Ethan's Arrival Home

I tried to post the video of Ben's reaction to Ethan's arrival, but it didn't upload.  So I might try it again tomorrow.  So here are the photos I took of him.

 He looks really happy to see Ethan again.

 The love & bond of brothers.

 Wow, Ethan--you really could use a hair cut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Emmalee missed him too.  He had to read "Arthur's Thanksgiving" to her--in his own goofy way.

and Benjamin had to join in too. :D  

Coming up......HAIRCUTS!!

Grandma & Grandpa Fun

I finally got the pictures to upload today.

So here are some pictures of the fun the kids had with Grandma & Grandpa (who live in Wyoming)

Grandma reading to Benjamin (of course it's Toy Story!) 

 Eating dinner at the extra table.  We had 11 people at our small, small house.  

 Yummy pork ribs!

 Relaxing on the couch.

 Playing in our first "real" snow--about 6 inches or so.

 Our angel making a snow angel.

 Benjamin trying to make a snow angel

 He had a blast in the snow--he is still intrigued with the snow--it's cold, can be squished into a ball, and it's fun to throw!!!  ha, ha!

Brienna helping with the snowman

 Ta-da!  The snowman--with an apple (from Grandpa Stewart's tree) for his nose.

 We tried to get Benjamin to stand by the snowman

 He looks really happy--doesn't he ;)  

 They made a snow chair for the 2 little ones to sit on.

 Cool cheeks??

 Taking off all of the wet snow clothes & heading in to make hot chocolate.

 Brienna & Ben all tuckered out.

And momma too!  It was nice to get a nap in--even if it was for about 5 minutes!

Ethan's Home!!!!

I've been trying to up date my blog, but I can't seem to upload my pictures.  Frustrating!!!

Our oldest child--Ethan, arrived home on Friday afternoon.  He has been working in Wyoming & living with my parents.  

It was fun to see the kids' reactions (especially Benjamin's) of him coming home.

I will work on getting the pictures up.  We had a fun weekend!

Veteran's Day

Our "small" school district (about 200 students) always presents an outstanding Veteran's Day Program each year, honoring those in our community who have served--past & present.

  The elementary secretary puts this together, and each year it seems to get better!  (thanks Cindy!!)                                                 

Grandpa Stewart (Rusty's dad) is in the white sweater, & Rusty's Uncle Reed is  wearing the yellow hat.

 Here are the veterans that attended the program Thursday morning.

 I love this photo of the veterans saluting the flag.  

Rusty, his dad & Uncle Reed. 

the 4th grade class--with Callum in his uniform 

Brienna playing in the band--they played "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the audience sang. (notice the empty table--it was part of the program--see story a couple of pictures down)

 Zane playing the trumpet.  I have to brag a bit--I think this was the best performance of the national anthem from our band since we got the band program back!  It was outstanding!  

 Callum is in the back, 2nd from the left.  The Cubs & 2 boy scouts helped with the flag ceremony.

The 2 Boy Scouts carried the flags--and Zane was one of them.  He looked very nice in his scout uniform.  (And so did Callum--Callum just needs a hair cut!!!!)

Notice the table--it is set, with an empty chair.  It represents MIA/POW soldiers.  Each item on the table symbolizes different ways/reasons we need to remember them.  (ex:  upside down glass=they can't toast; salt on plate=tears of their families..)  It was a very touching presentation from our 10 seniors.  (Thanks Mr. Knight!)

 Emmalee at the end of the program--all bundled up to walk back to the elementary school. (for those that aren't familiar with our community, the elementary & Jr./Sr. High schools are about 1 block apart)

 Benjamin--it looks like he is sitting down, behaving.  But this is AFTER the program, so of course he is!!!  (he really was pretty good--I had to hold him in the doorway for the reading of the essays because he threw his Buzz Lightyear in the middle of the gym floor!)  He went & sat on Dad's lap during the DVD slide show.  

 Emmalee & Ben

 More band pictures--can you see Zane (trumpet player)--in the middle?

And Brienna--ready to play her flute.

Hunting

In October, Zane went hunting for his deer--first year he was able to have his own tag.  He has been going hunting with Dad for many years, though.

 And he gets to carry the gun!  :D  Callum also went with them.  

 Callum keeps up with them, although Rusty does end up carrying his pack by the end of the day.

 I'm not sure how Zane's supposed to see a deer with his eyes closed!  I guess that's why Callum went along--to be the look out!

 When they were deer hunting, they saw lots, and lots of elk.  And then last weekend, when they were elk hunting, they say lots of deer, but no elk!

 Zane's deer--it's a buck-fawn.  He aimed for the heart & shot him 1 time.  When they got to the deer--Rusty saw that indeed Zane had shot it through the heart!  

He's quite the marksman!  Awesome job! 

 This is Rusty, Callum & Zane hunting for Zane's cow elk--on Rusty's birthday.

 They were in snow, and hiked & hiked & hiked, but did not see even 1 elk.

 It sure is beautiful country, though.

 Callum's turn to rest.  I do have to say that all 3 of them were quite tired by the time they got home that night.  and the boys had a good night's rest!

Zane has the whole month of November to get his elk--so hopefully he will get one this Saturday! 

 Good luck, Zane!