kids came over. Nella was the angel, Reina was Mary, Kamber baby Jesus, Teancum Joseph, Tillman & Gid Shepard's, Sasha all around help and KI took Grandpa's place as the well needed donkey, and Nephi read the Nativity Story. We had yummy food & sang songs, Still wonderful every year!

Girls Day In!!

2011-05-22T15:44:00.000-06:00

My friend Amy called one day and thought it would be fun to have a Girl party... She has 3 cute girls, the oldest is Nellas age. So we had Nella and AJ choose 5 friends each and we went all out as you can see...

We started with yummy snacks,

Girl Movie! Barbi & The NutcrackerSisters (AJ, Brylee, Mckenna)

Group pictures! Fun and Crazy Girls.Fingernail painting

Christmas decoration for moms.

True colors

Freeze Dance

Even Teancum joined us for the girl party! Well for snacks.

It was a fun but tiring day! We'll have to through a "Boy" party next! Thanks for all your help Amy.

Odds 'N' Ends

2011-05-22T15:25:00.000-06:00

My cute Kamber

Nella Lost her 1st tooth!

She was so excited and pulled it out herself on the way to Thanksgiving! Not even a tear.

Didn't know that could happen (Tank sure cried alot) hehe

For Tillman's preschool, I taught them about gardening and potatoes when it was my turn, so we went to the Miller Farm in Egan, we were able to see more than potatoes, I think they enjoyed it.

Each kid got to take home a bag of potatoes too!!!

Harry

Hermione

Halloween Night

Teancum's school class with Mrs. Hancock

Brogan & I had a fun time building with the space train set. We used everything!!!

I had to work fast before the BIG blue alien came :)

Nella loves art, and is pretty good at it. She decided to get out a mirror and draw a self portrate!

Rexburg, Idaho Temple

Love you Nephi!

Got to have one of these every once and a while! Beautiful night on the Snake River!

Nella was dancing one day and Tillman decided to get dressed in his fancy clothes to match her, they started dancing together twirling and all! It was cute!

Grandma Merritt wanted to go to the Disney on Ice in SLC so we went down and went with Salley and Harley. Teancum decided to stay home with Nephi. He takes him to fun places like McDonald's for kids
meals! We missed them, but it was a fun trip.

Thanks Grandma! Love you!

Love to quilt!

2011-05-22T15:03:00.000-06:00

I decided that for Christmas, I would finish a quilt that I started when I was prego with Nella, pulled it out, looked at it, and thought of the idea that I started with...didn't seem good enough. So I thought about a new design...so started the Star. I thought about using the pieces that I had cut out with ruler and scissors (before mom gave me my mat & roller... love it) but it wasn't coming together so with many consultations, it turned into the last picture. I even was able to use a friends big quilting machine on the rails! It was alot of fun to put together and I am glad that it is done! Now on to the next!

Fits perfect on the middle of our King Size bed!

Merry Christmas Nephi!

Katherine's Birthday!! -spoiled rotten & lovin it :)

2011-04-23T14:11:00.000-06:00

I took this picture on a beautiful night while snow machining with Kamber at the "Ranch"

This was our Christmas card picture for 2010... ya I still have them and the envelopes...maybe next year!!

This is "MY" birthday present from Nephi... We went to Portland to get it on my birthday. It was a beautiful drive and we even got to stay with Aunt Charith!! it was fun.

she even made a beautiful cake for me at 11:00pm!! One fun part about it was that we all got to help! Yep, you guessed it..

it is a bear balancing on a ball!

Melanie and Amy wanted to help me celebrate too! We had a wonderful dinner with a yummy chocolate fountain to top off the night!! Thanks girls! ( And everyone else :) it was a great birthday

PS... My wonderful neighbor Lori made me a cute door hanging too! I don't have many Thanksgiving decorations, and this one was perfect on my beautiful white door Melanie painted while we were gone.

PUPPIES, PUPPIES!!!

2011-04-23T13:27:00.000-06:00

Too Cute!! Ruin gave birth to 6 Puppies!

