Bar J Wranglers

Earlier in the Christmas season I decided it would be fun to take the family to a Christmas concert or performance to help us get in the spirit of the season.  There were many to choose from, The Forgotten Carols, Kirk Bestor Christmas, the Live Nativity at Tuacaan, or others.  I wanted to choose something I knew both the kids and us would enjoy so I chose the Bar J Wranglers.  They are a group from Jackson Hole, WY that comes to St. George several times a year and performs cowboy folk songs and lots of comedy.  We went on a Thursday night and the kids were murmuring at first, but had a very enjoyable time.  The Bar J sang lots of Christmas carols with a cowboy twist and there was no loss for laughter during the performance.  Afterwards we were able to meet the band and shake their hands and get a few pictures with them as well as have them autograph a CD and hats.  We were all beaming and laughing and reliving the concert when it was all said and done, and I hope to add this to our list of Beutler traditions. 

Here we are seated at the concert.  Doug is taking the picture, which is
a little too close to me, then Cami, Mady, Cody and Austin poking his head
at the very end.  Dalyon was sitting after Austin but we can't see him.

This is the lineup to get autographs.  Dalyon is on the end
having the CD signed.

Mady and Brian from the Bar J.  He was the funniest parts
of the show. 

Austins autographed hat.  Doug got one just like it. 

The whole experience was good for all of us.  I don't think anyone regretted going and we all enjoyed ourselves.  We will have to do it again next year. 

The Tradition of the Christmas Rolls

  I believe Christmas is the perfect time of the year to show our appreciation to those who affect our lives throughout the year. Each year I try to do something nice for our neighbors and friends by giving small tokens of my appreciation. In the past I have given the traditional gifts like candy and small tokens with cute verses to go with it.  A few years ago while experimenting with ideas I found my young women leaders bread recipe and thought I would make cinnamon rolls for the neighbors.  I began the process and decided they needed to be a little more festive or colorful, so instead of butter, cinnamon and sugar, I added raspberry pie filling in the center of the rolls and baked them.  I loved how pretty they were when they came out of the oven, and after I topped them with cream cheese frosting they looked very Christmas-y.  I had Doug and the kids test them to see if they tasted OK, and they said they were yummy so I gave them away to the neighbors on paper plates.  Since then, the raspberry Christmas rolls have become a tradition in our family.  We take a day during the holidays and bake as many as we can and take them around to our friends and neighbors while they are still warm.  Each year I seem to make a few more than the last and this year we did a record number of 210 rolls.  I put them in their own pans now so that I can bake and frost them without running out of cookie sheets to bake them on.  The kids all pitch in and help, this year Mady did most of the spreading and cutting, Cody and I made the dough (we did 11 batches) and Cami, Dalyon and Doug helped intermittently.  I'm learning as I go, and this year I learned that they are better if I make the rolls then let them raise for a few hours before I bake them, instead of letting the dough rise in a bowl and punching it down before making them, and it is faster too.  This year we made them the day before Christmas Eve, and Doug, Cami and Dalyon got the fun of delivering them that night.  I was glad to hear that everyone still likes them.  I'm also glad to see that the kids are showing more interest in making them, Cody made a batch from start to finish by himself!

Cody rolling the dough out.  I'm glad he likes to cook, and does a good job.

We are cutting the rolls with thread.  It is easier with two people because
when you cross the thread to cut the pie filling oozes out onto the counter unless
there is another set of hands to grab it and put it on the sheet.   Teamwork!

Mady was sampling the pie filling.  "Its OK to put on the rolls" she told me. 

Here they are partially raised and ready to bake.  I didn't get a picture
of them finished, but with the icing on them they are glossy and yummy.  I
also sprinkle green sugar sprinkles on them after the icing to make them look
more like Christmas.

Christmas roll day is always a long day, but very satisfying. 

Christmas Day

This year Christmas day fell on a Sunday which is the perfect day to celebrate the birth of our Savior. However, it does throw a wrench in the Santa Claus traditions we are used to.  Our ward decided to only hold Sacrament meeting that day and because we have nine o'clock church we had to be there early.  Dalyon and I were participating in the special Christmas program Polly Stirland (the ward music chair) had arranged and we had to be there at eight thirty.  I anticipated a struggle getting the kids up to open their presents on Christmas morning and get them dressed and to church by 8:30 in the morning so I suggested we wait to open Santa presents until AFTER church.  At first there was some negative feedback from my suggestion, but everyone eventually felt OK about the idea, except Cody and Doug, who gave me the hardest time.  I stuck to my guns and Christmas morning I got everyone up at 7:30, they got dressed and we met in the living room and each opened our name presents, (we draw names and get each other a gift so we don't have to get everyone something.)  I'm proud of the kids and the good attitudes they had, and the thoughtful gifts they gave each other. 

We started with the youngest, because Cami just couldn't wait! 
Austin had her name and he made her a steel rose.  She was very
excited.

