So me!

Traditions

Every year the kids decorate gingerbread houses.  It's the perfect activity for those long, cold winter days. 

After Thanksgiving we are visited daily by our Elf named Freddy!  

Cold Wet Winter 2013

This year was not like most. (Thank Goodness) We had snow and ice several times.  School was cancelled for 8 or so days.  Church was cancelled or let out early at least twice.  It was just a darn cold, wet winter.  We feed more hay then ever before,  lost newborn calves,  lost several calves from falling in the ice, had the highest electric bill ever, drank the most hot chocolate.
We were darn good and ready to see Spring!  Spring is my favorite season!

National Finals Rodeo 2013

Each year Kelly and I celebrate our Anniversary in Las Vegas at the NFR.  The last 2 years the kids have gone with us.   The highlight of this years trip was the girls meeting TUF COOPER.  He is a world champion tie-down roper.  My girls are crazy about him.  It was as good as dreamed.  We got to the booth where he was supposed to be signing autograph early and first in line.  He came a little early and visiting with us.  He is so friendly and personable!  I fell in love with him too!  

Our plane was supposed to leave Vegas at 11:00 pm.  There was snow and ice in Oklahoma and we got delayed.  Rather then staying at the airport we went to Dona  and Mitch's hotel room.  We starting making fun of Halee's long toes.  Dona also has long toes and told Halee that you can pick up ice cubes with your toes and throw them in the sink.  Well, the kids all had to try it.  It was quite entertaining to say the least.  More memories made!  

Thanksgiving in Utah 2013

This year we spent Thanksgiving at my parent's new home in Washington. We flew into Las Vegas.  We had a great time like always.  Here’s the highlights.

*Got to meet my new niece Adrienne! 

*Had a surprise 40^th Anniversary Party for my parents!

*Hiking

*Swimming

*Park

*Games

*Laser Tag

November 2013

I'm back to blogging.........Halee & I brought our feed truck to Durant to get a grill guard installed.  (Kelly is showing property all day today.)  I was told it would take hours to install it????  So Halee and I walked 1.7 miles to the library to wait.   Halee went to her friend Maddie house for the day.   So I'll blog!

November 2013

For 6 or so years we have had deer hunter come from North Carolina and hunt on our property.  They have become great friends, and we look forward to their visit. 

Carlee didn't get a deer this year.  She only had one day to hunt before we headed to Utah.  Kelly and Carlee woke up super early and sat in a tree stand till 10:00 am.  It just so happened to be the COLDEST day of the year!   They both froze.  

The kids & I's trip to Utah started a day early.  Weather man was predicting an ice storm for SE Oklahoma.  We where on our way to church only about 2 miles from the house, Kelly was tracking the storm on his phone. We decide we better get to the airport or we might not make it tomorrow morning for our flight.

We got home and because I had planned to pack and get ready Sunday night, nothing was ready to go.  We packed and were out the door in 30 minutes.  We got to the airport about 11:30.  

Have you ever been in a hotel room with 3 kids for 10 hours...............................

Jarrett made several cups of coffee........................Halee got a headache from the coffee .....................Carlee asked Siri questions for 3 hours................................Halee locked Jarrett on hotel balcony....................pillow fights, series of wrestling matches.................... I just wanted my Sunday nap! 

Good Times! 

#7

I LOVE the END of a run or END of a workout!  

My friend Vicki and I ran the Colton's 5K last Saturday.  We both took 3rd place in our age group.  My time was 26:10. 

Halee and her friend Maddie and Jarrett ran the fun run.  It was a cold morning, but we had a good time. 

#6

I love having chickens!!  I think everyone should have a few.  They are so fun to watch.  

#5 Love

Slippers!! I love slippers.  I'm like Mr. Rogers, I come in and take off my outside shoes and put on my slippers.  I have summer time flip flop slippers & winter time slippers.  I have more slippers than shoes.  

#4

I love seeing new calves that are born healthy and without assistance. 

(Especially when Kelly's out of town). It makes me happy when I'm able to tag, weigh, give vaccine to calf without mamma wanting to kill me. 

#3 Fall Decorations

I love driving up to my house and seeing my fall decorations.  It makes me smile every single time. 

#2 ~ Sunsets

I love sunsets.  I believe my Heavenly Father creates them as if to say, "I love you"!  

How can you look at all the beauty in the sky and not believe their is a God in heaven?

THINGS THAT I LOVE!!

