Arts and Crafts With Dad - Edition I

It's great when a hobby is so versatile as to incorporate your toughest and softest sides.

In this first installment of the long awaited "Arts and Crafts With Dad" we demonstrate just how these dichotomous tendencies can merge, even in the hobby of Firearms Appreciation and Operation. :)

The "cough" redneck painting booth

The supplies


The finished product

The effect

Pretty cool huh? The girls even keep their eyes out for 'good bits of nature' that Dad can use on his next project. Everyone has to have a hobby! Maybe he'll do his bike next. :)

Thanksgiving At The Resort

Tether ball, watch out Napoleon!

Rockin' out on the Dock of the Bay
(er, small fishing pond)

A happy monkey on the monkey bars

Lounging with Dad


The Snowflake Arizona Temple

A New Favorite!

Thanks to my Father, we were able to go on a very nice vacation after Dad's return. We stayed at a very cool resort in the high desert of Arizona for a little over a week. We had a great time at the resort, and driving around Arizona.

Petrified Forest National Park

Hike on a local trail

Our main goal and the biggest adventure by far was going to Grand Canyon. I LOVE GRAND CANYON! I could live there. -I do have to admit that we were there in mild (even almost cold) weather, and off season, so it wasn't very crowded. I might not be so enthusiastic if it had been in the July or August heat. - I guess I'll just have to go back then to be sure. :)

We made it!

(Big Red is right behind Dad, you can barely see her, but she's close by.)

We hiked about a quarter mile down Bright Angel Trail with the girls.
It was nerve racking, but fun. The girls were great! and (mostly) had a good grasp of the danger nearby. Unfortunately there were quite a few risk takers around to serve as examples of what not to do.

Antics on our little hike.
You can see her feet firmly planted on firm ground on the wall side of the trail.


Tired after our hike below the rim.
We couldn't leave! We just kept saying "lets just see whats over here, then we'll eat", or "then we'll leave". And it kept getting darker and colder...but they kept hanging in there!

Finally An Update!

My list of excuses is long and varied, but it all ends with me doing other things than tending to this blog. I've even been on the computer a bit, just not online. Here's a little piece of what we've been up to.

Halloween was a lot of fun. I got very ambitious and decided in September to finally make dresses from a pattern that I've had for at least 5yrs. Having four little girls, and being Laura Ingalls Wilder fans, we have wanted to be the Ingalls family for Halloween for a while. That's a lot of dresses, bonnets, aprons, pantaloons, and chemises to make. This year I had my chance. I started mid September and did the underclothes and apron/bonnets, leaving just about one dress a week for the month of October. It was nuts, but I got it done, and it did keep me busy! Next year we'll have to add Pa. His should be easier, a pair of suspenders and a big-sleeved blouse. I already have a hat.

Trying to be serious and "old fashioned"


Sorting their loot in their newest favorite pajamas.
-The pantaloons and chemises from their costumes!

Here is a picture of the long awaited Welcome Home!

There And Back Again, Again.

 I had intended to use this post to show pictures of our happy reunion.  Daddy's Home!  However, while packing for vacation, I remembered to pack the memory cards for the camera and forgot to pack the adapter for the camera to the computer!!   So here I am with time on my hands and free wi fi (borrowed from the coffee shop downstairs) and I still can't properly update the blog.  Suffice it to say, Dad is home safe and sound.  We couldn't be more thrilled and thankful.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  

Pumpkin Fun!

My girls are so big that it wasn't hectic to do pumpkins this year. In fact it was a little boring. They didn't need much help or direction at all. Next year I'm doing one too so I can join in the fun!

God Bless Texas

I did a crazy thing this past Saturday. I rode my bike for a hundred miles. This was an organized event and one that I planned and trained for. -but not enough. One hundred miles is a long way, but it's even longer alone. There were only 59 participants about 15 of which were elite athletes or team members that we never saw again after the start.

I chatted with a couple Grandpas during the first 10 FREEZING miles, lost a spoke, adjusted my brakes, and settled in for the long haul. I kept leap frogging the Grandpas throughout the day, we took breaks at different times, but I caught up with them at lunch. We chatted a bit, they had joined the rest of their group, a couple more riders, and it was discovered that this was my first century. We discussed some of the training involved, and this was when the seed of pity was planted.

Having underestimated the distance, being a bit impulsive, and having limited time for long (lonely) training rides, I was undertrained. I left lunch before them, but they caught me 10 miles later at mile 70. After this point they never let me drop.

