It's All About the Turkey

As usual, we drove to Dallas for Thanksgiving last Wednesday.  The kids were thrilled to have plenty of cousins to play with, tasty tidbits and food galore, and gorgeous weather for the annual football game at the park.  My oldest nephew Adam was down for the count with asthma induced pneumonia, but he still "refereed" the game. 

Here's a rundown of the highlights :-)

Rebecca, our niece Abby (who has an amazing amount of patience for all her younger cousins), and Christina having dinner Wednesday night.  We went to see Planet 51 Friday afternoon...funny and cute. 

ALL the kids, grandparents and great-grandpa (except for our nephew Ben). 

Back row: Great-Grandpa Lanphear, Abby, Grandma Reisinger, Joshua, Daniel, Adam, John, Grandpa Reisinger

Front row: Andrew, Nick, Mary, Christina, Gabriel, Rebecca, George, Sofia, and Joey

Everyone except Adam (who a few years ago declared himself too big for the kiddie table) ate in the kitchen.  Poor Christina ate outside again...even though we dosed her with Zyrtec for 5 days before Thanksgiving, she still reacted to Aunt Donelle's cats, and was again shipped out to Aunt Stephanie's house.  She was a trooper...she cried a lot, but at least this year she didn't scream nonstop.  Whew!

Gabriel with Great-Grandpa Lanphear...he just sat back and watched the preceedings.  I am sure watching 14 great-grandchildren might wear him out a bit ;-). 

Friday night we had dinner at Grandma's house.  Grandpa was raking the leaves when we pulled up...Mary, Nick, Daniel, and John were completely buried in the huge pile and surprised us. 

Of course, our kids had to try it too.  We don't have piles of leaves to play in back home. 

After dinner, I was able to herd all of our kids together and get a pic with Great-Grandpa Lanphear. 

Earlier that day, I'd been swinging with Gabriel in Donelle's back yard when the rope broke.  Gabriel was fine, because he landed on my lap.  But somehow, I hurt my left pinkie finger.  At first, I hoped it was just a bad sprain, but then it started to swell.  My MIL Terry took a look, and said I needed to get it x-rayed.  When your MIL is a registered nurse, you really can't argue with her.  So we called an appointment in at a urgent care clinic, and turns out I have a spiral fracture...and I admit...it hurt more that I thought a dumb little pinkie finger would. 

So, now I have a cute little splint for the next 6 weeks.  Oh well.  I'm not going to let it stop me from making 6 different kinds of cookies for Christmas!

After that nice visit to the clinic, David and I met up with our pals Jim, Rachel, and her boyfriend Anatoli at a bowling center.  We had fun...I just watched (did I mention some ibuprofen and a motijo does wonders for a broken finger?), and then went to Rachel's house just a few minutes away.  She's been a homeowner for 2 weeks now, and her new place was great...fabulous location, nice backyard, and the house was in great shape, considering it had been a rental for 30+ years.  

Jim went right to work reassembling a ceiling fan that had been taken apart and painted earlier.  It's always good to have a close friend who's also an architect and quite handy :-). 

Rachel still wishing she could bust out the wall between the dining room and living room...but she can't because it's a load-bearing wall. 

Group shot:  David, Anatoli, Rachel (standing).  Me and Jim (kneeling). 

Jim's birthday was Sunday, and we always tease him about being older than David and I.  Years ago, we were hanging out at Rachel's parents house, and we threw Jim into the pool.  It wasn't heated...and it was FREEZING cold that night.  Boy...was Jim mad.  Now we can laugh about it...'cause it sure was funny back then too!

We headed home Saturday afternoon after stopping at Peter and Stephanie's house for lunch.  Their house is on the market, and they've scooped out a couple of possiblities for a new one.  I told them we'd be staying with them for sure if they bought a bigger house (so we could all stay in a cat-free zone).  Stephanie teased me and said maybe they should get a smaller house.  But they're looking for more space for their family of six, and a pool, so I'd better earn my keep when we visit next time. 

There was new Christmas to listen to on the drive home...and movies too of course.  

Rebecca actually fell asleep for a little bit...I don't think she's fallen asleep in the van since she was two.  (I'll bet it's from staying up late every night whispering with Abby.)

Now that we're home...it's laundry time, decoratingfor Advent, and making a run to the store for the essentials.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Campin' and Fishin' (with LOTS of Mosquitoes!)

We went out to Lake Livingston this weekend with Joshua's Cub Scout Troop.  There was the usual setting up of tents, sleeping bags, nature hike, campfire activities, etc. along with LOTS of mosquitoes. 