This month I'm going to post things that I love, things that make me smile, simple little things that just make me HAPPY!!!  (There is no particular order to this. I won't be spotlighting the obvious; husband, children etc).
#1.  Lean Cuisine Salads make me happy! They are not only delicious but, fast & filling!

Annual Amish Auction

About 10 miles North of Wapanucka, is a small Amish community in the town of Clarita.  I have always been fascinated with the Amish and look forward to the second Saturday of September which is the annual Amish Auction.  An estimated 10,000 people will travel to attend one of the most popular auctions in the state.  The Amish School Auction, Crafts & Antique Show includes a bake sale, farm equipment, livestock, tack, crafts, antiques and collectibles.  Horses, poultry, farm-related items, vendors, and plenty of homemade baked goods of every kind.   

We started the morning early going to all the yard sales.  I scored!  I got cookbooks, books, roaster oven, table & chair (for the barn) several other good finds.

It's hard to describe all the cars and people.  Main street in Wapy is turned into a large (JUNK) sale.  I did find me a cask iron skillet!  (I can't wait to make cornbread in it)!  Kelly found........well, I'll let the picture do the talking.  Keep in mind car after car after bus, and here's Kelly walking with his new toy down Main St, we got a few looks........Only in small town USA.

 I was thinking about buying this tie-dyed chickens, but I will only eat white eggs. J

Despicable Me 2

Last week everyone but Kelly got the stomach flu.  It starting Sunday with Jarrett and everyday last week at least one or two kids stayed home from school.  By Friday I was ready leave my sick infected house and go anywhere.  Jarrett had been to see Despicable Me 2 with a friend and loved it & wanted me to see it.  It just happened to be playing at the Caddo, OK. theater.   (We used to live in Caddo, when we first moved to Oklahoma.  It a small little town about 20 miles from Wapanucka).  Halee, Jarrett and I went to see the movie.  I LOVED it, we all did.  I judge a movie by how long I can stay awake.  I couldn't believe but I stayed awake through the whole darn thing.  I give the movie a strong 10.  Why can't Hollywood make more movies for families?  It was refreshing to go to a movie with no bad language or sex.  If you haven't seen it I high recommend it.

SUMMIN' UP AUGUST

Can't believe it is September!   So here's the low down on August. 

 Lots of burning brush piles.  Lots of picking up rocks and sticks so Kelly could disk.  Lots of cow working days.  Halee started early morning seminary, starts at 6am Monday - Friday.  (Teacher lives in Norman, OK. and teaches kids that live out in the sticks, like us). 

  Kelly found baby bunny's.  Jarrett lost tooth #3.  Hauled cows to and from lease pastures.  Duck Dynasty season 4 started, which makes us all HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!

Fishing, softball games, Halee wanting to drive EVERYWHERE we go!  More cattle working!
Looking forward to all the September has in store for us, hopefully lots of rain, and cooler temperatures. 

School Board Conference 2013

Every August all the Oklahoma school board members meet in Oklahoma City for a 3 day conference.  I don't really look forward to it, and almost talk myself out of going every year, but, once I get there I always enjoy it.  I left Thursday afternoon and stopped in Ada to get my hair done by my good friend Natalie.  (I love to see her and miss her living just down the road).  Then I headed to the OKC temple to do a session. It was wonderful!  I left the temple at 9:30pm.  I was starving, and kept thinking I would see somewhere right off the freeway.  I never did and got to the hotel around 10.  I ordered room service, and oh, my my it was GOOD!  I enjoyed the time alone with my food & the remote control.   The hotel was extremely nice and comfortable.
Kelly and the kids came to the city to attend the annual Express Ranch Sale, I chose not to meet up with them after the conference on Friday.  (I had a nap and then went shopping)!
I attended several educational classes.  My favorite was "The Leader in Me"  It is based on teaching students the principles found in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.  I plan on sharing what I learned and hopefully we can use it in our school. 

Weaning Calves

Today we weaned calves. It was the perfect day!  We got .3" of rain last night that settled the dust.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL, high today was 78.  Every calf was weighed, got 3 shots, tattoo checked (a few months ago we tattooed (inside both ears) the animals registration number).

#goodtobedone #everyonehadajob #lovemyfamily #lovemycountrylife

The 3 Little Piggy's

Our ward is having a Luau and Kelly was supplying the pig.  Just in time, Luau is tomorrow night.
 YUM YUM

True or False?

Do roosters only crow in the morning? 

Answer:  FALSE

I have one rooster, that stupid thing crows ALL DAY LONG!   I’m putting rooster noodle soup on the menu!  I’ll let you know how it is.  :)
#lovehavingchickens #fresheggs