Update..it's about time.

So, I thought I would do a little blogging and take a break from this. A few things have happened since Halloween, Weston turned 7, and he got to have a birthday party with some friends. We went to Pizza Plus and then to see the movie Astro Boy, they all had a great time, especially Weston.










This picture is of Weston's new pocketknife, right before he cut his finger--good idea!



I had my feelings hurt recently, maybe that is why I haven't been blogging.











I found this piece of paper folded up ever so neatly, when the culprit (Paige) was discovered, we had a talk. Turns out she doesn't like going to her room. And turns out I don't like when my children think I'm evil and put it into art, who knew this little drawing could hurt so bad. We have made ammends, but I hope Paige isn't mad at me again any time soon.

(I know this new paper is hard to read on, but I need to go to bed.)

Happy Halloween

Since we get an extra hour of sleep tonight and my family is zonked out in bed, I will update my blog with Halloween pictures before Thanksgiving. Tyler and I confiscated some clothes from his parents' closets and surprised them by showing up as their former selves in 1978. He even has a hairpiece in to simulate the comb-over. It was funny, but that jumpsuit was so tight and uncomfortable. I am very proud of the twins' costumes, I made them back in September and they have had a lot of use already. My mom made Paige's cheerleader outfit ( I bought the pattern and it was way over my head), it turned out so cute. I tried to teach her a few cheers, but just got weird looks from Tyler, I guess it was pretty bad. I feel sad after Halloween is over, but I guess I should start planning for next year!

Weston is wrestling this year, it is something he has really liked. (Especially if he wins.) He gets the most serious look on his face, almost like he is in a zone. He has done really well, but we haven't gotten him to wear a singlet yet, probably a good thing.

Owen likes to wear the singlet around the house, only problem is he can't stop wrestling when he has it on, that kid is on full throttle all the time.

Pumpkin Carving

Annual "Pumpkin Carving FHE", seems repetitive to me, but it never fails to excite these guys. They absolutely love it, and we could never go a year without it. The mess is worth the smiles.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

My Grandma Bankhead turned 80 this month and we had a surprise party for her. She had no idea and seeing her face was worth it. Some of my cousins drove all the way from Vegas and Colorado, so she was very surprised to see all of us there. We had a good time eating and celebrating.

T is for two, or twin, or TIME OUT!

My entire make-up bag in the tub, (on dad's watch), you should have seen the black ring around the tub after.


Very cute, even if they are supposed to be in their own beds having naps.

Paige Turns 5!

Paige turned 5 this month. When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, she replied that she wanted a party, but not a Grandma and Grandpa party. I thought, "Oh, no! My days of getting away with out to dinner and Grandparents for cake and ice cream, are over. She's figured out that other kids get to invite children over for their mother to entertain-dang! So, that is what we did this year and we had 15 kids here, and survived. But, we are sooooo good for at least 5 more years before she gets to do that again.

She wanted a butterfly theme so we decorated bags, painted faces, wrapped up girls in cocoons of TP, had a butterfly hunt, played pin the antennae on the butterfly, and opened presents. Her favorite gift this year was the pink RAZOR, we will never get the training wheels off now.

(Oh, and in case that waste of toilet paper is driving you crazy. There are nine rolls of unrolled TP in a paper grocery sack that has to be used for nose wiping. I just couldn't throw all that away.)

Family pictures

Poco's Dumb, TOU, and our neighbors

Warning: Graphic material ahead!
(You want to keep going, don't you?)















Tyler was roping the Buford (fake fiberglass mechanical steer that runs in a circle), and Poco ran right into the dang thing. He got caught up on a bolt that just ripped his skin off and it was hanging there. This is how he looked after the vet cut the skin off. Tyler has to clean it every day, but there is no dressing on it. He says he'll be okay to ride in eight days! The skin on the upper part of the wound isn't even attached and you can stick your hand up in it. Owen can't talk about anything else and he was there when it happened and apparently heard an earfull. He just keeps telling everyone that "Poco's dumb," and he will re-enact the entire scene for you.