Dalyon was next and Mady had his name.  He  received
an eight ball and a new hot wheels car, and a book of
codes he was coveting from her. 

Cami had Cody's name and she had Austin make
him a pair of spurs with leathers that had his
initials on them.  He even gave her a hug for being
so thoughtful. 

In accordance with Mady's zany personality I gave her a
lava lamp, which she loved.  She really like the extraordinary. 

Doug had Austin and got him new window handles for
his truck.  He was glad because he said he didn't have to
buy them.  lol

Dalyon had my name and was so thoughtful in getting me a new
hot chocolate mug.  He sure knows what I like!! 

Cody had Dougs name and made him a windmill tower
to go downstairs with his farm tractor collection.  It fit in perfectly! 
Cody welded it and painted it, and did a really good job.  He also
gave him a package of Dougs favorite candy. 

We made it to church by 8:30 and had a very spiritual sacrament meeting program.  The program went over twenty minutes and I could see the kids squirming in the pews, hoping to head home and open their presents.  After the final "amen" of the prayer, Austin, Dalyon and Cami ran from the chapel and made it home before Doug and I even were out of the building.  Cody and Mady went home with us and were pulling us a long so that we didn't talk to anyone.  I had told our home teacher, Brother Stratton, that we were going to wait to open our presents and when Bishop Stirland was late starting Sacrament meeting he prodded him along by telling him "there are some who haven't opened presents yet, Lets get going!!".   That made me laugh. 

We all changed back into our pajama's and met in the living room before going downstairs after the program.  Doug opened our present from Grandma and Grandpa Beutler and read the card.  I was finished waiting to open presents and when he suggested "we go around the room and all say what we are thankful for" I groaned the loudest and headed for the stairs. Even I know when enough is enough!!!! 

FINALLY!  We can open our presents!!  Even though it was 11 in the morning.  Doug's
family tradition was to get up at 3 and open presents, then Grandpa would go out and milk
the cows at 4 am.  Our kids usually get up at six or seven, so it was different to wait so long.

Everyone seemed happy with their gifts and played all afternoon with the
toys and watched movies until Grandma and Grandpa Winn came by for dinner (which was
leftovers from the night before.)




Our cat Maverick had a real struggle over Christmas.  He develops bladder stones occasionally and they plug him up and make him really sick.  Sadly, he had one that began on Christmas Eve and by Christmas night he was really sick.  We took him to Dr. Wittwer on Monday morning and he had a minor surgery to clear the stone.  The poor thing was sick, in a lot of pain, and then delirious from the medications.  I'm glad to report that he is doing really well now.  Our own little Christmas miracle. 

Christmas Eve

Every year for Christmas Eve we get together with my family and have a nice dinner and some sort of activity.  Our favorite things in years past have been sledding up at Aunt Vickie's, making "redneck" gingerbread houses, and especially the year that Santa came and we got to have family pictures with him.  Each year we trade houses to hold the celebration at, last year it was at my sister Vickie's in Diamond Valley, and this year it was my turn to host.    This year we went four wheeling during the afternoon at a place in Leeds called Babylon.  It is a fun place to ride bikes because of all the sand dunes, hills, and trails.  I send everyone except Cami and I because I had so much to do to get ready for the dinner that night. They had a great time and we are so grateful for their safety because they were riding crazy.  Aunt Vickie turned her four-wheeler over Taggert on the back, and we are glad neither were hurt.

This is Doug showing his stuff and catching some air over the hills. 
He has taught his kids how to ride and sometimes I just can't watch.  lol

This is Vickie and Tag's rollover.  Vickie is pushing the four wheeler up so
Taggart can climb out of under it.  Thank goodness the sand was soft, and for
heavenly protection.  We are glad they are OK.

Here is Austin watching everyone ride.  He rode the 450 on the trail, which
was harder to ride in the sand because it only has two wheels.

This is Vickie, Chet and Taggart brushing off after their scary experience.  Chet
was riding around when Vickie tipped and was there in a flash.  Doug said he had never seen
him move so fast.  Taggart wouldn't ride with Vickie anymore and rode in front of his Dad instead.  Poor guy.

This is Dalyon riding the rancher by himself.  He gets a little crazy sometimes,
but is learning how to ride.

Cody and Wyat were riding together (Cody in the front).  Both are good operators and had a lot of fun!

Later that night we had dinner, we made turkey and ham, Mom made funeral potatoes and a
jello salad, and we had green salad and homemade rolls, and of course raspberry Christmas rolls.  After dinner we all
came downstairs and did a gift exchange and opened the pajama presents.  Every year Grandma gives us ornaments
and this year she gave us all beautiful glass ornaments, the kids had their names etched on theirs.  They are so pretty!!

This is one side of the sectional full of everyone.  We really had a great time.

Me on the floor holding the ornament Doug and I were given.

Doug, Cami and Cody opening their ornaments.

The kids on the other side of the couch opening their presents from
Grandma and Grandpa. 

