Wonderful Christmas Time: Raymond High School Show Choir 2006

Here is a few pictures of Show Choir. Enjoy! I wish I had more. If anyone has any others that I could add, especially of Lorrin, (as Baby Jesus) let me know.

Brandon had a Birthday! He turned 9 on the 19th of November. Wow, the years pass so quickly.



Brandon really wanted to go hunting with his dad for a birthday activity. Jeff and Brandon got up really early on Saturday morning (5:00 am, Nov 18) and headed out. We hadn't had snow yet this year, so the weather was great to be outside. They were able to bring home a whitetail doe. Brandon was so excited to share the news with everyone and loved showing off the kill. Jeff wasn't so excited to show it off. It was much smaller than what he wanted to bring home. We had cake and ice cream with some of the Hardy family at Grandma& Grandpa's on Sunday night. (Sorry to those that weren't there!) Brandon got a new bicycle helmet (to replace the one he broke) and some new pants.

This is Brandon's story of the deer that they shot together this year and this is Dad and the deer!



What Brandon wants to say about his hunting trip is that they saw 1 coyote, 2 jackrabbits and LOTS of deer.
We were walking through a big patch of trees when all of a sudden these three deer came over the hill and into a dip. Dad told me to get down because he knew that he would be able to get one. I was trying to hide while I was lying on the ground. When dad shot the gun and hit the deer I got so scared because of the echo. Dad usually told me when he was going to shoot but this time he didn't, because he was so excited to hit it. After he shot, he only saw two deer run away. I knew that dad had hit one because I could see a black and brown leg in the grass kicking furiously. We then both ran up the hill and there she was lying on the ground, shot through the back. And after we moved her from where she had been shot, there was a gigantic patch of blood. I wasn't grossed out until dad pulled out the insides!
By Brandon

Where is winter? The last couple of days have been sooooooo windy. It is no wonder why there is no snow. The wind is blowing it all away. We also see very little snow in the mountains. I don't mind the cold weather staying away, but...............it makes it hard to get into the spirit of Christmas.

I purchased a few gifts this past week (and no I am not telling who they are for!!!!). With that purchase done I may be close to 1/4 finished. Just for the record, as of today there are only 36 days left before Christmas.

Mom helped me make 3 batches of fondant over the Rememberance Day weekend. [Actually Mom made 3 batches of fondant for me.] I plan to attempt dipping chocolates this year. It has probably been about five years since I have dipped any. I'm ready for the challenge!

Here is some of the many pictures that
we have of Maren standing or walking.







Maren is now 9 1/2 months and already she is standing and walking on her own. She was standing by 9 months and taking a few steps then. We are amazed at how sturdy and fast she is getting. Such a big girl for her little body! She weighs just over 15 lbs.

Cassandra is toilet trained! The most amazing part of the whole thing is that she looks like she will be night-time trained too! The last two nights she has woken up and needed to go. (The boys struggle with this still.)
I still have to run with her to the bathroom to "give her encouragement" but we are past the stage of wearing diapers all day long. She is doing quite good in public too. She has accidents (at least one daily) but it is because she waits too long or won't go without me. I see the toilet training phase passing soon!
Maren is walking. If I am a far distance from her, she will crawl most of the way and then stop, get up on her feet unassisted and then walk the rest of the way. It is too late to stop the walking phase and everyone usually encouages her when she starts to walk. She loves the attention!
Maren doesn't have any teeth yet though. She really missed the minced food stage of eating. She handles whole foods really well and eats what we are eating. USUALLY. She must have some tough gums.

Brandon and Devin have spent a lot of time in school last week on the subject of Rememberance Day. Brandon came home one day and asked if Great-Grandpa Selman had any medals. I told him that he probably had service medals but that I wasn't sure. He then said that maybe he could ask to see them. Devin piped up and reminded Brandon that Grandpa wasn't around to ask. He forgot. Brandon suggested that he ask Grandma Selman. The boys were sure exited to see Grandpa's medals on Saturday. We were at the Cenotaph and then went to Selman's for lunch. Brandon asked Grandma if they could see Grandpa's medals. Grandma brought out Grandpa's suit coat and showed the kids (Rebecca's kids too)the medals. I could see it in the kids eyes, that they thought a lot of Grandpa for receiving medals because of the war. We all sure miss him.

Here are the pictures of the kids on Halloween.
The older boys both dressed up as Indians for the school party and parade. They both went in warmer costumes for the "trick or treat." Aaren's idea of a Crayon was entirely his own. (Even the choosing of the color.) It took a lot of thinking and one trial to create his costume. It turned out well. Cassandra wanted to be a witch -which she never actually was. We have the funniest video of her playing Peek-a-boo in her hair. If I can figure out how to post it, it may arrive before Christmas! Cassandra opted for the warmer lion costume in the evening. Oh, well. Maren never even saw a Halloween costume on Halloween (she was dressed though). She stayed home with dad and handed out treats.
Each of the kids carved their own pumpkin. We have 2 pumpkin carving knives [pieces of bandsaw blades stuck into wooden handles] that Jeff and I made years ago. They are much safer than a knife, so each of the kids carved their own pumpkin.
OK, Cassandra drew her face with a marker and the boys helped her. Aaren had his mouth cut tiny and then he kept carving until I had to stop him because it was getting so big. I found my design on a pumpkin carving website and enjoyed the challenge of getting my pumpkin to look like theirs (without the pattern). Cassandra LOVED playing in the slimy pumpkin seeds. She played for over 15 minutes in the bucket, letting them run through her fingers.
Next year we probably won't be going "trick or treating." There are actually a lot of families here in town that take their kids for dinner and an activity to avoid the sweets. I'd like to start that too.
The candy is dwindling quickly and I will be happy when it is gone. (Maybe the kids will be happier too!!!!!!!)