Thanksgiving

We have officially began the Christmas season. Tuesday night we went down to the Conference center in Salt Lake and saw the play "Savior of the World". We took Paige, Grandma and Grandpa. The next day several of us were sitting in the dentist chair bright and early. We loaded up the cars and all went to the movie. It was wonderful. After we ate an entire cow at the rib place. wonderful evening. Today, is Thanksgiving and we are having dinner in Jeremy and Michelle's house. More to come.

Jeremy's Vision of All Loveliness

Todd has asked me to write up a little blurb on Jeremy and Michelle. You are going to forgive all grammar, spelling, and convention errors as you read. This is no easy task, for there is a long, long, long, story associated with these two. I am afraid I must back up to 4 years ago, this February. Since I have been asked, it will of course, come from my take on the whole situation. If this is not satisfactory then Todd should write it himself and or have the two of them write their own take on this fairy tale romance. We are all aware of the famous story of Cinderella, well, this is Cinderfella in reverse. We can not believe that this beautiful, accomplished, wonderful young woman loves our sweet Jeremy. Now we love him unconditionally, but to have "The Vision of All Loveliness" love him, it is truly a dream come true. Quoting Cinderella herself, "It is more than I could have hoped for". In 2005 Jeremy was sitting with me in the stands at the state wrestling in Casper. He was finished and it was before the finals and we were relaxing and talking. We were sitting above the Green River section 20 rows up. Jeremy says to me. "Mom see that girl. She is the vision of all loveliness". I kid you not, he was that dramatic. He has always been dramatic. He wore a black silk cape to church every week for a year. He has always been in the super hero world, unless he was asleep of course. I squinted and saw a small girl with long blond hair. I teased him as only a mother should. He said she was the one for him, the girl he was going to marry. Clearly, how is a mother supposed to resist teasing, it is not physically, mentally or emotionaly possible. We noticed that she was with the Green River crowd and that was all we knew. That Monday after state I had the opportunity to have a student teacher in my room out of the University of Wyoming. Her name was Tiffany, and she just happened to be from Green River. She is due all the credit for making this engagement and marriage happen. I was telling the ladies in my room about how funny and silly Jeremy was over this girl. Tiffany, who has a brother and husband that wrestled, pipes up and said she knows exactly who the girl is. Weird. Jeremy has Tiffany ask Michelle's mom if she thinks that Michelle would be willing to go out with him. She says sure and he is on the phone ready to go. I wish I could tell you all about the hysterical phone conversation from his end. He sets the date and is going to go to Green River with a friend for a double date. He is totally revved up and can not wait. They drive over and are unable to navigate to her house. After the third call telling the girls they were lost, the girls found out their location, the Pizza Hut, and told them to stay there, they would come rescue them. It was a wonderful date and Jeremy was a goner. Unbeknown to her, she had him hook, line, and sinker. He created a plan and asked her to his Junior Prom. She responded yes with three pizzas from Pizza Hut being delivered to Evanston High. If you knew Jeremy at all you would know that pizza is his favorite food. The prom was a wild two day extravaganza. It was truly a dream night for Jeremy. It will be fun someday to get Michelle's take on this same situation. From then on, they dated off and on for the next year, his senior year and her first year at BYU. It was only a handful of dates. Jeremy left on his mission, she may have written him 6 or so times. He came home on a Wednesday and by Friday he was calling Green River to locate a number for her at BYU. Michelle agreed to go out with him that Saturday. He was just as revved up as he was 4 years earlier. He took her to the Scottish Festival in Payson, Utah. They have dated all fall, all over the Utah Valley and have now set a date for marriage on May the 9th. We don't know how our Cinderfella landed this beautiful princess, but we know we are grateful and thank our Heavenly Father daily for her in his life.

Green Truck

Back in 1996 Grandpa Chuck, Granny, Debbie and Me all went down to Utah to by a truck or we were in Utah and decided to go looking for a truck I can't remember because it was so long ago. We walked around until Granny found this nice green truck. We all piled in it and took it for a drive. It seemed like the perfect truck. Four doors lots of room and comfort. The truck has done about everything that two guys can think of putting it through. It went to New York City, twice. It has been hooked to all sorts of loads hauling horses, cows, pipe, hay, tractors, campers, cars that have broke down on the freeway and wrestlers. At 120,000 miles it needed a new engine and at 200,000 we needed a dually. Grandpa had built a rather nice but long hay hauling trailer that crushed all of our other trucks.