   On Christmas Eve it is also tradition for me to give the kids pajamas.  They expect them, and are getting used to my crazy way of thinking.  This year I did a theme of children's characters.  Austin was Elmo, Mady was Cookie Monster, Cody was Animal (the crazy drum playing character off of the Muppet's), Dalyon was Mario (from the Wii game), and Cami was Hello Kitty.  I was able to get them all a stuffed animal to match their pajamas and to go to bed with that night.  They think I'm crazy, but I think it is fun.   I didn't get slippers to match, except Dalyon and Cami's, because Austin and Cody wanted camo slippers and Mady likes slipper flip flops.  I think they liked them though. Isn't Christmas fun?  

"Hog Heaven" begins again!!

On the 17th of December we got an early delivery, not from Santa, but from the hog grower.  We were delivered nine piglets to be raised for the Dixie Livestock show.  The kids were very excited and couldn't wait to pick theirs out.  We ordered with the Swyers/Neagle family who are apart of our 4-H club.  We drew straws and each kid picked a number, which became their hog to train, groom and ready for the show in April.  This is always a very exciting time of the year and the pigs are so cute at this age. 

Here they are with numbers on them to be picked.  They are cute when they are so small!!

Dalyon is already in there brushing his pig.  He is probably the most excited!

Its Tradition!!!

Every year at this time my Mom invites all of the grand kids who live in Southern Utah over to her house for the annual Christmas cookie making and decorating party.  She usually has all the dough ready and the kids roll it out and bake their cookies, then decorate them.  I was glad that even the older kids still come around and continue the tradition with us.  She makes us dinner to eat while we are decorating our masterpieces and we all have a good time.  This year she had Mady make rice crispy treats and we made them into ornaments, and she also had the kids pull taffy, something I haven't done since I was a kid.  It really made it feel like Christmas to be together and make candy and cookies.  I love that my mom keeps these traditions alive and that she involves the Grand kids.  Last year for Christmas she made all of the kids aprons to wear and Cami remembered to bring hers, she had been saving it all year for this very special occasion. 

Cami and her apron Grandma made.  They are pulling taffy.

Scooping the taffy out of the pan.  It is so hot!!!!

Kora and her friend Shalee making cowgirl cookies.

They made them anatomically correct, including the belt buckles.  lol

Here is our cookies.  Grandma had so many decorations it was hard to get
them all on the cookies! 

Doug is posing for a picture, and Mady is surprising him.  The cookie was saved in the end.

Doug and Austin decorating cookies and eating decorations, and eating cookies.

Cody's contribution to the cookie decorating.  He reminds me of his Grandpa.

Cody did perk up to pull the taffy, however.  It was a lot of fun!!

It was good to spend the afternoon with Grandma doing something we all love.  While the kids were there Doug and I finished our Christmas shopping in Cedar City.  We all love this tradition of going to Grandma's and baking with her.  Thanks Grandma Ellen!! 

Family Pictures

Every year I try to get our family together and get a family picture taken, and this year was no exception.  I began my quest in October when the leaves were turning and the weather was beautiful,  but Doug happened to go north for work and I wasn't able to get anything scheduled before he left.  I tried again when he got home at Thanksgiving time but then it was "no shave November" for Austin in honor of prostate cancer awareness month, and I refuse to pay for pictures of a hairy seventeen year old.  So, finally during the second week of December we were able to get it done.  I put my foot down and made Austin reschedule his work, made Doug not schedule any work and had everyone else clear their schedules for an afternoon after school.  Kurt Wilson does photography on the side and we had him take our pictures in front of Nancy Theobalds barn in Toquerville.  I tried to be creative, and met with resistance from child number three, but eventually we got some pictures we could use for Christmas cards and to put on the wall.   We also did Austins senior pictures since he was all cleaned up. It came together much later that I had hoped, but we finally got it accomplished! 

This is in front of Nancy's barn. The old signs look really neat, just what we like. Can you believe how tall Cody is? My three older children are all taller than I am. How did that happen?

This is better.  I like the old barn wood and sign behind us.

In this one we are standing in front of an antique tractor, but there are
so many of us that we cover it up.  We are looking into the sun, and I really
like every one's smiles.

I love this one of all our boots. 

I had everyone dress up in the favorite activity for them.  Austin is in his
FFA jacket, Cody in his football jersey, Mady in Volleyball warm ups, Cami in
her clogging costume, and Dalyon in his Karate uniform.  I love this picture!!!

Austin in his FFA jacket.  It says President 2011-2012 on the side.

This is a good one in front of his favorite vehicle type.  He loves Ford anything!

This one is my favorite of the senior pictures.  What a handsome guy! 
I can't believe he will be graduating this year! 

The album wouldn't be complete without including this shot. 
Cody had a hard time smiling in any of the pictures and Kurt told him
to give him a good one, so this is what we got.  There is always "one in
every family" and Cody is ours.  lol