Trail of Lights

We have an outdoor theatre (the kind for plays, not movies) in town (come to think of it, we have a lot of outdoor things in town) and every year different organizations in town decorate little areas (it's a contest) and make the Trail of Lights. We go every year--often several times--and see the pretty displays, cook hot dogs, roast marshmallows, and drink hot cocoa. It's a delightful small town thing to do. I took my camera with me this year but only got two pictures before my battery died. (note to self--check battery before heading out to take pictures--duh!)

Anyway, here they are, Wyatt and Abigail:

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with happiness and love of family and friends. Be well!

Polar Express

We went on Thursday to the Rotary event for the kids at Christmas. Each year they do this but this is the first time we were able to go. One of the members (I think he's a member anyway) owns several train cars from the Silver Streek that used to run from Chicago to Las Angeles. The cars have been restored and he opens them up for the kids to see what passenger trains were like. He dresses like a conductor and reads The Polar Express to the kids. Then they are visited by Santa and each child receives a candy cane and a bell. I found that I must REALLY believe in Christmas because boy could I hear all of those bells ringing!! lol It was a good time and the kids really enjoyed looking in the passenger compartments in the cars.

This is one of the cabins with the seating made into the bed.

This is the same cabin with a veiw from the bed back towards the other seats.

That's the owner of the train cars in the chair by the tree. He's reading The Polar Express to the kids.
This is Wyatt with Santa. He's a Blue Santa because he 'helps' at the police department. His daughter was dressed as an elf in a great costume but I couldn't get a good picture of her.
Addison & Santa.
Kirsten,
And finally Abigail. :0)

Ponies!

I've been trying to get rid of these guys for awhile now. At first I was trying to sell them for what I paid for them. Then for about half of that. Now I'm down to just giving them to a good home. The kids aren't interested in riding or caring for them and they just cost too much money to have around as lawn ornaments. They really need to be in a home where the people know a little about horses - we don't and haven't learned much in the time that we've had them.



Last weekend I thought I had found the right people to take them in but they didn't return my phone calls or emails when I was going to deliver them. And then on Saturday morning Dax went out and found that one of them can't see!! How does that happen?!

I called the vet and he acted like I was crazy because the horse looks perfectly healthy but all of a sudden he's blind. He called me back on Monday to schedule a time to see the horse and I was a nervous wreck. He had been more than a little rude on the phone on Saturday. I felt like a little kid being send to the principal's office (only when I was a little kid, that didn't scare me. lol) I told my mom that I was really nervous that he was going to be mean to me (and although I can get my b*tch on I really don't like to have to resort to that if I don't have to.) Anyway, he came out on Monday and was much more friendly to me after he saw that I'm not (completely) crazy and the horse really does look healthy overall. I swear, if you didn't know how he usually acts you would never know. It appears that he's gotten some sort of infection and/or inflamation behind his eyes. So now I have to go out twice a day and squirt goop in his eyes and antibiotics down his throat -- he's not particularly cooperative as I'm sure you can imagine.

Well, last night I talked to the original lady again. She had had to leave town because there was a death in the family. I explained to her everything that had happened over the weekend and the horse's condition and joy of joy, she still wants them both. Woohoo!! (happy dance goes here) I am thrilled that someone is willing to care and give a home to a pony that may be permanently blind. The vet was talking about putting him down and I just can't do that to him when there's nothing else wrong with him. I hope they have a wonderful and happy new home with these people.

Thankful Thursday

It's been too long since I've stopped to give actual thought to the things that I'm thankful for. It's not the big obvious things that I like to pause and think about. It's the little things that I all too often take for granted.

I am thankful for our vehicles. It's comforting to know that when I get up in the morning that I don't have to worry about whether or not I can get to work. It hasn't always been that way, and I'm grateful that it is now.

I am thankful for the snow on the ground yesterday. It was only a small little bit but the kids were thrilled. They happily ran around and played with each other in the morning before school with no arguments. That's all too rare at our house. :0)

Last night I suggested to Addison (who loves to help in the kitchen) that we make dog treats and take to the animal shelter for Christmas. She happily and excitedly agreed and then Wyatt chimed in that he wanted to help too. I'm thankful for their giving hearts. It gives me the warm fuzzies that they are caring little people and I pray that they don't lose that as they get older.

I'm thankful that we have stained concrete floors. Every time it rains and the dogs and kids track mud all over the floor I'm grateful that I can just mop it up rather than having to clean the carpet.

I'm thankful for my parents. My Mom came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I were at the conference in Las Vegas and also while we went to pick up the car. They are so helpful and allow us to do so much and never complain. I could never fully express the depths of my gratitude but I hope they know how much I truly love and appreciate them.

I'm thankful that the Halloween candy is gone. I've been so bad at resisting its temptation that I'm glad it's not around anymore. But, alas, Christmas candy and a whole host of cookies are on their way.

I'm thankful that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law decorated our Christmas tree while they were at our house for Thanksgiving. It's usually a whine-fest with the kids over who gets to put which ornament on the tree which turns it into a miserable afair. This year, however, they were perfect while helping Bushia and Aunt 'Manda decorate the tree. Nary a whine or wimper, of course making a liar out of me. :0) But that's fine, the tree is done with no fights. :0)

What the heck?!

