BARRUS FAMILY

SILLY RY GUY

2009-04-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

This little guy loves all types of shoes. Now that he is finally walking, he thinks he can run around in whatever he wants. He doesn't do too bad actually.

CJ's 4th Birthday

2009-04-12T19:58:00.000-07:00

CJ TURNS 4

Our little Cutter James is four. Oh my!!! We had lots of fun celebrating with all his friends and cousins. The girls completely took over the picture taking and videoing. It was great because I could focus on cake and clean-up. We had quite a few pics though, so you can view them all in the slideshows below. There are lots of fun ones!

Harrison, CJ, Justin and Taylie pose as Transformers.

2009-04-12T19:56:00.001-07:00

2009-04-12T18:30:00.001-07:00

HAIRCUT

2009-04-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

CJ was terribly in need of a haircut. His cousin Toby buzzed his head, so CJ was ready to let it all go. Dad liked this style. What do ya think?

We ended up buzzing it. Not sure why we didn't take a picture of the final product.

SESSIONS FAMILY PICTURES

2009-02-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! Look how our family has grown!

The smaller picture above was taken back in 2002.

6 years later, our family is now this.

It's just AWESOME!

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

Christmas Morning

2009-02-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed a fantastic Christmas together. As you can see, when there are 5 kids in the house, the presents begin to pile quite high. I believe everyone received what they had asked for - for the most part - and hugs and kisses went around a number of times.

THE JOY OF GIVING!

When it was all said and done, we were wiped out!

Christmas Eve at our HOME

2009-01-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS EVE 2008

We enjoyed an evening together at our home. The kids put on a show, clogging and entertaining. We did a little Christmas story so we could keep in mind the TRUE meaning of Christmas. We shared gifts and feasted on Prime Rib, Crab, and many wonderful things. What a blessing to all be together - to have this opportunity to share Christmas Eve with those we love so very much!

After a tremendous dinner, the kids entertained us with their clogging and dancing.

The kids do a little gift exchange. I think they truly enjoyed the giving - excited to watch their cousin open the gift they got them. There was talk of not doing this next year, but the excitement the kids shared while giving and receiving, I think it was a lot of fun!

The adults also share gifts with one another. We have an assigned sibling every year. Sometimes it's hard to decide what to get, but it is always fun. We also share gifts with Mom and Dad and they share their gifts to us. The kids wait until Christmas morning to open their presents from Grandma and Grandpa. The most exciting part of the whole evening is just being together!!!

We had so much fun together - and loved having Matt, Lorie and Roger here! It was the first time most of the cousins got to meet Roger.

School Christmas Parties

2008-12-24T07:46:00.001-08:00

I love to be a part of everything the girls do, so the teachers in each of Kelsi and Heidi's class asked me to be the homeroom mom. This means you organize the class parties - Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's. I picked a couple moms from each class to help me, so when I went off from classroom to classroom, there would be someone to keep control of the chaos. For Christmas, Heidi's teacher wanted to keep it very simple, so in her class, we just had the kids enjoy snacks and visit. In Kelsi's class, we ventured out and tried gingerbread houses. This was so much fun and perfect for fourth graders! Note: Use small milk cartons next time for a sturdy structure (we had a few houses that just would not stay together).

Something neat this year, the teachers all decided to stay away from the gift exchanges. I loved this idea since I believe kids have so much, and will get so much in a couple days. Also, there always seems to be the kid that just doesn't have much money and the other kids know and are not very discrete about it (snickering and complaining if they get his/her gift - that irritates me tremendously!) Good choice teachers!

Our little monkey

2008-12-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

Ryan is not the type to sit still or to stay off things. As a result, he ended up with a nice knot right between his eyes. OUCH!

To start his day off, Heidi wanted him to sit next to her at the island. This is normally not a problem, if Mom puts him in the booster seat that is TIED down to the chair. Heidi was already in that seat, so Mom put him in another booster, not tied to the chair, but buckeled to him. After the girls took off for school, Ryan wanted down. Instead of waiting for Mom, he rocked himself off the chair, booster and all. He didn't cry much, and looked to be in a fairly safe position on the floor when Mom came to his rescue. Well, a few minutes later, a nice sized goose egg was popping out right between his eyes. That was not all. Later that morning, Mom was painting a dresser in the living room. Ryan had made his way to his hard, wooden rocking horse. This is not unusual. Ryan loves to climb on and off this thing all the time, and never really had a problem doing it. Well, maybe the first knock made him a little uneasy and as Mom peeked around the dresser to see what her little monkey was doing, he took another BAD fall right on his head, hitting that same place right between his eyes. Mom tried ice, but that didn't last too long. He didn't cry too very long, but the result was sure nasty looking!

