It's Beginning To Look a lot Like Christmas

The cousins took all of their Christmas decorations out last night.  I'm thankful they did that while we were still here.  There have been a few 'bumps' along the way for us as we transition during this holiday season of not having our own stuff. We know it's just stuff, but it's our stuff, and it's packed deep in the abyss of the semi trailer and won't see the light of day until next year. So I was glad when the cousins stuff started flying out and being strung out all over the house. It was great how much decorating the kids did. They did the entire outside lights in the front yard all alone.

Uncle Patrick making sure it's ready for another Christmas

Taking a break to look at a cute baby

Abby learned how to make paper chains

Cadie, Peyton & Noah putting up lights

Good job Noah

The Nativity Scene

Peyton & Noah

Becca Boo

Doesn't this boy know that those pants are tooooo long?

Figures, it's one of my boys.

Abby and Uncle Paul looking at "Wish Books"

We had a wonderful visit here with the cousins. Thank you for all your hospitality, we'll see you guys in a week or so. We are ready for the last month of the year.  It's gonna go quickly, so we better get our stuff together. Oh wait, we're already ready...our stuff is all packed away! haha!

Another use for WINDEX...

...getting a STUCK ring off a very swollen 'fanger'.

(the one thumb painted red was to see if I liked the color

..never painted the rest)

After lots of soapy water, oil, ice water, fluid pill, ibuprofen, getting a price from a jeweler to cut it off AND being told by hubby that he was buying a blade for his drill to "try" to get it off, I tried one more thing. Windex.

I am so thankful for Christine (SIL) and all her help.  She did a search to find out other things we could try and there it was ~ Windex.  After soaking in ice water, raising my hand above my heart, repeat (about 4 times) it was time for the wonder Windex. I can only tell you that it HURT, and as I twisted it up to my knuckle, my brain knew that this would work, but I had to keep the tight grip on the ring and PULL until it made it over that swollen flesh and past the knuckle. Christine stood beside me encouraging me with her silence, seeing that it was painful, wanting to stop, knowing that I had to keep going, dropped her head into my shoulder to help me 'push past the pain'!

You have NO IDEA how thankful I am that this worked. Seriously. He was going to use a lil high speed rotating blade attached to his drill to TRY and get it off.

New Swing Set

The cousins got a new swing set.  Christian (13) put the majority of it together. All the kids have had a lot of fun on it.  It's nice to have this with a house that is sharing space with 13 kids, 13 and under...don't ya think?!

Westin (4) Seth (3) BEFORE the new swing set

Christian & Cole working on putting it together

Already full of kids

A crowd has gathered to watch the fast spinning

Christian spinning & spinning

Patrick & Paul making a few finishing touches and sealing the wood

Thanksgiving With Family

This year we gathered at Patrick & Christine's house. All of Paul's family was there, and I was thankful that my mom came over and spent the day with us as well.

Honey made these Turkey tops for the girls ~ too cute, thanks Mom!

Cadie holding baby Luke

Oh no, a cut and a burn are not good

Siblings in birth order

MeMaw with all the girls

Paw Paw and all the men

This Face

We've been married almost 16 years, and in our marriage we've never had any pets.  Which means, yes, since having children for the past 12 years, our kids have never had a pet.
My entire childhood I had 2 dogs.  The first was a schnauzer, the second a lhasa apso. Never have we had a cat. When I was a girl I'd spend summers at my grandparents house where there were always lots of cats roaming the rural streets, living under peoples houses (up on cinder blocks).


This face makes me want to get a kitten...

I like how Westin looks like the strong, big brother here

The excitement in those lil brown eyes...

Mothering this sweet lil kitten

Later that night, asleep in a chair, dreaming of soft, lil kittens

...one day, in the future, when we have our own property, we will have some big ol dogs running and playing with our pile of kids....and maybe a cat or two to keep the mice out of the barn.

Thanksgiving Co-Op

Today we met at the homeschooling co-op to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Each family brought a few homemade items to share.  It was a fun day.  We brought sausage balls and Cadie made Turkey cupcakes.

Cadie showing off her finished work

We had a great afternoon, and are thankful for old friends and new ones.

Now That's Something One Doesn't See Everyday

Look what UPS dropped off today at The Rancher's house

A few kids gather around to get a look

Ohhhhhh, ahhhhhh, dry ice is magical

Oh! Ok! Kids, run and go play, the shows over

I told you we've all been learning lots of neat stuff since we got here.

Wordless Wednesday...It's FUN to Live in the Country

A Friend's Fall Festival

We met The Cousins out in Conroe tonight for a friend's fall festival.  It was lots of fun.

This is cousin Sam. See that mark around his eye? His sweet Uncle Paul accidentally dropped his drill battery on his face. They both felt bad.

Cousins Seth & Noah

Christine with her prize for placing in the pie contest

Going on a hayride

Kids on the hay bails

Cadie playing on the hay

Cousin Abby & Becca

My friend Tabitha & her twins

Cousin Christian & Cole

Cousin Abby & Riley

It was a lot of fun.  Today was Abby's 6th birthday.  We came home and celebrated with cupcakes.