Grandpa, Marty, Me and a bunch of high school kids all started working on making the truck into a dually with a little flat bed to go along with it. It has taken three years of our time and three years of welding and auto classes to finish the project.

Grandpa figured that they put in over 400 man hours of welding and fabrication work on the bed. Marty put on about 12 layers of paint, 3 coats of primer, 3 coats sealer, 3 coats color and 3 coats of clear. In the end, the entire truck was repainted. Marty and Grandpa teased me that everytime they saw me I was wiring on the bed. They figured that I had spent more time wiring than all of the other jobs. It has a few tricks that we can't tell anybody but here are the ones that I can tell you about the bed.

• The floor and the length of the bed stayed the same as the bed of the original truck.
• The box behind the cab is the same height as the sides of the original truck.
• The lights and wiring have been kept seperate of the original truck.
• The two little boxes in front of the duals are the only pre-made tool boxes.
• There are no handles on the tool boxes that we made and they open with remote buttons.
• The tool box doors all open with either a spring assist or hydraulic assisted rams.
• There are three seprate electrical selinoids that handle the lights and accessories.
• There are air bags that assist in keeping the truck running level.
• There is an air compressor system with an 100 gallon air tank hidden in the bed.
• The fuel intakes are both hidden.
• There are slideable trays in the lower boxes for bolts and electrical connectors.
• The upper tool boxes use car door latches to hold them shut.

There is a story about the latches. Marty, Grandpa and me were in a debate about the latches. I had purchased latches for the outside of the boxes but we couldn't figure out how to get them to hold on to the doors. Grandpa figured the the only way was to put the latch right on top of the lid which would of caught water and ice. We all knew there wasn't any easy, good places for the latches but we were at a stand still. Then Marty remembered putting on automatic door openers on a pickup for a kid a couple of years ago and so he suggested that idea. It was a winner. It is the best trick of the whole bed.

Zach Returns

This is Debbie writing for the blog, usually it is Todd and Peggy, and since it is me, it will be my take on the event. I must admit I have been a little, no a lot, focused on the wedding of Tyler, which by the way, is next week. Due to this obsession, I had not been aware of others in the world. I only go on my daily to do list, checking things off and accomplishing the many related tasks. Peggy mentioned on Saturday, that Zack our nephew, Scott's boy, was coming in from Iraq one day soon. She told us that Scott and Linda may or may not be able to come to the wedding depending on the day he comes in. That was exciting and great news and certainly understandable. She said she would let us know when he was coming home. On Sunday Peggy finds out that Zack is coming into Salt Lake City on Monday. They don't know a time, but let's all go down. I told her, you bet, sure, we would love to, and in my mind I am frantically going through to see if I can get my million errands that are on my Monday list done and still get to see Zack come home. I am still in my "I" mode, which I am sad to admit. At 2:00 was the time to meet at the airport. Let me tell you, that was the most humbling, emotional, touching and interesting experience I have ever had. When I was little I went to the airport with my mom and grandmother to send off my grandma's sister. She was a little on the grumpy side and so I am sure everyone was glad her visit was coming to an end. However, when I got to the airport, I immediately started to cry for some strange reason. Ever since that experience, I cry at airports coming or going, me or anyone else. Complete strangers, various trips, different purposes for the trips, it doesn't matter I am a basket case at airports. I probably need some kind of medication before I even get in the car. Anyway, we pull into the army air base and park the car. We start walking toward a big building with about 1,000 other people. Mind you, I had no idea what to expect. We went to a large hanger where the families were waiting for the plane to be unloaded. I wasn't there 10 seconds, when all the airport emotions started to flow. The sight was unreal, families with signs, young moms with their babies and small children waiting for their dads, brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents, it was overwhelming. I could not get my emotions in check. Two rows of soldiers with flags lined the walkway of the young men coming out of the plane. Coming off the plane they all looked the same, dressed the same, same build, but there was no missing Zack. He was about the fourth one off the plane. Watching him hug his mom, sisters, and family, broke my heart. He looked wonderful. While he was saying hello to everyone, I looked around and saw the same emotional reunion with all the other families. My feelings on the war in Iraq have been limited, it has not touched me personally. I know I love my country. I know that we have freedom,

