hello ......

So first of all, whats up with the new blogger set up??? OMG, Im so confused!

Sorry for the lack of blogging....with facebook, this seems so old news!!  I HAVE lots of pictures to post, however am not going to do it tonight.  Maybe over the next few weeks......speaking of that, school is out in LESS THAN A MONTH!!  Which means busy busy busy times and I cant wait to do my 'end of the year interview'....same questions, hopefully different answers. ;)

Here is my new favorite thing.....

Hello yum!! Since Im trying to eliminate cut down on soda these days, this is filling the void. Easily!!

Finley is 6!

the party started out with crying!!!!

the kids made pizzas

all she wanted to do was open her gifts....of course

Shannon free handed the Ugly Doll!! WOW

cake pop success!!

talking to daddy long distance ;(

a little party game...

even the adults tried

and the party ended with crying.....

this was taken on her ACTUAL birthday....

photobooth

fun with photobooth.....even the babysitter gets involved!

and auntie em ;)

already??!!

Its hard for me to believe that its the 100th day of school already....Finley is already more than half way through her kindergarten year....SLOW DOWN!!

The kids were to bring 100 items to school.....and they would re count them with their older buddies.

she chose gummy worms.....sour ones.....(yuck!)....this is what 100 gummy worms looks like....not much huh??

I asked her what else people brought...there were legos, pennies, beads, paper clips, kisses, dog food (yes dog food), m and ms and skittles....

First (and only??) snow

Last week we had our first snow fall...maybe 4 inches. The day before it was 55...yes 55...degrees. Birds were chirping!! Galesburg hadn't had ANY measurable snow yet this year, the kids were so excited!! They were desperately trying sled.....

Jack just DIGS the snow....he eats it and runs in it and rolls in it....

He is also a mitten stealer and boot nibbler...making for playing in the snow extra hard. He spent most the afternoon inside....whiiining

were still here

HOLY COW have i been avoiding uploading pictures....wow!! Lots has happened...weddings, 90th birthdays, school starting, halloween, thanksgiving, christmas, new years.....yeow!!

Here are 4...yes 4 from the holidays

HEAT wave OK

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain

And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet

When the wind comes right behind the rain....

this was our forecast for our trip to Oklahoma....Hennessey, to be exact...to visit Sean's Uncle and his family....26 of us converged upon their "compound"....house, barn, bunk house, pond (very very dry pond), chickens, a rooster (good morning), rabbits and land...lots and lots of land. Filled with fishing poles, four wheeling, shooting guns, riding horses, egg searching, spider killing and eating. Plus a quick trip into Oklahoma City for an boot shopping adventure. Regardless of the heat....117 one day.....a dry, oven feeling, non humid heat....we had a GREAT time. The kids especially!!

Halfway stop for lunch and leg stretching......Kansas City
ALL were napping at this point....Sean included.....not me ;)
We rode horses....some of us for the first time.
some kids doubled up....


Sean and Steve actually took the reigns and RODE ALONE....needless to say, I think Sean wants a horse....just need some land to put one on....haha

some rode twice (mallory/kane)
some rode incognito....heh heh
There was a day of fishing...the (boys) kids fished at the crack of dawn with the dads. IN THEIR JAMMIES!!! The pond is sooooo dry. Most of what you see is the pond bottom. The 15 acre pond is now less that 1/2 an acre. Oklahoma is in a DROUGHT....they need water!!
kinda scenic....and BREEEEZY.....but a warm, almost hot breeze
....kari....note the horse pic. youre eyes closed, mals open.....this pic is the opposite...like momma like daughter
the fourwheeler....
even Abs joined in on the fishing...Kellan was there with Shannon, however they headed up for a snack.
Huck Fin attire....Sean toes are still reddish
the crew...note the jammies on the boys


the haul....which we ate for dinner.
proof of the heat. which was remedied by a water gun fight....






gun shooting....a 38 caliber, 22 long rifle, israeli made uzi, 22 caliber drum tommy gun....I only shot the 38 caliber and hit the target twice out of six shots....pretty good for a first timer.
Really really really good fried chicken....
which was featured on D, D and D...

royalty was even there
The Cattlemans club in OKC.....again, visited by triple D
Lamb Fries....google it.....Finley ate 3
the bunkhouse...where the boys slept...
we hope to return next year!! maybe when it is a little cooler!!