Over the River and Through the Woods. .

To Grandmother's house we go!!!

Kadon and Ryder (AKA the curly headed monster!)

One of my favorite childhood memories is of holidays at my paternal grandparents house!

Dylan, Haley, Taryn, and Cami. .Best Friends!

My grandparents had 6 kids. .

who in turn had 14 grandkids. .

The oldest 7 of us were much like these guys in age. .

And equally as rowdy. .if not a little worse!

We could all fit in the same room to open gifts in Grandma's new house!

When we all got together. .

it was loud!!

 I mean. .

L-O-U-D!!

Teegan

So loud. .

that to be heard. .

 the adults yelled their conversations to each other. .

Devin and Trey (the real monster. .don't turn your back. .he's SUPER fast!)

And that was even after all the kids had been exiled to the basement to rough house and play "broken-toy" dodge ball or pool!!

Colton

I thought that was normal!! So normal, that I remember being very shocked after eating with Jeremy's family for the first time. .they were very orderly and quiet. .None of the chaos that I was used to!

Can't wait to see what Tristan masters with this book!

I'll admit, I'm a little partial to the noise that renders you unable to make a clear thought in your head. .

so I have enjoyed all the busy-ness and commotion that goes on at our family gatherings with all of my siblings and their families!

Grant LOVED his new new hot rod metal sign for his room!

As usual, the kids started asking early that week. .

WHEN are we going to open presents at Grandmas. .

a reply of "this weekend" wasn't nearly detailed enough!!

Look out wild beasts. .Uncle Chris + hunting store gift card = bad news 4 U!!

Our habit has been to start with the youngest; letting them open their gifts and then moving along the line. .That now makes me next to the LAST!! I think I'll call for a new methodology in 2013!!

Because there are so many of us. .

we draw names to extend the fun!!

My two brothers drew each other. .

but the laugh was on them. .

as their wives corroborated and bought them each a cookbook from one of their favorite shows. .

America's Test Kitchen!

Two thumbs up for these boys!

I glanced through one. .

The authors apparently spend a lot of time and effort coming up with a recipe to make THE PERFECT. .

whatever!!

The perfect hamburger, the perfect pie crust, the perfect cornbread etc!

They were thrilled. .

and hopefully they will try out some recipes on us at the next family function!

Since I was next to the last. .

it was really no wonder that my OLD eyes thought Tina had gotten Kristi a fancy sign that said "FART!"

I stood corrected though, as she turned the sign just in time for me to catch a picture. .

and read that it actually said "FAITH!

Actually, Jeremy had the camera. .and took many of our showcased shots today!

I was the lucky girl to get TWO new watches!!

I have a serious watch fetish. .

And Kristi contributed to my habit nicely!!

AREN'T THEY COOL!!

We were pretty excited to get grandma. .

the LIBRARIAN. .

a new Nook color for Christmas!!

Apparently the state of Kansas library system is offering digital book loans. .

so she needed to learn how to use it!!

I think she loves it!!

As always, our traditional appetizer based supper. .

contained WAY more cream cheese than one collection of arteries should be allowed in a 4 hour grazing session!

But. . .

In my childhood days, the adults used to gather for a pitch-playing tournament after the meal. .

We continued that tradition in our early family gatherings. .before there were so many kids. .

then we started playing board games. .

The past few years has been just more conversation than anything else. .

Whoop, Whoop!!

But, I'm afraid a new tradition is starting. .

After dinner DANCING!!

Grandma got a Wii before Thanksgiving. .

and Kristi has brought her "Just Dance" series to the last two get-togethers. .

She, seriously, isn't half bad!! We think she may practice when everyone else is sleeping! She'll never tell!

Which, has ultimately led to several old women. .

thinking they were TOO sexy!!

But a great way to burn off some cream cheese and pie!

Colton, Dev, and Braedon. .too cool for dancing!

Not everybody feels inclined to join us though!

And. .

more than once we were advised. .

"Wow. .you are reaaalllly bad!" (mostly by cool teenage kids)

So. .

Look out cool teenage kids who need prom dates. .

Mama's gonna be ready. .

HUH!

Enjoy your week!

Christmas Recap!

Oh My!!

I've been on a blogging hiatus. .

From mine. .and everyone else's!!

My  major blogging time comes from my down time at my health department job. .

I am contracted. .

so when clients have to cancel appointments. .

or flat forget to come. .

I am just there. .

with NOTHING to do. .

