A Letter To The First Lady.

Ruthie is not happy with her lunch tray at school.  The loss of "treats", like a cookie or brownie, has had an effect on her.  So she took action.  She wrote a letter to Mrs. Obama to share her thoughts on the first lady's hand menacing her lunch tray.

Loss of Sweets

Dear Michelle Obama,

I just wanted to know why you have cut dessert at all schools in the country? .... Anyway, when I used to get school lunch I want to have something sweet like a cookie or a brownie.  I think that if you would put desserts back on you would make kids happy.  Also the lunch ladies are putting corn and lots of vegetables in our Navajo taco and chicken on our nachos.  I get home lunch because I don't like school lunch.  It was an honor writing to you, you are my role model and I think that just because you weren't born in America doesn't mean you can't be president.  I'm Chinese and I'm adopted and I'm proud of it.

Sincerely,

Ruthann....





Backyard Activities

The weather has been beautiful!  The kids have been playing outside lots.  Isaac got out the empty soda cans and got some spelling practice in.  Yay!

Daniel took Sam to Lowe's where they invested in a new tarp.  Sam and Ruthie were hard at work making a treehouse of sorts.  They have many luxuries up there.

Chairs, art on the walls, a table.  The problem is the wood is rotting.  Hopefully the set doesn't fall apart while they're up there!

New Things.

Ruthie went in for her 2 year eye exam.  She's wanted new frames for a while, so we got some.

She chose the "dork" look.  They are black on the outside and blue on the inside.  She is a doll!  And certainly NOT a dork!

Sam has this deal where he has to be constantly moving.  And if his energy isn't specifically geared in one direction, it gets splattered all over.  And we don't like that.  So I did what any mom would do.  I got him a mini trampoline.  Best Mom Decision EVER!  He just gets on it and jumps.  And jumps.  And jumps.  And jumps. And jumps.  And jumps.  And jumps.

And jumps.

It's awesome!

Got Goat Coats?

Isaac sent this email to Abbie with pictures and details for goat coats.  So my mom, being wonderful and all, emails Isaac back asking for more specific measurements.  So Isaac did.  Then, last week, Isaac got a package in the mail.  This is what was inside...

Each of my kids went and put a goat coat on each of their goat kids.

They velcroed underneath and I don't think the goats were quite sure of what to do.  Waffles was unable to walk after the coat went on, so Ruthie carried him.

Abbie also sent a dog sweater that didn't fit her dog.  Why not try it on the goats?! 

It fit.

So there you have it.  Isaac also emailed Abbie with ideas on how to make the family Christmas Eve party cooler next year.  Such a hoot.

Preparing For Christmas

Christmas is coming.  Can you feel it?

Ok, seriously, it happened almost a month ago. 

But I have to catch up remember?

And can you believe I'm actually blogging?!?!

We went to Abbie and Poppy's for our annual Abbie's Christmas Cookie Party. 

Isaac had fun.  He even wore an apron!

I really don't know what's going on here with Sam.  I assume he's crying about the horrors of cookie mutilation in the world. 

And Ruthie Made 8 beautiful cookies.  Then, as we were leaving, she couldn't find her plate of beautiful cookies.  We threw some icing on a few and threw 'em on a plate and tried to call it good.  Then, as we arrived home, Aunt Emilie texted to say she had Ruthie's cookies. Grrr.  Ruthie was nice and said she hoped Emilie enjoyed them!

Sam is in his school choir this year.  Hurray!  The choir gave a Christmas concert.  Sam sang his heart out.  He later informed me that he doesn't really sing.  He just moves his mouth.  But I think the shape of his mouth as it matched all the other mouths in his area proves he was singing.  He's refuses to take choir in junior high.  I did try!

And Christmas Eve was spent with Abbie and Poppy.  Ruthie was an angel with some cousins in the annual Nativity story.

We also had a ward Christmas party.  We did a pie contest and had so many pies, people were talking about still being full of pie at church the next day.  Daniel and I were able to attend the sealing of a very dear couple in our ward.  Sheryl asked me to be her escort and I was happy to do it.  What a beautiful day it was, too.  Ice and snow on all the trees and everything just blanketed.  It was beautiful.  We had our family Christmas party with Daniel's family on the same day and I have no recollection of it.  Except that we got there late and left early. Darn it.

Christmas is next!!

Can't wait.

I Think I'll Keep 'Em!

I took these last night to put them up on KSL

I told 'em I was gonna sell them

I could get lots of money for them

But then I decided I'd like to keep them

I like them

A lot

Holy Cats Batman!

I'm just gonna say it. 

I've been busy.