because of these brave men, but I was hit with a sledge hammer on Monday witnessing this sight. I felt in awe of these young men, honored to be in their presence. I am appalled and embarrassed at my apathy towards the war and the efforts of all the young men who are willing to leave their homes, family and country to enable me to have freedom. It was an eye opening and humbling experience. I have a new respect and gratitude for Zack and my nephew Lyle who is still out, as well as all of those other soldiers. I am indebted to these men and women who serve, as well as, their families who let them leave and support them. It was a wonderful experience, one that I will treasure always.

Here is the Video from KSL News. Zach is walking between the flags.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDz9RBZrpM



The article from KSL

Utah soldiers return home after 10-month deployment
May 26th, 2008 @ 10:00pm
Sarah Dallof and Sam Penrod reporting


Eighty Utah soldiers from the First Battalion, 145th Field Artillery Unit, had special reason to celebrate on Memorial Day: they're home with loved ones for the first time in 10 months.
Their plane landed at the Air National Guard Base at 765 N. 2200 W. in Salt Lake City just a few minutes before 2 p.m. Monday.

Before the landing, family and friends waited anxiously inside, holding homemade signs and American flags. Members of the 145th have been gone since June, and they've definitely been missed.

Evelyn Black was waiting for her sons. She said, "It's like a big pit in your stomach, and it never goes away until they're coming back to safe ground, back to Utah."
Two brothers had an incredible story to tell. One was returning, the other anxiously waiting. Their family excitedly welcomed Jon Carlson home Monday. His twin brother, James, is also with the National Guard. The brothers actually served together on a previous tour.
"He actually signed up before I did. Once he had signed up, then I figured, you know, I've gotta follow my brother," James said.

As the plane landed, the Carlson family was front and center. James was the first to hug Jon. Jon said, "It was amazing. Pretty much the best feeling in my life."
The twins and the family are back together and already looking toward the future.
There were a lot of cheers and tears as soldiers searched for their loved ones. After hugs, they started making plans. They were deciding where to eat, what to do and where to go on vacation.
Those are some hard-earned vacations. These soldiers were performing military-police duties in Iraq since June.
Spc. Christopher Braisted said, "It's pretty windy, sandy, the sky isn't as clear as it is here. It's pretty good to see some blue skies and see some mountains."

The soldiers in the 145th spent nearly the last year at Camp Bucca, Iraq, a prison camp built in the desert of Southern Iraq just across from the Kuwaiti border. It's where approximately 19,000 Iraqi detainees are held, including 2,000 al-Qaida prisoners.
Just last month, CNN got a rare look inside Camp Bucca, where the 145th has been stationed. The Utah troops worked as military police guards, providing security and responding to riots within the camp.

Sgt. Jonathon Carlson told us, "We worked a lot together, and we worked really well together. So despite being away from family, it was bearable, but it sure is good to be home."
The soldiers' homecoming in Utah is also a drastic change of climate, from 115 degrees last week in Iraq to what they came home to Monday.
Spc. Braisted said, "There's hardly any vegetation out there where I was. It only rained a few times, so it's pretty neat to come back and see rain for the first time in months."
This is the first of three groups that will be coming home in the next few days.
The soldiers have been undergoing the demobilization process at Fort Bliss, Texas, since arriving back on U.S. soil earlier this week.
The 145th consists of soldiers from Logan, Brigham City, Manti, Spanish Fork, Fillmore and Camp Williams.

Mom's Adoption Story

Mom's Story about her family

Wax Museum

Paige was part of her class wax museum. They all meet in the school gym and when you push on a button the student would give a little speech telling you who they were. She learned much from this experience. She was hesitant to take her gun, because it is a weapon and that is breaking school rules. She is very aware of the school rules, unlike the 4 Nixon boys and that includes Todd. The boys at school did think that it was pretty cool that she had her very own BB gun. Today, she had her recorder concert. The kids could earn Karate belt colors for passing off different levels of songs. She has her black belt. She passed Miles, Jeremy, and Tyler and knew more than just "Hot Cross Buns". On Saturday, she is dancing in a competition at Lagoon. I will try to bring a camera, since I did forget it for the concert. I always do lose "Mother of the Year Award" soon after January 1st. We will not be spending the day on rides. We are hustling home to go to the bridal shower for Kandice.

