Carolynn's hat

A couple of weeks ago, Mike's dad had gotten a cute little cricket hat for Carolynn. Of course, Carolynn being herself, she wanted nothing to do with the hat. She doesn't wear hats. You put them on, she pulls them off. The queen must not like the way they feel or something, I don't know. Anyway, Carolynn didn't seem to want to wear the hat, but I think all of her brothers have worn it at some point in time. I have even worn it to try to get her to wear it! Grandpa wanted to see a picture of Care-care in the hat, but I could never get her to leave it on long enough to get the camera in position!

Finally, I came up with the brilliant idea of using bribery to get a couple pictures. When she was in a really good mood, I got out the hat, got out some fruit snacks, and told Care-care if she put on the hat and let me get a picture, she could have the fruit snacks. She not only did that, but she even "cheeeese"d for me! She is such a goof ball! I just never know what to expect from that little cutie!

Next day, while I was at work, the boys said Carolynn decided to put the hat on again (maybe she wanted more fruit snacks?). They said she ran around the house just a laughing and giggling with this hat on, being all cutesy. Unfortunately, the hat is still just a little too big for her, and the one time as she turned the corner, the hat slipped down over her eyes so she couldn't see, and she ran smack into the piano. The boys said she tore the hat off and cried hard for a few minutes. She's been wearing a nice bruise on the right cheek ever since, but I can't get her to wear the hat any more!

Damean's Visit

Yesterday I had a dental appt. and Liz watch Carolynn for me. When I picked Care up, I took Damean home with me while Liz went to work. Carolynn is such a cute little thing at home alone-- she gets her own way, has the run of the house, etc. When Damean was over, her bad side came out. Damean touches and plays with her toys. She doesn't want them until Damean wants them, of course. Rhett is going to be an awesome babysitter, though. He kept the two entertained by giving them ice cubes in cups. They sucked on them, they shook their cups and made noise and watched the ice cubes fly all over the floor, then picked them up and sucked on them some more (you aren't reading this are you, Liz?). I think it kept them entertained for about a 1/2 an hour at least!! When they got tired of that, Austin and Trev were back from school, so we got out the laundry baskets and the boys made a train. At first Carolynn was in the front, but the queen didn't like that. Damean didn't care, so they traded places. The boys worked and got worn out while I got dinner. Damean smiled and laughed the whole time. The queen wasn't as pleased... she had to share a laundry basket! She couldn't figure out how to sit in both at the same time... I'm gonna have to have kids over to play with her toys more often!

The grass is always greener...

All summer long, we got very little rain. Up until a month ago, the lawn was nearly dead and brown. Then the weather cooled, and we finally got some much needed rain. Unfortunately, the lawn now is in desperate need of mowing. I told Mike it was a shame to let all that good grass go to waste when we have these animals that would love to eat it, so intead of getting the mower out, Mike and the boys moved the corral panels to encompass part of the yard for the calves to nibble. When I got home from work that night, I noticed that the silly cows had trimmed a nice area of grass right along the fence line. Mike moved the panels a little bit the next day. Even though there was still plenty of lush, thick grass inside the fence, Rosebud insisted on eating out as far as she could...

I guess she thought it was true... The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

under construction

The addition is coming along slowly, but surely. Merlin Miller (Stephen worked for him back when he was in high school, and David is good friends with his son, Justin, who Mike has played football with) is the man we hired for the construction. So far he is doing very nice work. He only has a crew of two other guys, so he doesn't move real fast, but he is thorough and does a very good job. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs some remodeling or anything. He has worked very well with Mike and I to help us get what we want. Here's what it looked like as of Monday...

Mike and I are thinking we might have him build us a little barn for the animals when he's done with the house...

Fun at football

This past weekend, Rhett, Austin, and Trevor had football games -- both at home. Fortunately, by standing at a point between the two fields, I was able to watch pretty much all of both games. I hate missing one of their games! One of them might make the most spectacular play of their life... and I wouldn't be watching...

Anyway, last Saturday, Austin was sick with a low-grade fever (Rhett and Trevor both missed school today with the same thing), so he wasn't able to play in the game. Unfortunately, due to the fact that Mike had clinicals, and I'm not willing to miss a game if at all possible, I made him dress warmly and dragged him out in the cool air anyway. Rhett played very well, as usual, scoring the first touchdown for his team and making some spectacular flying tackles. I got a picture of one of his great tackles -- although you can't see him very well since the big guy that was holding him (note the yellow flag on the ground) stepped in front of my camera. In spite of being held, Rhett made the tackle, as usual. I'm gonna have to work on getting better action shots!

I did get some really clear action shots of the spectators. It was a fairly cool morning -- mid 50's. Light misty rain continually. Perfect football weather! Carolynn really doesn't seem to watch much of the game, but she does have fun entertaining herself! She especially likes being able to climb in and out of the chair on her own.

Michael T wasn't with us at the game -- he was competing in a cross country meet with 9-12 other schools. He did wonderful!!! -- he placed 18 out of over 75 other highschoolers and even got a medal!

I also got a couple of pictures of Trevor's game. I don't know if you have ever watched a flag football game, but they are quite entertaining. Half the kids really don't know what to do and run the wrong way with the ball, tackle the kid with the ball instead of pulling his flag, or just simply dance to their own tune on the field. Trevor actually stays in tune. Having older siblings who play with him at home probably helps. He played a little bit of every position during the game, but I had the camera only while he was on the line. I'ts hard to see, but he's the one closest.

Saturdays with football are fun, but long days. I'm sad... I'm going to miss this coming Saturday's game... I have to work. Maybe I'll get lucky and get called off...

Life moves too fast

I know, I haven't been keeping up so well with this blogging thing, have I? Life has been awfully busy lately. With work for Mike and I, Mike going to school two nights a week, football practice for Rhett, Austin, and Trevor 3 nights a week, Michael T's cross country after school, Josh's Junior high football after school, Michael and Devon in Seminary every morning, Michael T with On the Road Driver's Ed every Monday, Devon with Driver's Ed every Wednesday after school, etc., etc., etc, I just can't seem to find the time to update this thing!! I'm so glad I have a good husband that is willing and able to help get all the kids where they need to go (when he's around), that I have the ability to get them places when I'm available, and that I have such fabulous parents and siblings that pick up the slack when Mike and I fall short!

Oh! and I have so much to update! Where oh where to begin?