Christmas Morning 2008

He's LEGAL!

Watch out! He's LEGAL! Too many football team photos- he forgot how to smile for the camera... and he said he couldn't see his name while signing it on the screen... oh, well- he passed!

Here they give you this printed receipt that doesn't even look legal- then send your real permit in the mail.

Good thing we live on a dirt road and he can get lots of miles going back and forth to school. I think we're all EXCITED!

Happy NEW YEAR's Eve!

I can't believe that it's New Year's Eve already! I'm so excited to play games, eat snacks and hang out tonight! It's been a relaxing bit of down time this last week which has been WONDERFUL! Our Internet has been down as well- a nice break from being on the computer actually! We've had so much happen and I have so many photos... I'll work to catch up!

Justin turned 15 on December 14th and took his permit test and passed today- YEAH! We celebrated with food, of course. He was pretty excited for his birthday as well along with his new phone! His choice for his birthday dinner- steak, shrimp and fries- of course!

Snow Day

I pretty much feel like the Duncan Donuts guy... you know the one on the old commercials- "time to make the donuts..." ? Only for me for the last month + it's been, "time to make the plaques..." I'm finally at the end of orders (even after I stopped taking new orders on December 6th) and think it might take me until February to recover enough to open back up. I'm excited for our house to smell like Christmas cookies instead of clear coat! We're having a shop built as well (on our property), hopefully it will be up and ready to go after the first of the year- Yeah!!

We actually have a little snow this week! The little guys were happy to play in it. I told Caden he needed to get some mittens on. His reply, "What are mittens?" Oh baby! He didn't want to wear a snowsuit and I haven't bought snow boots for any of them. Why? It melts the next day! LOVE THAT!!

Now that I've shut my shop down, I'll be sure to post new, fun photos that I've taken... basketball is in full swing, too! It's just been a little too crazy around here!

The BOY's Car

Saturday, I made 4 trips driving Justin to and from Mulvane (20 min each way). Starting with practice at 7 (he let them sleep in since it was Saturday... nice, huh?) picking him up, then to the Winter dance and ending up back at the school at 11pm to pick him up. TOO much driving, which is why we went ahead and bought Justin a car. It's not really his, but we'll let him think it is for now. We might have to get personalized plates with Caden's name, because Caden really thinks it's his car. Might keep Justin humble.

Jim said it was $15 to fill up the tank- crazy to us! Now, he just needs to get his permit, then his license...

Our Tree

I thought the little guys were old enough to leave the tree alone this year- wrong. They've already re-arranged all of the decorations. Enough to make me crazy. Here's what our decorated tree looks like! Don't know why I spent the time decorating it evenly... it changes daily. Maybe next year- they're not small forever!

The Christmas Tree Farm

I wanted the whole experience. This fall, I missed picking apples at the apple orchard, didn't make it to the pumpkin patch or even the corn maze. I didn't want to miss out on picking out a Christmas tree at a tree farm.

All of the above are experiences that Alaska doesn't offer. My mom says we had real trees when I was little, but I don't remember... this seemed like my first REAL Christmas tree and I LOVE it! There was a little resistance, but after our morning at the tree farm it's definitely a new tradition for us!

The farm we found is run by an older couple- the man drove us around to the field area on his old John Deere tractor, then let us off to look for "our perfect tree." Justin decided the first one he saw would work... but, we made him walk around until we found the right one. They came and cut it for us, then loaded it back on the trailer to clean it, shake it and load it!

SO MUCH FUN!!

Thanksgiving (last week!)

We decided to give a fried turkey a 2nd try and it was SO worth it! Jim and Jassen did a great job watching the temp and cooking our turkey. Actually, they cooked two so we had plenty of leftovers! Yummy stuff!

It's ALMOST December!!

Yikes! I can't believe tomorrow is December 1st! As much as I TRY each year to get my act together early, I just can't seem to get there! It was a busy weekend filled with lots of activity and fun with Jassen, Dawn and Kota. We had our Thanksgiving dinner, caught a movie or two, Justin took his first spin and decided he LOVES to drive (blog post in iteself), found a tree farm, experienced the tree farm (blog post with a zillion photos to come), decorated for Christmas, took the tractor out, played, and made a few new memories. It was fast and furious as our pace always is... I'm ready for another 4-day weekend already! Basketball games start this week in full swing. I'm trying to figure out how we're going to do it. Should be fun, I just want to enjoy the time more than being caught up in it feeling exhausted all the time. More photos to come- I took a bunch this weekend! (no surprise, I'm sure!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

There's NOTHING like having family or friends come for a visit to get my house clean! That's what we've been doing today... cleaning up a bit since Jim's brother Jassen, his wife Dawn and little Dakota are coming for the weekend! We're so excited to have family we can't wait to see them! We begged last year for them to make the drive, but it just didn't happen. This year, Jassen was trying to sell his car. Jim told him a couple days ago- if he'd drive it here, he'd buy it from him- done deal! Now that there's a car on the way, Justin's finally excited to start driving... he better start studying up for his permit test!

