An adventure!

Tylen and I were invited to visit Jettie and her family yesterday. Well, technically we were invited a very long time ago. But, Tylen and I are very set in our ways and are uncomfortable doing something outside of our regular routines. It is nothing against anybody else. We just love our home so much that it becomes a scary issue to be outside of it. Especially when we have to go in the car on roads that we have never been on before.
I know its annoying.
Even if I want to do it I have to spend an insane amount of time trying to talk Mr. T into it. So, I warned him nearly two weeks ago and told him about all the fun he would have. I told him about all the little boys that live in that house. Some older, most younger. He thinks he does not like younger kids. So I reminded him about all the fun he has with Princess O and Bailey boo. Then he was ready. So we jumped in the most fun vehicle to drive... And we were off... Lets Go Mr. T....

He was a bit skeptical. And asked about 1300 times for me to read the directions to Jetties house. He thought they were perfect directions. The first turn was going to be at the casino sign. We saw the sign to the casino about 90 miles before the actual casino. That had him nervous right off the bat.

When we made the right turn we were on the look out for a county shed and then a bridge. I kept pointing out, "look theres a tractor." His response... "mom! look for the shed!" Tylen is all about paying attention to the task at hand... I heard alot of "watch the road!" "Keep both hands on the wheel"

When we arrived at Jetties... Her boys were so friendly and couldn't wait to start playing. But, Mr. T needed a little time to adjust and was the tiniest bit shy (please read major shy) for a little while. Then he settled in, and had a blast.

I cant tell you enough how much I enjoyed holding little Wilson! I had forgotten how small they make babies. And the smell... oh he smelled, just like I remember babies smelling. Oh it was sweet! There is nothing quite like the smell of a newborns head...I had so much fun catching up with Jettie! And it has nothing to do with the fact that she spoils me when I see her. She made me a sweet snowman! and a movie. Ill tell you more about that in another post. I was thrilled to be there! I hadn't seen her in soooo long. Shes had two babies since I last saw her! All her boys were so good! And her oldest is just the nicest big sister! Shes got some lucky little brothers. She took good care of them. When we were getting ready to leave, Grizzly let Tylen climb up and check out the big tractor! I cant even put into words how much Tylen loved this! He didn't stop talking about it until he finally fell asleep in his own bed last night.







Now,this morning, he wonders if we can go back today.

Happy Thanksgiving...

We are hoping you all have a safe and happy Holiday! In case you need some last minute turkey tips the following may be helpful. Enjoy... these are just the cutest!

Heres a little Holiday Reading compliments of our local hometown Newspaper. All of these contributing authors are in the second grade...


Mrs. K class gives their rendition of cooking a Thanksgiving turkey

by Brock
You need: a turkey and some boiling water. Some bread crumbs and flour. Some oil. First. You take the turkey and put it in the oven. next. You put the oven to 50 degrees and 20 mins. last. Wait until the oven gos beep and then You take it out and put some stuffing then you can eat it.


by Hayley
You need: 5 pound turkey, any stuffing, seasoning, and turkey gravey. What you do First you put the turkey in hot wate. Next you fill the turkey with stuffing. Then you spread the gravey on top of the turkey. After that you put seasoning on the turkey and the gravey. Then you put the turkey in the oven. Make sure to cook it at 250 degrees. you should keep it in there for 40 minits. You will know when its done when it turns dark brown. Enjoy your dinner!


by Alex
You need: a Turkey and a pan. you need some spices. you need one teaspoon of water. You need some olive oil and some flour. You need to make some stuffing. What you do:
First is you cook the turkey in the oven about for 2 hours. the temperature is about 50 degrees. When the turkey is done the oven will start toring. the turkey is hot when it comes out of the oven. Let it cool for about 40 hours. then you can eat it after it has been sitting there for awhile and that is how you make a turkey.


by Conner
You need: spices, turkey, flour, oil, oven, stuffing, bread, olive oil, full moon, pan and water. First you boil the turkey at 50°f then put spices on it. Next you put stuffing inside. Then wait 50 min. Then put the turky in a pan. When the oven rings it is ready to eat. Then have a good Thanksgiving dinner.