Let me say that again.  There were LOTS of mosquitoes! 

Seriously people.  These suckers were as big as your head.  They bit through our pants and shirts.  They mangaged to find that one place, no bigger than a couple square inches, that didn't get bug spray.  And they didnt' wait until dusk.  When they found out we were coming, they honed in on our campsite and started feasting from 2:00 PM on.  Sunday was no day of rest for them either...they were out and about when we started breaking down gear right after breakfast. 

Well sure...they went after everyone else too.  Bug spray with Deet was liquid gold this weekend.  That Avon stuff didn't do a thing for those who tried it.  'Course, if you live in Texas like we do, you knew that already. 

Thankfully the kids didn't complain too much.  Especially after getting bug spray 3 or 4 times over a 24 hour period.. 

Here's some of the highlights!

Nature hike with a park ranger:

Playing around with my camera along the way:

Our campsite.  I always laugh because we have to bring a tent big enough for six...everyone else brings much smaller tents. 

That night, we had silver turtles for dinner, s'mores, skits, and retired two old flags by holding a brief ceremony and buring them in the campfire. 

I actually slept pretty good this time.  Last time we went camping, Rebecca had a bike accident, and we ended up at the local ER until midnight.  By then, my adrenaline had been in overdrive for hours, and I just couldn't fall asleep until about 2:00 AM. 

Rebecca and Christina were up first next morning, the boys all slept until about 7:15.  We had doughnuts for breakfast.  I know...y'all were expecting me to fire up the campstove and cook, but it just involves too much work, and the kids are too hungry to wait very long.  Camping makes 'em hungry, you know? 

The definite highlight of the weekend was fishing at the lake.  We went right after breakfast.  Either the fish are really hungry, or very well-trained.  Joshua, Rebecca, and Christina each caught 3 fish!  They were just little perch and had to be thrown back in, but still, the kids were thrilled. 

Like any proud parent, I had to take pics after each catch...here's a few: 

Gabriel was very curious, and wanted to fish too...but sharp little fishing hooks and 2-year-olds don't mix. 

 He was content to walk up and down the dock with me...

and say hi to all the ducks. 

We had already packed everything up before heading to the lake, so after fishing, we headed home.  It rained on the way...which worried me because we'd taken the truck.  Luckily, nothing was soaked through, and most everything was in large garbage bags...I knew I'd have enough laundry to do without the mess of drying and airing out 6 sleeping bags and 6 pillows. 

Speaking of laundry, I've got to go put it all away now.  I started last night, and finished up early this morning.  Sigh...maybe I'll take a nap.  Camping makes Momma tired!

Trick or Treat!

It's time to put on costumes...

It's time to dress up right...

It's time to get things started...

'Cause it's Halloween tonight! 

(anyone guess the tune?  It's from The Muppet Show). 

Okay...let's introduce this year's cast of characters!

We have Joshua as Batman.

Rebecca is a leopard. 

 Christina is a cheerleader from HSM.

And Gabriel as a Texas A&M football player (I made this for Joshua when he was 2.5). 

Thank God the Aggies won last week AND today's game, or Gabriel would have to wear his Aggie Football costume in disgrace.  And I really didn't want to put him through that.  

Aw...aren't they cute?  I just want to eat 'em up!  (Well...maybe not, I'll save room for candy later ;-).

This year, Joshua was invited to go trick-or-treating with a friend who lives on the other side of our subdivision.  Thankfully, he came home with about the same amount of candy as the other kids. 

I loved Halloween as a kid.  Growing up an Army brat and living on military bases had one great benefit on Halloween.  We had free run of the base, and didn't worry about our safetly, because everyone knew each other, esepecially since our Dad was an officer.  So we'd be out for hours, making sure to hit every last house.  I distinctly remember using the large brown paper grocery bags with handles, and coming home with it full to the top.   Man...it was fun.

The weather tonight was perfect.  I mean, for Houston, it was as good as it gets.  Clear, cold (well...cold for us anyway, about 55 degrees), with just a hint of wind...perfect for trick-or-treating. 

Gabriel really got into trick-or-treating this year.  Most 2-year-olds don't turn down free candy you know.  The hard part is keeping him from eating as we're collecting it, LOL. 

Once we got home, we sorted the loot...

the kids noshed on their favorite selections, and settled back to watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.  We have to watch it every year...it's tradition.

Ah...the kids are in bed.  Time for me to go pick out what I want.  Hmm...Almond Joy...that looks good...Reese's peanut butter cup...yep, I'll take that too.  Wait, dark chocolate M&M's...can't past that up...ah...the spoils!

