25 DAYS TILL' CHRISTMAS!

(You can click on the collages to view them larger:)

Today was Christmas decorating day at our house! It seems like we had just packed everything away from last year....this year has flown by! Owen was very excited, his favorite part is always the train, and it was his "turn" this year to put the angel on the top! Kayla was another story.....her friend from college was home this weekend, so all the kids were at her house last night, up ALL NIGHT! I had to threaten her with posting "ugly" pictures of her if she didn't participate. I guess as they get older the thrill is gone......but that's why god gives us our own children, to live the excitement all over again! Wait until she's up half the night on Christmas eve putting together toy's and hoping she remembered the batteries for everything:)

So dad, I'm so jealous you and Mike are going to Hawaii in a couple of weeks............don't you think "Christmas in Hawaii" should become a family tradition?? I'm pretty sure the Hale Koa would put on an awesome Christmas luau:) I know mom hates the thought, but we'll keep working on her:)

BABY TALK?

Scott headed to the Shennandoah mountains at 4:00 this morning to go bear hunting again! They're hoping to have better luck this time:) So the kid's and I have just been hanging around the house today. I've been trying to get them to write their Christmas lists, they both change their minds daily about what they want.........luckily there's only 2 of them, so I can wait until the last minute to shop if I have to:) Owen told me yesterday that he wanted a brother for Christmas......................he made SURE to let me know he DIDN'T want a sister, because he said, "sister's are stupid." So I spent what seemed like FOREVER trying to explain to him that the "baby train" stopped a long time ago for mommy & daddy! He couldn't understand what the big deal was, he said, "just have one mommy.....and hurry because Christmas is soon!" Maybe it was all the talk at Thanksgiving about babies, maybe he was bored yesterday and needed a playmate? Who knows, but let's hope that conversation doesn't come up again anytime soon. And no mom...........WE ARE DONE! So don't get any ideas! I know your dream would be 20 grandkids, but now it's up to the other 4............Lori, Matt, Mike, Jenny.....any takers?
Owen needs a cousin:) And I want to be an Aunt:)

Here's a funny one:
Last night we went out to diner at the new I-Hop about 20 minutes from our house (any new restaurant in our town is a big deal, because there's really nothing to choose from:)
So after we finished our meal, Owen asked, " how long has this restaurant been here?" I said, "about 2 months...why?" So he LOUDLY says, "Oh....so that's why there's no gum stuck under the table yet!".............this has to be an observation only a child would make:)
Scott and I thought that was hilarious..........Kayla thought it was embarrassing, everyone else thought it was entertaining.

DAY AFTER

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Mom & dad-all the food was great! I had lost 3lbs, but somehow I think I put it all back on yesterday:) Oh well..tis' the season:) It was great seeing everyone and spending time together:) Here are a few photos from our day-thanks Jenny for taking some of the picts....it's nice to be IN the photos sometimes:) I hope everyone has a relaxing LONG weekend:)

IT'S TURKEY DAY!

Hey everyone! Happy Turkey Day! In a couple of hours we are off to mom & dad's house.....thanks mom for hosting this year....and for taking Owen out yesterday and having him spend the night. I can't wait to hear the "funny story" Owen has to tell me when we get there. I can't imagine what other adventures happened yesterday after getting lost twice?? I called this morning to check on him and mom said they had an "interesting" day....but she said Owen was very patient through it all!
It's been a VERY quiet day today. Scott, Kayla and I stayed in bed until about 10:00.....no 8 year old running around this morning:) Scott headed out in the woods, while Kayla and I spent most of the morning on the couch flipping between the parade and Paris Hilton's "My new BFF" show (always good for a laugh)! I'm all packed up for mom's now. I have the pies and the aftershock (what else) and we'll see you all soon:)
Oh yeah, Scott got his first buck yesterday.......so we have a buck hanging outside from a tree right now........I'm waiting for the bear to catch wind of it and show up:) His "Thanksgiving Feast":)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

As Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought about about all the things I am thankful for in my life. If I listed everything, I think I would need to create a new blog just for that!! So here are a few things I am thankful for:

-Mine and my family's health
-My children being happy (although spoiled would be more accurate)
-My husband being my best friend, and thinking all my flaws are beautiful!
-My new career that I love!
-My parents always supporting us, and knowing the right things to say.
-Our close friends who always make life an "adventure", while still keeping us
grounded.
-My brother's and sister's making family gathering's entertaining.
-God's plan......because if I followed my "plan" in life, we would all be in trouble:)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

We'll See most of you tomorrow!

For those of you far from us, we miss you and love you!!!

TOOTH FAIRY!

I believe that the innocence of a child is the most awesome thing to watch.....and makes for some of the funniest memories as well. Owen came downstairs this morning loudly proclaiming that he ran an "experiment" last night. As he smiled widely, I noticed he was missing a tooth....I thought to myself, what in the world....how did I NOT notice that...where's his tooth....did he swallow it......does he even know it's gone? Well, yes......that was the "experiment."

