thanksgiving week

For Thanksgiving we went to Oklahoma...again!  This year confirmed that we'll do this every year if at all possible.  We had a great cabin, one of our favorites.  The leaves never disappoint.  On Thanksgiving day I actually sat on the deck, listening to Christmas music, and watched the leaves fall.  The kids came out and sang some songs with me and then ran around.  

 

The boys had their bed (lower) in the same room as the pool table.  They thought it was great!

There was teather ball, horse shoes, sand box, swings, a game similar to horse shoes but used washers, bean bag toss, water guns, frisbees, two grills, hot tub, feeding stations for racoons and squirrels and the list goes on and on.

 

This is what started us coming to Oklahoma, ATV riding.  This year we rode the least amount.  Wednesday we rode for less than two hours when we decided to stop and stretch a little.  When Brian got back on his ATV it wouldn't shift gears.  Luckily we were on a main rode.  The boys and I stayed back and did a little hiking and log distruction while Brian and the girls rode back to the truck. We're hoping it's not a major cost.  We're holding our breath. :-/

The boys loved raking the leaves.  I'm confident if I had asked them to rake they wouldn't have been so excited. 

Karlee helped us make the rolls this year. 

I decided to use my tripod and get a few pics on Thanksgiving Day.  Then Carson couldn't resist the temptation any longer.  He had to start posing.

Brian was told that there were more off road trails at Honobia Creek.  About a 45 minute ride later we found nothing.  We were discouraged.  Then we came across this creek.  This kids loved it!  So did Brian and I. Everyone threw rocks trying to get someone wet. :)  The boys explored.  We ate lunch.  They explored some more while I took lots of pics.  Brian and I talked about leaving before someone got wet.  Well, the boys got wet before we could leave.  Not totally surprised.

Another successful vacation.  The only thing that would have made it better is if McKinzie and Geoff were able to be with us.  They spent Thanksgiving with Geoff's Dad.  Sometimes it's hard to share.  But next year they should be with us.  Woot! Woot!

more football

At the boys last game they both played great!  Carson pulled a few flags,

 

 and was still his silly self.

 Mason caught the ball (Can you see his hand?),

and made a touchdown!!  They are loving the game.  So are we.  ;)

gobble gobble

midnight movie



Thursday night we went to the last midnight movie of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn 2.

McKinzie was having a hard time keeping her eyes open because of the flash.  

Emily, April, Cherine, and Traci arrived early and sat in line for over an hour. 

We had fun!  The movie was the best of the series.  We were exhausted. 

turkey day...almost

Today there was a Thanksgiving Feast at school.  So of course I went.  :)  I sat with Carson during his lunch time and actually ate with Mason.  Luckily there were only 10 minutes between lunches.  Which is a shock considering it's first and fifth grade. 

 

A friend took a picture of us in the cafeteria.  I forgot about the windows and it turned out too dark.  

 

 

 So I took another picture in the hall on the way to class.  Such silly boys!  Matthew is over my left shoulder while Justin is peeking between us.  This is a very fun class.  I'm able to help out in class every week.  I love these kids!

 

I still can't believe that this is Mason's last year in elementary school.  He is getting so big, and he's so very smart.

 

Now the count down to the real feast!  I better get started making my lists.  

DNA

Since I haven't blogged much you might come to the conclusion that life has slowed down. Well...that is incorrect.  WE have been busy with school projects, football, sewing, church meetings, musical rehearsals, temple attending, Friday night dates, work, FHE, photography class, weddings, cub scouts, sleepovers, friends birthday parties, piano lessons, and I'm sure there's more that I can't think of right now.

To add to our life we had a neighbor come by and tell us that our crazy, mad at the world cat is going through their doggie door and fighting their cats in their house.  Crazy!! She gently reminds me there is a leash law in Fort Worth.  Leash law for a cat!! Really?!  I think she's crazy.  Well, since it's impossible to keep a cat indoors I bought her a new collar and tag with our phone number.  I'm confident she'll call animal control the next time it happens.  I told her to spray my cat with a hose.  She wasn't convinced it would work.  Any suggestions?

flag football

Today was the boys first game for flag football.  They both played great! This is their first year playing for the YMCA. Mason played two games and loved every bit of it.  

 



birthday girl



 

Today is Bailee's 17th birthday.  WOW!! She's getting old!  One more year and she's on her own.  That's our goal as parents, right?  There are days I'm ready for that step.  Then there are days that I will miss her so much. 

About a week before her birthday Brian and I gave her her present from us.  We bought her two concert tickets for the 27th.  She took her best friend, Jessica.  They saw Jason Aldean and Luke Brian.   They had a blast!



This morning Bailee woke up to a balloon avalanche.  When she opened her door balloons went everywhere.  :)

We went out to dinner at Joe T. Garcia's.  (I've been wanting to go there for years.)  Bailee wanted Mexican and something new.  Of course I suggested Joe's.  The atmosphere was wonderful.  The weather was perfect to eat out on the patio.  The food was yummy too.  I'm thinking we'll go back. 

 Bailee has a thing for mustaches.  She's been sporting one for over a year now, her sunglasses.  Brian and I gave her a mustache key chain, and nail decals.  Mason gave her mustache bandages.  McKinzie gave her a mustache for her car!!  And duct tape with mustaches.  I think we went over board.  :P  She loved all of it!

WE love you Bailee!!!! Happy, happy birthday!!