Where did the time go?

The second day of a new month already, and 6 months into 2010!! Time sure flies these days! It has been such a long time since I have blogged; I almost forgot how to do it. A lot of new chapters have been opened, while others have been closed in my life. I won’t bore you with all the details, but will be better about keeping you up to date from here on out. I have kept up with all the blogs that I do follow, watched the kids change and grow; new additions to families, and the oohs and aahs of parenthood. I have enjoyed keeping up and reading the wonderfully wrote blogs, some keep me on the edge of my seat, I cry with some, and some I laugh hysterically, (only because I could completely relate). I just wanted to say that I was back; I will write more later and hopefully post some photos.

I had my interview with the Forest Service today, not sure how it will turn out, but I felt it went good. It would be an ideal situation if I was hired for the permanent position. I know it would relieve a lot of stress off Brandon and then maybe he would not have to work so many stinking hours. I will just wait patiently to hear any word, good or bad.

Well the weather has held out so far for Shelbi’s game, but 5:30 is still 2 ½ hours away. Hopefully it won’t get rained out. She is supposed to make her pitching debut today; which she has been practicing very hard on. She loves the sport and is a go-getter, says she wants to go all the way to college with it. I told her she could do anything she put her mind to. Well, I will let you know whether or not they play, and how she does pitching.

6th~12th Grade Christmas Program

Shelbi's Christmas program was Tuesday the 16th, and it was very enjoyable.

Here is Shelbi with her very close friend, Renee. They are really great friends, and we enjoy having Renee at our house. They both looked exceptionally beautiful that evening.

The "I got a Cold in My Nose" song. It was pretty funny with the added sound effects of Joe and Brendan.

We had found this very pretty black dress at the beginning of the school year, and thought it would be perfect for school performances like this. She looked all grown up and very beautiful.

Her hair turned out really great that night too. It is starting to get long again, she told me she wished she hadn't of cut it all off this last time.

This group of girls were in Choir 1, and sang so beautifully. The young lady in the long red skirt qualified for All State Choir. She is very talented in many different areas of music.

O' Christmas Tree.........

The kids really, really, really wanted a live tree this year for Christmas. I kept telling them no, and had already put up the artificial tree. Then I got really soft one afternoon and stopped at the local FFA fresh tree stand and bought one. It is an awesome tree if I do say so myself. The best part about it, other than the extreme excitement from the kids, I bought it, I cut the trunk and the branches with a hand saw, carried up the stairs, set it up in the stand, and strung the lights all around it ALL BY MYSELF!!!!

The tree was about 12 foot tall to begin with, but I had to cut about 2 feet off so it would fit in our front room. I broke a serious sweat using the hand saw, now I know what it was like in the old days :)
The kids had to bring out the stool to reach about 1/2 way up.
Taylor kept getting braver with each ornament, reaching a little further each time.

The kids did a wonderful job

The finished tree topped with a cowboy hat.

"Broadway Santa"

3rd Grade~ "Sings Christmas"

4th Grade~"Broadway Santa"

As promised from my earlier post, here are a few shots from the 4th grade Christmas play. Taylor had his break out debut as "SANTA" and did an excellent job in memorizing and carrying out all his lines. He had A LOT to remember, and executed his part very well. The play was featured on a full page spread in the local paper as well.

Mrs. Walker hadn't got a chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas, she definitely got her chance here.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus

At this point in the play, Santa had lost his spectacles and could not see a thing or where he was going.

Codi had a solo in the play and sang extremely well. WAY TO GO Codi!!

Ferro Flux is the topic of discussion

Pinedale Science Fair

Shelbi in front of her board, done in her 2 most favorite colors, pink and green.

Shelbi's 1st science fair, all 6th graders had to participate, it is optional for 7th & 8th. All together there were 140 entries, which is up from last year's 110.

I was so proud of Shelbi, she did a great job. Even with her kit coming in late. I am glad I was not one of the judges, they must of had a really hard time deciding. There were some really great and informative entries.

I had no idea about Ferro Fluid, but it is an iron and water mixture, that when a magnet is placed under or around it, the liquid spikes. VERY COOL!! If you are not sure what it is, Google it and some very awesome pictures come up.

Girls Night Out

I decided to take Shelbi out for the evening along with Toni and her daughter on Friday November 21st. We went to dinner at Cafe on the Pine, and then we went to "Sound of Music"

There was a local production that was featuring some great local talent. They put on great performance. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Sound of Music

What the.......?????

What the Heck are You Wearing Day

Crazy outfit

Little Wranglers Basketball Camp

Basketball camp was November 10th-15th for the elementary school, and Taylor was all for it.

There were so many basketball players in the gym, Mrs. Busch had a tremendous turn-out. Just over 80 students participated this year. That was a lot of basketballs bouncing in the gym.

They ran all sorts of drills and learned different defensive and offensive techniques.

Thanks to all the high school students who came out and gave Mrs. Busch a huge hand all week at the camp. They were really great with all the kids.

Each participant received a basketball and a t-shirt

Taylor really like the high school helper of his group

A meal fit for a King

Shelbi made us a fabulous dinner on November 9th.

The menu was Baked Fish with Homemade Fruit Salsa, pasta salad, and steamed asparagus.
Followed by a delicious Chocolate Toffee Crunch Fantasy cake

She spent all day chopping the fruits and veggies for the homemade salsa,

and preparing her cake with a whipped topping and toffee sprinkles.

Very yummy for our tummies!!

SANTA is at our house

Every year the 4th grade class puts on a grand play for Christmas, and there are some pretty great lead roles that the kids have to try out for. Well, out of four 4th grade classes, which there are about 10 boys in each, totaling about 40 boys, Taylor tried out for the leading role as SANTA, and GOT IT!!!! He was so surprised and happy at the same time. The day the results were posted he was out sick, so he did not know until that Friday, and did not even tell me or the family until that following Tuesday!! Goofy boy! The play this year is December 9th, so I will post more after his performance. He has a lot to memorize, but I know he will be a great SANTA!!