by Jamie
You need: olive oil, spices, flour, barbecue, turkey, stuffing, bread, pan, roaster or a oven. What you do: First you put the turkey in the pan. Next you put spices on the turkey. Last put it int the oven. How do you know it's done? When the oven dings. Temperature 15. Cook it for half an hour. And then you can eat it for diner.

by Joenah Peter
First you need a turkey and stuffing. Next you need water and seasoning and spices. You need bread for stuffing. The temperature is twenty. Degrees. Pout a turkey in a pan then put some water in a pan. Then pout some spices on it like peper and salt and flour. You need oil when the timer goes off its done Happy Thanksgiving!

by Charlie
First you need sallt and peper. Next you stuff the turkey and put it in the oven and set it at fifty degrees. Then you need to let it cook for a halfanhour Last you take it out and invite neighbors over and celebrate thanksgiving.

by Christian
First you put the turkey in a pan. Then you put seasoning on it. Put it in the oven. Then you let it cook. Next you take it out. But the temperature stick in it. If it is right, you cut it up. Then you start to eat it.by First you need a turkey. You put it in the oven. Next you need same stuffing. Then you stuff it in the turkey. Next you let it cook for about 50 minets. Last you put the seasoning on the turkey. Then you have thanksgiving dinner.

by Lindsey
You need: Spices like peper and salt and turkey and a pan.First get a ten to 20 pound turkey. Cook it at 40 digries farenhit. Take stuffing and stuff the stuffing in the turcky. then cook it for a half an hour. Next sprinkell the spices on the turkey. Last take the turkey off the burnr. When it is done the tmer rings. Then the turkey will be done. You can eat the turkey. You can eat it with family and freinds.

by Mackenzie
You need: stuffing. You need: a pan. If you want to make a turkey you need a oven. You need some bread. If you want to make a turkey you need a turkey. You need to cook the turkey for an hour. You need to sprinkle some spices on it.

by Zachery
you need: a turkey and a pan and a barbecue. Then you need some olive oil. Then little pieces fo chicken and some bread and oil. What you do: First you need to cook it at 50 degreese for 20 minutes. Next put your seasoning on. Last you eat it. It will be brown when its done. Have a Happy Thanksgiving

by Matthew
You need a turkey that is twenty pounds. then you need a oven. you put barbecu on it. First you need to boil it. Next you put it in the oven. for nineteen minets. You will know when a bell rings. Last you eat it.

by Henry
You need: a Turkey. You need: a pan. You need: to clen the turkey Put it in the oven for a half an hour. Put it in the oven at 50 degree. You need: sum olive oil. Have sum seasoning. Have sum water. You have to gut it. You know were it is brown it is done.

by Sadie
I cook a Turkey. But we have to take the feathers off and we have to take the skin off. Take the beak off his face. Now we put the turkey in the an pan. Now we put it in the ovin. cook it 55 menots. take it out and then we wait for 3 menots. We cut it and then we eat it. I Sadie eat the turkey leg. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!! 1 more thing Turkey food is good.

by Hailley
You need: a turkey and seasoning. flour and oil. What you do: first you pout the spices in. Next you pout boiled water in it last you cook it. It is nice and crisp. Happy Thanksgiving!

by Joby
You need: a turkey and stuffing and flour What you do first. temperature 60 degrees. You need a pan and olive oil. You need seasoning and spices. Cool off for 15 minutes. Next you need a roaster. And some baken. Wen its brown it's done. Next you need a friend to eat it with.

by Delaney
You need a pot and a Turkey and spices. It is twenty pounds. you need flour to stouff it and oil. You put it on the grill. and I know if its done because its brown Our neighbors come over to sellerberait with our family.

