Craziness!!!!!!!!

We have been going nonstop since Thanksgiving! The highlights have been of course St. Nicks Day. The kids each received their treats plus a potato. Wyatt deducted that St. Nick gave the potato because we did not have homemade cookies made for him. ( I'll try to do better next year!) The next week we had 4H meeting, I gave the Clover Bud Christmas party and 4H arts and crafts meeting. The kids made the cutest picture frames. The Christmas party turned out super nice. The kids made a couple of ornaments and we learned about St. Nick and other Christmas customs around the world. The animals have been lambing and kidding. We are almost all through. We have a little bottle baby named Nick. His mama wanted him but did not produce enough milk. She's a first timer. It's been pretty cold out here. We had sleet on the Clover Bud Christmas party. Preston gave a horsemanship clinic at the livestock meeting last Sunday. Jody & Larry came to visit last weekend. It was so much fun spending time with them. They are planning on making this a yearly trip and Preston is supposed to find Larry a hunting lease out here. They have a beautiful travel trailer and we even got to go over for a barbecue that was DELICIOUS! This past week, I worked on coordinating the elementary school Christmas party. It was pulled off without a hitch. The kids had a wonderful time! I was so excited! Lots of work, but they had a great time! We leave tomorrow for New Braunfels and will be there through Sunday. I know I'm all over the place. Sorry, I'll be better organized next post. Everyone have a beautiful Christmas and a blessed New Year! Hope to see most of you in the next few days! Love you all!

Tag You're It........

This picture was back from 2004. We had a birthday party for Shyanne before we came home to Sanderson. As you can see this was the year that Dakota was born.

OK, now you guys have to go to your computer folder.
4th folder down, pick the 4th picture.
Explain the picture
Then, tag some more people.
Lynnan you're the only other blogger that I can tag.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was fast and furious! We had a wonderful day! Marie's coil went out on her stove. So, we did all of my cooking and her's over here. We were hauling food back and forth all day long! But, it was worth it. It turned out wonderfully. Paige, Shawn & Katelynn came down to share in the day! It was so wonderful seeing them and I caught Katelynn's first steps on film at Marie's house before they left. Shyanne was head over heels for Katelynn of course and cried when it was time for her to leave. She helped me put up the Christmas tree while the boys were shoeing so that helped bring her out of the dumps. We had a lot of fun! Wyatt & Dakota went with Preston to shoe horses on Friday. Saturday & Sunday morning, Wyatt & Preston went hunting. Preston said that it is like hunting with a spider monkey. Wyatt is so excited! I hope he gets his deer. Dakota is getting ready for Santa! He's been wanting to wear his Christmas sweater for a month. We have e-mailed Santa and he would really like to talk to Santa to make sure he's got everything straight. We unloaded 205 pointsettias yesterday for the 4H. Shyanne will be going to Rankin on Thursday for the UIL competition. Please keep your fingers crossed for her. And of course St. Nick comes Saturday so I've got to finish painting their ornaments. Have a blessed week! Happy Holidays!

Turkey Shoot

Preston won a turkey at pistol polo. That event was where they set up a bunch of soda cans, everyone had six shots to see who could shoot there can the farthest! I think Preston shot his around 46 feet. It was hilarious watching all these grown men try to shoot these cans. One guy got fed up and ran out and threw his can.

Preston entered into 6 events. They were pretty tough. A lot of the out-of-towners were bringing in a lot higher powered rifles than what the locals were shooting.

Wyatt entered into the 100 yard bench shot. I was so proud of him. He scored a 23 on his first shot ( where Preston scored a 24). On Wyatt's second shot he scored a 17-1X, which for those of you like me that do not understand the scoring 1X is a bullseye. I thought that was pretty awesome for his first shooting competition at 100 yards. He's only been shooting about 50 yards here at home. He's ready for next year. He wants to do the running deer and skeet shooting next year. One of the junior high girls took a really neat picture of Preston & Wyatt together. Guess what I'll be bidding on in the auction in January. The other two kids and I had a great time visiting. Shiny and I had a lot of offers to shoot. Maybe next year.

I think there was a misunderstanding of what weekend that Jody & Larry were coming out so we are definitely looking forward to an upcoming visit.

Everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to Paige and her family coming out on Wednesday! I've already told Shiny not to swallow Kaitlynn when they come out!

School Pics came in!

Kiddos!