They were born Dec 8th, 2010

4 girls, 2 boys they were a good lookin bunch.

Their names were...Mrs. Piggy, Princess, Sparrow, Dulce (for the girls)

Lobo, & Scruff Scruff (for the boys)

Brogan loved the pups a bit too much! they gave him a token of love!

Not sure how to turn this one! He sure loved his Scruff Scruff!!

Princess and Nella were matching...even painted toe nails!!

Spook Into Fall!!

2011-04-12T09:35:00.001-06:00

Our Family

We had a fun Halloween Party out at the ranch with many families! it was a lot of fun! Pictures, creative food, chili cook off, dancing, costume contest, & other fun activities! it was a lot of fun & work but we will do it again next year! So Be Ye Warned!!! Thanks for all that helped!

Melanie, Amy, Lori & Sara!! You all are great!

Dawson's

Malm's

Miller's

Bailey's

Pumpkins!!

2011-04-12T09:21:00.004-06:00

Nephi's creation

Hard at work!

Kayla

Frankin Pumpkin

Hayden

Here comes the idea

Nephi's 1st target

It took a bit to get everyone into it... but it didn't take long

PUMPKIN FIGHT!!!!! We had Stephanie & TJ Manders come over for FHE pumpkin carving... great creations... and fun mess. Thanks for a fun, yet "memorable" night. P.S. Nephi has wanted to do a food fight for a long time, so he took advantage of the situation!! it was fun watching TJ's face, he hid in the corner but he didn't think about being stuck there!!!

Sweet Revenge!!

Brogan's Birthday!

2010-11-01T10:31:00.001-06:00

We celebrated Brogan's 2nd Birthday at Green Canyon! It was fun, he loves to swim like the others! Crazy little fish!

October 8th 2008 & 2010 still cute!

Family Pictures

2010-11-01T09:41:00.000-06:00

We finally got together to have pictures taken with my parents, brother Blair & sister & her family. It was a beautiful morning! Thanks for a fun weekend!

Spring... Summer...& some Fall 2010

2010-10-28T16:49:00.001-06:00

London Bridge

2010-08-25T14:27:00.000-06:00

We went through Havasu City, AZ for a sight seeing stop!

This is the Bridge that used to be in London. It was
built in 1831, but it started to crumble and London needed $
so they decided to sale it in 1962. So Robert McCulloch, the
Chairman of McCulloch Oil Corporation and the founder of
Lake Havasu City, Arizona purchased London Bridge for
$2,460,000 and paid an additional seven million dollars to
have the bridge dismantled, shipped to American and
reconstructed in its current location.

Teancum was sad that he just realized Tillman
was wearing his shorts!

Sure is a pretty bridge with allot of color
& the lake sure looks like a party lake!

Needles

2010-08-25T14:04:00.000-06:00

First stop after the Traffic of LA was to stay the night in
Needles, AZ

We Love Grandpa Nauman!

2010-08-25T14:01:00.000-06:00

Kids Kids Everywhere!

2010-08-25T13:58:00.000-06:00

Fun At the Beach

2010-08-25T13:49:00.000-06:00

Let's get this Party Started!

2010-08-25T13:48:00.001-06:00

Started the Allen reunion in Fountain Valley, CA @ Rollies
house. Thanks for the pool party & interducing us to Firehouse!
We had an awesome anniversary dinner!

lake powell

2010-08-04T12:29:00.002-06:00

we love lake powell. we always want to stay for longer.

KAMBER MARIE

2010-06-20T16:52:00.002-06:00

Cinco. Kamber Marie Allen she is a beauty.

In the Begining!

2010-03-12T22:52:00.002-07:00

Here is a (mostly) full update of what has been happening out to "Our Ranch"... Not alot of details, but many progressive pictures. We have been having alot of fun out there. We will have had this property for two years on April 30th, Tillman's birthday. We have had raspberries, & fruit trees coming and going, forts & fires being built, trees getting pruned, swings going up, hunting, playing, swimming, exploring and alot of building lately! Nephi has been getting his therapy out there. He sure loves it. We all do, we just don't get out there as often as he does. The shop is coming along well. It now is roofed, windows are waiting to be put in, and Nephi has been building the kids a nice play area above the garage. So fun!!! Thanks for every one's help! TJ is our framer, and we are grateful that it went smoothly... So he says!

