Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Look Who's 7
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Family Update
Here's the latest scoop on everyone at our house.
Cami--talks constantly. New phrase "Shut up, wee-tawrd" Angelic, huh?? The boys just clamp their mouths shut and look at the floor. Is wearing princess panties daily, pees in them occasionally, poops in them only when she can't hold it in any longer--why do children decide that a generally easy task will be such a traumatic ordeal?? We're making headway though! Suddenly has discovered the magic of television. Favorite show: Dora the Explorer. New song: D-D-D-D-D-Dora. (I cracked up the first time I heard her sing that!! sounds like she is stuttering) She has become a tease at daycare. Taunting the little boys daily (that estrogen stuff works as early as the testosterone--you know "I can't FIND it" "Move something!!" "OH") Getting ready to turn 2 in less than a month!
Devin--Learning to read. Pretty good speller. Still likes school. Picked his first 4-H projects yesterday--he chose foods, woodworking, geology, and archery (if there is no age limit) Attended his first cooking meeting a couple of weeks ago--attention span was pretty much that of a 6 year old! He likes to help in the kitchen. Is learning how to work for a commission. Quite proud of himself when he gets that money every week. Can make his sister scream loud enough to break glass (that can be a good or bad scream--they all sound alike) Sang his first solo in church a month ago or so--actually looked out at the crowd while he did (YAY--I finally got one that likes singing as much as I do!!) Can hardly stand the wait till his 7th birthday in 2 weeks.
Grant--Could hardly wait for BB practice to start--now thinks he stinks so bad, can hardly wait for it to end. First game is Thursday night, there is a C team so he will get to play. Elected recreation leader again this year at 4-H. Designed the winning T-shirt for our 4-H club this year. Gave his talk last night at our meeting about photography tips. Also performed for music appreciation with 2 kids in his class. He and another girl will play music next weekend for the offeratory at church. LOVES our new youth group. Is challenging kids at school with things they are learning. Has been searching ebay for ideas on the car he wants to buy (he doesn't care that he doesn't have a license yet--I have already used that!) He's trying to save his money to buy one. Getting ornerier, but developing a sweetness too! Loving school, getting pretty good grades.
Tristan--Loved football. Got to play quite a bit, looking forward to next year. BB is seemingly going well. He is still behind the kids who have played peewee ball for the last 4-5 years. He gets to suit up for the varsity tourney tonight. First real game for him is Thursday night. Is "in" to cologne. You can generally smell him coming before you can see him--we explain that girls won't talk to him if they can't breathe in his presence--he informs US that THEY think he smells AWESOME (GAG!!) He is totally into girls. He is NOT into grades or school--and is currently thinking he will attend trade school so he can be done quickly. He does not like physical labor, so we keep telling him he better get BETTER grades. He enjoyed playing pep band for high school FB games. He is also shopping ebay fervently to locate a car--he also is oblivious to the fact that you NEED a license to USE the car. No one listens to their mother here!
Jeremy--He FINALLY got the model A running and has been giving people rides--you can't really have a conversation while cruising, but he thinks he can make that better--Mom, he needs earplugs for Christmas!! He reports that WAY more people wave at him now that he drives a COOL car! He has taken the boys to cut firewood twice for our new outdoor wood furnace. Is very pleased with the way it is working. Got out the bows last weekend and did some target shooting, also helped Dev and Tristan shoot their guns-they also got to shoot his pistol (me too) and were thrilled. He had an endoscopy last Friday. He thought the Versed was a "hell of a drunk" and wondered how he might procure some for home administration in the event of a "shitty" day. I thought that the whole "versed thing" was overrated from my viewpoint, and had to remind him how he got his clothes back on. He didn't care. The test showed some small ulcers in his stomach either from excess bile or the meds he was taking at home to treat the chest pain. No explanation for the chest pain though, other than his constant leaning over under the car hoods and pulling and pushing on stuff. We briefly discussed the fact that he may have to change occupations one of these days.