Hope everyone had a great week! Ours was fast and furious as usual! All the normal stuff going on here! We had a livestock meeting last week and found out that Odessa does not offer a dorper class. So, despite already paying in our validation fees it looks like Shiny is knocked out of that show this year! We'll be showing at the Terrell County Fair and getting another year to practice before going to the bigger shows. Hopefully, we'll be coming to San Antonio next year!
Shyanne has a huge science test that we have been studying for all week! She's doing great but mitosis and meiosis is still confusing her a bit. She did really good on it this morning before she left. Please keep your fingers crossed for her! From what I understand, Shyanne is going to UIL in oral reading and the spelling team. They have been working really hard after school on these.

Wyatt is doing great! Poor guy, he's been able to get his homework done in the car all week while we are waiting on Shyanne. He's got a science vocabulary test on Monday. I think he'll ace it. Gracie Lu is doing really good ( his goat). He hasn't had much time to work with his horse, maybe this weekend! His schoolwork is getting harder, I warned him that it was coming. He just didn't believe me.

Dakota is nuttier than ever. He was so proud the other night, he peeled his first potato all by himself. I was fixing mashed potatoes to go with the fried goat meat and he wanted to help. He's my big helper. He is really good at helping sort clothes, and vaccuuming. He is hilarious to watch. Did you know that you can get divities from eating too much candy. We had a discussion because I was silly enough to think that they are called cavities. Oh well, as long as I can learn something new!

Woo! Hoo! My Christmas present is being delivered Monday. I'm excited about having a digital camera again! I let Preston know yesterday that his shopping for me was already done. Hee! Hee!The Turkey Shoot is Sunday. Preston and Wyatt will be competing. I wish I had the camera for that. I've got a couple dozen cookies to bake for that today. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at school with the kids yesterday. That turned out really nice. We have a nice surprise this weekend. Jody and Larry are supposed to drop by and visit. They are at a friend's out here for a few days. We are really excited to visit! I'll try to post Moday and let you know how the Turkey Shoot goes but if I don't get to it. Have a blessed Thankgiving Day! I love all you guys!

90 to nothing.......

Busy, Busy, Busy
We have been running this week! Shyanne & Wyatt got to use the voting machines at the 4H meeting this week. The county clerk put together a mock election to explain the voting process at the courthouse for the kids this week. The results were printed in the paper today! Tuesday we followed them up with a tour of the courthouse. The kids got to walk into the jail cell. They were very excited! We also made turkeys out of the kids hand & foot prints. Shyanne has had UIL practice after school almost everyday. So, Wyatt, Dakota & I have done our homework in the school parking lot almost everyday after school this week. The kids animals are doing great! Gracie Lu has a little rattle so she'll have her shot this afternoon. Oh, and Wyatt has his first slumber party tonight! He is SOOOOOO excited!And has let his sister know that she is definitely not invited! They are having this shindig in Tammy & Wayne's travel trailer. They are having a concession stand and boy's movies! Wayne will be staying with the boys! Hee! Hee! Dakota has been working on his flashcards very diligently! He has everything under control, or so he thinks!

Halloween Carnival

The Halloween Carnival was a huge success! The second grade class had the balloon stomp and the fish pond and we volunteered our hands at the 4th and 5th grade concession stand! Mom & Dad came out to watch Shyanne's last home game of the season, and we 45d Dell City. So, the game was short & sweet. Then, Saturday morning we started the preparation for the 2nd grade booths. Omie & Opie were huge helps and we couldn't have pulled everything off without their help this weekend. We stuffed numbers into 163 balloons and used an air compressor to blow them up and tied them. We set everything up for both booths, delivered the tables to the concession stand and were ready for our little ghosts and goblins by 1:30 Saturday. Then, the other parents were supposed to help so that Omie & Opie could play most of the carnival. Needless to say, that's not how it worked out. I had one dad show up for first shift and Mrs. Mendoza and Mrs. Henderson helped on the second shift. Dad & Preston worked the 2nd Grade booth with me almost the whole time and Mom started my 5:00 shift at the concession stand until Mrs. Mendoza relieved me so that I could take my shift at the 4th & 5th grade table. It was really crazy but a huge success! We made $79.50 for the second grade class and I haven't heard what our profit was at the 4th & 5th tables.
Last weekend we had the 4H Auction and brought in around $6200 for our 4H Club. I thought that was amazing!
The kids had a fast and furious Halloween. I'm sorry my digital camera went caput. I'm kind of lost without it. They had a wonderful visit with Omie & Opie. We started target practice yesterday. Wyatt is going to shoot his first deer this coming mule deer season. He is so excited about putting "meat on our table." Shyanne is going back and forth as to whether she wants to or not. I told her not to worry, everything will come in time. Dakota is full of it as usual. He helped Preston and I shoe horses this morning and is knocking his daddy's footsteps out today.
Please say a prayer for Cindy Kelso. She's a very sweet lady in town that is having surgery on her colon this week to remove tumors, gallstones and her appendix. They are hoping that the cancer has not spread and it is looking promising. She could use that extra lift from up above though.
Y'all have a great week.

