Elk, Elk, and more Elk

Grandma and Grandpa Gifford had this fantastic idea to go up to Hardware Ranch today. It ended up being even better than fantastic! We went up with my family, Grandma McCoppin, Grandma and Grandpa Gifford, Aunt Nicki's family, and Aunt Camille and Uncle Owie!
We hadn't been up there since Austin was really little. Surprisingly enough Austin could remember going up the last time.

There were A LOT of elk up there today. However, they said since it was a little warmer last week and the snow melted a bit, a few left and went higher up. Our tour guy said last week they had around 650 elk, today a little less. He said that Hardware Ranch has been an elk refuge since the 40's! They started it to keep the elk away from the farmers land and crops. It was in the path of the elk's normal migration pattern so they learned fast that it was a safe place and a place with food. The tour guy also said that 85% of the females there are pregnant!
I am always amazed with these large, beautiful animals. They were looking a little shaggy today. The tour guy said it was because they are starting to shed their winter fur.

We all enjoyed the sleigh ride, except Dave and Oakland. They never made it on! Oakland got really fussy right before we left so Dave ended up taking him back to the car. We decided after Oakland spit up all over Dave that he must have gotten car sick from the ride! Who knows with babies..... It could have also been that he hated being bundled up so much because it was COLD!
After the sleigh ride we drove back down into Hyrum and went to the only place to eat.... McDonald's! YUM! The kids were happy to have a warm place to run around and play!

Austin on the sleigh ride sitting next to Grandma and Aunt Nicki.
Elk.....

Elk....

and more Elk!

Erin loved the ride but HATED the smell. I can't say that I blame her, they are pretty stinky animals. I was almost glad that I had a stuffy nose and couldn't smell them that well!

Share the Love

Kristy just posted a little share the love post and it sounded like a lot of fun, so here goes....

Here are the rules:

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a share the love post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Have a Happy Day :)

How many men.....?

So the question is.... How many men does it take to get a Honda Accord unstuck? I guess the answer is 5!!! (And probably that many wives watching from the windows! Ha)

We got AT LEAST 2 feet of snow today. Because of the snow, I made Dave come and pick me up from work. It was slow and go driving home, but we made it...... or almost did. The plow had not cleared our cul-de-sac, so when Dave tried to plow through to our driveway, we got stuck AND high centered on the heavy, slushy snow. Thank goodness for wonderful neighbors. They saw we were stuck and came to the rescue. It took Dave, 4 neighbors, 2 shovels, and Steve's truck to get the car out!

These pictures are in backward order: Steve tried hooking his truck up to Dave's back bumper and pull him in reverse. When that didn't work he drove up our driveway and pulled him forward. (Notice: mine is the only husband wearing shorts!)

I just took this shot to show you how much snow we got. These are my front steps.... do you see any steps? Me neither! The snow was so heavy it tipped my little evergreen over! I hope I don't lose it, I love my trees! I know we need the moisture, but I tell ya..... I am TIRED of the snow!!!!

THANKS TO ALL MY WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS FOR THEIR HELP!

Cabela's

We decided to surprise the kids today with a trip to Cabela's. We loaded them and Grandma into the car without telling them where we were going. Grandma was pretty sure we were tricking her, and that we were really going to take her to the dentist. As we were approaching, Austin realized where we were going and let out a huge whoop! Needless to say, he LOVES CABELA'S!

It is a HUGE sportsman's store and more. It has TONS of stuffed animals (not the lovable kind.... the dead kind) Aquarium, restaurant, and games. We spent a few hours (yes a few hours) looking around and eating lunch. Here are some candid shots of our day.

Cool man Austin trying to look like he doesn't care that his mother is taking his picture AGAIN!
Austin, Erin, Dave, and Oakland in front of the African display. Erin was a little disturbed with how they set up the lion.

Cabela's has a huge, live, aquarium, and we got there just in time for lunch! The fish's lunch that is. They drop in live bait, goldfish for the smaller fish and 6 inch long fish for the larger fish. Austin and Erin thought it was AWESOME! They kept cheering on the bait when it got away, soon they had all the kids around them chanting "Swim, Swim, Swim."

It was hard taking pictures through the glass, but here is a fairly descent shot of a gold fish being gobbled.

As much as Austin and Erin liked it, Ivy was just as mortified by it! She finally could not take it any longer and went and curled up in Oakland's stroller and cried :( She was not impressed by the whole outing. She kept telling me how sad she was. I asked her why she was sad and she told me she was sad because the dead animals had to stand around all day... They probably get tired! Yes, I am pretty sure those dead animals are tired :)

Here she is in the stroller at the aquarium, I finally coaxed her into looking at the camera.

More of the aquarium.

Ivy (before she was "sad").....

Austin......

And Erin.... in front of my favorite animal..... the moose!

We had a great time. If you have never been you might want to venture down. It makes for a fun afternoon.

Superbowl 43 ..... 3-D

It has been a BUSY weekend!!! Saturday was Austin's baptism, and today was Wesson's Blessing. After the blessing we all went to Angie and Casey's for some clam chowder. Then we all ventured up to mom's to watch the Superbowl. For anyone who knows us well, knows this is a HUGE event for the McCoppin side of the family.

This year they had the 3-D commercials. We were prepared! Unfortunately the commercials were just .... o.k. I have seen better 3-D in my time! Hopefully the Monsters vs. Alien movie is better in 3-D than the commercial was.

Here is Erin and I kickin' back getting ready for the 3-D event.
Dave and I... See a lot of prep for nothing!

And here you have the whole clan! Even Oakland was sporting a pair of glasses (not happily I might add.) It turned out to be a great game, even if Arizona didn't win! Can't wait for next year!

It's GREAT to be 8! (part 2)

Austin was baptized on Saturday. It was a beautiful day, sunny, and not too cold. I can't believe I have an 8 year old! I must be getting old :( After the baptism, we all ( 34 of us) went to Golden Corral. This is my LEAST favorite place to eat (Yuck) but, it is Austin's absolute favorite! Since it was his day we let him choose. It was a day we will all remember.