A relaxing weekend (my favorite kind)

We had one of those nice, absolutely nothing going on, family togetherness, relax and hang out weekends.  They don't happen nearly often enough!  The boys confiscated the trampoline so that they could practice trampoline basketball stunts.  It was somewhat entertaining, but they are not nearly as amazing as they think they are! 

Saige found a new hat.   She doesn't want to take it off.  Ever.  

Jim lead 2 expansion projects this weekend too.  The first one was on the chicken pen.  They now have about twice as much outdoor space.  The second was on the goat and calf pen.  They also have about twice as much space, but we did kind of have a laugh at Jim's fence....lots of recycled products in that fence!   I do not care if it is ugly as long as it holds the goats in!  

I wish it wasn't over!  Oh well, no rest for the wicked right?  

Black Friday

It is a Thanksgiving tradition around here to buy the paper on Thanksgiving day and then look through the Black Friday ads and sort of make the kids Christmas wish lists.  Sometimes some of us get brave and actually go out shopping but generally, I avoid town like the plague on those days.  For those of you who know me well, you know my patience for the general public is lacking.  I am working on that....oh never mind I just avoid crowds in general.  

There were a couple of cool things that really caught my eye in the ads this year.  Not things that we needed for Christmas, but things that were more along the lines of wants.  I saw a fake wood stove.  It runs on electricity!  It was cheap.  I wanted it.  I knew I was unwilling to go get it though.    That's when Preston and Quincy discovered the trampoline in the Academy sports ad.  You see, they have been saving up their birthday money and thought they would buy themselves a trampoline with it, but were still a bit short. 

Not on Black Friday.  They had more than enough money.  And they had something else.  Big brothers willing to brave the crowds and go get it for them.   Since big brothers were willing, I conned them into getting my little heater too!   Everyone was happy!  Well....everyone except poor Flashy who was the recipient of a new doggy sweater.  He was not amused.  

The coolest part of all was how when the boys got back, they all worked together to assemble the trampoline.  

Colin even read the safety rules to the kids!  

Thanksgiving 2014

Well, this turkey day got off to a rocky start when all the kids (a majority anyhow) and Jim came down with strep throat.  After a couple of days of getting everyone on antibiotics I think we are basically on the mend now.  

We were extraordinarily blessed to be well enough to cook up an awesome meal and share a day of togetherness.  I am overwhelmed with all I have to be thankful for!  

A perfect sunset on a pretty great Thanksgiving! 

The many faces of Saige

Langsgiving

We had an awesome day for Langsgiving!  I was happy to have a relaxing afternoon visiting with everyone!  

Sub state football

The boys football team played at Columbus tonight in sub state action.  Jim and I were privileged to get to go down and cheer on the team.  It was Jim's birthday, so he and I also went out for some awesome Mexican food with his good friend Breeze.  Breeze lives not far from Columbus, so he went to the game with us as well.  

The weather turned out much nicer than last week, and it was really a good game.  I was surprised at how many people made a 3 hour drive to cheer on the Chargers!  

The outcome was not what we were hoping for, but wow! What a season!  These boys have made progress and made it to a sub state game.  That is a pretty impressive turnaround considering in the past 8 years SFT had won 2 games. I couldn't be prouder of this team, or of my 2 players!   And it seemed like a pretty happy birthday for Jim as well!   Going to a football game sure beats the year I forced him to work at a school carnival for his special day!  

Odds and ends

Totes McGoats had been away with a breeder.  She came home last night.  She was very, very happy to see us today!  Seriously, I don't know how we went so long without owning goats.  They are spectacular!  Totes will hopefully be having a baby (or babies) around the first week of March!  We are so excited!  

Johnny is a fan favorite.  He is sweet, cuddly and cute.  The kids madly in love. I have to admit I am a most definite cat person!  We have been having a little trouble with training Flashy lately.  I hope we can get him to mind a little bit better soon!  

My Religion Ed kids made  these foam turkeys (thank you grandma for your awesome art kit).  Harper was super excited to make one too!  She even made one for Colin!  

At preschool, Harper made this cute soldier for Veterans Day.  She worried that she didn't know any Vets, but we reminded her Uncle Jay is a vet.  She was happy about that!  Thank you Jay for your service!  

Not to be outdone, Saige made some artwork at story time.  

And I had to capture the sadness that occurred when I told Saige she could not have any more cookie dough!  

Cameron started basketball practice this week.  He seems to be enjoying it so far. Colin is still going to football practice.   The varsity team will be taking on Columbus this Friday night.  SFT is one of 4 teams left in the state playoffs for their division!  It has been cold but exciting to watch!