They were silly, and kept my mind off the...discomforts of riding. They were interesting, entertaining and knowledgeable. They thanked me for my Husband's service and told stories about their children. I even got nagged about maintaining nutrition toward the end of the ride.

I learned a couple things from this experience.

1. Don't enter a century without at least one friend.
2. Train properly. It's not a long run. You can't just walk if you get tired. And the longer you're out there, the more... uncomfortable you become.
3. Texans are nicest people in the world.

We all know I love my fair state of Missouri, but Texans take the prize for down home consideration and kindness. We have thought so for a while, but this solidified our thoughts on the matter.

Thank you kind Sir's from Midland, TX. I likely would have been pulled off the course crying without you!

From the End of Summer

Looking for horses at the Fair. (There were none.)

All dressed up with no where to go. Missing Daddy.

To Ferris Wheel or not to Ferris Wheel. (They did, with mixed results.)

First Day of School silliness.

M-I-Z Z-O-U

"Double Digits!"

Big Red had a birthday last month! We took her to the annual Balloon Festival.
We got out of bed on a Saturday around 5:30am, picked up donuts and breakfast burritos on the way, and got to White Sands just in time to stake a claim on a dune overlooking one of the main lift-off sites.


Some of the balloons went right over our heads. They were close enough to see the smiles on the faces of the balloonists! The girls made a game of trying to run underneath them as long as they could. (Which seemed like it was probably some sort of safety violation, but by the time I explained the danger, most of the balloons had launched.)


They danced and drew pictures in the sand while keeping an eye on the balloons, and we walked around enjoying the different perspectives and watching the sky clear and the sun come out.

This visit, in addition to the fanciful balloons, there was a BIG PUDDLE. Quite unusual for these parts. It was a huge, 3-5 inch, crystal clear, fresh puddle on the white sand.

We held out as long as we could, but really, what's the use...



The puddle was almost as fun as the balloons, but without the balloons, the puddle would not have been as "magical."


Happy Magical, Double-Digit Birthday, Big Red! We love you!

Finished At Last?

Dining room - New light fixture.

Kitchen - New counter top, faucet, over the range microwave and cabinet,
fridge, and cabinet hardware.

A Long Time Ago In A School Year Far Far Away...

...our little Yippie-Skippie hit a milestone!

In May she turned 8 years old and was Baptized!

She was nervous and shy and excited. -And every minute was wonderful!

Since Dad wasn't around to perform the Baptism, Great Grandpa did the honors.

It was such a blessing for him and Nonnie and GrandMary and Grandpa Lynn to be a part of this occasion.
What a great visit!

What do Aliens and Fishermen have in common?

Just before school ended this year our family went to see one of our favorite kid bands in concert. --A miracle for this town! It was an event that has added to our already bizarre family culture. (Hopefully our kids will grow beyond our family jokes and eventually someone will want to marry them.)

Trout Fishing In America Great music, fun show!

Below is a link to Little Reds Favorite song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB2m5nJnHnI

Here, she demonstrates what could be, with a sticky stretchy alien she bought at the Roswell Alien Festival! (More on that later.)

One Happy Trekkie!!

So I'm into two min posts right now. I can only post things that take tops 2 min.
So, in the following days, before I delve into family pictures, a trip, a visit, a Baptism, counter tops (solid surface), and all the rest of the madness that has been going on here, let me just say...

Go See The Star Trek Movie!

My mother and I saw it last week, and I saw it again tonight with some friends. It was pretty clean, no blood, one quick "bed" moment, very little swearing, just enough Star Trek cheese, and a plot! It was ultimately wonderful to watch the crew be placed into their roles. Like setting up a chessboard! I enjoyed every minute and can't wait to see it again! Maybe I'll start recording Original episodes and make a New Generation of Trekkies. :) Enjoy.

Survivors Club Financial Survival Widget

Quick Pick!

Please excuse the mess, We have paint swatches on the walls, and silverware in a bin, and ... well, we live here, and at least I got to work out this morning, right? This post was a last min thing for a friend. I Need Input Fast!

We are updating our kitchen to sell next spring (probably). New counters, hardware and lighting.
We have narrowed our search for (cheapest) laminate counters and now have to decide and order.

Our problems -Staying neutral is a bit boring
-I'm afraid of loosing a too-neutral counter top into the floor
-The wood grain on our cabinets is very pronounced and busy (but nice)

Our choices

On the tile floor.

One blends right into the tile, the other is too busy?

By the cabinets

Grey against the cabinets

Grey against the Tile

I think I like the grey best, but I'm too scared and everyone else says no.
-We've got to be able to sell.

Ideas?