More is to come! Cant wait!!

Getting Poles for Fencing... Hard work!

2010-03-12T22:46:00.001-07:00

First round of fruit trees....Girdled!

2010-03-12T22:41:00.001-07:00

Play Time

2010-03-12T20:58:00.001-07:00

Cement Foundation

2010-03-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

Helping Helpers!!!

2010-03-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

Framin'

2010-03-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

Water, Power, & Heat

2010-03-12T20:36:00.001-07:00

Framed In

2010-03-12T20:25:00.002-07:00

Trusses

2010-03-12T20:12:00.003-07:00

we love christmas

2010-01-12T20:17:00.001-07:00

tillman

2010-01-12T20:00:00.002-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!

2009-10-27T11:10:00.000-06:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Spud Harvest in Powell

2009-10-11T21:35:00.002-06:00

we got away from the snow for a week and had some fun in the red sand.

23-July 2009

2009-07-26T22:04:00.000-06:00

23 July 2009

2009-07-26T22:01:00.000-06:00

we decided to spend the day prior and pioneer day on the river. a good time was had by all. the fishing was very good the scenery was beautiful the cliff jumping and swimming was fun and the wildlife was very nice. our camp spot was very rocky. a stiff neck was also had by all but in the true spirit of pioneer day no one complained (very much).

we were swimming, james was paddling his fishing clients, and his one of his clients (ben) was reeling in a lunker.

swamped

2009-07-26T21:41:00.002-06:00

Teton River 23-24 July 2009

2009-07-26T21:40:00.000-06:00

the last half of our voyage was not as good as the first. we bent a canoe. and we sunk our drift boat, which left us all scratching our heads. but the team pulled through and we diverted enough of the river so we could bail out the boat, you might think that i am lying but we really did float the drift boat out just a few hours after this photo was taken. the last picture is the happiness in our faces when we had the boat floating in the water once again. it did suffer a large hole just above water level so tank rachel and spencer had to bail water till we reached the end. all en all a great adventure.

family union 2009

2009-07-19T21:55:00.000-06:00

family reunion 2009

2009-07-19T21:50:00.000-06:00

A Tribute to Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T17:28:00.004-06:00

Had a Jam out session today in remembrance of Michael Jackson!
Love the music ! We'll keep on Singin' & Dancin'!!!
Thanks for the fun days cousins! Love ya!

Congradulations!

2009-04-12T20:42:00.000-06:00

2009-04-12T20:32:00.001-06:00

THANK YOU!!

2009-04-12T20:25:00.003-06:00

We are so grateful that everyone here was able to make Teancum's Baptism so memorable. Thank you for coming and sharing this time with us!

2009-04-12T20:05:00.003-06:00

Uncle Ben & a few kids

Grandpa Allen & Brogan

Grandma Allen & Brogan,

Grandma & Grandpa Merritt,

Uncle Joe & Aunt Holly Family

2009-04-12T19:46:00.003-06:00

Tank & Sister Bird- Primary Pres
"Aunt Donna & Uncle Ken!"
Mackey Family
Uncle Takao, Gid, Aunt Vian
Matsumura Family

Lovin Easter Weekend!

2009-04-12T19:45:00.000-06:00

67 plymouth

2009-03-06T19:06:00.003-07:00

out with the old in with the new. the new motor to be purring by july 2009

Love you All

2009-01-10T12:52:00.001-07:00

2009-01-09T12:41:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2009-01-09T12:31:00.002-07:00

Brogan Dean Allen 8 October 2008. 8Lbs 14 OZ and we all like him.

Birthday Pool Party!

