Christmas morning

Isabelle not wanting to wake up. She likes to sleep late, sometimes until 10 a.m., so this was early for her. Once she realized what was going on, she woke up. Everyone had new PJ's for Christmas morning. I think this will be a tradition for us. We let them open them on Christmas eve so they could wear them to bed.

Andrew enjoying his new wheels!

Christmas Eve

We enjoyed a beautiful candlelight service at church, well, everyone but me. I ended up in the ladies room with Isabelle. She was doing good until Pastor got up to read some scripture & decided then to start making a lot of noise. So I took her out so she wouldn't disturb anyone. After the service we went to Mick & Lisa's house and enjoyed some delicious food. She made Cheese Tortillini soup, which was very good. When we got home we did our traditional gift exchange between the kids.

Andrew decided this year that Santa likes chocolate milk, so we left out cookies & choc. milk.

Christmas Parade Champion

Mason, being the Soap Box Derby Champion that he is, was in the Athens Christmas parade. As you can see he had a rough go of it, riding on the trailer and waving the whole way. He did complain about his wrist hurting that night. Actually, the kids & I didn't even get to go, it was very cold & rainy. Why would anyone have a Christmas parade at night in December??? That seems to be the norm around here. At least in the North they know parades should be during the day. They also throw candy up North, not so much here! What's a parade without candy?

Briana's new car

Today was a big day for Briana, she bought her first car. A white Saturn LS2 2000. I think she will be glad to have something besides Big Bertha to drive around in. I don't know why she wouldn't want to drive a mini van laoded with car seats! It was my secret weapon to keep the guys away.

Signing the papers, no turning back now.

Getting the keys!! I actually missed the moment & the guy was kind enough to do it over! Scrapbookers!!!

She was on her way to work & we didn't realize we would have to go to the Couny Clerks office to get the tags (license plate for you northerners). We had to hurry, then we didn't have a screwdriver to put the plates on with. She had to stick it in the front window. I'm not to sure how legal that was. Oh well, Ted will put them on when she gets home.

I'm sure the smile will fade some when she has to start making payments.
She had to stop & get gas, you know they never put much in them when they sell them. She couldn't get the tank door to open, the guy from the station came out and couldn't figure it out either. So he had to give her a refund. We found out all you have to do is unlock all the car doors and it unlocks the tank cover also. whoops! I think inside she is singing "I'm a big girl now!"

Christmas program

Andrew sang "God's Word is Like" and signed "Holy is the Lord" in the CHIMES Christmas program Tuesday evening. He was adorable, he even managed to give me a thumbs up in the middle of signing.

stormy weather

Here are a few more pictures from IL. this summer. If you know me at all you know I am afraid of storms and it seems that every year when we go home to visit a storm or two blows up. This one came up fast and we were wondering if we should go to the basement. By the time we were brave enough to open the door and take these pictures it was moving on. The clouds looked like you could reach out and touch them they were so low.

Where have I been?

Have I really not posted anything since Sept? I don't understand why I haven't had time, let's see CHIMES, Kids, RUBIES, Kids, house work, grocery shopping, kids. I have even fallen into the trap of leaving my pictures on the camera card, I need to catch up on getting them on the computer. For now, here's a picture from our trip to IL. this summer. Although I don't remember how often we went to Uncle Morley & Aunt Emma's house, I do know that I loved to go there to visit.

Little Dutch Boy

Andrew has been needing a haircut and we just haven't had the time to go do it. So, Mason decided today to trim the front of it, without asking! As soon as Briana came home from work she asked why he looked Amish. Ted wasn't to happy when he came home. So, how long does it take hair to grow?

Toddler Time

It is sad when you realize your baby has become a toddler because she starts watching T.V. like her older brother. This is pretty mild for her, she likes to climb on the back of the couch. Ouch! what is that? Oh yeah more gray hairs popping out!! She is also becoming very independent, I don't know if that goes along with being the youngest and wanting to do everything that the others are doing but I hope she will stay my baby for awhile longer.