Tortilla Snowflakes

2008-12-24T07:12:00.001-08:00

I had found this idea in the Friend and thought it would be fun for a Monday night activity. We had lots of fun making them, but they weren't so tasty. After cutting them out, you are suppose to fry them in oil on the stove and then sprinkle powdered sugar on them (I guess for the white snowflake affect), but if I do it again, we are putting cinnamon and sugar on them.

Cydney always enjoys a little craft!

Kelsi knows that serious concentration goes a long way.

After a few tortilla tries, Heidi got hers to work.

CJ had fun eating the project.

I don't have a picture, but I believe Ryan was enjoying eating them also.

Ty and I joined in on the fun.

Happy Holidays!

Little Monster

2008-12-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when Mom isn't completely in control. While I was hurrying to finish our Christmas cards one day, this is what Ryan was able to accomplish. He is a destroyer! :)

Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree

2008-12-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

Our home is full of that fun Christmas Spirit! It's lit up everywhere, so now when Dad comes home and says, "This house is lit up like a Christmas tree" , he won't be too far off :) The kids even have lights up in their rooms. We had a blast decorating the tree. I meant to take pictures, but I was video taping and passing out the ornaments instead. The kids get an ornament every year from their Grandma and Grandpa Barrus, so it's fun for them to hang up there own. Ryan was good at taking them back off.

As you can tell, our mantle is full. It looks like our family is complete. I haven't put names on CJ's and Ryan's quite yet. I want to learn how to crochet and make some real cool ones some year. My friend said she'd help me.

I'm looking forward to the Christmas Season!

It's one of our favorites!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

CLOGGING

2008-12-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Today was a fun filled day of clogging. It was Kelsi's first experience with performing. I think she ate it up! It was a chilly day - high of maybe 45 degrees - but the sun was shining to at least make you think it was somewhat warm. The wind was not blowing, so in all actuality, it was a gorgeous Wyoming Winter day!

Kelsi, Kamryn, Taytum and Kylie did an excellent job! You could tell they worked really hard. Way to go girls! It' so fun to be close and do these types of things together!

Move those feet :)

Cydney's an old pro. She knocked 'em dead :)!

The day started in Cody at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center around 10:30 am. We made it back to Powell in time to get Heidi to a birthday party and then off to watch Cydney and Kelsi at Plaza Diane - downtown Powell. The evening ended with dinner at El Tap with Grandma, Grandpa, and Trav's family - which then took us to the lighted parade down Bent Street Powell. The girls were in that also. It was fun to watch them today. They all did a super job!

Over the river and through the woods

2008-12-01T08:27:00.001-08:00

Saturday we picked up and took a joy ride to Meeteetse. We wanted to spend some much wanted time with Grandma and Grandpa Barrus. It turned out to be a gorgeous day.

As we crossed the fence to take in a little fishing at the river, the deer just lay and watched as we passed. Look closely :)

The guys didn't catch anything, but the day was beautiful and the scenery just as wonderful.

The kids did some exploring and enjoyed throwing rocks in the river. Sorry fish :)

Taylor had taken a tumble, but Cydney was right there to offer her jacket. How sweet!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OUR MANY BLESSINGS!

Thanksgiving was so much fun. We usually get together with the Barrus family since Scott and his family travel here from Utah, but with Grandma Marj and Jim's condition we just joined our family with Scott's, and Pennie, Page, Jim, and the rest of the family stayed back in Meeteetse. Jonna stayed home with her baby back in Utah, so I was the only female adult around. It was great though! We had a wonderful Turkey dinner with taters, rolls, salads, veggies, the whole shebang. The girls helped me make some pies the night before, which was lots of fun. Cydney made a pumpkin and Kelsi made a chocolate cream. YUMMY! The boys got to do some hunting. They seemed to enjoy that. All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving Holiday!

Heidi and Jensen

Taylor and CJ

Shaye and Cydney

Kelsi and Kassidy

Ryan

There was a lot of computer playing, card playing, and of course, the Wii.

We all enjoyed each other tremendously!