Our week

Wyatt and Shyanne have been working with their stock this week. They had a fun weekend. Hunter came over and we played balloon volleyball. Dakota kept tackling Hunter, but he was a really good sport about it. Dakota was just so excited. Shyanne's sheep are validated so we just have to keep them below 120 pounds before the end of January. That will be a chore since Wild Bill already weighs in at 89 pounds and Bullhead is 73. The Odessa show is Jan.1st and the Terrell County Fair will be on the 31st this year. We'll be picking up Wyatt's PeeWee Goat this coming Sunday afternoon. He's already working on his mare and she's doing really good. Shyanne's been slacking on her horse a bit but she'll be getting down to business soon. Because this year she'll actually be competing with her brother. Hee! Hee! Say a prayer for us, please! Nothing that exciting this week, the 4H Auction is this weekend. We'll be volunteering there. Hopefully we'll get a lot of money together for the kids. We have our first serious norther blowing in today! The wind just hit, the cold will be filtering in throughout the day! BBBRRRRRR! Y'all have a great week! Love you all!

On a Sad Note

Everyone here is happy and healthy. However, Saturday afternoon, Preston's Aunt Connie lost her battle to cancer and passed. We traveled to La Vernia yesterday and she was laid to rest next to Jack's mom & dad in the Stockdale cemetary. She had a beautiful service and I was able to meet some of Preston's cousins and introduce our kids for the first time. Jack & Marie also got to meet Kaitlynn ( Paige's beautiful baby) for the first time. She's something else! Such a rounder! Let me tell you, that was a trip. We left before 7 and got home at 10 last night. It was so nice to get to see most of Preston's family though. I had to laugh, I understood what Preston met when he first met my family trying to keep names and faces straight was quite a challenge.

A week in the life..........

This was a SUPER busy week for us. Preston left Monday for a shoeing trip and was gone through Wednesday. Monday held the 4H meeting for our afternoon and although the meeting was rather uneventful we still had quite a bit of excitement in store for us. Wyatt will get to compete for the horse championship buckle this year, thanks to Wayne! WOO HOO! He is so excited. They just allowed him to exhibition last year because he was so young. Wayne went to bat for him the other night and needless to say, he is now in the competition. Last weekend Mark, the county agent, brought in eight show pigs. The kids & I ran over with Tammy to look at the new prospects. They were so cute. When we were ready to go, Hunter (Tammy's son and one of Wyatt's best friends out here) decided to race back to Tammy's suburban. As competitive as Wyatt is, he thought he was going to lose and jumped at Tammy's car. He fell and hit the step with his head. It busted his head open. Poor Hunter turned a little green and we heard " Aw Mom, there's blood!" Wyatt was in a bit of shock. The poor baby was just moaning. Tammy called Wayne and he got Leila ( one of our EMT's). He had a slight concussion and used the Liquid bandage to glue his head back together. He has a bruise down the side of his head from his eyebrow to over his ear. He was upset about his school pictures being ruined, but I told him that he would look like My Wyatt. He slept with me that night and was upset because I was getting him up periodically to ask him questions. Needless to say, he did not sleep with me the next night.

Tuesday was our Clover Bud meeting. This month was fitness is fun and some Halloween crafts. Shyanne was excited because she read a Halloween story to the class for me. She also helped some of the girls when we were making our egg carton bats and spiders. It turned out really nice but we didn't have time for the balloon volleyball. I planned too many activities.

Wednesday was picture day. Shyanne got up early and we curled her hair. FIRST TIME EVER for picture day! Wyatt looked so sharp and Cody was very upset, so we dressed up at home and had a photography session at the house. Then of course Dad came home and that's always a good day. Let me tell you, homework and activities can be pretty overwhelming without Preston for a backup.