2008-09-07T16:30:00.001-06:00

Mermaids
Family fun
Big family fun
Happy 8th Birthday! & Congrats on her Baptism!
For the Allen Reunion we were able to go to California... We camped out at Leo Carillo State Park for three nights. It was a great camp ground close to the beach. We only had one ambulance call the whole week. RJ got a bit too close to the pavement on a bike ride back from the beach one afternoon and got beat up. But is doing well. for our grand finale we shared the day with Britney, she was baptised a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Then we had a yummy lunch at the pool! Great week, but a bit of a drive.

The Crazies

2008-09-07T16:26:00.003-06:00

Cassi, Syd, Mazie were having a great time posing!

Got Ya!!!

Learning how to wait for his wave like a pro!

A Bit of Wild Life

2008-09-07T16:21:00.000-06:00

Leo Carrillo

2008-09-07T16:15:00.001-06:00

Grandma was great at corralling the little one's. One at a time :) Thanks Marcia

Watch out Aunt Rishi!!!!!

The race is ON

MUD FIGHT!!

Catching the waves

2008-09-07T16:04:00.000-06:00

Rishi And "The Cousins"

2008-09-07T15:36:00.002-06:00

brit had a wreck but not like RJ. she also got to catch crawdads and we enjoyed having her here for a week. We also were able to go to 7 Peaks.

lake powell 08

2008-09-07T15:21:00.001-06:00

we always have lots of fun at lake powell. we couldn't stay very long this year but it was still fun! This trip was for the Merritt Reunion. There isn't many people in the Merritt family, so many others always join us! Tillman even caught his first fish!

2008-07-06T19:26:00.001-06:00

What a Great Trip.

2008-07-06T18:59:00.000-06:00

More wildlife

2008-07-06T18:58:00.000-06:00

wildlife

2008-07-06T18:33:00.003-06:00

RAIN RAIN RAIN
1st Cenote

Beautiful Tulum

Kickin' It

Fish

2008-07-06T18:25:00.002-06:00

Learning how to use the under water camera!

Works Great

2008-07-06T18:23:00.000-06:00

Look Closely

And again!!

Iguana the Hut

Info for you

2008-07-06T18:13:00.000-06:00

!Viva Mexico!

Mexico

2008-07-06T18:04:00.002-06:00

Chitzen Itza

Dogs Everywhere we even saw two puppies get squished by a van

Cool carvings

the feathered serpent

2008-05-18T15:50:00.000-06:00

Spring birthdays. Tiller is 2 nella is 4 and Tank is 7. HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2008-05-18T15:46:00.000-06:00

we bought 21.33 acres on april 30 this year out in plano by beaver dick park. this is what it looked like in early april of this year. lots of pokys and cactus and sagebrush and lava rocks and sand. there is a little ditch that runs through the place and we had to spend some extra cash to get some decent water rights. tank and nella have already started to build a fort on the place over by the ditch. and dad is trying to figure out how to water some ground so he can have a pasture for some cows.

2008-05-18T15:39:00.000-06:00

We got a new camera and so we have been trying to be a little artistic when we are out and about. the picture of tiller is upside down i figured that it would be more artsy.

2008-05-18T15:34:00.001-06:00

Rishi sent us some t-shirts that had our signs on them and some masks so they could be like the incredibles. thanks Mike and Rishi

2008-05-18T15:31:00.000-06:00

Tillman loves his dog.
He also loves to shoot things.
We had fun ice fishing.
Tank even begged a sucker fish off of the other ice fishermen. They thought it was funny.

malm cougar

2008-02-18T21:15:00.001-07:00

this is from a guy in our neighborhood. Ryan, he spotted a cougar in a tree as they were going to where the dogs had another cougar treed. Supposedly the big cats are supposed to jump out of the tree when a person starts to climb. This one made his scent-lock pants get a bit smelly.

roof exit

2008-02-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

the roof

2008-02-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

2008-01-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

We picked up this sled back in November,

Nephi has been so excited to use it. Sounds like he likes it.

We'll see if I share!

First Ride

2008-01-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

Nephi and Joe went on a ride to the Relay Towers.

Nephi got some great photo's on his trip.

Sledding Fun

2008-01-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

Ben's family came up to celebrate, and we all went to the Sand Dunes to sled. I think that we spent most of our time on Crapo's. You sure get going!

