Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

 

Dave just finished reading Old Yeller to the kids.  Carson is starting to really enjoy hearing big books like this one read to him.  Natalia, like always, just can't wait until it's time to read and then she never wants to quit reading.  "Just one more chapter Daddy, Please!!!"

The kids were pretty sad the night we finished the book.  As the book was coming to an end, and Travis had just shot Old Yeller, Carson said, "I think I'm starting to cry."  They were wondering why the book had such a sad ending?  

Thanks to Grannie, we were also able to watch the movie this week!  As a matter of fact, we've already watched it twice.  Lia runs into the other room every time she recognizes a scary part is coming, and Carson is upset that the movie left out the scene of the chongo bull and the roan bull fighting.  I guess Carson now understands Tom Clancy's sentiment when he says giving your book to a movie producer is like giving your daughter to a cheap pimp?  (Ah, by the way...this last sentence was added by Dave.)

But anyway...great book and we highly recommend it!

Love is in the air!

Valentine's Day, what a sweet and romantic day!!!!  (Ha- NOT!!!!)  It was fun, but not quiet and romantic!

Woke up early that morning and got ready for the kiddos.  Dave made yummy heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes.   

After breakfast, we headed to Lowe's where the kids were able to built a little jewelry box. 

Later, we went by Grannie and Papaw's to deliver little Valentine's goodies the kids had made for them.  Natalia made a bookmark, Carson decorated a heart and Luke made a heart with beads.  Right after that, it was time to get busy for that evening's dinner.  

Like I said earlier, it was not quiet and romantic, but it was a lot of fun.  This year, we decided to invite a few families over for dinner.  I cooked Smitten Kitchen's meatballs and spaghetti.  I highly recommend this recipe.  Everyone seemed to like it very much.  Lindy and Lucy brought the bread.  Lucy helped me by cooking the spaghetti and then, she stayed and helped me clean all that mess up! (Thank you soooo much Lucy!) Heather & Dru brought a fabulous salad, Matt and Elizabeth brought the drinks, Kristi and Brian were in charged of the paper goods and Brooke and Eric brought some beautifully decorated chocolate covered strawberries.  And last but not least, Dave made the delicious  Chocolate Pot O'Creme.  Very Yummy!  Another recipe we highly recommend.  Sorry don't have any pictures of this exquisite dessert.  Brooke took a picture of one that was eaten already.  As a matter of fact, if you want to see more pictures of the party, that's where you are going to find them.  I guess, I was a little preoccupied that night and didn't get many photos :0(.  

There were 9 kids under the age of 7!  Overall, they did great and had a fun time.

Much, Much Better!

I so needed a Sunday like last Sunday after the kind of weekend we were having.  

First of all, we went to church and I had the privilege to tell the Bible story in Natalia's 1st grade class.  It was so fun.  I enjoyed it.  They were a good bunch of kids!  Later I asked Natalia how I did.  She said that I did good, but that I was a lot louder than her teacher.  I really don't know what she meant by that!?  Oh well...

After eating lunch, I took a nap.  Yes I did!!!  Oh it was so good until Dave woke me up to tell me that he was leaving to go to play tennis.  

The kids and I went to the playground and played around until Dave came by to meet us.  Then, the kids decided that they wanted to go on a little walk so we did and then it was time for some family tennis.  

Another posed picture!!!!

Looking for animal tracks.

It turned out to be a nice relaxing day...ah, I love days like this.

Never a Dull Moment, and I Mean, NEVER!

Okay, so on Saturday, we went to the the Annual Gumbo Festival.  Oh, the gumbo was delicious.  I could not stop eating that stuff.  The weather was wonderful and we just had a great time.

Can't you tell by this picture how much fun Luke is having????

Oh, don't let this picture fool you...they were posing for the camera!

We rushed back home because Dave had some work to do around the house.  Once we were at the house, Dave remembered that he needed a couple of things so I left and ran a few errands for him. Well...everything was going just right (I thought) until I see Matt leaving as I'm pulling into my driveway.  Matt looks at me and starts shaking his head (always a bad sign).  I say "what?"  He says, "yeah, about that...ah...yeah, I don't think you are going to like what you are about to see.  Oh and by the way, don't forget, guy's-night tonight."  

Well, the first thing I see is this:  Three little ones covered in white primer.  Yes...Luke grabbed a hold of the sprayer and sprayed Natalia and Carson with white primer.  Now, what I want to know is where Dave was.  Anyway, Natalia was screaming and I didn't know why.  Well, you see, she was wearing her favorite Valentine t-shirt and Daddy had told her that now, we were going to have to throw their clothes away. Luckily, Grannie and Papaw were there and Grannie saved the day.  She got the paint out of Natalia's shirt!  Thanks Grannie!!!!  I don't know what would've happened to that poor little girl.

I should have taken a picture of them covered in primer, but I was NOT in the mood.  

So this will have to do.  

I've Been Tagged!

Hetal tagged me, so here I am....

Apparently, the way you play is you pick the 4th folder within your picture folder, select the 4th picture, post it to the blog, and tag 4 other people.

So, my picture is of Luke ( 3 months old) and Daddy having a man to man conversation in the back room of our current home.

I promise we have better pictures of Luke and Daddy, but this is what I was told to do.

Special Guest Blogger - Dave: "Who Knew Putt Putt was a Contact Sport"

On Friday night, we decided that it would be fun to take the kids Putt-Putting.  So, right after dinner we just couldn't get there fast enough!  The kids were so excited.  

Upon arrival, we let the kids get ahead of us one hole so that Erika and I could also play. Everything was going so well until we heard Carson screaming that Natalia had hit him in the chest.  So we paid a little closer attention and realized that Natalia has played one too many games of golf on the Wii.  She was taking a huge backswing and finishing with a nice follow through leaving her with a beautiful 125 yard putt.  Of course, we explained to her that we were playing putt putt, not golf.  However,  3 holes later she felt the putter turn back into a driver in her hands.  With great form, keeping her eye on the ball, unaware of any of her surroundings, she pulled back, and swung.  The contact with the ball was beautiful; it sailed a good 75 yards and laid up right next to the hole, 3 lanes over.  She even followed through bringing the club over her shoulder and knocking her little brother Luke clean off his feet in the process!  I turned around and picked him up quickly, unsure what part of his body had received the hit, but as soon as I pulled Luke off my shoulder, there was no doubt about the point of impact.  The only picture I wish we would have captured was the look on Natalia's face when she saw Luke's forehead and realized that actions do have consequences.

Not to worry though, Luke dusted himself off and finished the final 3 holes of Putt Putt.  That merited a trip to Starbucks for a little hot chocolate and a stop by Paw Paw's house for a quick check of the ear drums to rule out bleeding and possible skull fracture.  No worries though, all is well now.

MeeMaw Turned 89!

Dave's grandmother turned 89 on February 1st.  We all went to Kirbyville to visit and celebrate her birthday.  She is such a sweet lady, always has a great sense of humor and loves to joke around.  Several of Dave's cousins came in from out of town (some even from Jasper and Lumberton) for this special celebration.  It was nice getting to see everybody again.

MeeMaw with all of her great-grandchildren!

MeeMaw and all the grandchildren plus spouses.

Papaw Stovall, uncle Joe, Grannie Stovall, MeeMaw and uncle Keith

You've gotta entertain your kids somehow, so Dave came up with this swing!

Cannot leave the woods without shooting a BB gun!!!!

On the way to Kirbyville and our way back, Natalia was stuck to this book!