It's amazing how much reading, writing, researching, and studying I can get done in 2 minutes here. .

or 10 minutes there.

And since the last two holidays were on Tuesday. .

my usual work day there. .

I have been on break. .

or rather. .

a break from PAID work!!

These knotheads will start back to a week of normal routines again today!

We had a great Christmas. .

and the New Year has arrived. .

bringing with it still more germs. .

germs that are apparently immune to mega doses of Vitamin C!

Poor Me!

This crazy kid has learned how to repair holes in walls. .

not fist holes. .

more like nail holes, dart holes, bow and arrow holes. .

and had the good fortune of enjoying the art of

re-painting the walls in the upstairs bedroom he and Devin share.

We have discovered him to be quite an artist. .

and since he was able to uncover his Christmas gifts from the bottom of the sludge he accumulates in his room. .

I am hoping that he will start doing some pencil drawing in the new binder he got for Christmas.

He did decide, however, that painting walls is NOT a great use of his artistic ability. .

so hopefully, he will be a little more careful in how he manages his room from now on!

This one reported yesterday. .

that the pickup is finished!! They have driven it down the road a time or two. .

The windshields are in. .

as are the seats. .

so it is a go. .

He is recovering well from a little surgery done New Year's Eve to fix some abnormal blood vessels that were causing him pain. .

And his demeanor is more like his dad's every SINGLE day!!

Poor Me!

This one has decided that it stinks to be the younger brother. .

and is looking forward to his mean older brothers moving out. He thoughtfully bought his mom a new cookbook at their book fair before Christmas using his own money. .When I figured out menus for the month of January. .I was able to add in several of the new recipes. .

The book??

Cheesy, Cheesy, Quick and Easy. .

starring. .

Cheese. . and Macaroni. .

the verdict from the consumers?? Not sure yet! but they're darn sure Quick. .

AND easy!!

This one. .

was thrilled to find a new fluffy robe with a hood under the tree. .

just like her mama's (well, without the wild polka dots!)

Her out of control, fuzzy bed-head hair scored her a new haircut last week. .

It's still long enough for a pony. .but curly enough now that she wants to wear it down!

Just short of a year now, she got her ears pierced on the way to Grandma and Papas. My dad looked at those earrings and said "Mel, you're growing her up too fast!" I think he'd be pretty amazed at how grown up she looks now! Sometimes I just have to watch her. .and wonder where the time goes!

This one. .whined about why I had a nice workout mat. .

and his was flat. .

and nasty!!

So Devin wrapped him up a nice fluffy mat to use for his workouts!

He is VERY glad to be done with Grant's pickup. .and on to some of his own projects! Racing season is only 2 short months away. .and he can hardly wait!

We enjoyed a little snow on Christmas day. .

And a little more on New Year's Eve. .

In fact, enough that the kids enjoyed sledding and snowballs. .

and it has been cold enough that even a week later, we are still sporting some leftover snow and the snow forts!

We enjoyed lots of family time. .

lots of sugar. .

And even some extra rest!

And as if we hadn't had enough treats at Christmas time. .

I have spent some extra time doing a little more baking this past week!

With all my stuff caught up. .

I spent Saturday baking Kolaches, a Czech treat that my maternal grandma used to make!

It was my first time to ever make them. .

and actually. .

the first time I have eaten them since before she died years ago.

They were delicious. .not nearly as pretty as hers. .but just as tasty for sure!

So that is the latest on us. .

I did want to share some photos taken at our Christmas with mom. .

Much of my "far away" family reads my blog regularly. .

so those will be coming along this week too. .

And then. .

hopefully. .

the little project I worked on for my sisters before Christmas!

Enjoy your week!

Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours!

Thought that I would post our Christmas pictures. .

with the letter that I finally got written last week!

Howdy from southern Kansas! Hope this writing is finding all our friends and family doing well and ready for Christmas.  I seriously considered not writing a letter this year. .but as busy as our crew has been. .and as poor a facebooker as I am. .I just didn’t feel like that was fair! Join me for a quick recap of 2012!