He said, "I lost my tooth last night and decided to test the tooth fairy. So I didn't tell you and put it under my pillow." My heart broke, because the "tooth fairy" had never not come before. He then said, "so see......there IS NO tooth fairy....I KNEW IT." Scott and I looked at each other and I quickly said, "Of course there is.....but your parents have to notify the tooth fairy that there is a tooth pick-up to be made." He was like......OOOOHHHHH, well then you need to notify her tonight, because I need my dollar.......she can have my tooth."

As soon as he left the room, Scott and I had a good laugh!!! I'm thankful that I can keep him a believer.....at least for a little while longer:)

Let's hope the "tooth fairy" doesn't fall asleep on the couch tonight without making her "tooth pick-up!!!"

LURRAY

So I made it today for the field trip! It was an exhausting day for me, but well worth it and the kids had a great time! One bit of advise though.....it's probably a bad idea to take a trip to the mountains with a head cold....up the mountain, down the mountain.......ears popping, head pounding, oh yeah....on a school bus full of 3rd graders! I feel like I have jet lag right now...and I think I need a drink:) We actually had snow on the way up, the kids thought it was awesome! The picture with the two of us is at the beginning of the trip......I should have done a before and after....would have been entertaining. I'm looking forward to spending the weekend doing........well.......nothing!!!!

IS IT FRIDAY YET!!

It's been a crazy week! I came down with a nasty cold on Saturday, so I've been trying to "rest" this week. Yeah right!! I'm blessed with a husband who doesn't mind doing allot of the running, so he's off to take Owen to wrestling practice by himself again tonight! I feel bad missing both of his practices this week (this was his first real week of practice), but Owen said he'll forgive me:)
I think I would scare everyone with my "sick look" anyways:(
I'm scheduled to chaperon Owen's big field trip to Lurray Caverns tomorrow, so let's pray that I wake up healthy! He's so excited, I would have to be on the brink of death to miss it!!! Hopefully I will get some great pictures and post them tomorrow night!
Mom & Dad, thanks for the Thanksgiving cards. Owen did the sticker puzzle and ended up putting most of the stickers on his face (where was my camera then???)
Scott had it for a job today.....oh well!! You know I'll catch him next time!

RAINY FRIDAY

I was in the office today looking out at the gloomy day, and got this incredible urge to cook! So I headed off to the store to get everything to make chili....I love chili on a cold, rainy, fall day. I get home and end up not only making chili..................but cornbread, sausage cornbread, sausage and corn cornbread, chocolate pie and sausage gravy(for Sunday breakfast)! Every time the kids came downstairs, I was cooking something else!! No complaints from Scott....he can't wait to start eating!! I rented some movies and we plan to spend the rest of the night well........eating! Come on over........we have plenty!(although Scott will fight you for leftovers all weekend!)

By the way Lori&Josh-it's a good thing I'm not out in Seattle with you....with all those rainy days for cooking, I would be 300lbs!!!

BIG BEAR HUNTER!!

Scott is home today, after his "Big Bear" hunting excursion! He went with three others to the Shenandoah mountains to hunt for black bear. He didn't get a bear (much to his and Owen's disappointment), but had a great time! He saw about5 or 6, that was exciting enough! I still can't imagine how getting up at the crack of dawn, braving freezing weather, and sitting alone for hours in the woods could be fun.........but he does, and I'm happy he was able to escape the hum drum of everyday life (thanks Bobby) and had a blast! We all know he needed it!

He already can't wait for the next opportunity!!

We're happy he's home...............and all in one piece!
Here is a picture of a tree that had been clawed by a bear!

THE END OF ANOTHER SEASON!!

It's the end of another Cheerleading season for Kayla! One more year, and then off to college....she's growing up so fast!

You can click on the picture above to view larger.

SUNDAY

So on Sunday we headed to "town" to get Owen equipped for wrestling season. Ok.....first off, I know the guy at Sports Authority got a huge kick out of my lack of wrestling knowledge........so many questions, I think I drove him crazy! Are THESE wrestling shoes? you think these fit right?where's the headgear? how does the headgear go ON?mouthpiece? He needs a CUP.....what? He's 8!! We made it out alive after about an hour, and I think he's ready!! I thought he was going to go into convulsions at one point in the store......he hates shopping no matter what it's for!

I have one for you mom.........your always asking me if the kid's have said anything funny lately. Well, now I can keep you informed on a daily basis, because there's always something!

So this morning I was getting Owen ready for school and he asked, "If I brush my teeth 4 times now, can I just skip tomorrow?" No Owen, that's not how it's supposed to work!!!

I love it!!

GUY'S & GIRL'S DAY OUT

Scott and Owen spent the day hunting, and then fishing at Nana's & Papa's-while Kayla & I headed off to VCU for the State Cheerleading Competition! The poor guy taking our picture was having "camera difficulties"- he said my camera was too complicated.........hence the "just take the picture" faces!!

We all had a great day...Kayla can't wait to be IN States next year!!

MY TWO GUYS

Scott & his mini-me!!