Oh happy day, only 35 days until we have joint

custody with someone else with that sweet Tyler. We love that girl.



The other little gal sitting on a desk at the Wax Museum is Ashlee Thornock. She is a little friend of Paige.

Ellen Watson, dubbed by Wyoming newspapers in the late 1880’s, as “Cattle Kate,” was long thought of as an outlaw. Watson, and her boyfriend (or husband,) Jim Averell were hanged by vigilantes near the Sweetwater River in Wyoming on July 20, 1889, for the accused crime of cattle rustling. However, since their deaths, historians have theorized that their murders were unjustified, perpetrated by powerful land and cattle barons of the time. This was just one of the many actions taken by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association who controlled the cattle industry in Wyoming and was trying to run off the small cattle owners.
Though the six men who hanged the pair were charged with murder, key witnesses began to mysteriously die or disappear and all of them were acquitted. Both Averell and "Cattle Kate" were "tried" in the press, which was owned or influenced by the cattle barons, and branded as "outlaws."

You Know When .......

YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RANCHER'S WIFE WHEN:

1. When your Family Home Evening is a trip to the stockyards;

2. When your family vacation is a trip to the county fair!

3. When you use the car wash as a cow wash (to "clean 'em up, ready to win de prize")

4. When you have a bear in your bedroom and a moose on your wall;

5. When your trophy room doubles as a bedroom;

6. When your front room is nicknamed the "Dead-Head" room;

7. When the hamburger in the freezer is from the cow who crushed you into the fence;

8. When your better-half puts a calf in the bathtub;

9. When he uses your blow dryer to dry it off;

10. When your "mud room" is really filled with mud, and sometimes blood;

11. When you've pulled more calves than weeds;

12. When the beef in the freezer is the "cow from the wash";

13.When you are pulled over by a cop for transporting "the cow from the wash" in the back-hoe bucket;

14. When your kindergarten child explains preg testing in sharing time;

15. When your grandson thinks cows "poop out" their calves;

16. When hunting comes before your birthday;

17. When the horse your hubby rides was your birthday present;

18. When you use your car to herd the cows and a cow dents the fender;

19. When you hope the next wreck you're, in dents the same fender;

20. When you are the cook for the hay crew;

21. When you are the hay crew;

22. When you holler for the kids, but the dogs come;

23. When the consequence for misbehavior is shoveling manure;

24. When you spend more hours in the day on the way to and from the bus stop than the kids spend watching TV;

25. When you only get to watch TV to get the weather - on all stations and at all times of the day;

26. When you can pack for a week-long pack trip in 30 minutes;

27. When you know what a pack trip is;

28. When your only recipe book is for a Dutch oven;

29. When your only pans are Dutch ovens;

30. When you hubby's lost in the woods and 17 horse trailers pulled by Power Stroke Diesels show up before search and rescue.

31. When you take your hubby's Power Stroke to town and get an arm cramp from waving;

32. When you open the washer and it's full of newly washed calf ears;

33. When "Show and Tell" is not a pretty rock but bull horns;

34. When the biggest junk collectors are ranchers and teachers and he is both;

35. When you get a flat from an empty hypodermic needle;

36. When your hubby gets a bull bag for Christmas and his next present is "utterly" ridiculous;

37. When he "Displays" the bull bag on the front room coffee table as the centerpiece;

38. When your daughters wedding breakfast is held at the Big Z;

39. When your Lamaze partner is your Mother-in-law;

40. When your greatest shopping pleasure changes from Nordstrom’s to Smith and Edwards;

41. When you order dessert at the Big Z!!!

42. When you know what the "Big Z" is! (it happens to be a diner close to the livestock auction)

43. When you move bales before breakfast;

44. When your tractor is the only vehicle with air conditioning and full surround sound stereo with a remote;

45. When you do the dishes while the rest of the hay crew sleeps on the floor.

46. When there are more grandkids in the hay crew than adults!

(During the year that Paige was born, one of the popular things on the radio was Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Know You’re a Redneck when…” While waiting in the doctor’s office and eating, Debbie and Mom made up this list:)