Benji's Party

He requested his cake picture be taken outside on the wood pile.  Only our kids. :)

He changed his mind about a million times.  Finally, he settled on a rice krispie horse.  It matched his western/cowboy theme perfectly.

10 kids + presents = a blur

Present from Boppa and Gma.  You're looking at one VERY happy, proud, anxious-to-use-it boy.

Our family.  Wild hair and looking in all directions.

The cake rice krispie horse.

The western town was the hit of the party.

 A neat way to give a gift of money.

It's hard to believe he's 8 years old already.  In 2 months exactly Carolyn will turn 7 years old!!!

hunting 2011

While the 9-day rifle hunt is over, hunting season is still going on.  Muzzle loader is up,  followed by a healthy dose of bow hunting.  Although after the weekend is up, the orange and camo tend to get put up as well.  At least in previous years at this house. 

We've got plenty of venison to process for the freezer.  Not as many as some years.  But really, that's all that matters: food in the belly.  (Besides the 'boys' having fun during hunting week.)


Daddy got a nice 8 point buck this past Saturday.  The little boys claimed it as theirs.  (Gma Linda took the following pictures)

These two got to tag along with the big guys a few times.  I'm not sure which was bigger:  their smiles or their stories! :)  To the boys it seems like an eternity until they can get their OWN license.  But for Mom and Dad that day will be here in a blink of an eye.

Meet Bluegill/Princess

We were recently given 2 kittens.  Jackie (whom I don't have a picture of) is a boy.  Princess or Bluegill {depending on who you ask) is a girl.  Both are outside kitten's.  But they do find their way inside quite often.  Usually in some type of baby get-up.  Which both kitten's surprisingly put up with.

Snow

We got our 1st snow of the season the past few days.  Each day it melted by noon, but each day it was enough to leave a thick white layer on everything.  Just enough to roll some snowmen.  Just enough to make the kids thrilled.  Mom didn't mind it too much either.  To be honest, the first snow is always exciting.  (It's the 486th snowfall that gets old).  At any rate the weather is predicted to be in/near the 50's the rest of the week- we could handle a little bit of snow.

Happy 8th Birthday Benji!!!

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday Dear Benji 

 Happy Birthday To You!!!

It's hard to believe you're turning eight.  It was just yesterday you made us parents.  Now look at you.

You continue to love all things related to horses, cowboys, hunting, and your little brother.  No longer are a little boy.  But willing to snuggle when the time is right. 

While we'd love to have you stay little for awhile longer, we're excited to watch you learn new things.  It won't be long before you're going with Daddy to get your very own hunting license.

Happy 8th birthday Benji!!!

Love,

Dad, Mom, Carolyn, Katie and John

Happy Birthday Boppa Ben!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear boppa ben
happy birthday to you!!!

Love,
Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John

{together for 10}

There are a few dates that will always stand out to me.  Days that have special meaning.  Days that will not easily be forgotten.  Nov 2, 2001.  It was 10 years ago this weekend that I travel 3 hours across the state to see this guy.  Although I had met his parents before (when his brother married one of my friends), I didn't really know them, or vice versa.  Although I have a feeling they knew plenty about me before I even arrived.  I knew his brother and sister some.  Mostly from the weekend up north in August.  (Another time we're not likely to forget).

I remember having butterflies as I drove.  Thinking "what if?"  (Those feelings disappeared the moment I stepped out of the car)  I remember his Dad and him were standing at the end of the walkway when I pulled up.  I remember his Mom hugged me.  I remember I brought a homemade carrot cake, that was my 'soon to be' father-in-law's favorite cake, unknown to me.  We went camping.   His parents, us, his brother/wife, his sister/husband and Annie (my in laws German Shepherd pup).  There was hunting.  (I quickly was made aware just what hunting means to men of this family.)  There was a evening at the local restaurant- just the kids.  There was much laughing and joking.  I remember feeling at home.  With Benjamin.  With the just being 'there'.  I called in sick (used an extra PTO day) to work Monday and drove home Tuesday morning (I worked 2-11 at the time).  We already had plans made to be together on my next weekend off.  And the next one, and the next.  Then a wedding date was set.   And the rest, as they say, is history.

I remember so much more from that weekend, but I can't find a way to put it into words.  But it's with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart I look back at the memories we've created: on that weekend and since then.  10 years later.  Still together.  And he's out hunting.. again.

P-a-r-t-y

I'm having a party....

• A Pampered Chef catalog party that is. 
• If anyone is interested in ordering let me know.  (For those that are local friends of mine, you can go to directly Ingrid's website and search my name under hostess)  Otherwise I can send you the link to order directly from my party online.
• If you want to order, we'll figure out how to make it happen! :)
• The party is open today through Nov. 14.
• Typically, your order is shipped directly to me, then I distribute the items to you.  For a small fee, you can have the items shipped directly to you if you're not local.
• Any questions... let me know.