That's me kicking the blue shirt guy's butt in the TOU half-marathon. My friend Laura and I ran it this year, my time was 1:45:54 I beat my time last year by 5 minutes, which I was pretty happy about. But I wasn't prepared for how much it hurt (during and after). Just think what 13.1 more miles would feel like. If you click on the picture you need to look at the guy in the black shirt on the right, really, it's worth it.




Anna says, "So here's the plan, no one's looking and I'm sure Kerrilee's got Otter Pops. You got your rope in case there's trouble?"




"Hold my hand and try to look cute, quick, I think I see Steve in the garage."





"Owen, don't worry about cars, just run! "

Note: I did stop them before the road, this time. But there have been a few other documented occasions that they have slipped by us with and without the help of older siblings to visit the beloved neighbors, who bear all kinds of frozen treats and toenail polish.

Roping and Camping

We spend most nights lately watching Tyler rope or ride. He gets the happiest look on his face when he gets home from work and Owen asks him if they can "Rope cows?" Tyler knows he'll get to go rope and ride without me complaining because all the kids want to and he is so good to take them with him. Weston runs the chute for them, he is pretty good at getting those steers all lined up and into the chute. It is hard work for such a skinny guy, but he'll do it for hours. Especially if there is a pop or a dollar for him at the end.

We finally made it on a camping trip this year-no sickness! For the past few weeks there have been campers across the street camped out for the Martin Harris Pageant and Paige keeps reminding us that we need to go camping.

We had a good time rope swinging, playing it the river, changing clothes, playing in the river again, and changing clothes again. The weather was perfect. Owen loved sitting around with the adults and reading Western Horseman magazine.

Fruit Cakes and First Grade

Weston saw this idea for a fruit cake in the Friend last month, and wouldn't forget about it, so we made one a few weeks ago. It was well received. I like how Owen is trying to get in on the picture.

Weston started first grade last week! He was not thrilled, but has since discovered that 3 recesses and school lunch (which comes with FRUIT BAR everyday)-isn't so bad. To be honest, there is a lot less pesting and bawling going on around here. But, by the time 4:00 rolls around and he only beats his dad home by one hour, I feel like I have really missed him and that he has been gone for soooo long. Do you ever have to tell yourself, "I did it and I was fine,"?

Mutton' bustin'

Weston has been waiting for this moment to shine, and to win a trophy. Saturday night at the Rodeo he rode a pretty fast sheep and did pretty good. He got a trophy, but is ready to win the big one next year. Thanks to those who cheered from the stands, (I think it was you, Bekka), he really appreciated it since his mother was busy filming with one hand and squeezing Owen like an egg roll under the other arm because he wanted to go with his dad and Weston.

Just thought I'd include this. I don't know why I think kids asleep in high chairs/tables are so cute, but I love it. She woke up from the flash and was mad at me for two days-worth it.

Swim Lessons, Frogs, and Rope Burns

I took my kids to two sessions of swimming lessons this summer, they wish they could take all year long.




Allie, Weston, and Paige and........Anna, Owen, and Dallin= a lot of chasing around during swim lessons.




Weston and Paige went frog hunting with my brothers in Amalga and came home with...

He liked them................so did she, and...

she thought she did.
The frogs were taken to the bottoms to live and we have even gone back to check on them and Weston can still find the big one, "Mr. Hoppy". I was told that Weston is the best frog catcher my brothers have ever seen.

Last but not least, a rather scary accident last week. Weston and friends were swinging each other on the rope swing in the front yard of my neighbors. It is in a huge tree and has a board on the bottom, then about 20 ft. of rope to pull it with, and boy does it go. Well, the kids decided to lay under the swing after they let go of the rope and Weston was on the end and when the rope came back somehow it did this. I was about 30 ft. away, but my back was turned so I didn't see it happen, but from the marks you can imagine how scary it was. Luckily, the swing broke the next day. His great-grandma told him that Heavenly Father protected him and that she prays for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be protected every day. I think he was being looked out for.

A little girl at swimming lessons asked about it, he said, "It doesn't hurt anymore because it's protected with Bag Balm, you know it's that stuff in the green container, do you have any?