Christmas Parties

We have been to some fun Christmas Parties this year. One was a White Elephant Party with lots of people, around 40. The best gift was a box with a note in it that said "Check the Front Door". A goat was tied to the front door- a pregnant goat. It was so funny. It didn't stop there in the middle of the circle driveway was a tiolet with a Poinsetta in it.







We went to this one work party down in Dallas that was pretty amazing. It started with the "Save the Date" and then the Invite. We were a couple hours late but I am still glad we went. I had never seen anything like it. It was like a big kid carnival. I had Adam try to take some discreet pics with his phone.




This is dessert tree by the door when you left. There were other dessert tables around though. As you can tell from the guy in the back, it was around 6 ft tall. The trees on the table are actually made of cream puffs. The dinner was great as well with choice of lamb,beef or pork. My favorite was the mashed partinis- mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes served in martini glasses with different toppings. They (ladies dressed up as snow princesses)also kept handing out all this bling, like feather boas, hats, blinking bling rings and necklaces, and glasses. Allie is modeling all of them for us. The girls had so much fun dressing up in them. What is funny is that the adults at the party had fun dressing up in them too.




This is a pic of the invite, the save the date was a just as big, no choclate though.

Santa Baby

Chase dressed up Nielie and brought her to me and said, "You have a Santa Baby now." Nielie was pretty happy about it and kept saying "Ho,ho,ho". Then this is really funny. She left the room for a while and came back with Santa's black belt to put around her. I couldn't belive she did it. I don't know who was more proud, me or Chase.
Today we had a ice day. It started out just a delay and then they cancelled it. I wish I would have done more fun things with the kids but the day just got away from us. They did their chores and messed around playing. Then some of their friends from across the creek came over and they worked on their fort. It was so cold. I honestly don't know how they could have stayed outside for as long as they did. Evie was so happy to have them home today.




This was the girls the other morning. I went in their room and they had the little people lined up. I asked what they were doing and Evie told me they were having "Elf Lessons". Herbie was teaching them about being good Elves. It all ended though when they had jumping lessons, the nice neat line got messed up.I thought it was so funny. As you can see Nielie has her dress up on over her clothes, this is what she looks like everday.

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas

This a tradition at our house- Chase dressing up as Santa. Jenni got him this outfit about 3 years ago and I think we are going to pass it on to Cooper next year. Chase has really gotten about all he can get out of this Santa costume. His Elf Evie is right along with him. He made his own beard out of cotton balls.







The other night we went to NorthPark. We had so much fun going to storytime with Santa. It was well worth the wait. Santa told the kids the best things they could give are smiles, hugs, and friendship. Santa reminded us to put the fire out in our fireplaces on Christmas Eve and to make sure and leave something for reindeer as well because they get kinda grumpy









We also went to see the Trains. We have went before but I think the kids enjoyed it even more this year. It really is amazing how they do this display.They have little city displays of Dallas, DC, New York, and several others. The pictures do not do it justice. It all benefits the Ronald McDonald House. I thought of Tammy and Aunt Susan and how much this place has helped their families. We topped out our night by returning to the car to have ice/sleet on our windows. The kids were so excited to have a little bit of wintery weather in Dallas.

Christmas Time

There are a few things that becoming traditions at our home. One is Chase dressing up as Santa. Jenni got him this suit three years ago, I think this may be the last year of him being able to wear it. He made the beard himself out of cotton balls.

It's my Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want To

This is kinda late, but we have had some birthdays! Nielie turned 2 on October 17. She is at a real fun age right now. She is trying to say and do everything. We all love watching her and hearing her talk. She is making messes now quite regularly which the kids don't always like cleaning up but its okay because she is the baby,right. She loves dresses and is always wanting you to put on her or on a Polly Pocket. We think she is so sweet and cute! But she is two and is not afraid to act that way.

She thinks she needs to ride a big girl bike.


She doesn't think Chase should be wearing her dress!


