Farmboy's Big Win!!

Farmboy finally won his buckle!! I don't think I have ever seen him happier (wedding and kids definitely a close second). He had a great season of roping in 2009. He won a High Money Jacket the first night. Then he won his buckle the second night! It's a good thing to, because of the incident with his hand. I think the hand happened the fourth night!
Congrats to my favorite Farmboy!! I love you and am proud of you!

What a cute little cowgirl I have!! I walked outside to check on Cam and Chayse as they were loading hay and couldn't resist taking a picture of my cute little girl!
Her favorite place to be is right by her Dad outside. She was a little frustrated today though, because she didn't know where her gloves were!

Marlene Joy Packer Pett

The other keystone was my Aunt Joy. My Mother's Sister. I wrote some thoughts about her, for her birthday just before she died:

Joy To the World
Where do you start when writing about such a wonderful person! I have learned so many lessons from Aunt Joy. I have never met anyone that sincerely cares about people more than her. Most of the memories I have, are her doing things for me- at first I felt bad about that, but then I realized that everyone else probably had similar ones! I got to make some special memories though that I think were fairly unique to me. Which also bring me to the lessons. Growing up I had the special privilege of going on several trips with just Aunt Joy, my Mother, my Gramma, and my Grampa. These trips were primarily to see relatives and visit cemeteries. To most little girls this would probably not be the most exciting trip, but to me it was like a great adventure where I was taught about my ancestors. I learned stories about who they really were and the lives they lived. On these trips Aunt Joy helped me develop my life long obsession with family history. I have a quote on my desk that says "If we don't know our heritage, we don't know who we are. Who came before us formed who we are- what we do, why we do it. If you have no appreciation for you past, then you don't know who you are." Although this quote is not from Aunt Joy it truly explains the lesson, or gift that she has given me.
The other constant lesson I learn from her is her great understanding about life it self. I have spent many hours talking to her about things in my life. I have such comfort in knowing that she will always be there to give the perfect advice that I have come to count on.
Another lesson that I have learned from her is acceptance. It seems that no matter what choices someone has made in their lives you can always count on Aunt Joy to be there to give love and support to them.
She is truly a Mother to all who know her and like her name, is such a Joy and blessing to all who have her in their lives!

Here is a song that just came out by my favorite Toby Keith, I felt like he wrote it for me.

Got the news on Friday Morning,
But a tear I couldn't find.
You showed me how I was suppose to live,
now you showed me how to die.
I was lost till Sunday Morning,
I woke up to face my fears
while writing this song, I found a tear.

I got up and dialed your number,
And your voice came on the line.
That old familiar message I heard a thousand times.
It said, Sorry that I missed you leave a message and God bless.
I know you think I'm crazy,
but I had to hear your voice, I guess.

I'm going to miss that smile,
I'm going to miss you, my Friend.
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I'd do it all again.
So play it sweet in heaven
because that's where you ought to be.
I'm not crying because I feel sorry for you,
I'm crying for me.

So play your upside down left handed backward bass guitar
I'll see you on the otherside superstar.

I'm still crying,
I'm crying for me.

Stanley M. Hill

We lost two keystones of our family this year. One is Cam's Grampa Stan. What an amazing man he was. Some of the greatest lessons of my life were learned in the small living room sitting in the second recliner under the giant head of an unfortunate elk, turned hatrack. There I learned how life was during World War II, while he served in the United States Army. About all they went through while they served in Italy. He was in a tank. Being a history fanatic, I was constantly amazed at the history-in-the-making events he was actually present for. Which was just another experiance and just another story for him.
We lived in Las Vegas for about 5 years when Cam got out of College, so another subject that we could never hear enough of was Stan's time in Las Vegas. It was just starting to be a city and he had a part in building the original Las Vegas Court House, along with other buildings in the new little town.
Another thing that he loved to tell stories about is his childhood. He had a very unique childhood. He spent many summers in camp watching over the families sheep herd. Riding horses and fishing with his siblings and uncles. What a different time it was.
It was experiances like these that made him the man he was, and the one we all looked up to.
I found a poem that reminded me alot of Grampa.

Ride With Him Again

He done checked his gear's condition,
His cowboy hat was on just right.
His mount was prancing nervously,
'Fore he cinched that saddle up tight.

Today's his longest journey,
And it's been coming for a while.
Though he knows it's hard departing,
He'll be starting with a smile.

He spoke his piece to children,
While he softly held his wife,
And he said to those who'd listen,
She was the best thing in his life.

A braver man there wasn't,
When life would challenge him with trouble.
He would charge into the fray,
And do the right thing on the double.

But the Trail Boss called his number,
And the White Steed couldn't wait.
It was time to ride those hooves of starfire,
'Til they reached the Pearly Gate.

So he left us at his bedside,
Watching over him with love.
And he spurred that Spirit Stallion,
Toward his new home up above.

Well, we'll miss that long tall cowboy,
Maybe tear up now and then.
But we know we'll see him someday,
And ride the range with him again.

Good ride Cowboy. We love you.

Daddy Date Part 2

Here is the professional photo from the dance!!

Date Night with Daddy

Our community had it's first annual Daddy Daughter Gala tonight! It was so much fun! Cam was lucky enough to have two dates. The girls looked so good in there fancy little dresses. The had lots of little activities and games.... and dancing!What an important event for my little girls. Is there a better way for my daughters to learn how important they are to there Daddy and what a great way for them to prepare for there own dating experiance. This is such a simple way to teach our girls what they should expect, and how they should be treated by there dates. It was such a precious thing to watch my big tough husband dance with his little girls. I can't wait for them to make it a tradition!








*By the way I helped with it so that is why I was able to sneak a few photos!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Chayse's little friends, Reece and Zoe, had the cutest Valentines Day party for about 10 of their little friends. They had so much fun and it was so fun to watch them enjoy it! Here are a few pictures of thier activities:

Post Office Field Trip

Chayse got to go on her first field trip yesturday! It was very exciting! She loves to go to the Post Office anyway, so to go in the back and see how everything works made her very happy! They learned what they do with the mail when it gets to Emmett, they even got to pretend they were letters on take a ride on the card and lifting platform. They also got to see different things the Mail Carriers wear and how they sort the mail to get it to the right house. They had a special Valentine card that they made for their families that they got to mail. On thier way out they got stamped with the postmark date so they could go anywhere in the world! I think Disneyland was the top desination! Here are a couple of pictures, my camera died and so did my phone so... they aren't the best but atleast it's somewhat documented right!!