Very Very Busy.

I've got nothing more to say on that.

 

I have taken a few pictures though.

Here is the scale.  Something weighs 141 pounds.  What could it be??

It's a pumpkin.  Daniel had gotten pumpkin seeds from a guy at work and we got 3 huge pumpkins from them.  Daniel carved one...

Pretty cool.  We have one more left that didn't get carved.  We're taking it up to the Ranch this Saturday to blow it up.  Yep.  You read that right.  We're gonna blow it up. 

We know how to have fun!

Woody.

Sam.  He bruised just under his bottom lip. Like a strange soul patch!

As for Halloween, Isaac went to a party with all his friends.  He has such a great group of boys he hangs out with.  They are all across the street and in a different Stake.  Dang it.

Sam and Ruthie dressed up.  I did not get a picture.  I was taking care of some RS business as they got ready and then they took off.  Sam was a pumpkin zombie. Here's his stash!

And Ruthie with hers.  She was a vampire.  You can see the blood coming from her mouth. 

Life has certainly been full lately.  My family has been blessed as I've been working with my new calling.  We are all busy and happy and healthy.  Couldn't ask for more!

Turn Out The Lights, The Show Is Over.

Last night was the goat show.  The kiddos got their goats washed and dried and brushed and leashed and walked and good and tired out.  Here they all are right before the show.

Just entering the show ring. 

The goats are 3 months old so they were in the Pet class 0-6 months old. 

Waiting for the judge.  This year's judge was (I thought) much better than last year's. 

Here is the judge with Isaac and Jake.  He got down with each goat as he talked to each handler.

With Sam and Woody.  He asked what the goat's name was and then told them to tell a little about their goat.

With Ruthie and Waffles.  The judge had a smile on his face the whole time and laughed and was extemely friendly.

Walking around the arena.  Ruthie's goat Waffles, not wanting to walk.

As she got into place, Waffles buckled his legs and she ended up dragging him.  The judge went over and helpedr her put him right and then brushed him off for her.



They each got a blue ribbon for participating.  They each also get $3 for their participation.

They did such a great job.  We are very proud of them and their goat skills!

Back In The Saddle Again.

So our weekend plans changed but in the end we had a blast!  Here's how it went.  Daniel took Friday off and went grocery shopping with me.  We went to lunch too.  We decided to go to Jimmy Johns for a sandwich and as we walked up to the front door, an older gentleman called out "Do you know anything about cars?" So Daniel went over and asked what the trouble was.  It just wouldn't start.  So I pulled the Durango up and we jumped his battery and Daniel told him to go have it looked at.  Might need a new one.  Aahh.  Felt good to be of service to someone. 

 

We got all the camping gear up from the basement and got our stuff packed.  The plan was to get to the cemetery by 5 to celebrate our sweet friend Lyndsay.  Then we were to head down to Payson to camp with my sister Laurie and her family.  Kids came home from school and got  their duffels packed.  Then Laurie called and said her kids were coming home from school not feeling well.  Dang.  So we huddled and made a decision.  We would go to the Ranch instead.  I mean the lakes would have been fun, roughing it would have been awesome.  But what about the lonely factor.  And there might even be cousins up at the Ranch! 

 

We headed to the cemetery.  Late.  But got there in time to do the butterfly release.  Then toasted friendship and such.  Then we bugged out and got to the Ranch.  Grandma and Grandpa and some of the teenage boy cousins were there.  Grandpa brought them up to fix fences and do some yard work.  Deanna and Clark (Daniel's sister and hubby) were to come up later in the evening. 

 

There was a lot of 4 wheel riding.  I want a 4 wheeler.  When the basement's done, 4 wheelers and a camper are on the I Want Them Now list.  Not that it'll go like that.  But a girl can dream. 

On Saturday we pulled out all the furniture, pulled the old orange carpet out, scrubbed the floors, cleaned corners, scraped dead mouse out and then put this lovely blue carpet in.  It fit so nicely, too.  Luckily for us, Marylynne (another sister) got new carpet at her house.  The "old" carpet is at the Ranch now.  Deanna and I went through the boxes of stuff that has accumulated and threw out yucky stuff, and organized the rest. 

The plan is to get all the gals together for a couple of days to paint and do more organizing.  My plan is to find a more comfortable couch!  But it's an antique. 

Everyone left on Saturday afternoon and evening.  Then we had a quiet and clean place to ourselves.  Daniel and the kids did some 4 wheeling. Umm... they're out there somewhere.  But isn't it pretty?!

Farmer Dan and my kiddos.  Later I took the kids out, but we don't take pictures of mom on the machine.

