A gift from our Ra(bbi)t Terrier

Mitzi surprised us awhile back with this little "gift!" We heard her scratching at the door to be let in, and there she was with this rabbit in her mouth. Her little nubby tail was wagging a hundred miles an hour at her accomplishment - she was obviously very proud of herself! The picture quality through the glass door is poor and she dropped it before I could get the camera out, but you get the idea! I'm just glad it wasn't a snake!! :-)

Thanksgiving '09

We started Thanksgiving a little early by heading to Paul's parents house in Hutchinson the day before so we could stay the night and spend extra time with family!

eating pizza on Wednesday night
making crafts after breakfast on Thursday

Daddy and his girls

the girls

the boys

thankful for all the delicious food!!

On Thanksgiving Day afternoon, we went on to my aunt and uncle's house in Argonia where we ate even more delicious food and the kids played with more cousins. The next day Paul went hunting with my cousins' husbands but had limited success as the weather was very warm. No fun for them, but it sure was nice for the rest of us!

Breckyn and Libby

a couch full of boys!

Daddy took the kids to Uncle Johnny's range to shoot the .22

Kellyn's first time shooting!

Preston takes aim

School Thanksgiving Feasts

The kids' Thanksgiving feasts were all - thankfully! - at different times this year. Daddy took the whole week of Thanksgiving off, so he was able to go with me to all 3 parties. We started with Kellyn's class where we got to serve the kids a yummy breakfast feast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, fruit, and juice.

Next up was Breckyn's party which started with a great performance of Thanksgiving songs that the kids had obviously practiced hard on. Her feast had all the fixins - kid style! There was turkey lunch meat, corn, green beans, fruit, cheese cubes, jello, rolls, pumpkin pie, and apple juice. She had even made this adorable placemat to eat on!

Finally it was Preston's turn. We served the kids a fun meal of turkey sandwiches on rolls, chips, apple slices, carrot sticks, and homemade cookies. After the kids were full, we all enjoyed watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving before heading home to begin the holiday weekend!

Football Tournament

On November 7th and 8th, Preston's football team took part in the annual Crowder Bowl in Andover to close out the season. The boys finally got their pass-plays going and won their first two nail-biters for a chance to play in the championship game! They were excited to play for 1st on the turf at the district stadium, but the Winfield Vikings' defense proved too much and the Falcons were shut out. The boys were still pleased to have taken 2nd place and we're already looking forward to next season!

on the line (you can see the big "2" on Preston's jersey)
our little kicker doing his job

ready to start the championship game

the Andover Falcons jr. football team and their awesome coaches

proud footballer with his trophy and medal

Pres with his good friends and fellow teammates, Cooper and Conner

Our Spooktacular Halloween!

We took part in many fun Halloween events at the end of October. Preston and Kellyn both had fun at their class parties at school, eating goodies and playing games. The girls and I enjoyed the Fall Festival at our awesome church where they got to play games for prizes, make crafts, and get their cheeks painted. On Halloween night, we had dinner with Paul's sister and her family, and then the cousins got to go trick-or-treating together. Though we didn't get to wear short-sleeves and flip-flops like last year, the weather was still pleasant and we made it further than usual and filled our candy sacks more than once!

Kellyn's class party
Preston's class party (he's the football player on the bottom row)

making crafts at the Fall Festival

ladybug and flower

Preston the Footballer, Kellyn the Beauty, and Breckyn the Beast - all lined up for the traditional Halloween pose!

Preston, Breckyn, Kellyn, Lucy, Asher, and Macy

Preston's haul!

Pumpkin Patch '09

We once again ventured to Walter's Pumpkin Patch with our neighbors in October. The weather was great and the kids had a blast doing all the fun activities, scouting for pumpkins in the patch, and eating roasted hotdogs.

Have I slacked-off for two months? Really?!

If you've been wondering, we ARE all still alive and well! Apparently while we've been busy with life, I've neglected this blog. I finally logged on here fully intending to do a big post with one picture of each event that happened during the last few months, but I just couldn't do it. I have too many great pictures that I wanted to share, so please bear with me as I get this thing back up-to-date. It might take me awhile, but I'm trying!! :) So, without further ado. . .