Friday, December 11, 2009

Christmas Shopping


















We are real close to being finished with this years Christmas tree harvest. There are only a few trees left to find homes. I will post about this in a day or two. Right now I wanted to show you what my kids did last night.





A few years ago Jay and I told the kids that for Christmas this was our wish:..... We would give them each a certain amount of money...... That was our gift to them...... But what they did with their money was their gift to us.
They check around and ask at the schools and churches and with people they know if there are people that they know that are in need. What do they need? They ask if they can please be specific as in shoe sizes, coats etc. Maybe it is food or fire wood or car repair. Maybe they need blankets or power bills paid. What ever it is, the kids talk it over and decide what to do.



















After they make their choices, Stacy usually makes the lists and pairs everyone up and off we go shopping. I go along to take pictures and pay. Really, I have the most rewarding job of all. It makes me so happy and so proud of these guys.
















They shopped for small boys and girls. There were a couple of kids in middle school and some were in high school. It was fun to watch them as they shopped.

































Taylor and Brandi paired up. They were on a mission to find things for a little guy in kindergarten. As always Taylor was into red and black flannel. He isn't usually a "shopper" but this was fun. Brandi was more helpful with their middle school girl. Taylor just doesn't do "girly stuff" very well.
























It was all business for Stacy and Mindy. They had two girls. They got cool stuff. There was clothes and boots, they had jewelry and nail polish. There was art supplies and toys.




Then there was Cody and Casey. This shopping thing was hard. They had a grade school boy and a girl. Can you imagine what they picked out for that sweet girl?
Casey, we are shopping for others not for you. Put that hat back.

















Taylor, put that hat back too!


















All this shopping made them hungry so they had to take a break and eat. Then it was back to their lists.































A few times I had to look around and find the boys. They weren't enjoying the clothes shopping nearly as much as the toy shopping. They got basketballs and leggo's and movies and games.





We needed socks and underwear and shoes and gloves. Some things like underwear were just too much for Louis and Ryan to figure out. Boxers or breifs? Ankle socks or calf length?

















Stacy says we need to get toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner.













It was finially time to go check out.









Casey was checking out the magazines. Oh, look its Tiger Woods! Do you know his new nick name? Cheatah!!!




Cody and Ryan find something rather amusing.


We got gift cards for food and movie tickets for the parents.
We got it all home, sorted it all out and went and delivered it to the schools today. Oh, my!!!....... that
was about as much fun as I can imagine!!! We have a few more families to do things for and I can't tell you how awesome this makes us all feel.



Thanks kids. You rock!!!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Don'tworry, be happy
















The last week and a half has been so intense.





But I think we can say that the busiest (maybe just the most stressful) part of our harvest is behind us. I'm pretty sure that we are done cutting unless some late orders come in. Now we just have to process the rest of the trees that are cut and in slings.


Today is our last scheduled fly day.













The guys have been busy bailing and loading.






The last week or so has been crazy busy. Lots of trucks!!!!! It is so nice to see them headed down the road.



Yesterday we spent the afternoon in the shop with the guys.




This family and these guys are truely something to be thankful for. We fixed 6 turkeys. Three on the Traeger, one in the oven and two that a friend smoked for us. We had mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans and rolls and lots of pies and a big Costco Thanksgiving cake.






We have spent our Thanksgivings in the barn/shop with the crew for the past 20 years. It's a lot of work but even more fun. It's just a small way to thank them for all their hard work. I think they enjoy it too.





Hey I said we were almost done. Now quit standing around and lets get to work.



Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thirty One Years Today

LOVED YOU ONCE, LOVE YOU STILL



















ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL

Monday, November 16, 2009

This is awesome!!!!







Well, yesterday I told you about Mindy and Louis and that they were expecting a baby. When she went to the doctor a couple weeks ago, they did a pregnancy test to confirm that she was pregnant. At that time they told her that she was probably due around the first of July. Then.... last Thursday, she had an ultrasound and they measured the little teeny tiny baby and said, "oh, I think you are a little farther along than you thought." So....today when her doctor looked at the ultrasound, she calculated things and then called Mindy. She told Mindy that her due date is the 8th of June!!!!! That is mine and Jay's birthday!! How cool is that?!!!!!!! The doctor had no idea that the 8th of June was our birthday. I just think God is so cool!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

guess what?



Mindy and Louis

sitting in a tree,







K......I.....S.....S.....I.....N......G!!!!!!!!!!






























first comes love,










then comes marriage.













Now they're out shopping






for a baby carriage!!







Thursday, November 12, 2009

Another day



Today we picked up a few hours of fly time that we hadn't scheduled. That is good. It does change things, tho. The cutters kept cutting and the slingers kept slinging. But we needed a hooker. And then we needed some extra help.

So we got the "boys" to help us out. They love when they "get" to help.

They know just what to do. They know that you have to turn your hat around so the helicopter doesn't blow it off.

They know that you have to go fast.

They know that there is always cookies or donuts for the workers.

Caleb can work and eat cookies at the same time.
They know that they get to turn in a time sheet. They also know that Nana pays them even if they put 50 hours a day down. They should get paid just for being cute.
And when you smile while you work, you get paid even more.