Holly & Ellie *** Amber & Luke

Sydney *** Teancum

Christmas Morning

2008-01-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

We had a great Christmas! Started with a fun Santa visit, Dinner & Nativity with Joe's family the night before and Arrel & Marcia had a camp out with the kids! (No, we didn't have Arrel sleep in the closet, he took a morning rest!) Nephi cooked us all breakfast Christmas morning while we played. Then we had more hours to play with our new gifts! Thanks everyone! Then Sledding and Hot chocolate to top it off.

christmas Eve 2008

2008-01-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

Donkey: Arrel Wise Men: Nella, Sydney & Nephi Angel: Mazie

Mary:Ellie Joseph: Tank Baby Jesus: Tillman

Temple Square

2008-01-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Food

2008-01-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Nephi butchered the deer for the trick or treaters

on Halloween night while I made chili. YUM!

My very First Deer!!

Teancum's Creations

2008-01-04T21:16:00.001-07:00

Teancum is a great inventer, these will be on the shelf next christmas.

Trick or Treat

2008-01-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

Katherine, Sydney, & friend, Teancum, Ellie, Nella, Mazie, Holly Halloween 2007

Teton River

2008-01-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

We had fun with grandma & grandpa Merritt on the Teton River. Caught a couple of fish, and alot of pictures.

Fortune & Fame

2008-01-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Nella, loving the spot light...

Aren't these outfits awesome?!

She can't wait for ballet class.

Tillman's 1st Haircut

2007-10-22T11:07:00.000-06:00

Tillman had a cute duck tail, but it came off @ 18mo. old isn't he handsome!

Hunting Pictures

2007-10-21T21:43:00.003-06:00

Outting to Cress Creek

2007-10-21T21:24:00.000-06:00

This is one of my favorite places to go to. We had a beautiful hike up Cress Creek with our friends Lana, Jett, Emry & baby Aleigha we had perfect weather as you can see, we even saw this praying manthis having lunch.

You Might be a Redneck If...

2007-10-21T20:38:00.000-06:00

You think going formal means driving a black pick-up truck...

Rednecks have Birthdays too. Our old man Nephi turned 32 October 2nd. We had a last min party, beans, beans, beans, IBC's, & even Billy bob teeth for everyone!

2007-10-21T20:15:00.000-06:00

Deer hunting is starting... Teancum is learning to bow hunt, he actually can draw back fairly well too.

Nella, Tillman & I walked around finding a fall bouquet. Since then we have all kinds of bouquets around the house.

Back in the groove of things!

2007-09-11T17:12:00.000-06:00

Teancum's first day of 1st grade! He seems to like his teacher Miss. Hill, may be she can excite him more about being at school.

I have done a circle, now you can put the pictures in order. it would be easier if we kept up on this. what a fun thing... Thanks for everyone helping us have a great summer!

Allen Reunion 2007

2007-09-11T17:05:00.000-06:00

Thanks Grandma & Pa for the great week! Rollin & Julie, thanks for the shirts and everyone else for helping me have fun with my Tye dying!! What a fabulous family!

2007-09-11T16:58:00.000-06:00

Watch out Marcia!! Just one of the water fights for the week...

Sid got it good!

2007-09-11T16:30:00.000-06:00

Hey Amber, I like this one! Julie, Can't wait to see more pictures :)

2007-09-11T16:21:00.000-06:00

I know that my family enjoyed the Allen Reunion this year... Yellowstone, Playing -games, tye dying, dress up, birthdays, dancing- Boating, Floating the river, expecially the FOOD!! Thanks for everything, Arrel & Marcia and all families

2007-09-11T16:10:00.000-06:00

Huckelberries.... well, we found 10 or so, enough for us to get a taste. Not a good crop this year we hear. We had fun looking anyway and then had a long hike & lunch at Cress Creek

??MORE??

2007-09-11T16:06:00.000-06:00

This is one thing that we have had a lot of this summer. Crawdads are fun to catch but eat??? Well, atleast the kids like them and Nephi is a good cracker.