Melanie--counting down days till my full time status changes. Finding myself very anxious and worried about the whole situation. But excited nonetheless. Enjoying greatly the Dave Ramsey financial peace class--I highly recommend that everyone take the class if it is ever in your neighborhood, young or old, in debt or not--he has FANTASTIC points and advice. I have worked up a cash flow plan (sounds much cooler than a B-U-D-G-E-T) for 2 months in a row. That, coupled with our current Sunday school lessons on attitudes, specifically coveteousness and contentment--is making my upcoming girls weekend Christmas shopping expedition look a little glum. However, advised my husband, the nerd, that since I HAVE no debt, AND I still work full time, I WILL have a fun time shopping and will probably come home with something that I did NOT need, period. Loving the greenhouse--will get pictures soon, tomato plants are getting big, onions have sprouted, lettuce is looking yum-licious. Busy with 4-H club. Started cooking meetings a few weeks ago and have planned a cookie exchange in December--we had a ball last year at the cookie exchange. The leadership aspect of the club is a lot of work because everyone else is SO busy that it really limits the help available to put things together. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Wicked production we saw a few weeks ago--everyone should go see a broadway musical at least once in their life!
So there you have it, everything this family has been up to the last couple months. I didn't realize how many changes and things take place around here. When you multiply that by six--it adds up. We are practicing Thankfulness in this fantastic season that is before us. Take time to count your blessings today!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Halloween Party
I believe that this game is hands down the most popular one we do. The first few years we played it like you see in the pictures--around a table. The kids have to sit on their hands and using only their mouths must eat two gummy worms buried under a mound of whipped cream. They LOVE it! Ev
And of course we always eat!! That's the best part. We send them on a sugar high!! The moms make all kinds of spooky desserts and stuff like bloody sausages and mummy dogs. And it wouldn't be complete without Halloween colored punch!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Topeka Trip
Seems T is getting to be a pro with the contact and the doctor was pleased with his eyes. He got a box of his own contacts and we don't have to go back till next summer. Next stop was McPherson at Pizza Hut for lunch. Everyone behaved and ate well--Cami was still dry and did her duties there. We made it to Topeka by a little after 2. The cousins and friends had a BLAST playing football in the yard while we watched people shop at the garage sale. Cami and Kadon had a blast checking out all the toys (their toys) for sale. They just played and played and only removed a few stickers.
We did a little shopping at Kohls Friday evening and the kids watched a movie. Saturday was busy with Chris taking the boys to their games. My boys sure enjoyed watching the games and especially playing FB with uncle Chris before they started.
We took some pictures with the signs--Crazy, excited kids!! Then we spotted this huge slide made out of some type of corrugated plastic pipe. I had to try it out too--it was quite a ride!! The kids loved that. We would watch the kids come out one at a time--quickly and quietly--until we would hear someone yelling from the top of the tube. Then more yelling, finally our 5 boys would come out all at once in a huge train of bumping bodies at the bottom--everyone collapsed in giggles. Mom, I know you are having a hard time imagining this!
We took a hayrack ride around the corn field. That was just plain cold! Next we pulled out our flashlights and went through half of the 8 acre corn maize. The corn stalks were amazingly tall. I was afraid that we would lose someone, but we didn't. D was ready to stop when we surfaced at the half-way mark--truthfully, so was I! By this time, my feet were starting to get cold! We found our way to the hot cocoa and REAL apple cider and then went to pick out pumpkins. My advice is that one should always pick out pumpkins in the light!! But it was a fun experience nonetheless. We came home with a few pumpkins for the carving and decorating contest at school, so everyone was happy. Chris stayed home with the two wee ones, who were also happy to be warm and munching on popcorn!
Sunday was a long trip home, as the trip home usually is. We stopped to shop a couple places. Dev looked thoroughly through the toy aisle, seeing what he may like for his birthday and Christmas. The big boys and Cami admired the fish department--also dreaming about Christmas. We got home just in time to unload the car and head for our Financial Peace class. Jeremy was glad to see us. He had a good time racing, and made it through 5 rounds in eliminations. He lost out around 2:30 in the morning--he thought his reaction time was slow because of the time of day!! He slept in his trailer again Saturday night and came home Sunday morning. He got the heat/thermostat/ and water hookups in my greenhouse, so now it fully functional. Things are growing and looking good. . . Bring on the winter!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Mi Vida Loca
Not even the baby was safe from these pranksters!
