Fall Bash

Shane goes to a great daycare and last year they had their first Fall Bash where they had different game booths, good food, and a hay ride. This past Friday was the date for this years bash and the kids had a great time. Of course, they loved the bounce house the best.



Shane, Savanna, & Ashlyn

Savanna

Rody

Shane on the pony ride.


I usually don't have time to decorate our yard or porch for the seasons, but last Christmas I made time and I really had fun doing it and the kids loved it. So after Jody and the kids carved a pumpkin this weekend, we put this together on the porch. I thought it turned out cute. We bought a light at Lowes to go in the pumpkin and it changes into different colors other that a white light. The kids love it. I like the face they picked out this year - they did a really good job. And can you believe that Savanna, not Shane, liked pulling out the insides. I guess Shane thought it felt too slimy.

Survived, Yet Again

Well, we survived another fall annual auction yet again. It was our 11th one. When Jody and I were looking at the finished product of the horse catalog for the sale and saw the title saying that it was our "11th Annual Fall Horse Sale", I just couldn't believe we had been doing it for that long. We talked about the first one that we had... we weren't married yet and of course I was trying to impress him by taking on the responsibility of the office work that it entailed. But I didn't have one clue on how an auction was put on or how it was run. It was a big learning process and I have since learned it all. There are times I wish I would not have been such the love struck, gung ho girlfriend that wanted to be there for her man like I was. It's stressful and time consuming but after 11 years it seems there is no turning back now.

On Saturday the equipment auction started at 10 am and ended at 8:30 pm. I always mean to bring my camera and try to get some pictures but I seem to have other things on my mind besides taking pictures - maybe next time. On Sunday, the horses sold and they didn't sell as well as the equipment did. It seems the horse market has really been bad the last couple of years. All in all, it was a good weekend and I am so glad it's over (at least until the spring). I plan on sleeping in tomorrow - we'll see.

Sports Saturday

Last Saturday was definately a sports day for those in our family. Gran and Papa will be busy every Saturday by having somewhere to go and watch grandkids play soccer or football. At 9:00, Savanna had her first soccer game and she did so well. I am so proud of her. She has never really showed any interest in playing sports so when she said that she wanted to play soccer this year, we signed her up. She is really enjoying it and having a blast. Her coach is so great and encouraging. He just wants them to have fun because they are only this age once.


Team meeting before the game - aren't they so cute. Savanna is #2.

Team picture - Notice that Savanna is the tallest on the team - gotta love those genetics.

After Savanna's game, we rushed and drove 25 minutes to see Anna and Avery play soccer. They have really grown and improved since last year. We found a nice shady spot and really enjoyed watching their game.

Anna is the blue one on the left waiting for the ball to be kicked in so she can take it to their goal.

With all the traveling and watching, Shane did great. He never got fussy or complained.

At one point, Avery was one of the guards out in front of the goal and she was so aggressive by kicking the ball away when it came close. They both did great.

After Anna and Avery's game, we rushed to get a bite to eat then all drove another 20 minutes to Hayden's football game. When I first heard that he was playing tackle football, I was really worried about him getting hurt. But after seeing our genetics coming into play again, I don't really see that I have anything to worry about. If anything, I think I should worry about him hurting the other team.

Hayden is definately the biggest and tallest on the team. Can you spot him? He's #10.

Halftime - he was so hot. I don't see how they stand it with those helmets on. He did so well and really enjoys playing.

I look forward to watching all my nieces and nephews playing or doing what they love throughout the years. By the way, we were winners in all three games. yeah! It was a great Saturday of sports.

More Birthday Wishes

I really meant to post yesterday and wish my wonderful mom a happy birthday!!!! I shouldn't reveal her age but .... I will be 34 this year and she was 35 when she had me. Ha ha. She is truly a great mother! She was a stay at home mom for me and my two older sisters, and I never really understood ALL that she did for us until I had kids of my own. I guess growing up you could say we were spoiled by our wonderful mother. I remember getting up in the mornings before school and sitting down to prepared breakfasts and then coming home to wonderful suppers where we all sat at the table together. My bed would be made, my room cleaned, my laundry done and put away, and the house was spotless. At school when the teachers would ask what you wanted to be when you grow up, I would always say "a housewife". I wanted to be and do exactly what my mom did (I still do, but this day and age it seems so hard to make ends meet). She worked and still works today to make her house a home. I love walking into that house and it will always be home to me. Besides making a wonderful home, more importantly she has guided our family spiritually throughout the years. Growing up, we never missed a church service. I truly feel it planted the seed for me to grow and want to know my Lord and understand what He did for us all; and to now be that example and plant that seed in my children. As we all know, there are always going to be disagreements within a family and we have had our share, but we have always come through just fine knowing that our love for one another is so strong. Thanks mom for ALL that you do - the nuturing, guidance, support, and especially the unconditional love means so much. I hope you had a GREAT birthday yesterday! I love you.

