Gradeschool Essentials

Chickadee was making a game for a class assignment.  Big Red and I were giving her suggestions.  I suggested that one of the cards could say, "Give a high five to the person sitting next to you."

Big Red looked at me wide eyed.  "Mom, she'll be playing this game in school."  

I gave her a questioning look, unable to find the horror in a high five.

"With her classmates!" she urged.

 -blank stare- 

"BOYS!" 

I finally got it.  

Laughing, I noted that Chicadee has been dancing with B-O-Y-S's for a month now in gym class. "And the cooties havn't killed her yet..." 

Chicadee looks up with a wry smile and says,  "Hand santizer."

      

Gearing Up For Christmas

After the victorious return of our Hero,
and after the canyon vacation,
we started getting ready for Christmas.

We did the usual things;

We had family visit, and took a family picture.

Chickadee had a Birthday!

We tormented the kids with long drives and shopping excursions. :)


We set up a a Christmas tree.



And took Gram to the shooting range.


Guess what she got for Christmas?

Winter!!!

So, Family was coming down from MO (where they have winter) to visit us here in NM (where they don't).  "What should we pack?" they ask.  Laughing, on a 58 degree November day, we say, "Oh, you'll be fine with a mid-weight jacket and a hat and gloves.  No need for a heavy coat."  As they begin their two day journey toward the balmy southland, we get this: 

Wow, a crazy amount of snow!  Don't worry, it will melt by noon.  WRONG!  It stayed on the ground an entire week, we even had a second storm and two snow days in one week!  The only snow days in the last 15 years.  Don't worry though, we're settled back into our denial of the existence of winter, with our mid-weight jackets.  High of 56 today.  :) 

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!