There was some dancing!

There was a lot of snacking.

.Oh, and there were cows everywhere.  The problem was, they weren't all Uncle Lewis' cattle.  So when Grandpa left he went to tell Lewis that there were extra cows.  On Sunday afternoon, Lewis and his son Steve and his wife Nicole and her 2 daughters (whew!) came up to drive the cattle.  Daniel headed out with Uncle Lewis on the 4 wheeler with Isaac in tow, while Steve and Nicole went out on the horses.  The little girls stayed with us and we colored and snacked and watched Gilligan's Island.  When they got back, Ruthie got a ride on Roscoe.  That's Steve there.  Isaac helped get the cows through a fence and rode the horse and sped around the cows on the 4 wheeler.  He had a great time and may go in to cattle driving!

Aahh.  All our stuff is packed up and Sam is playing his DS.  Can't get away from technology completely. 

On Sunday night we introduced the kiddos to Agatha Christie.  We watched Death On The Nile.  Oooh, scary and intense.

Isaac couldn't get enough of Grandpa's 4 wheeler.  I'm pretty sure he wants one too. 

We went into town to dump trash and get gas for the 4 wheeler and generator and were going to see the goats.  They weren't there!  We were so bummed.  We don't know if they got moved or sold.  We'll have to ask Uncle Lewis.  We got home Monday afternoon and went right to laundry.  5 loads of our own and 2 loads of Ranch stuff. 

It was a fun weekend.  This morning everyone had a hard time getting up for school.  We are back to real life again.  In fact, I better get a move on to get all my at home stuff done today!

Hope you all had a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!

Finally, A Date With A Hot Guy.

Friday night I had a date with a hot guy.  Daniel and I went to dinner and a movie.  We realized we haven't been on a real (no kids with us) movie date in 2 years.  It was kinda nice.  Saturday was the annual Poppy's Hike.  We headed down to Abbie and Poppy's early.  Abbie had camo handkerchiefs for each of the boys.  My boys indulged and took 2 each and turned into some ninja things.  Here are my boys...

And the whole group.  Ruthie and I stayed behind with all the other moms and daughters.  It was a fun day.  And we didn't break the McDs when we went to lunch after the hike.

Tonight is back to school night for Isaac.  Tomorrow night is back to school night for Ruthie and Sam.  Then Wednesday is the big day!  Back to school for everyone under 5 feet tall.  This morning I went to the dermatologist for another 6 month check up.  Guess what?!  NO Pre Cancer!  So I don't have to go back for another year.  Yay me!  Last night grandma and grandpa came over for dinner and after dinner we played Sorry!.  It was fun.  Then Daniel gave each of the kids (and me) a father's blessing.  I love that we can have that tradition when the kids go back to school.  Or any time they feel they need a priesthood blessing.  I need to go to the store tonight to collect some fun stuff for the back to school morning gift for the kids.  I am mixing it up this year.  I'll take pictures and show ya later.  Daniel bought wood and stuff to build another goat house in the pasture.  With 6 goats we are short on housing.  But Bella and Angelica are adapting well.  Tonight we have goat club and then our last club meeting is in September.  It's been so fun.  We are looking forward to goat club 2013!  My eye is better.  My eye doc said the inflammation was gone.  I just did a drop a day for a couple more days.  Isaac is going to finish up the Horsemanship merit badge this week.  The bishop mentioned to Daniel that Isaac was so fun when he came to talk to the boys about horses.  Isaac had so many good questions and was really interested in all he had to teach.  We all have colds in one way or another.  My throat hurts and my sinuses are killing me, Ruthie is coughing and blowing her nose, Isaac is coughing and Daniel has a sore throat.  Sam has a stomach ache.  But I think that's just nerves.  I loaded up on cold meds today because no one gets a sick day home from school after tomorrow!  And with that, I'll leave you with the hot guy I love most. It's a laugh a minute I tell ya!

Kids In Training.

The Weber County Fair is closely approaching so my kids have been training Mama Cass' kids for the show.  Sam picked Iris to show and Ruthie picked Felix.  Isaac had picked Biscuit, but Biscuit is being most difficult.  She just rolls around on the ground and won't be a good yearling.  She's a year older than the other 2.  She should know better. 

To get the goats to obey your walking orders, you hold the choke chain and their tail.  When they walk, you loosen the chain and let go of the tail.  Sometimes the walking happens then changes to stopping so fast that they don't have time to let go of the tail.

It's quite the spectacle.  But it's an open show, not an official 4-H show.  So there will be all kinds of kids being shown with all kinds of kids showing.  The weeds in the cracks are just too tempting for Felix.