Cameron is 20!

Cameron had to work yesterday during Evie’s party, so he said he would come home today.  I told him I would make his birthday dinner if he made the trip.  He and Lauren decided that would be a fun afternoon so they came over for dinner.  Cameron’s dinner request- roast beef sandwiches.   He is 20....this is year 19 for that request I think.   

I was very happy to get to see him on his birthday!  He is so busy doing big kid stuff that our visits seem to be not as frequent as I would prefer!   He is good about face timing though.   I am so very proud of him. He always has a story, always makes me laugh, and is challenging himself and doing amazingly well!  Love you Cameron!  (Was great to see Lauren as well!). 

We also decided today was Christmas tree decorating day.  The tree and Nativity are up, but that is about as much decorating as we got accomplished today!   I don’t know how much more we will do.....just the tree with the cats, dogs, kids, babies and a parrot seems like enough for this year.   

And the dryer saga came to an end.  I don’t know if I actually remember the last time we had a working dryer in the house. I was a complete snot about what I was getting, and I am happy that we finally got it.   I wanted a speed queen.  I had decided (after a lot of research) that i wouldn’t even consider any other dryer.   The life expectancy is 20-25 years.  The last 4 dryers combined didn’t last that long.  I am tired of buying crap that doesn’t last.  I am tired of the manufacturers charging you exorbitant amounts of money for stuff they won’t even guarantee past 18 months.  Speed queen comes with a 10 year warranty!   They are manufactured in Nebraska.  They have replaceable parts.  I was enamored.  Except there are not a lot of places that stock them.  And if you can find them, they won’t be a gas dryer.  We had a ridiculous journey to get this dryer.  Literally 3 months without a dryer.   I don’t mind hanging clothes out, but they don’t dry easily this time of the year!   Thank you to my dad, who explained how to convert it to propane, and to Jim, Andrew and Preston for getting me unloaded, converted and drying again.  I hope we never have to do this again!  Happy to report that every last bit of the laundry got done this weekend!  Sometimes the little things really do make a person happy!  

Evelyn’s first birthday party

I always knew I wanted grandkids.  I never realized how much fun it would be though.  We love this little girl so much!   I can’t believe it’s already time to celebrate her birthday.  She’s come so far, overcome so much, and amazed us each and every day.  We are very blessed.   She enjoyed her special day.  She got so many neat gifts and loved smashing her cake.  Happy birthday sweet girl!  We love you!  

Other stuff

We do a lot more than just basketball.  In no particular order here is a small list from this week:

Evelyn started pulling up.

Cameron presented a bill to the KSU senate and we live streamed it to watch.  He drafted the bill and presented it.  We will have to wait to see if it passes. 

Cameron and  Lauren sent cute photos from a concert they were attending. 

The kids made cute crafts at school. 

The high school sent kids over to do more crafts with Saige’s class. 

The 4-H rang bells for the Salvation Army.  

We attended multiple practices, meetings, work and school and were all in extreme huge need of a weekend. 

Basketball rules

When I say basketball rules, I sort of mean all of our free time!   Quincy had 3 games this week.  I was lucky and got to drive her team.  They are pretty nice girls and I enjoy spending the time with them.  Quincy played pretty well in all the games.  I even saw her sink a 3 (not something I have seen before I don’t think).  Her team is undefeated so far.  There are 2 games left and then the junior high season is over.  I’m not sure if she is playing off-season tournaments or not.  

We also have Preston playing high school basketball, but luckily his season starts after Quincy’s finishes, so it is just practice we are dealing with currently. Saige is also playing and will be starting games soon.  Full on basketball mode  around here!   

A nice break

I was very excited to have a few days off from activities, work, and the craziness.  I took Friday off work, and proclaimed that I was not leaving the house!  I did not realize that not leaving the house is all but impossible, but I came close!  Saige took me at my word, she loaded up on library books, and planned ahead for wonderful, quiet, peaceful days.  What I did not plan for, was having a few extra kids at my house.  Preston decided to invite a few friends over.  One of the reasons?  He lost a bet....the bet he lost allowed his friend Theron to give him a hair cut.  Theron was being really nice about it, and even tried hard to give him a decent looking cut.  Of course, boys being boys, there was a lot of punching and threat throwing going on in there.  I walked away.  It is only hair after all....this too shall pass!  haha!  When I worked as a hairdresser, I had a guy who used to come in at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning who always told me "the only difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is 2 weeks!"  I certainly hope that Preston will let me "fix" it eventually, but for now, he is proudly wearing his Theron-do.  

These boys have literally grown up together.  Most of them have older brothers, and Preston's group have been playing together since they were in diapers.  They are good kids.  Polite, nice, easy going boys.  Preston is lucky to have them!

Saige spent the night with her friend Lylah (and Ava) on Friday also.  They had crafts, makeovers, and saw Frozen 2 for Lylah's birthday.  She came home exhausted and happy.  

Evie had fun at Uncle Jake's wedding, and was greeted by a bunch of super to have her back people!  I am glad they are back!  I missed them all!  

Saturday, I did manage to never leave the house.  Small miracle!  We hung out all the laundry (because the dryer saga still continues), and got everything put away from Thanksgiving.  Jim went to the KSU game with Colin, Cameron, Spencer, Garrett, and Mrs. Craft.  It was cold but fun they said!  Quincy spent the night with Landrie, Preston played in an alumni basketball scrimmage, and that left me home alone with Saige and Harper.  We made elephant ears, watched some TV, and got all the laundry folded.  It was dreamy!

On Sunday, we had the 4-H Christmas party.  They had an ugly sweater contest.  Harper does not own an ugly Christmas sweater, so we had to make her one.  She was happy, but did not beat the kid who wore a 3 piece ugly Christmas suit!  

The party was a lot of fun and the kids were happy with the gifts they got at the gift exchange! I am happy because it got one thing knocked off our to-do list early!

I was sad to see the break end, but Harper told me that there are 18 days until Christmas break, so I guess there is that!  :)