Tristan-Sweet 16; sophomore.  Had foot surgery in April to correct a bone problem; healed well and is now without restrictions. Was glad to play football this year. Played on the school golf team last spring because he could handle that with a walking boot; LOVED it and was nicknamed Shamrock because of his “beginner’s luck” (though, I’m sure my Grandma Mildred would have called it genetic talent and would have been sooo proud!) Had a real job for part of the summer working with a carpenter friend. .earning REAL money! Helped both our farming families with wheat harvest. Spent 3 days as a camp counselor at 4-H camp. .determined he wasn’t ready for kids ANY TIME SOON! Debuted as a drag racer in Great Bend after he turned 16 in the street rod division. Bought a used bright blue pickup on ebay with his dad’s instruction and help. .it’s loud. .and it’s cool. .and he loves it! Tried out for forensics (basketball in a walking boot isn’t good) and LOVED it! Had leading male role in their one act play that performed at the State competition. Has a leading male role in this year’s one act, which has already performed at the high school variety show.  Active in youth group and 4-H. Probably the most social child we have!

Grant-14 ½; freshman. Got his farm driving permit this summer. Works with his dad in the mechanic shop and loves it; Some day will have to re-name his shop to include Grant! Participated in track last spring and high school football. This month finally passed his mom in height. Drummer in the band, and performed with a bucket band drum line last spring. Has been working with his dad on restoring a 1955 Cheverolet step side pickup. They recently painted it silver and will have it back together and ready to drive within the month (God willing). Went to Denver with his brother and youth group in November to volunteer at Operation Christmas Child packaging warehouse and served food in a soup kitchen. Active in youth group and 4-H; got to give his 4-H talk at the Regional level-much to his dismay! His personality is a lot like his dad. .he’d rather fade into the background than to have people looking at him. A photo he took of his dad’s racing truck was chosen to be published in the Kansas State 4-H foundation calendar for 2013. Worked with Jeremy’s family during harvest 2012 running a combine. Loves to have grease under his nails and talks cars with anyone who will listen.

Devin-10; 4^th grade. Loves his go cart. Good speller and enjoys school. Getting to be pretty good pals with his little sister, but isn’t beyond picking on her until she squalls. Loves waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and wake surfing; is a complete natural and loves our summer vacations at the lake. Won Reserve Champion at the county fair for his Walnut Mocha Brownies and made a LOT of money selling them at the 4-H premium auction. Enjoys being in front of people singing or speaking. Got to perform his 4-H talk at the Regional level too. Enjoyed  3 days at 4-H camp (even though his brother was a counselor) and a week at church camp this past summer. Active in 4-H and Wednesday night church activities. Takes care of our small flock of chickens. .he complained about it. .until Granny paid him for a dozen eggs. .no problems now and he does a good job! He is the proud new wearer of a mouthful of braces. .but it doesn’t slow his constant talking at ALL. A generous and thoughtful young man!

 

Camille-5; preschool. Has been waiting 4 years to ride that GREAT, BIG BUS. .and figured out. .it wasn’t as exciting as she thought it would be. Loves school, and is constantly writing the letters and asking people how to spell ‘stuff.’ Has written ‘stuff’ on woodwork and Tupperware lids. .though getting better at refraining from that. Still loves to be the diva. .she loves jewels and sparkles. .and asked Santa for some "girl spray" for Christmas. RSV as a baby and 5 days in the hospital at 3 months old caused her tooth enamel to be weak. She has cheerfully endured 2 fillings, a root canal and a crown. .and STILL loves her dentist-thankfully they are just baby teeth! She loves to jump on the trampoline, doing tricks and cheers. Her ultimate dream career is cheerleading. She celebrated her 5^th birthday with a tea party, which was the highlight of her year. She wishes she could be in 4-H but loves that she gets to ride the bus to church on Wednesday night for church group. She is quite tall, but refuses to quit growing. .even though she knows she won’t fit neatly on her mom’s lap much longer! She’s a fish. .just like her other 3 siblings! Sassy, but sweet!

Jeremy-hoping to spend some time this March in Las Vegas with his bride as they celebrate their FORTIETH birthdays!! Owner/Operator of his own auto repair shop. .has had to learn how to use computers as diagnostic aids in his job, and finally had to get the technology to run credit cards for his clients. Stands firm that his job is harder than mine. .because he has to fix his mistakes. .and I can just bury mine! (In my defense, I have never had to bury a mistake!) Continues a love of drag racing and goes every chance he has. Excited for the opportunity to “trade-up” his enclosed car trailer for a model that hold T-W-O race vehicles. .since it is now a family racing operation! Needs to have a parental lock on Ebay! Teaching the men’s Sunday School class at our church. Helped Grant restore his antique truck and is nearly ready to start restoring a 1929 Model A for his wife. .and maintains that since the boys had to pay for part of their vehicles this year. .so does she! Has decided that Grand Lake Oklahoma will be the family vacation spot for the rest of his life. Good thing we all like it!