T's last game is tonight. He has gotten to play a fair amount of football this season. They have had 2 of the starters break their arms--(ya think they might need more milk??) and for the last 3 weeks we have had sick kids each game. I worked today so I didn't travel the hour to the game tonight--guess he didn't break an arm--no one has called! He has finally got his contacts figured out. He had a horrible time learning how to insert that puppy! He can see better. He checks in with the eye doctor in the morning to make sure it is fitting right.
Dev got to go to a local pumpkin patch this morning and came home with a HUGE pumpkin. He is excited. We are trying to figure out what he and Cami will be for Halloween. Costumes are on our weekend shopping list.
Cami is not going to potty train--she can pee on command now when you set her on, and occasionally she will tell us she needs to go but mostly if we don't catch her, she doesn't catch us! AHHH--I hate potty training! Took her to the chiropracter this week to assist her in her PMS phase--I think it helped--and her daycare provider thought she was back to her nice self. She just keeps growing and growing!
Our other nurse practitioner has been gone for the better part of 2 weeks now, so call has been more often and busier. I am ready for April to be here and flu season to be over. The sick list on Monday for elementary and middle school was 21, by 12:30 it was up to 36 and by the end of the day it was 42. Whole families are dropping like flies! We have had confirmed H1N1 in the county and many positive influenza A screens(the same strain as H1N1) So far this family has been lucky! I am counting down the days until the end of the year. I am feeling very overwhelmed between kids/family/home/sports/church activities/and 4-H stuff. I know, I know. . . JUST SAY NOOOOO!
Tomorrow I am loading up 4 kids, (providing none of them are on the sick list) and heading for Topeka to visit Sis and her family. I have been sending boxes of Cami's outgrown clothing and boy stuff for 2 years now and she is having a garage sale. So we are going up to help out and hang out. The new Yukon has a DVD player in the back, so that should help the ride go faster and more quietly!
J is headed to the last race of the season in Great Bend. He took out a couple of weeks ago and was home by 7:30 am (he left a little after 6) because he was feeling so rotten from a cold. So he feels good, the weather should be nice, and he will be GONE!!
So there ya have it, wanted to update all the far away families on our happenings around here. The greenhouse is up and running, tomato and pepper plants are repotted, green onion seeds are planted, lettuce is nearly ready to eat!! I think this adventure is going to be a blast!! Next weekend I'm heading on a girls trip to see the musical Wicked in Wichita (I have been waiting on the edge of my seat since winter 2008 when they first reported that it was coming!). Our 7th annual Halloween party will take place next Sunday afternoon. A lot of our usual crowd has a final peewee football game that day, so our crowd may be down a little! Usually there are over 40 kids there! It is a ball! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Salsa-nators!!
What do you get when you mix these. . . 


BROOKS. . .

and DUNN. . .
That's our name and salsa is our game. Are ya scared??
Once a year we change our hats and put on our salsanator aprons and then. . . LOOK OUT!!
and how to do them. It's a down-to-business attitude. Our kids are sure that we should sell our creations and we could all retire in style. What holds us from that you ask?? Pure selfishness. . . This is the BEST salsa ever, and we just can't bear to part with much of it. . .if you have ever had it shared with you. . . YOU are among the few! (not really)
te flavor chopped, spiced, and mixed in the pot--so by 7:30 Saturday morning, it was already boiling away on the stove waiting for Brooks to arrive! This was the first time ever that we actually had jars canned before lunch!
Brooks and Dunn Salsa
It's a good, symbiotic relationship
It's about enjoying the fruits of our labor
It's 2 women enjoying each other's company outside of our jobs doing something that we don't normally do
It's about our families asking for months when "Salsa Day" is
It's about hardly being able to stand purchased salsa because ours is SO GOOD
It's about making good memories
It's about being proud of a job well done
It's about this!!
All in a hard day's work!!
Thanks Brooks, it was a BLAST!