by Jacob
First you need a turkey that is twenty-five pounds. Next you need two teespoon of flour. Last you need a oven to cook it. Next you need bread to make the stuffing then you put the stuffing in the turkey. Next you need oil Next you need to put the turkey in the oven. Next you need a roaster to cook it. Next you need spices Next you need olives. Next you need barbecue. last you need a pan. its when its brown take it out and eat. Have A Happy Thanksgiving.

by Lilie
You need: a turkey a pan. to make stuffing you need: flour, bread, olive oil and put some seasoning on it. First you cook it in a pan and the temperatur is 50 degrees: Next you wait for about 20 minutes then the bell dings and then you take it out, and you put the stuffing. You may injoy the very yummy turkey!

by Lacey Ann
you need some spice you need some oil and water. we need stuffing for are turkey. you need to cook the turkey 15 minits. We need a turkey. wene the turkey's done the bell will ring. you need to stuf the turkey. you can make it in a oven. you need some pans. We need some bread to make some stuffing. That's how that is to make a turkey.

by Ricky
You need: a turkey and a pan. You need to gut it. You need lots of spices. Get some olive oil to fry it in. Cook it for 5 minits. It beeps when its done. My Dad eats it with Grandma Rose.

by Isabella
You do first you need: a turkey. and a pan. You need water in the pan. You need to take the plastic thing out. You need to poot spices on it. You need bread to stuff the turkey. You mite want to poot barbecue on the turkey. You mite want to poot some oil in the pan. You have to poot it in the oven for 50 min. You mite roast it. You mite do its temperature. You know its done when the oven dings. I will cut the turkey and share the turkey with my friends.

by Madison Ann
First you need a turkey. You put it in the oven. Next you need same stuffing. Then you stuff it in the turkey. Next you llet it cook for about 50 minets. Last you put the seasoning on the turkey. Then you have thanksgiving dinner

Prized Posessions and Childrens Lessons

Do you see that belt!?! Its Tylens favorite accessory to any outfit he wears. When his grandpa was here visiting Tylen couldn't help but admire that belt buckle with the big truck on it! But, when Tylen was told his grandpa used to drive that big truck that was bigger than a house, Tylen was in love! So grandpa, sent that belt buckle to Tylen a few weeks after his visit. Tylen carried it around the house looking at it and showing it off to all who dared to enter.

When Tylen went to visit grandpa later, during the summer. Tylen must have told grandpa that he didn't have a belt to wear it on... So grandpa took of his belt and shortened it, added a few new holes to it and sent it back home with tylen to try out his new belt buckle!

It was love at first sight and Tylen wore that belt everyday... He could not wait until the first day of school so that he could show all his buddies that big truck his grandpa used to drive.

It makes me proud that my kids, who are just as spoiled as any of them and have just as many toys and "things" as the next kid, know whats important in life.

Family memories.

Sneak Peak...

As requested, a sneak peak into my holiday decorating. Now, I haven't come close to finishing the job... I just started.


This is the cute little antique dresser Markypoo bought me at an auction this past summer. It is in need of refinishing, but... I don't know how. So it just sits and waits. See that cute little red candle? Marks Aunt Nora made that for me before she went to her winter home in Arizona. That was very thoughtful of her.

Here is our tree. I know it doesn't look like a designer's version of the perfect tree, but look closer. It is the most perfect tree for us. (Details coming soon)

And the stair case. This photo does not do it justice. This is what Ive been waiting to see since December 26, of last year. Ooh la la.

The ribbon is blue with silver sparkles. Just right for this house.

How do you like Mister Tylen's decorative touch? He thoughtfully placed each one of those white poinsettas himself.

Surprise post...

I was planning on posting some photos this morning of the start I have made on my Christmas decorating... but one thing lead to another and before I knew it, a whole different set of photos popped up.

First let me explain that I can not just whenever I feel like it post photos, thanks to that new puppy we got a couple months ago. It takes me parts of three different cameras to get these photos on the computer. If you know me, then you know I do not have the patience for this sort of thing... but anyway back to my story

As I connected my card to Jo's camera(Its here if you all are looking for it!) and then Jo's camera to Danikas cord I was surprised to find these photos that I thought were gone for good!

