Pumpkin Mania

We decided that if we were going to carve pumpkins - we better get it done! So here are the results:

Brandon's Pumpkin


Summer's Pumpkin


Timothy decided his pumpkin needed two faces, so here is the multi-personality pumpkin

Personality 1


Personality 2


Both personalities at once


We hope your week is spooky...

Back to School

Well, summer is over, and we headed back to school today. Here are the pics of our first days of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade.

Dog Days of Summer

Our dog, Shiloh, loves the water. Since it has been so hot lately, we decided to let her play in the water and cool off. I think she loves it!!

Happy Father's Day

When the dad in your family has everything you should buy him a newer truck, so that is what we did. We decided he needed one with a few less miles and few less melted parts. So, on Saturday we drove to Lubbock and picked up a 2005 F250 for him to enjoy. It has to park on the street for now since our other truck (we have lovingly named it "The Truck with Crust") is still in the driveway waiting for the insurance adjuster! Hope each of you had a fun and less eventful father's day weekend!!

Fire!

Well, Friday evening Bryan, Timothy, and I ran a few errands and then we decided to eat dinner at Applebees. As we arrived home we were surprised to find a police car blocking the intersection to our block. We slowed down, and then noticed a fire truck in front of the house. As we turned to see what was going we see that the fire was in our driveway. Bryan's truck had caught fire while we were gone.






We are still in shock about the entire event, but we know that God was watching out for us. There was no damage to the house and my Expedition (which we bought last Friday) was not sitting beside the truck and therefore was not damaged. We are also relieved that we weren't driving the truck. I can't even imagine trying to get a family of 5 out of a burning vehicle. The neighbor took pictures while it was burning, so I may have more to share in the next few days.

Mother's Day

We spent a lovely weekend at home for Mother's Day. The kids and my wonderful husband cleaned the entire house and my children agreed to sit nicely and smile for a few pictures. It was all a mother could hope for! :)

Summer's Writing

Many wanted to read Summer's story. I tried to scan it, but couldn't get it to post. So I am going to retype it for all to enjoy!!

THE LATE BLOOMER
by Summer

Once there was a late bloomer named Sam. He is seven years old. He doesn't know how to ride his bike or ride his scooter. One day his friend came over to his house. He was worried because he saw his friend with a scooter and he thought his friend was going to ask him if he can play with him on his scooter. But instead he went to ask Mr. Robort for some milk. Mr. Robort is Sam's neighbor so that's why Sam's friend got in his yard. Sam still thought his friend was going to ask him to play with him. So Sam quickly ran to his garage where his scooter was and started practicing riding his scooter. He got better and better until he could do it! So than Sam went to his friends house to ask him to play with him on the scooter. But his friend said no... I want to play on the bike. Sam said well lets play with our scooters today and we can play with our bikes tomorrow. Okay? Okay. said Sam's friend. When they got done playing Sam went back to his house and started practicing riding his bike. The other day he woke up early to practice more. He got better and better. Later on Sam's friend asked him to play on his bike with him. Sam and his friend were having fun. They rode there bikes along the block. When they went home Sam started helping his sister practice riding her scooter and bike. His sister got better and better until she could do it! The End

Written by Summer Belcher

about the Author

Summer alwaysed wanted to be an Author and Illistrader so she started being one. She works with her dad and she is good at art.

Summer, the Author

Summer wrote a story earlier this school year and we entered her story in a contest called "PTA Reflections". She won 1st place in the local contest and then her story was sent to the state competition. She did not win at state, but we are very proud of her hard work. She is a very good writer for a 2nd grader and we know that her talent will only improve as she grows. Here is a picture of her with her medal and certificate.

Panhandle Weather - never plan for anything!!

Okay this morning we got up early and headed out to play in the snow. There were several drifts and the kids made a fort.


This evening I went out to see how things were melting and found this...


You know if you don't like the weather - just wait a few hours - it will change!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like.... Easter????

Well last night about 6:00 we were notified that school was canceled for Friday. At that time the kids were outside playing and the temperature was about 65. This is what we saw today...


The roads aren't that bad, but the wind is blowing 30 - 50 mph and we are having negative chill factors and white out conditions. We have spent the entire day at home, burning a fire, drinking hot chocolate, reading, and watching TV - such a marvelous day!!!!! They are predicting 60's on Sunday, so we will be back to Spring in no time!! Amarillo weather is never boring.

A Few Interesting Pictures

Okay - last week was spring break and I know I should have been blogging away, but the weather was beautiful so I spent alot of time outside. Here is an example of my accomplishments:



In this corner there were 18 (yes-18) wooden posts that had been buried about 2 feet in the ground. I spent about 7 hours on Monday digging out those 18 (yes-18) posts. They were rotting and falling apart, so I decided they needed to be removed and once you start, you have to finish. So a few blisters and a very sore back later we are missing 18 (yes-18) wooden posts and we now have yet another patch of mud!!!

Back in February ( I realize I am a month behind) we traveled to Colorado City to visit my parents and Grandmothers. Here are some great pictures of the kids and their Great Grandmothers:



I have also neglected to give timely updates on Bryan's Man Cave so...

He recently passed his electrical inspection and will soon be working towards his framing inspection, and after that...well I don't know - I am totally not a construction person. Here are some updated photos:



Tonight - yes I know this will cause some of you to faint - a post on the night it actually happened. Brandon and I decided he should do his reading homework outside. He sweetly asked if we could do it in the tree. So...

I must say - getting up was a lot easier than getting down! :)

Timothy & Bryan were at Cub Scouts so Summer was our photographer - I think she did great. She later took a picture of herself -


So this just about catches everyone up - come again in a month or two and see how things have changed!!

Cub Scouts

Both boys are involved in Cub Scouts this year. On Saturday the 17th they participated in the Annual Pine Wood Derby. For all of you who are not familiar with this, here is how it works. Each boy was given a block of wood, 4 nails, and 4 wheels. They (or should I say their father) then carve, sand, paint, put on the wheels, add weights, and then put graphite on it at least 10 times. Then they race them on a track in the school cafeteria. Both the boys had fun and received trophies for the design of their cars. The boys also received other cub scout awards that morning. Enjoy the pictures.

Boys' Birthdays

We start the New Year off with a bang since both boys celebrate their birthdays during this month. Brandon turned 7 on the 1st and Timothy turned 9 on the 8th. It is hard to believe they are that old already. Both boys got remote control off road vehicles, kinex, clothes, other various toys, and.... MONEY. They were so excited about getting to go and buy anything they wanted at Toys R Us. I must say they did well spending their money and are still playing with the toys they bought - so that is good. Here are a few pictures from the parties.