Emilee's 11th Birthday

Sept. 12, 1998 after 14 hours of labor Emilee entered this world via c-section. I didn't care how she got here at that point, I just wanted it over with. Grandma Fetters called her her little China doll. Turning 10 is when they really start to grow up. Almost to big for most toys but still wanting to play with them also. Isabelle will give her an excuse to play with dolls longer. She wanted the better then everything chocolate cake, which Andrew really liked. We got her a scrapboking set, a heart necklace & a cute bracelet.

First day of school

Where's the backpacks, school uniforms? Not here! As you can see daytime attire is optional. Actually, I usually make them get dressed, but the first day is not so organized. I didn't get the memo about teacher inservice day. So the first day was done in PJ's. Of course the backpacks will come next week when we begin CHIMES. Mason will be taking Biology this year at CHIMES, Praise the Lord, there's someone else who will dissect the frog with him. I would not have made it. He isn't so sure he will either. He has a very sensitive stomach. So off we go on another 180 day journey.

Happy Birthday Mason

Mason turned 15 on Aug. 15th. He will be getting his drivers permit soon, I am trying to put it off as long as I can. He will be taking a Drivers Ed. class this fall at our coop, unfortunately it is only classroom not behind the wheel. He ended up spending the day with his friend Ross and his family at Dollywood. Ross spent the night on Friday and we had cake. Mason wanted an ice cream cake, so we decided to try to make one ourselves. It actually turned out pretty good even though it didn't look as good as a DQ one. We started by layering chocolate marshmallow ice cream on the bottom, then layered hot fudge, crushed oreo's then topped it with cookies & cream ice cream. Yum!

Soap Box Derby, Akron OH.

After several hours in the van we arrived in Akron, OH. for the All-American Soap Box Derby. While we checked into the hotal Isabelle checked out their library. Later that evening Austin took us out to see the track at Derby Downs. All I can say is it is big & I'm glad I'm not the one going down it. Although I have had to walk up the side of it twice now. Not much fun, try it with a little one on your hip. Monday morning the opening ceremonies began at 9 a.m., we arrived at 8a.m. to find a long line already there. As Mason & Ted waited in line the rest of us went to Canal Park where the ceremonies would take place. Each champion racer was brought in by a police escort, and introduced. While being introduced they signed the SBD board and threw items to the crowd. Mason was brought in around 11:30. He had several things to throw, he had balls, flashlight keychains, hats, foam corn, cups and a few Athens SBD t-shirts. After he was introduced he was taken in and recieved his SBD bag with ID & official t-shirts and other items, including a nice watch. He has to wear his ID & t-shirts to all events or he can't get in. We were all pretty tired and after lunch we all crashed at the hotel.

Some of the cars at Derby Downs in one of the storage buildings. The cars are shipped in ahead of time and inspected. If your car doesn't have anything wrong you recieve VIP, Mason's car had two bolts that had to be replaced because they were 1/4" to long.

Live radio interview via phone with WYXI in Athens, TN with our director Austin Fesmire.

While waiting for opening ceremonies the racers trade buttons with each other, we made 500 buttons to bring and trade. Mason is in the background trading with some girls. I think it was buttons and not phone numbers!

Champions in line.

Mason signing the board.

Throwing things to the crow, did I mention how crazy these people were. We saw two women fighting over a t-shirt. We did catch a few things and actually managed to get a couple of t-shirts.

securilty sundress?

Isabelle hasn't latched onto a blanket or favorite toy, but when Briana brought home this sundress that she bought her at a consignment store, she wants to wear it everytime she sees it. If she isn't wearing it she carries it around like a security blanket. She even carried it into Wal-mart the other day. Emilee couldn't believe I let her. But hey if it makes her happy while shopping, then I'm happy!

Button up close

preparing for the Derby

The All American Soap Box Derby Championship races are almost here. It is a week long event, starting on July 20 with the races on the 25th. We have been busy getting ready to leave. One of the things we have had to do is go around to local business' and ask for promotional items to throw to the crowds at the opening ceremony, (definitely not in my comfort zone). Mason also had to make 500 buttons that we will trade at the races with other racers. We all jumped in and helped and we had them made in two days. The most time consuming part was cutting the pictures in circles to fit in the machine. Here is Mason working with the button machine. Each button has 4 parts to it, and we learned quickly that they have to be in the machine in the correct order and right side up (I don't know who would of put one in wrong)!

500 buttons!!