Lucky Number 13

Andrew walked in from work tonight, and saw the stockings I have hanging down our banister. He remarked "Look at all those stockings!" I replied "That's how many of us there will be for Christmas!" He didn't believe me. He had to count. Dad, Mom, Bethany, Christa, Jason, Bailey, Caden, Danae, Doug, Andrew, Emily, Grace, David. Thirteen! Seems that's my lucky number now days!

"A" Team

Grace took her first high-school road trip this weekend, to Great Falls, MT, with the volleyball team. The "B" team that she had been playing on didn't travel much, so to be called up to the "A" team just in time to take an overnight trip was every freshman's dream come true. They left Friday morning at 8:30 (missing an entire day of school!) and got home about 9:00pm Saturday.

So what would go through your mind if your 14-almost-15 year old daughter told you her team was going for an overnight, complete with unchaperoned hotel rooms? What went through my mind drove me to my knees! But I was quite delighted when she returned with the following photos as THE highlights of the trip.



This "ghetto diner" was where the girls ate breakfast. It definitely left an impression on the girls. Grace did say, though, that it reminded her of being in the south because the waitresses kept calling everyone "hun" and "sweetie".

And what could be more harmless than girls in footie jammies! Okay maybe four girls in footie jammies. What are the odds!?

So, one road trip down, many more to go. I just hope the highlights continue to be bad restaurants and footie pajamas!

Three Down, Four to Go!

We're really trying to get all our kiddos here for Christmas. Today Danae called and said she and Doug had bought their tickets! Yay! Bethany has also bought her ticket! Yay! Now, we just need to get the Clark's on board! Well, they are definitely on board, just haven't bought their tickets yet. It is insanely expensive to fly in and out of Bozeman. Not sure why, other than we're close to Yellowstone, Big Sky, and the best Trout Fishing in America. (the fishing, not the band!)

So I guess it's a good thing I GOT A JOB! Yesterday I was offered the position of receptionist at a new bank branch in town. Answering phones, directing customers through the lobby, setting the tone for the lobby. Same song, second verse, but I am excited! Part time, M-F, 10-3, perfect!

We're off to Billings today to see Grace play volleyball. And to shop for new work clothes!

House Blurb

I talked to our realtor yesterday. He said he had talked to their realtor who had talked to the bank. The bank said that there is an important form that is apparently in process. Sounds good. They referred to our offer as "the preferred offer". Oh, and the title company does not have our check, our realtor still has it.

So this is good news. We're still waiting on the great news!

Punkins!

I can't remember how long it's been since we've carved pumpkins at our house. But Saturday night we were all home, and had four beautiful pumpkins (a.k.a. 14 cents a pound pumpkins!) that were just begging to be carved.

You can only imagine how many seeds I roasted from four pumpkins!
Delish!

David won the "Most Persistent" Award due to the delicacy of his design, and the fact that he continued to work on his pumpkin well after the others were finished.

The finished design

Grace's with braces! Or "grills" as she called them!

Andrew's pumpkin family




Emily's zombie!

All aglow on our back porch, to avoid early pumpkin smashing!

Four Weeks, but Who's Counting

Four weeks ago today, we put an offer on a house. Today we still have not heard that it's a go. Although this morning our realtor did call and say he was taking our earnest money check to the Title Company for deposit. Shouldn't we know why they are taking our money? Shouldn't we have a "yes" or "no" by now? Shouldn't we?

Today

1. I took a tour of our new fire station, and found some free meeting space.
2. Heard from Christa that Caden has fractured two bones and has a cast on his arm.
3. Saw a physical therapist for my back but thankfully left with only exercises.
4. Learned my body was too clean to be a lab rat for Bioscience.
5. Earned $5.00 for watching my birthday buddy, Elise, who was born last July 28.