Excuse me please while I go indulge my inner child.  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Fun Times

Last year, one of our neighbors set up an LCD projector and DVD player in his driveway, and invited all the kids over for a movie and popcorn.  He used his garage door as a backdrop for the movie.  Everyone thought it was a great idea. 

We're having our second annual block party next weekend, and offered our driveway for the evening movie.  David decided we should have a test run with our projector.  This was last Sunday night, and the kids begged to watch a movie.  Being the responsible parents we are, we told them, "not tonight, you have school tomorrow, but you can watch something next weekend." 

Of course, the kids never forget a promise, so David set up the equipment tonight, and the kids are outside enjoying Animaniacs along with popcorn, hot cocoa, and Kool-aid.  It's a perfect night for a movie, clear, cool, (dare I say, "cold") and there's a full moon.  Ah...the memories we're making for the kids :-). 

What's Next?

We've had a slew of things breaking in and outside our house lately.  Is there some proven fact when a house is 5.5 years old it decides to start coming apart?  Well okay...not really, but seriously people...I am starting to wonder what's next.

It started with my laptop.  The monitor has been sputtering lately, and 3 weeks ago, it went out for good. 

David is pretty sure it's a broken cable inside the hinge.  I now have it plugged into our main computer's monitor...but every time we unplug the laptop so David can use his computer, my monitor won't recognize the connection when we plug it back it...so I have to reboot the laptop.  Very, very annoying to say the least.  Not to mention the fact I can't cart the laptop around the house anymore...I am chained to a desk. Boo hoo.  I've been spoiled...I know.

There are 2 cracks in my stone countertop...one is only about 6 inches long, but the other one radiates right from the corner of the cooktop and goes out nearly 14 inches.  I am very dismayed by this...it probably means the countertop needs more support from underneath the island.  And when my awesome but very busy hubby can get to it...who knows. 

I know you can't see it...but it's there.  Sigh.

In all truth, the most concerning issue is the washing machine. 

About 2 years ago...it started to leave rust stains on our clothes.  We can't be certain it isn't the dryer, but I've figured out if I leave the lid open after the last load on laundry days, it takes care of the problem.  Within the last 6 months, the agitator has acted up, and once it stopped working completely..then decided to start up again.  It's almost 11 years old, so we know it's time may be coming.  David says if it goes out, there's a laundromat just down the street.  I told him to go "you know what."  There will no trips to a laundromat in my future...not if I have anything to say about it.  No way. 

Let's see, what's next?  Oh yes.  Two weeks ago, we discovered the kitchen sink was leaking...and the cabinet underneath was soaking wet. 

It took David most of one Saturday, and 2 trips to Home Depot...but he fixed it.  He's awesome like that.

If only the garage door had been that easy.  It started acting up 3 weeks before the faucet repair.  David worked on it 2x, and it still wasn't quite right. 

My father-in-law was kind enough to work on it while we were gone to San Antonio on our vacation earlier this month.  It worked for a couple of days, and then jammed again one morning.  I had to maually shove it up as hard as I could so I could get the van out to take Gabriel to MDO.  David gave it another go last weekend, so we'll see how long it holds out. 

Hmm...I know there's one more thing. 

No, it's not Gabriel.  But don't you just LOVE the Elmo pajamas?  "I got it at ROSS."  (Oh, and a pair of Cookie Monster pajamas too).   

Oh, yes...the lock on the back door was so stiff, I had to use both hands to lock it...and a key of course.  David sprayed the inside of the lock with powdered graphite, and now it works great. 

Are y'all noticing a common theme here?  Something breaks, David fixes it.  Yeah...he's great :-).  Heaven only know how much money we've saved over the years by fixing it ourselves instead of calling a repairman.  And yes, he's been hired out by me, free of charge, to our friends who needed some help getting their homes ready to sell.

Oh...I even fixed something myself just this morning!  The printer wasn't feeding paper correctly, so the last few times we've printed something out, the text came out crooked. 

But, I looked at it, saw the problem and adjusted the lever for the paper size... and voila!  I know I'm not as talented as my husband, but I'd like to spare him any more repair jobs for a while if I can. 

God must be chuckling right now up in heaven.  He knows one of my pet peeves is things breaking...especially if I can't fix it myself.  I am not patient, and sometimes can't undestand why it takes David forever to fix something.  I get frustrated very quickly, and resent the time it takes to fix the problem.  I need more faith...and try to go with the flow when the unexpected happens.  Sigh...and even when things break...it's not the end of the world, right? 

Well...I'm going to go finish the laundry.  Hopefully the washer feels like cooperating.