First of all I just wanna say... Isn't that the most georgeous maple tree you've ever seen!?! That is the tree that is in my sisters front yard and caused so much enjoyment for our kids while we were in Wisconsin visiting most recently.
Heres princess O getting ready to fly!

And fly she did! Look out Princess here comes Tylen!
Even Danika joined in on the fun!
This was a very memorable experience for Mister T. He won't ever forget the ride he took in Aunty Bec's tractor!
Back to the tree... I mean swing set.

They all had such a great time. But... We had a surprise in store for them!
After a quick horse drawn wagon ride we arrived at the big surprise!
Tada... A corn maze! It didnt take very long to convince the two shortest that we really were lost and we needed to get out! But, lucky for us, those two had a great sense of direction!
After only a few hours, (I mean tries) they were able to lead us out of the Maze and into the Patch. Where they promptly rested their weary heads...

But, enough rest... they were off in search of the perfect pumpkin to bring home with us.
This one looks too heavy Mister T!

Princess O thought they were all great and had a little trouble picking just one that was fit for a queen.

All in all it was a wonderful day, and we all had so much fun! After we chose these pumpkins, we forced the children into a little slave labor and picked a peck of delicious red apples!

Thanks Bec for finding the perfect spot to spend the afternoon! It was a wonderful visit and we cant wait until next fall!

Skunked!!!

Dang it. No deer for me. Or Danika. Mark did end up with one. Just one. Last year we ate 4! What will do this year with just one???
Technically it is not over yet. I still can bow hunt until the end of december. (can you say BRRRRR!?!)
Marks black powder hunting will begin in a couple of weeks, but still...
Skunked!!!

Slow going...

It appears as though I will be skunked during this rifle season...
Today is Markypoo and Danikas day for hunting. I will get one more chance tomarrow evening. But... Let me tell you what happened last night and you will understand my certainty about being skunked...

I was sitting on my stand that is high in the air during a fairly windy evening, for HOURS I sat there...In the wind, and the rain, and the snow. I sat. And finally I heard something. It sound like a big whoosh of grass bending over or somthing of that sort.... I watched and waited and watched and waited even more. Markypoo called and asked if I was coming home. I told him in a bit I heard a deer and I want to get it.
Nothing. No more noise. I didnt see so much as a twig move. So I climb down quietly, just in case there actually was a deer I would still be able to get it. Still nothing.

So, I was walking down a driveway that is just behind my stand. Sure enough not one, but two deer had brazenly walked right behind my stand. In the direction the wind was blowing so I was sure there would be nothing behind me because thats where my scent was going. My stand is too small to stand up on, (Im scared too) so I dont even look behind me most of the time.

This same thing happened to me last year. The deer snuck past me right under my nose! Im obviously not a very good hunter.

Dang it!

Running on Empty...

Oofda! Im pooped. Ive been spending every spare moment of daylight out in the woods. I havent even seen a deer so I feel Ive been wasting my time. Who ever heard of homework during hunting season!?! So not right. I was up at 1:oo am burning the midnight oil. I did however accomplish writing an essay. So tonight at approximately 10:00 pm it should be returned to me from the tutoring place, and I will have two whole hours to revise it and turn in the final draft. I will not wait until the last minute again. I have only one more essay to write. A persuasion essay...any ideas? Since day one this instructor has said she will not read any work that has to do with hunting, fishing or trapping... Now to me, this sounds like a challenge. The purpose of a persuasion essay is to sway someones opinion... Hunting is so much more than just plain ole' killing an animal...hmmm what do you think? Final essay material?

Deer Tally....

Deer : 3
Us: 1

Marky poo got real lucky today. He shot a big 8 point buck and the deer ran a bit. He stopped right near the house on a service road. So Markypoo just drove right on up to it and didnt have to wait til I got home to drag it for him since his back is still messed up.

The kindness of that deer just amazes me.

No words...

There are no words to even comment on this newspaper article....