Yesterday at lunch time I ran to the store and it was at least 85 degrees outside. Then last night before I went to bed I check outside since a storm was blowing in and it was freaking snowing!! What's up with that? That is way to much of a temperature swing in one day for me. Although, on the bright side, the kids got ready for school in record time this morning once they had looked outside. lol

Back Home

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Family came to our house this year and we had a delightful time. It's always nice when it's easy like that. :0)

Dax & I just got back from 9 days in Las Vegas. That's a really long time to be there. We go to an accounting conference every year. I know what you're thinking, but really, accounting is not all that glamorous. It's a common mistake really. lol

We went to Phantom of the Opera while we were out there. It was great. We also went to see Terry Fator and a comedian while we were there. We didn't go see as many shows as we usually do which made it a little more relaxing. Although, that gave us a lot more time to hang out in the piano bar in Harrah's and drink--not always a good thing. lol

We love to sit around and people watch. There are all kinds....like this guy that we saw (more than once) walking down the strip. He wasn't wearing anything but those pink shorts, flip flops, and totally sporting his spray on tan. And it was probably around 60 degrees that day. Don't ask me!!



The National Finals Rodeo starts while we're out there and they do a lot of 'cowboy' markets so I got to do a little shopping while I was there. woohoo!! I bought a rug for the living room. It's supposed to be here Friday (or sometime shortly there after) and I can't wait. *happy dancing*

Now it's time to get the Christmas cookies going.

It's Party Time!!

Well, the birthday party has come and gone and it was a success. I feel like I've lived in the kitchen for the last week. Addison and Wyatt wanted to take cookies to school on Friday for their classess and Kirsten and Abigail took cupcakes. Then I had cupcakes to make for each of them for their party (they each get to choose their own party theme).

We had their party at the bowling alley and everyone seemed to have a great time.




Addison chose panda bears as a theme.


Abigail chose monkeys


Kirsten picked Minnie Mouse


Wyatt picked guns but I couldn't find much in the way of gun cake decorations. lol I made cupcakes like targets and used tootsie rolls for the bullets (Dax said they looked like suppositories - lol)


I think a good time was had by all. Now it's time to start planning for Thanksgiving. We'll be doing it at our house this year so it's back into the kitchen for me. :0)

To Tell or Not to Tell...

It's been awhile since I've come clean about all the things that I 'haven't' done so I guess it's time. (Certainly it's not possible that I've just been that good.)

I absolutely did not buy a couple of new tops for myself while I was out shopping for the kids' birthday presents. I mean, I was totally looking for the things on their lists so how could I even end up in the section for something I might want? It just doesn't make sense....right?

I did not put some cashews out for the little mouse that lives in our office. I mean, I don't want him here so why would I feed him? I'm not a softy like that.

I did not put off the final cleaning in my house until today knowing that my in-laws are arriving tonight. I don't like to procrastinate like that. Everything done way ahead of time with time to spare - that's my motto. (Really, who am I kidding?)

I did not eat a brownie with a mini peanut butter cup baked in the middle for breakfast. That's far too many calories for me to eat at all, much less have that sugar rush first thing in the morning.


Okay, that's all that I'm not confessing to right now. Especially now that I've got those brownies on the brain!!

Long Weekend

Dax & I closed the office and took a long weekend. My wonderful parents (they allow us to be able to do so much) came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I went and played.

We got up at about 3:00 on Thursday morning and headed to the airport to catch a flight to Virginia. Why in the world would anyone want to do that? (I know that's what you're asking) Because Dax had been playing around online and found this and we were headed to buy it.





He's like a kid at Christmas with his new toy. (And believe me, the last thing we needed was another car at our house!!) Doesn't he look happy though?




We had intended to be able to drive back at a somewhat leisurely pace and enjoy ourselves. As it turned out though we had to wait until Friday morning to complete the transaction and it was raining and yucky for two of our driving days. This slowed things down considerably and pretty much took the 'leisure' out of it. But, it was nice to have some time alone together anyway.

We did take the opportunity to spend the night in Texarkana (where we used to live). We stopped by and surprised a friend that we hadn't seen in years. (You know who you are Amy) She has gotten married since we last spoke and her new husband seems really nice. After we left their house, Dax and I both talked about how happy she looks and that it was nice to see that. She's a really sweet person and deserves to have a husband that treats her well and makes her happy. It was really nice to see her and I'm glad we decided to stop.

We made it back home yesterday afternoon and boy are our butts tired of riding in the car!! The kids are thrilled about the car because they think it looks cool. Dax took today off to get it all cleaned back up after the long drive home and then he's going to pick the kids up from school in it - per their request.

Now our really hectic schedule begins. My in-laws will be in town on Wed. night, the kids' birthday party is Saturday, my in-laws leave on Sunday, Thanksgiving is at our house on Thursday, and then Dax & I leave for a conference in Vegas on Saturday. Busy, busy, busy.