Monday, November 24, 2008

Deer Slayer!

Please note--this post is NOT for anyone who is opposed to deer hunting. For everyone else, you should know that I finally got a deer! I shot this 10 point on Saturday, November 22. He has 2 broken tines so you can only see 8! I am SO pumped! The head and horns are already at the taxidermist!! We do eat venison for those who are wondering. This year we will be processing our own meat!! How about that for living off the land!! Anyway--if you are interested in statistics he was 17 3/4 inches inside. I am proud--it is the biggest one I have shot so far.






As you can see--it is a family affair. The kids were very excited and Jason was proud. Yes--I did kill this deer all by myself. I called Jason after I shot him and he brought the kids out. Several people have a hard time believing that I hunt by myself, but--'tis true!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I Want a....


Isn't this the cutest thing? We went to visit Santa today. The kids were SO excited!! (I would definitely recommend going to The Woodlands!) Jake isn't real sure what he wants. He was just excited to see Santa! Jenna on the other hand, well that is a different story altogether--a very sweet story I might add. A few months ago, her friend Emma got an American Girl doll! I was in love and immediately wanted Jenna to have one. She however was not ready at the time. She liked it a little, but then was on to something else to play with. Well just last week, we were back at Emma's house to play and my oh my how things have changed. Jenna was beside herself--brushing the doll's hair (with a special brush), changing her clothes, picking a name. It was precious. Then--Julie brings out the American Girl catalog and Jenna is absolutely mesmerized. She spent the rest of the day looking through it and telling me which ones she liked and what outfits they could wear and the earrings that would match and on and on! Then she announced that she wants Santa to bring her one. That night she went to bed with the catalog on the table beside her bed. I told her she could look at it some more first thing in the morning. When she woke up, she came into my room. Instead of hearing her sweet voice say "Mama can I eat breakfast" she said "Mama--I dreamed of a name for my American Girl doll--Emily Elizabeth". It made my heart leap to see her so excited about it. She has literally talked about it non-stop since then. She even tells cashiers at the store (whether they ask or not) that she wants Santa to bring her an American Girl doll. I have said all of this to explain the picture of Jenna and Santa looking at the book. The oh-so-clever photographers saw a photo-op and took advantage of me (and my pocketbook). Jenna insisted today when I told her we were going to see Santa that she needed to take her catalog so she could show him EXACTLY which one she wants. When we got there she literally ran over and jumped in his lap and began flipping through the book. I had tears in my eyes and my heart was so full of love as I watched her innocent, child-like excitement as she explained it all to Santa! That is when they snapped the pic. They knew I couldn't say no!! My original intention was to have both kids sit in Santa's lap and have their picture made--hence the other picture. I just HAD to have them both!! I guess you will have to stay tuned to see if Santa brings Jenna the doll, and if so, what she decides to name her. She also likes the names Natalie and Samantha. This is big business you know!!




Friday, November 7, 2008

Happy Birthday Jake!!

It is so hard to believe that Jake is 3!!! It seems like only yesterday we were bringing him home as a newborn! He really is getting big--and is very smart (I know I am biased, but really, he IS very smart! He really had fun at his party!! It was a camo theme, so we all wore camo and had camo decorations. This worked perfectly since it was opening day of deer season too!



I made him chocolate cupcakes with camo icing. He could hardly wait to blow out his candles!!! He insisted on singing Happy Birthday, even though Jenna desperately tried to explain that you don't sing when it is your birthday.



What would a party be without a pinata, right?? He picked out an army man wearing Camo. It took several tries and finally it fell and candy was everywhere!! They each had their loot bags and worked hard to gather it!!!



He loved opening his presents! I think this was the first year he really understood. Of course each time he would open one he would start to play with it and really not be interested in opening any more presents--until he opened the next one and it started over again!! We love you Jake and are so proud of you!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Trick or Treat



Have you ever seen such a cute kitty cat or such a handsome fire fighter??