She loves to be with big kids, espcially if they are outside. She was a little unsure about all the leaves around her.


It is a good thing she is in our family.

Fall Football and Soccer

I haven't post much about these lately, but we are coming to an end. Last Saturday Chase's team lost in the 2nd round of playoffs. He was pretty upset and crying. He is very ready for tackle next year. Towards the end of the season he put his pads on and went and practiced with Jake's team. It was pretty funny because they let him play defense and he would get plowed over by the offensive line but get right back up to do it again. Chase is the one with the "S" on his helmet. He is right next to Jake. In the huddle he is kneeling down with #6. I still laugh thinking about him practicing with the big boys.





Allie's team started our rough this season. But they ended up only losing 3 games and 4th overall. In the playoffs they played the #1 team, ( they had lost to them 2x's before) and they lost 2-0. She was also pretty disapionted but there is always Spring. Allie really learned lots this year. This was her best season so far. She had good coaches who loved to win but also made it lots of fun.

Jake's team had a bye for the first playoff game and won their 2nd round. We played Wednesday Night Lights! It was pretty exciting b/c they had beat this same team in their last regular season game in the last seconds. They were coming back for blood this time, last time they were just pinching -literally. We won in overtime 13-6. Jake was pretty nervous but so excited when it was all over. He scored 2 TD's. We are Superbowl Bound- that is Plano Superbowl Bound. This is such a fun team to watch play because they all make big plays- it really is a team effort.

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween this year. Chase dressed up as Brent Hartley- An onion farmer- also his Grandpa. Notice his pants. Me and Adam couldn't get over how much he looked like dad from the back. Did you notice the top button undone with his belt. It made us all miss Grandpa. We even found a Hartley Produce hat for him to wear. We are running low down here guys- any extra send a few our way. I had bought some onions at Kroger a few days earlier and so we had a little onion bag ( a Hartley Produce one) and Chase used that for his Candy. He gets so intense about things. He was obsessed with Dad for about 2 weeks. Grandpa wanted him to dress as he now, as a missionary but Chase wanted to be an onion farmer. Now, since this is a little late posting, he obsessed with BYU Football. He even wrote them a letter and we have already mailed it to Shirley Johnson at the FB office. He has been reading the book " Calming the Storm" about when BYU played Miami in 90 so long ago ( my freshman year at BYU). He has been watching Lavells Last Stand nonstop. He can be so intense on somethings.

This really is a pretty true picture of Jake-always trying to be tough. Adam was borrowing this pickup and it was pretty funny because Chase said take the picture back here so Grandpa won't notice that it isn't the same kind as his. Already worried about driving a Dodge rather a Chevrolet. I was surprised he knew the difference.

Nielie dressed like she does everyday. She loves dresses and is either wearing one or carrying one around asking someone "Dress, Dress" to put it on her. She has loved carrying around her "pumpkee". Evie was Cinderella for Trunk or Treat, Allie was Ariel, and Jake was himself- a FB player. Hayley told me we were so original. I wish I had more of my sisters in me and could dress up. I told myself we have been unusually busy this fall so that is my excuse. I wonder what my excuse will be next year.

We had a super fun Trunk or Treat at the Jones' home. We had went there earlier in the week for October's Pack meeting which was a Harry Potter Theme. Again, very cool and fun. Our kids couldn't wait to go back for Trunk or Treat. There was a train ride, games, a cake walk ( Chase picked a great Chocolate Cake which we used for Allie and Nielie's Birthday cake), quite a few other games as well. Lots of fun. This train was so fun, Evie is waiting for the golf cart to come hook up to the train. For pack meeting they used a lawn mower to pull it, so very cute and clever. The kids couldn't get enough of it.

