Here We Go......

November 19, 2008: The foundation! The slab was poured first thing in the morning. 6am to be exact. Doug took the kids by before school to check on the prgress. We all went later to make our hand impressions. The boys (mainly Doug) are very excited. Doug checked on the work three times that day. The house in on the south side of College Station, the shop is on the north-west side of Bryan! Framing should be this week, then onto the details. I am busy making all the selections, and having a great time at it too. We can't wait to have the room we need, the house we love and the space in the yard to run, play, throw the baseball, and have privacy. The projected completion date is by mid March! Yea! That means we will be celebrating Doug's birthday by moving boxes!

Living Museum

Brett was Shoeless Joe Jackson. A famous baseball player. He played for the Chicago White Sox and helped lead them to victory in the 1915 World Series. He had a very special bat "Black Besty". Brett enjoyed learning about him and then telling his story.

Each kid was a "statue". Once someome pressed their button, they came to life and told their story.

Brett and his friend Carson. Two famous players from the past.

Opening Weekend of Deer Season

Yes, Brett got a deer. 8 pt. to be exact. Doug and I decided that it was time for Brett to get to go to "deer camp" on opening weekend this year. The oldest grandson, the start of the next generation attending camp, not just visiting. What a blast. Brett has been counting down the days. His big dilemma was should he go early Friday or stay and trick-or-treat, then go late. He decided to do both. He had a blast trick-or-treating, but was very ready to get on the road. They even had to stop on the way to get his licence. The first hunt Sat. morning they got it. First they saw two bucks fighting, shot at one, the smaller, and missed. Then the larger returned to their sights. They got it. The smile on Brett's face is absolutely priceless. Mom at home with Zach (had a soccer game and has strep throat), was just about to check in on the morning's hunt when this picture was sent to my cell phone. How wonderful for Brett on his very first time at camp and with Dad. A weekend that will give special memories to them both.

Halloween!

Halloween 2008. We decided to do something different this year. Being in a new neighborhood, and all our friends in a different neighborhood, we went there. We had dinner with friends, then a group of kids went trick-or-treating together. Zach, dressed as Indiana Jones had a blast. He woke up that morning complaining of a soar neck. Upon further investigation, he clarified that his throat hurt when he swallowed. He did not eat anything for breakfast. With trick-or-treating that night and a big soccer game on Sat., mom called the doctor. Yep, strep throat! he spent the afternoon with mom in Brett's class helping with Pumpkin Math. After a small nap after school, he was ready to dress up and go get some candy. While out, it was the "sick" kid that wanted to keep going. After Doug and Brett left for hunting, Zach had to trick-or-treat a few more streets.

Brett was Dumbledore (from Harry Potter). He had a blast at his friends house and trick-or-treating with his friends. Most of all, he was counting down till time to leave for hunting. He could not wait. His first year at opening weekend with the family.

The group of "ghouls" that we spent the eveing with. What fun. We enjoyed alien cup cakes, mummy dogs, and blood punch! what a spread! After our tummies were full, off to get the candy!

Dressing up is not just for the kids. Moms can too. I was Axl Rose. Can't you tell? Rock on! With the bandana, sun glassed on top, shirt, and tatoo arms, what fun to be a rocker!

A great friend, Katy. She is the wife of Brett's baseball coach. We had a blast drinking the blood punch (wine) and walking with the kids down the street. She was off to the high school football game (the game of the week for FOX sports) so she did not dress up. She was my "groopie". We now have a wonderful new Halloween tradition! Can't wait till next year! Rock on till then.

Pumpkin Math

Pumpkin Math: In fourth grade the kids get to do a unit called Pumpkin Math. They examine, compare, measure, and see if the pumpkins float. They make predictions, the find the actual result. They weighed their pumpkins, measured them, tried to make them float, counted the seams, then gutted the pumpkin to count the seeds. What fun. At the end of the fun, the kids got to help carve a face in the pumpkins.

This is Brook Gully, Lilly Taylor and Brett. They were at the table I helped with. We had a good time. The kids were very close with their predictions. They were very surprised when the pumkins floated! Who would have thought? Did you know a pumkin is 90% water?

Pumpkin Math was fun, and very messy.

After the Pumpkin Math unit, the kids enjoyed a Pumpkin Math party!