Now I want to wish DeAnna an early happy birthday!! Her birthday is tomorrow. She and Jody were born exactly 2 years and 10 days apart from one another. My kids call her Aunt Dee and she is a wonderful aunt to them. We have a great deal with each other in that I will take Rody to school in the mornings on my way to work and she will pick up Savanna for me in the afternoons from school. But here is where she gets the raw end of the deal. Jody is usually in the middle of something and can't watch Savanna until I get in from work so Aunt Dee is left to watch her, give her snacks, break up disagreements, pick up after her, etc. I am so grateful for her! She has such a sweet spirit and is a great mother. I hope you have a great day tomorrow!! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Granny!

Time has gotten away from me so I have some catching up to do. September is a month of birthdays for our family. Last Saturday, the 20th, was Jody's Granny's birthday. That morning we went to watch Rody play his first flag football game. He did so well. Then we went around with Jody to advertise for our upcoming auction by putting up flyers at different store throughout the countryside. We stopped by the Red River county fair that was going on. We looked at all the show animals and let the kids ride a few rides at the carnival. After that we went on out to Jody's Uncle Mark (who had a birthday on Sept. 11th) and Aunt Debbie's cabin and celebrated Granny's birthday. She turned 75 but definately doesn't look or act like her age. I have never met a woman who is more involved and on the go like she is. I can only hope and pray that I am as active as she is when I am 75. Mark and Debbie had grilled a feast (steaks, pork chops, chicken) for everyone there and the kids loved riding the four wheeler to go feed the catfish in their pond. They really have a nice peaceful place at their cabin.

From right to left - Granny, her brother - Royce, her sister - Margie, Margie's husband - Butch






Granny and her kiddos - Mark, Marcia, and Deaneth

Granny with 2 of her 7 grandkids - DeAnna and Jody

Granny with her 4 great grandkids

Shane LOVES cake and giving hugs!

The Friday before the party at the cabin, DeAnna wanted to get some pictures of the great grandchildren together and have them developed and framed for Granny's birthday. DeAnna came up with the idea of a cow theme since the Hares have a few dairies around. We aren't professionals, but I thought we did OK and they turned out really good once they were framed. I took some on my camera too, but the ones on DeAnna's camera were so much better. Getting all four to look at the camera and say cheese was the BIGGEST chore. By the end of our little session, I was just about ready to pull my hair out.

While we were getting things ready for our picture session, the kids were outside playing in the pasture. I couldn't resist getting a picture of all four in their rubber boots. I am so glad that BreAnna is letting us take her picture now.

These were some of the biggest catfish I have ever seen!!!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Today is Jody's birthday! He is so much older than me - Ha Ha (we will be back to the same age in December) It's on days like this when I reflect back and realize how long we have been together and truly appreciate him and the life we have together. Don't get me wrong, we definately have our moments of frustration with each other, but overall he is a great husband and an amazing father. I am so thankful that God lead us to each other. He doesn't ever read my blog but maybe one day he will learn how to use a computer so.... Happy Birthday Baby! Love ya!

I HATE Headaches

My mom and grandmother always told me not to use the word hate, but I think in this case it would be OK. On labor day weekend, we made our regular trip to the horse sale in Lufkin. We didn't do as well as we usually do but it was understandable because of the anticipation of the hurricane Gustav hitting. I guess you could say I hate hurricanes, too. First Dolly messed up our trip to SA and now Gustav was messing up our sales. Anyway, a lot of the customers there come from Louisiana and they either didn't come to the sale or they were leaving early to get back home. You would not believe the traffic there on Saturday night. I bet we waited a good 5 minutes for a break in the line of cars coming to get over to our room at the motel.

Well, back to the headache. I kept getting headaches every day while we were there but I would take something and they would go away but after we got home on Sunday it went downhill from there. There was NOTHING I could take that would ease the pain. I couldn't get out of bed, felt achy and nauseous. I had not felt this bad with a headache (or migraine, you could say) in a really long time. I pretty much missed the whole week of work and went to the doctor twice. But thank the LORD, who I visited with quite a bit while I was in pain, it has finally eased up and I am back to work this week. Sorry I have been such a Debbie Downer in this post but I just wanted to vent and have someone feel my pain, lol.