We're going to make our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, since they're getting here later today. I know that makes it not feel like Thanksgiving, but also the weather and scenery are really confusing me. Even for our second year here in Kansas, it just feels strange not to be bundled up with at least some snow and ice on the ground. I don't miss it AT ALL... but, I didn't expect it to be built in to my mindset. I guess I just can't shake Alaska that quick... I can admit, I'll always be an Alaskan. My body just doesn't like the cold that comes with the territory.

Aside from no snow on the ground, here in Kansas they plant winter wheat. It really screws me up since they plant it in September or October sometime. So, all of the fields are bright green all winter, then they turn gold in the spring. That's a little backward to me, but I LOVE looking at it.

Mornings

As Justin's starting his 2nd week of basketball practices, I've been thinking a lot about mornings. I'm not a morning person- never have been. The question in my mind is... Is it possible to become a morning person, or am I just bound to be a night owl for the rest of my life? With Justin's practices starting at 6:00 am, we have to leave the house by 5:20. He has to have time to shoot around and warm up, right? I would probably be there with a minute to spare, but Justin's the responsible one here. His coach let it be known that he's up at 4 every morning, and sleeps in until 4:15 on Saturdays, then runs his 4 miles a day. I don't get it- and even think he's just a little crazy!!

Last week, I only drove two of the five days, six days if you count Saturday (they did get to sleep in and started at a very LATE 7:30). Jim did the bulk of the driving. Before the schedule started, I had big plans (all in my mind) to come home to a quiet house and either work out or get a couple hours of work in before the little guys were up and running. Didn't happen. I just can't seem to get going when I can lay down for just a few more minutes... I can't see it happening this week either... or next...

I just love photos of Caden sleeping. Guess it's because his naps are so rare!

Ty MADE the team- YEAH!!

We decided the other day that Justin IS going to get his permit... restricted license... or whatever he needs to start driving. He's the craziest kid who hasn't had ANY desire to drive. We don't understand, but haven't been too worried... until this week...

I've ALWAYS wanted my boys to play basketball. Last year, they both decided to try it out for the 1st time in their young lives... Justin made the team, Tyler didn't.

We're so proud that Tyler decided to try out again this year and found out yesterday that he MADE the team! He's pretty excited and worked so hard! Justin made the freshman team as well. I'm elated!! Then, reality kicked in as I sat in the parent's meeting and put the schedule together with both of them playing... Justin's practices are 6:00 am, Tyler's are after school until 6:00 pm with games twice a week for both of them. I haven't put it all on the calendar yet but have decided that Justin's days of being along for the ride are about to change! Jim's already mentioned that we HAVE to get him a car... any kid's dream... and he's not even the least bit excited. What's wrong with my kid!?

Horse Crazy

I LOVE horses. I have for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I was one of those who begged for a horse for Christmas every year. Of course back then, I thought our little corner lot with chain-link fencing was a big enough spot for a horse. I now understand! We had a neighbor with horses who let me take care of them while she was out of town- a dream for me! I would just pretend they were mine. I didn't even mind feeding and hauling water up the street to them at 6:00am in the dead of winter- usually with way below zero temperatures.

Lucky for us, we have wonderful neighbors behind us (we share a property line) who just happen to have horses. I love looking out and just being able to watch them. They've been gracious enough to let everyone have a chance to ride them (Jim included). While he didn't get the thrill from the ride, the boys are just about hooked. Coleman's decided that he's changing careers when he grows up from the race car driver (that he's always wanted to be) to a "horse rider". When it's his turn to get off, he begs for more time.

I love riding as well, but have enjoyed watching the boys just as much- as their eyes light up each time they get in the saddle.

Happy Halloween

This is our second year living in Kansas, but I'm still in awe of the fall weather! I can't ever remember a Halloween that the boys weren't covered with their coats, snowpants, gloves, and hats with costumes underneath. What's the point? Maybe that's why I have NEVER enjoyed Halloween! The weather here has been just beautiful, and I'm starting to realize why so many, including Jim, consider Fall their favorite time of year. I've always dreaded fall because it's really just the start of winter in Alaska- chill in the air, snow usually on the ground, frost on the windshield. This week, we've enjoyed mid to upper 70's... and it's November! I can't believe it- feels like HEAVEN!

Coleman and Caden were little pirates, and had a wonderful time trick-or-treating with our sweet neighbors girls. We went to a nearby neighborhood- much easier to visit houses than on our dirt road! Dressed in t-shirts and sandals, it was a great evening for all of us!!