Wednesday December 8, 2010

'Tis the season to be jolly!

I was reminded a couple of weeks ago while doing the Caring and Sharing Festival of Trees why exactly this is the season to be jolly. We have so much to be thankful for this time of year. People are going without, people are missing their loved ones, and people in general, just want to be loved. Why is it that some people are selfish enough to make others feel down trodden, belittled, just so that they can make themselves happier? Such the contradiction, and it reflects just who truly needs to be loved and cared for as they spotlight themselves with the ever infamous "Hey! Look at me!"

Melissa and I have been truly blessed over the years. All though difficult to see then, but magnified now, we were able to spend seven glorious years together, just her and I. We were wanting a family but the cards just were not in our favor at the time. Little did we realize then that the peace and quiet would never be again. However, the noise now experienced in our home is still quite nice. Taylor practices her reading continually and is getting very good at reading "chapter" books. She is very talented and has caught the reading fever from her mother.

Ayden can usually be heard playing with toys, making car sounds as boys do, or harassing another sibling. It is when Ayden CAN NOT be heard that someone needs to be worried. He will then be found somewhere in the house getting into something that he sound not be into. However, a much more pleasant sound is the singing from Ayden's crib as he attempts to drift off into blissful slumber each and every night.

Breagan is usually heard and found playing with toys. He often sits and looks over a toy trying to figure out just how it does what it does. Breagan is quite the opposite of Ayden. It is when Breagan gets loud that someone had better be checking on things. For the most part he is very easy going, lovable, and content. Every now and then you can see a glint in the corner of his eye and you will know that he is about to do something not so nice. Usually this is towards Ayden and truth be known, more of a payback for something that Ayden did to Breagan earlier.

Carmen loves to dress up as Tinkerbell. We are continually telling her to get something on as she is usually caught around the house in the middle of a change of outfit. She usually hums her own little tune and does her own thing. If you find her and look at her, your glance will usually be returned with a smile and a hug.

Melissa is a true Saint! Potty training one child was something. Taylor spooled us by actually being basically trained in a weekend before she was two. Breagan and Carmen are basically there but still wear a diaper at night. Ayden is a completely different story and definitely has his own agenda whether Melissa and I, or even Ayden, knows what that agenda might be. He is really making the whole process a challenge. So, back to my original comment at the beginning of this paragraph, Melissa is a TRUE Saint!

How about these family pictures?

November 2, 2010

October has been a good month and I am quite sad to see it go. This year has gone by so fast and it is the time of Thanksgiving once again.

Melissa, the kids, and my mom were able to join my dad and I while we hunted this year. This is pretty momentous because it has been a while since someone else has joined us on our little excursion. The mountains of Smiley Creek welcomed us but the game was not as courteous. With the obvious new neighbors of Wolves we were not privy to find the Buck that we were looking for. However, for those of you that know my dad and I and the way we hunt we were not all too disappointed as it is always the thrill of the chase more than the excitement of the kill. Plus, there is always next year.


The question around the house last week was, shall we paint or carve? Either way, both methods proved to be quite excitable.

August 31, 2010

If I hurry here I can actually make it look like I posted at least once a month instead of there being a two month absence. It is the little justifications that eventually get us...

This past weekend our family actually got away from everything. We were able to enjoy a quiet weekend away from cell phones, pagers, and two-way radios which seem to be my usual staples for communicating with the outside world. Thank heavens for family, resources, and the right to enjoy the fabulous outdoors.

Smiley Creek, located in the heart of Idaho, was just beautiful. The country side is still green from moisture and has not yet started to resemble the beginnings of the Fall colors. Ayden was not sure about riding the four wheeler again but quickly remembered how much fun he had Memorial Day weekend riding. With two four wheelers Melissa and I are able to carry all four kids. We enjoyed a 38 mile ride Saturday that took us to an elevation of 9200 feet. We had not quite hit the end of that trail but instead gives us something to look forward to another time.

The absence of wild game reminded us once again of the time of year. The early archery hunts have begun allowing us to see a lone Antelope the entire weekend.

This time away allowed us the time as a family to grow with each other as Monday Taylor started First Grade. Thank heavens for a job as I went to work Monday morning while Melissa had the great opportunity to take Taylor to her classroom. I know I would have cried like a baby and embarrassed Taylor enough to haunt her to her Senior year. Melissa is a lot stronger than I when it comes to the emotional times. Funny thing is that I was not this way until we found out we were expecting Taylor. What other experiences will kids expose me to? I am sure they are too many to mention and those of you with much more experience than I are just sitting there shaking your head. It's o.k., they come and go without saying.

In closing, I could not finish without paying tribute to the One that matters most. Without His influence, Plan, and guidance, we could not enjoy the ties of family, friends, and one of His greatest creations, the earth and freedoms that we all enjoy.

Enjoy the pictures.

