Christmas break has come and gone and now it's back to the grindstone.  The girls have completed half of their school year.  Weston is enjoying his last year at home before preschool next year.
Have you gone to one of the trampoline parks in Wichita?  We went to one in downtown.  It was very fun.  I am glad we went when it wasn't too busy.  This is a great place place to take a young person with tons of energy. There were plenty of people just sitting around with low energy levels playing on their smart phones.
We dodged the big snow storm.  Luke was happy and the girls were a little let down; they were ready for a snow.  However with cows, their dad will never wish for a big snow.
Weston and his cousin Levi dressed up in costumes made by Addie and Allie.  They picked some cotton and handmade the Santa beard.

Winter Fun

We have been trying to have fun in this cold weather.  Since none of the kids have school on Monday we got a hotel room with the cousins and had a pool party.  Weston is not that brave of a swimmer but he sure did get daring because he wanted to be close to his cousin.  

Humble Pie pizza was also part of the evening, My sister and I introduced our uncles to that pizza earlier in the week when they came out to visit. They both seemed to enjoy the new pizza and all the toppings.
This week marked the beginning of calving season for us.  We have had about eight calves at this point.  This group calving are first calf heifers.  So hopefully my husband selected the right bull or he will soon be regretting this choice.
The girls are a little over halfway through the school year and are fairly busy at the moment.  We are now trying to decide what project talk they are going to do for 4-H.

Santa and his reindeer

Christmas break has come and gone and now it's back to the grindstone.  The girls have completed half of their school year.  Weston is enjoying his last year at home before preschool next year.
Have you gone to one of the trampoline parks in Wichita?  We went to one in downtown.  It was very fun.  I am glad we went when it wasn't too busy.  This is a great place place to take a young person with tons of energy. There were plenty of people just sitting around with low energy levels playing on their smart phones.
We dodged the big snow storm.  Luke was happy and the girls were a little let down; they were ready for a snow.  However with cows, their dad will never wish for a big snow.
Weston and his cousin Levi dressed up in costumes made by Addie and Allie.  They picked some cotton and handmade the Santa beard.

Christmas Quotes 2015

I am going to share with you a few comments made throughout the year by my family.
ADDIE ASKED "When did you get your first cell phone? Tammie: I was like 24. Addie: Why, that long? did your parents not trust you? Could they not afford it?
Tammie: I said, "WESTON" and then he quickly said, "Mom, Mom, remember the word of the day.........Patience."
Nana mailed some post cards and Weston said "Look, Nana downloaded these for me!"
When I grabbed Weston's arm to slow him down, then let go, he said, "You hurt my ankle."
Tammie to Weston: Can I tickle you? Weston: No my tickle spot is dead.
Weston: I already took a bath - 4 weeks ago.
Weston: My frog was still in the house, I just found him hopping around in your room.   He disappeared in there.
Allie got mad at Weston and said "WESTON" so then he said "OLLIE ANNA"
Addie: Why do you like blueberries?  Tammie: Because they are taste good and are healthy. Why do you like graham crackers? Addie: Because they go on s'mores.
I asked Weston what he was doing tunneling under the covers.  He said "I'm on a mission."
Allie: What is the most expensive thing you have bought me for Christmas this year? Tammie: Nice try.
Luke in a sleepy voice: What is wrong with this blanket, it doesn't fit. Tammie:  That is because it's Weston's blue blankie.
Luke: Why is there a birthday cake out in the freezer? Did you buy that on sale? I hope you are not going to try and make any of us eat that, what's it for anyway?  Tammie: Well, who has a birthday coming up? Luke: I don't  know?  Tammie: Your birthday is Friday remember? Luke: Oh I forgot. Tammie: I guess this will be your first and last birthday cake from Cold Stone Creamery.
Weston: I want the chicken noodle soup with the augers. (Spiral noodles)
I hope I put those in an order for your to understand.
So now the question is will I be able to handle Christmas vacation.  The kids are dying to know what they are getting for Christmas and we have a full two weeks off from school.  Should be fun.

Christmas Quotes 2014

I thought I might share a few of the funny things that my kids, and their cousins have said this year.
First grader: Mom...we should sell the minivan for $100,000 and buy a monster truck.
Second grader Ross is looking quite forward to the trip to Kansas told his mom he can't wait to go see all of the funny husbands. You know...his uncles.
Then he said..."I wonder if Wade and Chase and Kyle and I will be that silly someday?"
Then his mom asked, "Is Papa funny?" and he said,  "sometimes, but sometimes I don't get his jokes because they are farm jokes and I'm not from a farm.
"Mom when I grow up, I will have my kids do work for me." said my niece who is six.
Her mom said, "like what?"
Kaylee said "like manage my network."
My daughter Allie got a new set of spurs for her horse and asked, "Does the jingle in my spurs make me sound professional - the type you wouldn't want to mess with?"
"I can't take,
I can't take,
I can't take baths,
I don't like to take baths!"  Weston, age 3.
Weston asked, "Can I have a pop?"  "No," I told him.
So he went and got a different flavor.
"Can I have this? It coppee."
He was trying to tell me the second can he brought me was not pop, but coffee.
Before Weston could talk very well, he used to tell me, "My O's are old!"  Finally I figured out he was telling me, "My toes are cold."
Weston is turning into a farm boy for sure, because last week he told me. "There a cow out, the big gate open, more cows getting out!"

On the hunt

Luke and I went to the KLA convention in Wichita this last week.  We attended a workshop about employees. Here are a few nuggets of advice I took away from the presentation.
People don't leave companies, they leave bosses.
Pigs eat, hogs go to slaughter.
Managers get what they inspect, not what they expect.
You will have an abundance of what ever you tolerate.
More is not a number, soon is not a time.
Whom would you most hate to lose in your organization?
Allie had a Christmas program this last week.  They all wore Christmas pajamas and sang several Santa songs. She is in the Geography bee this week and Addie will have her Christmas concert on Thursday.
Sunday was pretty nice weather so we went out and cut our Christmas tree.  While out in the pasture the kids found an old tree stand.  If it weren't so far from the house, it would make an excellent tree house.

Kick Off to the Holidays

It is certainly holiday kick-off season.  PRE-BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS and many more promotions coming at consumers this November.
The 4-H club had our annual bake sale.  We started it a few years ago because we were a small club, and we needed some money.  The bake sale was held in Lemon Park, (in Pratt.)  Each year they hold a yearly event to kick-off the Christmas season.  Several  musical groups, and the chamber gives away many prizes. My kids enjoyed a hay rack ride around the park once the lights were turned on. Allie won a toy nerf gun and was SO thrilled.
Have you ever seen the Lemon Park Lights in Pratt?  You should, it's one of the largest free Christmas light displays around. They turned the lights on Saturday and they will shine until the end of the year.