Thursday, I went with Shyanne's class to the Chihuahan Desert Research Institute. IT WAS COLD! 58 for a high at 2:oo. It was a really neat experience for the kids though. It was held in Fort Davis and several graduate students from Sul Ross help put it on every year. We learned about minerals and rocks. There was a mining exhibit, dug for fossils, learned how to make soil, saw the surface of the sun, learned about river erosion, earthquakes, and meteor impacts. These are a few of the things that were covered.We stopped at Dairy Queen in Alpine on the way home. That's always a special treat. And I got to know Shiny's teacher better. A really neat day!

Today is somewhat quiet! Tomorrow holds grocery shopping! Yippee!!! We haven't been in 6 weeks. I've been getting pretty creative in the kitchen lately. Then, Sunday we will be validating Shyanne's show lambs. The kids want to have Kenny Mae and Hunter over this weekend, too! I hope that we can fit it all in.

That was our week! Hope this finds everyone happy and healthy. Love to all!

Lynn we are so glad you are home!

The Lord has blessed our lives again!

The most wonderful news of all. Lynn had her surgery this week. The pathology report indicated that yes there was cancer in the middle of the tumor; however, they said that this is the next best thing to not having cancer. Lynn will have to be checked for the next ten years. But, she is on the road to recovery. Audrey( her mom), Jason and his mom are helping her out immensely and taking such good care of her. Audrey took time out of her busy schedule to send e-mail updates and Jason did such a wonderful job updating Lynn's blog. May God continue to bless them and take care of Lynn in her recovery. Thanks for all your prayers!

Parent Teacher Conference

We got through Homecoming week! Whew! The kids had a great time and the Sanderson Eagles won the game pretty handily! The cheerleaders and the pep squad girls did a really cute dance during half time. Lots of fun!

Wyatt was the topic of conversation yesterday. Mrs. Mendoza thinks Wyatt is so cute! She said that he gets really excited about his work. But, we have to slow down a little bit. It seems that there is a race to see who gets their work in first. Three of the boys have also had a competition going to see who can read the hardest books that they can get their little fingers on. I wasn't the first parent to question my second grader bringing home 3rd and 4th grade books to read every day. Mrs. Mendoza is really pleased with Wyatt though. She said that he is progressing nicely. Wyatt made the AB Honor Roll the first six weeks and let me tell you that is not an easy chore in this class.

Wyatt and Shyanne went to their 4H Arts and Crafts class yesterday. They are sewing pillows for the fair. Wyatt's is a red and black baseball pillow and Shyanne has picked some really pretty colors that is ALL GIRL! They are soo cute!

Shyanne had pep squad practice yesterday. She's working on hand stands now and the cart wheels are getting better. I haven't gotten her grades yet. But, Mrs. Hamilton said that I have nothing to worry about. We are having a parent meeting today to meet about the booth for the Halloween carnival. I've almost got the second grade booth lined up, I've just got to line parents up to work.

Last but certainly no least, Dakota is doing great! He's been spending a lot of time with Preston between my teacher meetings and Preston will be leaving to shoe next week. It's so cute to watch him riding Speedbump while Preston is riding his colts everyday. He's also been giving his advice on how Preston should be building the dogpens in the back. He comes in rubbing his head and telling me how hard he's been working ( he just doesn't tell me, that it's been his mouth.) He's too funny!

Have a great week!

Homecoming Week

Well we have entered into homecoming week. Today is flip flop , hats & shades day. So, Shyanne and Wyatt where looking pretty cool when they left for school this morning. Dakota even got into the act putting his crocs, ballcap & glasses on. This afternoon consists of 4H and pep squad practice. Tomorrow is fashion disaster day & crazy hair day. Wednesday is pajama day. Thursday is twin day plus the parade. Wyatt gets to ride his bicycle this year. Shyanne won the bike spirit contest last year. We'll see if we can hold onto the title with Wyatt' bike. Dakota wants to ride his bike too. There still is much discussion on this subject. Wyatt thinks that this is saved for the older kids honor. Shyanne will be on the cheerleaders float this year!The annual bonfire will follow. It's really neat, I just don't want to run down main street this year. And then on Friday we have the BLACKOUT pep rally and the homecoming football game! Eagle spirit! WOO HOO!!!!!! Oh, and Ms. Mendoza made me the official 2nd grade room mother this morning and I've got the Clover Bud Kids for 4H this year! They are soo cute! Too much fun!