July 5, 2010

The Fourth of July is one of the Draper Families favorite holidays. We are reminded of the sacrifices of so many great men and woman, past, present, and future. There are the sacrifices of life for the pursuit of happiness, the sacrifices of the many spouses and children of those that serve, and the remnants of memories for those that return from serving. We love those that have served, sacrificed, and fought for our families freedoms!

This too shall pass as we look forward to the US coming through tough times. The Great Lord has blessed this nation above all others for the establishment of Zion in the last days. Our Great country was founded on the beliefs of an Almighty Presence that needs to never be forgotten. To forget the origins of this country would be a slap in the face of the Creator that created all men.

We were allowed to spend our Holiday weekend enjoying each other. Saturday we attended the parade in Rupert which is a tradition for us. Sunday evening Melissa spoiled all of us with her great salads, drinks, and desserts. No one walked away from the table hungry...

Cobe dazzled us with fireworks while Taylor, Jessica, and Melissa played with sparklers. What a great way to celebrate OUR Independence and the birth of such a great nation!

Here is the parade crew... Just waiting for the start...
Ayden thought that he was going to get Grandma's seat to himself.
The A-10 fly over... So impressive as always.
My favorite part of the parade... Respect by all for the Red, White, and Blue!
PMT's float, Home Town Heroes... Good job!

Sunday June 6, 2010

Time gets away so fast anymore. Life in general seems to be speeding up. We have been so blessed in our lives and we try to give the many thanks where they are due. We as a family are so thankful for the sacrifice of the many men and women that allow us our freedoms and pursuit of happiness.

This past Memorial Day weekend we were blessed to be able to continue a tradition that was started several years ago. We had the great opportunity of heading to the cabin with Melissa's sisters to enjoy a weekend of good food, good company, and the great outdoors.

On our way to Smiley Creek Thursday night we were just north of Ketchum when nine Cow Elk ran across the road in front of us. The kids were just enthralled with the majestic beauty of these animals. What a great teaching opportunity for Melissa and I.

We were blessed with snow, rain, and some sunshine. Our riding was held somewhat to a minimum as the snow line was fairly low and we got stuck a couple of times. Thank heavens for healthy, strong brother-in-laws that were able to help each other get out of the snow drifts we bombarded into.

Sunday morning we were able to get 20 people on seven four-wheelers for an all out family ride. The kids loved the ride, sights, sounds, and the clean mountain air.

We have been truly blessed to be able to enjoy such freedoms. Thank you to all that have given the ultimate sacrifice, for serving, and for your accomplishments that the rest of us get to enjoy.

Melissa will enjoy this picture being posted... It was cold and we were bundled for the ride.

Here is a picture of the group that was able to make the short ride. This picture is actually taken on the hill side above Lake Alturas opposite from where the road is.

Monday March 8, 2010

Tough to believe, but year number two has passed since the birth of our very own three ring circus. We have been dealing with a little sickness here and there but are surviving. This past week everyone except Taylor has seen a Doctor and is on Antibiotics. Thank Heavens for modern medicine. Amazingly enough though, Taylor has not brought any illness home as we had originally thought she might.

This past Friday, March 5th, was the second birthday for Ayden, Breagan, and Carmen. We had tons of fun, ate lots of cake and ice cream, and enjoyed the closeness of family, friends, and the well wishing from many unable to attend. Thank you everyone for everything! Melissa and I know that it is a lot of work but that there are also lots of assistance from those around us. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Please enjoy the pictures from the party.




It was truly a good time, however, I could not call it good without giving due credits. Melissa and I have always been taught by loving parents that families will always be together forever. Even though not all of the family was together in person Friday night, they were truly there in Spirit.

The day that the babies were born, Melissa's father, being the good man that he is, went to the gift shop in the hospital and got his lovely daughter a bouquet of flowers. In true country fashion and being a Rancher this vase is nothing short of what we would expect from Jim. The past couple of years the vase has disappeared a couple of days before the kid's birthday and with the help of a dear friend, the vase is displayed for all to see that Grandpa Jim is with us always.

February 6, 2010

About this time of year everyone, you and me included, are feeling a bit crowded in. The weather is not always the best, clouds continually loom overhead, the Sun hides more than radiates, and a common phenomenon called "Cabin Fever" is felt by all, but only if you know any better.

We have been blessed by keeping the kids away from most of the outside influences that attack the common immune system. Taylor, thank heavens, has also been able to stay away from most of the illnesses going around. So as long as Taylor stays healthy and the kids stay indoors for a couple more months, we will make it through yet another cold and flu season and thus onto Summer and the new challenges presented.

With the Sun shining yesterday we thought that we would hit a park and allow the kids to run around a little. They had a blast and enjoyed riding their little bodies of the "Cabin Fever" that will hopefully carry them on through to summer.



Forgive them Uncle Jason, Jeff, and Mark's - They just have no clue and thought that they were bored....