In the days of the Pioneers!

Cleburne held a pioneer celebration and we went so the kids could experience more about pioneers.  The kids are doing a Texas History class right now so this was really helpful!  It was great to see so much history and even get to touch and experience things like we were in the pioneer days!

What their tents were like

The weapons.  The guy is getting ready to do a cannon demonstration!

Man that was loud!

Sandra feeling a real fur pelt!

Listening to a story about how the turtle shell got all cracked looking.  

Learning about Indian and pioneer games

Cool totem pole!
Owen, Clark, and Talmage

Sandra, Lorna, Bree, and Mhari

Tiffany and Me

Ella and Grant

 Tiffany showing Owen how they used to sharpen blades.

Clark smelling a metal flower (they put scent on it to smell like a rose)

Some of the cool black smith items for sale!

Hard at work!

Grant and Owen driving the sheriff stage coach!

It was a great trip with so much to see.  I'm glad we went and maybe next time we will plan to buy some cool souvenirs.  Yay for Texas and it's pioneers!

Let the Project Begin!

Talmage  has come to that time in life to complete his Eagle Project!  He worked with a local Cemetery Association to add a flagpole and flowerbed as well as clean headstones at the cemetery.  I got to be involved with the process to help him accomplish everything by helping him contact and meet with the President of the Association.  He also exchanged many emails and phone calls before we ever got to the project.  I even got to take him to get the project approval.  It is a bit overwhelming, but Talmage stuck through it and finally gets to do the project!

The first phase of the project was to set the flagpole.  After the flagpole was set then we would come back to add the flowerbed and scrub the stones.  

This is what the land looked like before the flagpole. 

Here is the hole dug and getting ready to set it. 

Talmage working to level the pole before helping to fill the hole with cement.

More leveling

In goes the cement

 Mixing up more cement

Now to come back and bring lots of helpers!  

Fashion Show!

The kids recently finished their 4-H Fashion Show competition.  They had county competition in October, but due to the power going out during it I didn't end up taking any photos.  They did all get first in their categories so they all went to district!  

It was exciting to go to district with 3 kids!  The kids entered into the buying categories because there was no time for sewing.  

Talmage did Semi-formal ... which ended up getting switched at district.  Instead he competed in Everyday Living.  I was nervous about the category switch, but he did great!  He picked out his shirt, slacks, tie, and belt!

Grant did Specialty.  He found snow pants, boots, and a jacket at the thrift store.  We just had to finish with the accessories from the store.  

Sandra was in Fantastic Fashions under $25.  She had wanted to be Hermione from Harry Potter so we found a dress that was like hers when she was at the Yule Ball.  We even found cute little black heels to go with it, all at the thrift store!  Her most expensive part was her jewelry and headband!  

Talmage and Grant got 2nd and Sandra took 1st in her division!  I was so proud of them!  I know this isn't the funnest thing for the boys to participate in, but they are learning great things... like how to shop and take care of clothes!

Way to go kids! 

Talmage

Grant

Sandra!

Upgrade!

After working out of the house for the last 2 years it was time for Jeff to move out and upgrade to his own office!  His main office now in Arlington!

Here is the home office getting cleared out and moved!

He took the wood panels and the nice mirror from the wall.  It helps upgrade the new office without having to spend any extra money!

I don't know why, but Jeff and I have a terrible time picking a paint color.  Jeff really wanted the new office to have a color.  We went through lots of neutral colors and light blue/grays and ended up choosing a blue.  After the whole office was painted blue it was way too much blue!  The lighting really picked up the blue and it looked so dark!  Jeff decided to try a green instead.  We repainted the whole main area and after doing that the room was way too green!  It's like anything we did was so not working!  We even sampled like 9 colors before trying the green.  This was getting ridiculous!  We finally settled on a neutral and repainted again!  We did leave a few green walls in the reception area that helps the room not feel so cold and neutral.  After the third paint switch I think we have finally found a winning color situation for the new office!

Here is the blue next the the new white/neutral!

Nathan came and helped but up the wood panels.  We were checking out hanging the mirror on this wall.  Still haven't done it yet though.

The main reception area.  This is Michelle's desk.  The entry is at the far left corner of this picture. 

A photo from the door area into the sitting/reception area.  The open door is to the conference room.

The conference room.  I really like how this room turned out!

The workroom

Jeff's office :)

What the outside looks like... his very own sign!

The office building.

It seems to be working out well right now.  Jeff is able to sit at his office and work all day and when clients come he just goes out to meet them and right to his own conference room.  This is definitely saves time during Jeff's busy work days!

We've Missed You!

Blue Bell, we are so glad to have you back!  Never leave us again!

Yes, we are serious!  We had to survive the summer without ice cream.  It was an unusual form of torture.  I was actually craving ice cream so badly that I tried another brand... I know, it was wrong, I shouldn't have done it, and I'm so sorry!  It will never happen again! 

It was eye opening to try another brand (name brand that I used to drool over being able to buy) and now, it just doesn't even measure up. 

Living in Texas has sure taught us what our ice cream should taste like.  Thank you Blue Bell for the amazing ice cream!  It makes every calorie worth it!  Here's to many more bowls of ice cream in our future!!!

We love you Blue Bell!

Let's get some Treats!

Time for the annual Halloween festivities!  We did the Haunted Forest on the 17th and now it is time for the ward Trunk or Treat!  This is actually all of the trick or treating the kids ended up doing.  On Halloween we ended up staying home and doing an "Eat all of your Candy" night, while enjoying a family movie.  It was a really nice way to just chill and enjoy Halloween!  There is really so many people at the ward trunk or treat that we don't need to do more than that anyway. 

Well, without any more delay... here are the costumes:

Clark is Batman!

Mhari is a cute Fox

Grant is The Man in Black, The Dread Pirate Roberts, or Wesley (which ever name you prefer).

Talmage is Inigo Montoya!  

You killed my father... prepare to die!

Lorna is a cute princess.  Really, it didn't matter which one, so long as she was a princess :)

Sandra is Hermione Granger at the Yule Ball!  So fun!

Some random fun photos at the end of trick or treating.  

Mhari, Lorna, Clark, and Talmage

Lorna Bug

Mhari, Sandra, Clark and Lorna

Candy Time!

Lorna

Talmage

Sandra

Mhari

Everybody organized their candy and then worked on trading with siblings for other good candy.  Jeff was involved to help orchestrate it all.  I just enjoyed watching :)

Happy Halloween!