The Kids are Sick about Obama- Literally

The kids are taking it pretty hard, Chase threw up last night, still
queasy so he is home. I went to go get Nielie-gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She had thrown up in the night a ton, I mean a ton- and it had all dried in her hair, on her neck, pillow. She was crying, saying yucky, yucky.
We took Allie to the Dr this morning, she can hardly swallow
Obama-I mean her throat. She is kinda funny- she said does anyone listen
to the radio any more- he is going to make us a Communist country. I picked her up from school on Monday with a fever and she still isn't better. They tested her for Step-no and Mono- no. So just a virus. Nielie also didn't have strep. She has some bug though.

This is the back yard with the trees all changing by creek.

The front yard is pretty to look out over because of all the trees in the neighbors yards. As you can see the grass is changing to the dormant season here-ugly brown, but I guess it goes with the season.
The yard is so pretty right now, not because of anything we have done but because of all the trees. The kids and I have a total of about 16 bags of leaves (from 2 days) and it doesn't look like we have even touched the leaves. It is so pretty in the back yard. I love seeing and hearing the leaves in the wind. Me and Jake got 2 bags just waiting for the bus this morning. Anyway I think now I may understand why Dad didn't like trees so much. The leaves can be overwhelming but it is fun to watching them change.

During these troubled financial times, perhaps we should be investing in Steers?

I was watching the news Friday and caught the last bit of clip and it really made my cry. Why? It made me miss this so much. I found this link of the video and was letting Evie watch it. I was trying to tell her that is what I used to do. I was trying to tell her that it was so fun to show steers and maybe someday she could do it. Then she really let me down, she said "I could milk a cow!" I said "NO! Show a steer". How could my own daughter get that confused and think it was neater to milk a cow rather than show a steer? I loved showing steers and I am so glad that my dad helped us so much. Going to the fairs really were our vacations. I know they weren't for my parents but I sure loved it. We all have some great memories of the wild ones . Now I realize that if my kids were to ever show steers how much work it would be on me and Adam-don't worry Dad, I am not getting ideas-at least for a few more years. We never saw that kind of money but it was so worth it. That girl kinda reminds me of myself when I was her age and of how much I loved showing steers. I know it has been so long that I am only remembering the good things, but I do remember there was some fighting, that we never won Herdsmanship award (the award for keeping your pens clean-we were after Grand Champion or Showmanship). I think we were the only 4-H group that only met when we went to the fair. Was our club name really SunHeaven Hillbillies? If it was I am really embarrassed. Mom could rat the steers tail better than anyone, even when she was 38 weeks pregnant with Jenni in 100 degree weather. I have to admit I love to feel my boys head after I cut it real short b/c it reminds me of how the steers heads would feel after we would clip them for the fair. I tell Jake and Chase I can cut their hair b/c I learned how to clip the steers first. I have not convinced Adam of this yet.

Mom and Dad please watch this- it is really short.
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/index.html?nvid=289264&she=1


Here is the story from the paper

State Fair of Texas grand champion steer sells for $95,000

We’ve got a Champ.
Emily June Kelley, 12, of Yoakum, took home the top prize in the grand steer champion competition this afternoon at the State Fair of Texas' annual Youth Livestock Auction of Champions.
Grand Steer Champion brings home $95,000
October 3rd, 2008


The steer’s name, appropriately: Champ.
The grand champion fell short of topping the $100,000 mark, but did bring in $1,000 more than last year’s winner: a cool $95,000.
That was way more – about $35,000 more – than Emily expected.
"I was like, ‘Wow,’ " she said. "It was over my head. It’s just overwhelming."
The grand champion steer winner gets $30,000, and the rest of the proceeds fund State Fair scholarships.
Since she’s only 12, Emily hasn’t decided where she’ll go to college. But she’ll use the money for her education, mostly likely in an agriculture-related field, she said.
She has been raising Champ since last spring at her home in Yoakum, about 90 miles south of San Antonio.
For many of the contestants, letting go isn't always easy. The students form bonds with their animals, said Daryl Real, the fair's vice president of agriculture and livestock.
"A lot of the animals are treated better than you and I are," Mr. Real said. "[Students] spend a lot of time with these animals and care for them. It's a project they take a lot of pride in. In order to be successful in the end, it's a must to spend that time with them."
But the students know there's a time to let go of their furry friends. It's part of the life cycle -- these animals are being raised for food, said Mr. Real, who raised animals as a kid.