 

Melanie-is constantly reminded by her better half that she is now “old” and “half her life is over!” Still working part time for the Oklahoma State Department of Health and for the same medical clinic she has been in for the last 13 years. Misses her dad a lot after his sudden death in March resulting from an accident. Moved from teaching junior high youth group to helping lead high school  youth group. Also active in her church and bible studies. Still busy as a community leader in the 4-H club and attended the kids 4-H camp several years in a row as the “camp nurse.”  The drought and high temperatures have put a damper on her passion for gardening, though her greenhouse is currently producing tomatoes and cucumbers. .She still loves spinning up a cyclone of flour and good food in her kitchen. .and does so often. Enjoys maintaining her blog sharing photos, stories, and an occasional project.

It never ceases to amaze me, as I reflect over the year gone by. .how many changes occur in the course of one. Time seems to slip by faster and faster. But as the uncertainty of the future continues to grow. .one thing grows more clear. .Our need for a Savior. .and thanks be to God that He sent one to us. .hence the whole reason for this glorious season! 

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

I hope that you will seek Him for your power to tirelessly run through 2013. Wishing you and your family abundant blessings in this Christmas season and the New Year that follows! 

One More Week. . .

I. .

LOVE. .

CHRISTMAS!!

I always have. .

and I hope I always will. .

This year feels different. .

I'm slower, a little less excited, and a little more reflective. .

I find myself straying from "the plan". .

you know, if you've been around this blog very long. .

that there is ALWAYS a plan. HA!

I finally mustered up the time and the energy for my favorite Christmas activity. .

COOKIN!

I cooked for TWO solid days this past weekend. .

Cookies, candies, snack mixes, seasoned nut mixes. .

Cami and Devin helped some. .

And Tristan cut caramels like a trooper. .

I finally made toffee that is pretty. .

after HOW many years. .

(my new secret?

I didn't use chocolate chips. .

I used melting chocolate and put it on when the toffee had cooled). .

and look!! Gorgeous!

And yummy!

With most of the cookies in the freezer waiting for holiday gatherings and surprise last minute give aways. .

and the majority of the candies already repackaged and given away. .

That leaves us with a few nibbles here and there of our favorites!

Which, dear friend Sue. .

is what keeps us from getting fat :-)

I've had a little project in the back of my mind for several months now. .

And I even found a little time to work on it over the weekend too. .

With a little help, of course!

I hope to be able to show you the finished project soon. .

Mostly, because it surpassed my expectations!

And, because I think some of you would enjoy doing it yourself!

The BIG deal of the weekend, however. .

was this. .

Grant and his dad, after 1 1/2 years of working on it. .

Had finally gotten a motor installed. .

and the body work done on Grant's pickup. .

And the paint went on!

It is now a joke between Grant and I, that I think the paint looks like primer. .

but he LOVES the way it turned out. .

And he was right, in the sunlight. .

it glistens a lovely shade of sparkly silver. .

They think in a few more weekends of putting down carpet, placing windows, putting the hardware back in, and installing the gauges. .

it will be ready for it's maiden voyage to school. .

The boys will then have to argue about who is driving. .

and who has to buy the fuel!

We had a little rain shower the other night. .

and a really heavy fog yesterday morning that froze on the trees. .

We are hoping for some more moisture soon. .

I thought it would be nice to share one of the cookie recipes from the weekend. .

I've made these a time or two before, but not for a few years. .

They have been Cami's favorite treat this season. .

And are just enough different than your average cookie,

that they make a welcome gift for someone special!

One week left until we mark that special day commemorating the birth of Jesus. .

I can hardly wait. .

Festive Chocolate Mint Cookies

1 ½ sticks butter

1 ½ cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp water

2 cup chocolate chips

2 eggs

2 ½ cup flour

1 ¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

50-70 Andes mint candies

assorted sprinkles

Melt butter, sugar, and water.  Add chips until almost melted.  Let cool 10 minutes.  Beat eggs into mixture 1 at a time.  Add dry ingredients.  Chill dough for at least one hour. Roll heaping teaspoons or small cookie scoop into ball.  Bake at 350 on ungreased pan for 12-13 minutes.  Place a mint on each cookie; swirl candy as it melts with a knife and add sprinkles.