November 8, 2008

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. JOHNS, Ariz. -- Police in this small eastern Arizona community are looking into the possibility that an 8-year-old boy who is charged with killing his father and another man with a rifle had been abused, the police chief said Saturday.

The boy, who faces two counts of premeditated murder, did not act on the spur of the moment, Police Chief Roy Melnick said.

''I'm not accusing anybody of anything at this point,'' he said Saturday. ''But we're certainly going to look at the abuse part of this. He's 8 years old. He just doesn't decide one day that he's going to shoot his father and shoot his father's friend for no reason. Something led up to this.''

On Friday, a judge determined there was probable cause to show that the boy fatally shot his father, Vincent Romero, 29, and Timothy Romans, 39, of San Carlos, with a .22-caliber rifle. Under Arizona law, charges can be filed against anyone 8 or older. The judge ordered a psychological evaluation of the boy.

Melnick said police had responded to calls of domestic violence at the Romero home in the past, but police were searching records Saturday to determine when those calls were placed.

Melnick said police are pushing to have the boy tried as an adult, but he acknowledged it's unlikely a judge would grant that motion.

''This is a severe double homicide, premeditated, and that's the right thing to do,'' he said. ''We're going to use every avenue of the law that's available to us, but we're also looking at the human side.''

Melnick said officers arrived at Romero's home within minutes of the shooting Wednesday in St. Johns, which has a population of about 4,000 and is 168 miles northeast of Phoenix. They found one victim just outside the front door and the other dead in an upstairs room.

Romans had been renting a room at the Romero house, prosecutors said. Both men were employees of a construction company working at a Salt River Project power plant near St. Johns.

The boy went to a neighbor's house and said he ''believed that his father was dead,'' said Apache County attorney Brad Carlyon.

Melnick said police obtained a confession but the boy's defense attorney, Benjamin Brewer, said police overreached in questioning the boy without representation from a parent or attorney and did not advise him of his rights.

''They became very accusing early on in the interview,'' Brewer said. ''Two officers with guns at their side, it's very scary for anybody, for sure an 8-year-old kid.''

Prosecutors aren't sure where the case is headed, Carlyon said.

''There's a ton of factors to be considered and weighed, including the juvenile's age,'' he said. ''The counter balance against that, the acts that he apparently committed.''

Carlyon said the boy had no record of complaints with Arizona Child Protective Services.

''He had no record of any kind, not even a disciplinary record at school,'' he said. ''He has never been in trouble before.''

FBI statistics show instances of children younger than 11 committing homicides are very rare. According to recent FBI supplementary homicide reports, there were at least three such cases each year in 2003, 2004 and 2005; there were at least 15 in 2002. More recent statistics weren't available, nor were details of the cases.

Earlier this year in Arizona, prosecutors in Cochise County filed first-degree murder charges against a 12-year-old boy accused of killing his mother.

Defense attorney Mike Piccarreta, who is not involved in the latest case, said each case has to be considered on its own merits, but it would be hard for him to comprehend that an 8-year-old has the mental capacity to understand the act of murder and its implications.

''If they actually prosecute the guy, it's a legal minefield,'' he said. ''And, two, society has to make a decision as to whether they want to start using the criminal justice system to deal with 8-year-olds. That doesn't mean you don't have a troubled kid.''

Wednesday's homicides were the first in at least four years in the community, where most people know one another, Melnick said. No one else had been killed there since 20 years ago, he said.

Romero had full custody of the child. The boy's biological mother visited St. Johns during the weekend from Mississippi, and returned to Arizona after the shootings, Carlyon said.

Brewer said the boy ''seems to be in good spirits.

''He's scared,'' he said. ''He's trying to be tough, but he's scared.''

Here's hoping for a safe and successful hunt!

Election Day...

How about you? Unless your answer is yes, you've got no business bad mouthing what is about to happen. If you want to be part of the grumbling that will be a big part of our lives starting (I mean continuing) tomarrow morning... get out there and do your civic duty.