I was also thinking, I only remember a few times when I felt really sad to sell the steers, they were all usually so darn mean and wild. I don't think they would allow tranquilizers today -did they then? I know Dad really enjoyed it and I am so glad he did. Dad even liked it so much he had Pam show even after she went to college because she wasn't 19 yet. With all her years of expertise she won showmanship & got to be in the round robin that year. I know that is what convinced Scott that he wanted to marry her. Remember when Troy's steer got loose during weigh in and took out all the fancy fans of the Hereford show? What about Thayne our Professional Fitter? Rember our reputation for having wild steers and always being late for weigh-in and having to call and tell them we were on our way. I could go on and on. I am going to go on the hunt for some pictures. My kids love seeing all those trophys in the basement and mom I hope you never get rid of them. Maybe that will help all our kids know how we spent our summer vacation.


Another funny story- When Allie was a baby we went to the Puyallup Fair. At that time I was a germ freak with our little baby girl that wasn't even one year old. I think most of you remember how protective I was of her. Adam was in shock and awe when I took Allie out of the stroller so she could get close to the steers and touch them. I told him that steers don't have germs, that they are good animals to be around.

Where's my camera?

Well as you can see from the pictures Evie has had it. She thinks she is an up and coming photographer. I could not find it this morning and was a little worried because of my track record with cameras. I had had it outside in my pocket last night but then did some yard work. Once a month the city comes and picks up all the limbs, branches and grass and today was the day. I had been taking some limbs to the front of the yard and I had also raked up a bunch of grass in the dark. Well I rummaged through the limbs, dumped out the bag of grass clippings hoping to find it. I could not find it. Well I hear a little girl-Evie open up the door and announce that she is awake and hungry. I said, "Evie I am going to need your help today looking for my camera, I think I lost it outside." She says," Oh mom, I already found it. It was under my pillow this morning." I just had to laugh. She was so proud she had found it,and when I asked how it got there she said, " I just forgot about it, sorry." This all before 8 am. I am glad she found it, just wish she would have found it before I went through the grass.

Next I go to upload my pictures and wow- she has a clicker finger. For the past few days she added over 400 pictures to my camera. Maybe I should be watching my child better. It is kinda funny.

This cracks me up, her shadow!

Don't know what is so great about this, I guess she was just in the room.

Mr Skeleton is my kids favorite Halloween decoration/toy. He is aging though, a few broken bones, even some missing ones. They love to dress him up and reposition him. This pose is kinda funny .

I am guessing that Evie wanted to document Nielie's crying.

Another Evie story. Jake's friend brought him over a cinnamon roll on Sunday b/c he had hurt his arm. Well he was saving it for breakfast the next day. Jake woke up Monday and was so mad because someone had eaten his cinnamon roll, but just the middle part- leaving the edges. I knew it was Evie. She had snuck and ate this roll. When she woke I told her that robber had come in our house last night and ate Jake's roll. Her eyes got real big and she said "Wow!" I asked her if that scared her and she just smiled. I asked her if she ate it and she said "no- a robber came and ate it." We are really working on honesty with her. I finally did get it out of her and we made some more cinnamon rolls for the family. She is a little convincing though. We had an incident on Meet the Teacher Night where I thought she had taken some M&M's from the teacher. Actually she had taken them from Office Depot. We went right back to Office Depot( after I drug a screaming, crying Evie out of the school still claiming that the M&M's were hers) and paid them and she apologized. She is a very determined child. I think we were Office Depot for about 10 minutes waiting for her to say she was sorry. She is very dramatic and can really play it up. The funny thing is it is not like she never has sweets.