Kelsi's Award

2008-11-27T08:18:00.001-08:00

Every month at Southside Elementary a child from each class receives an award for working hard and improving their grades. Kelsi has done so well improving her reading and writing this last month. Her teacher says she NEVER GIVES UP!

You go girl!

Kelsi has been working so hard!

WYOMING SUNRISE

2008-11-27T08:06:00.001-08:00

This was our picture of the world outside our big bay window in the

kitchen Wednesday morning.

It was quite a sight!

The sky began like this. We were in awe as we watched it Wednesday morning as the girls ate breakfast before heading off on the bus to school. It was absolutely breathtaking!

As the morning went on, the sky changed from deep oranges and reds to pinks and purples, filling the sky with amazing color!

What a beautiful sight!!!

Gymnastics

2008-11-27T07:31:00.001-08:00

GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITuesday night Heidi had her Gymnastics program. She rocked for all to see. She did onehanded cartwheels and back-walk-overs in her floor routine. She flipped around the big bar, and did a somersault on the high beam. It was a fun night for all!

Great Job little Heidi!

Heidi posed for us on the beam.

I'm not sure how she stays on with socks.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHere's Heidi flipping up those legs into a cartwheel. Her cartwheels are actually much better than this, but the instructers were putting the mats away faster than we could get a picture, so she had to attempt a cartwheel for me on this big thick beam mat. I'd say she did a pretty good job :)!

Cydney's Basketball '08

2008-11-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

Cydney had a great time in basketball this year. She has been doing the recreation basketball since 3rd grade and enjoyed this year best, by far! Maybe it had something to do with being undefeated, but we believe it had a whole lot to do with the coach and his coaching skills. He had some pretty fun plays and was able to get the girls to make them work. It was fun watching Cydney have so much fun out there - making shots, blocking shots, and smiling :)! These picts are from the very last game Thursday night, which she just happened to play Kylie's team (the other tough team in the league).

Cydney and Kylie guarded each other quite a bit durning this game. Cydney is number 19 and Kylie number 8.

Our boys with hair :)

2008-11-11T11:32:00.000-08:00

Oh Yeah!

Happy Birthday!

2008-11-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

For FHE last night we had the kids dress in black and create letters for Happy Birthday. We want to wish Grandma Marj a happy 93rd birthday today, Matthew Henretty (who is serving a mission in ) a happy 23rd birthday on Friday, and Lorie a happy 27th birthday on the 21st.

Visit from Fernandez Family

2008-11-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

BEARLODGE

Here we are in the beautiful Big Horns with our friends from Arizona -

enjoying the fresh air and amazing snowy scenery.

Ryan would love to get out and play, but since he is not quite walking yet he has to wait for someone with a free hand

- or two :)

CJ had a taste.

Mercedez does not stop.

Heidi and Hunter had a ball!

And ate it too :)

Everyone worked together to make Bearlodge a snowman. It had snowed the night before while we were sleeping, so we had lots of fresh snow for creating our masterpiece.

After making the snowman, we packed up and headed down the mountain. We pulled off a bit down the road and played some more.

Ryan snoozed until we got down the mountain.

The other kids played and played. This time they made a snowchair.

Check out those hands.

Ty and Ryan are always fun to have around! Never a dull moment.

T and Lisa hung back and enjoyed the snow. We had so much fun watching the kids roll around, make snow angels, take a few tastes, make big snow balls, and have snowball fights. It looked like they just had a BLAST!

SO DID WE!

We can't wait for them to come back and visit!!!

carving pumpkins

2008-11-06T14:19:00.001-08:00

We had a lot of fun again this year carving pumpkins. CJ's was super hard to cut, so he got Ryan's and mom tried to cut the hard one out for Ryan. She eventually got it :) Everyone voted Dad's as the coolest pumpkin. He just had to carve DAD on the back of his to put him over the top.

Halloween

2008-11-06T13:38:00.000-08:00

This year was another fun year of costume designing, but it was nice to have a little help. Cydney and Kelsi got in on the fun by designing their own costumes, picked out their fabric, and watched as Mom spent hours putting them together. Cydney was a princess, Kelsi was Cloe-a Bratz, Heidi a penguin, Cutter was Spiderman, and Ryan an adorable green turtle. Oh, let's not forget Mom. She was one cute football referee! Grandma Geri passed away during the week of Halloween, so that put a little sadness into our moods - but it was fun having our cousins come from Colorado and spend Halloween with us. Wish we took more pictures!