Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

The Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

Hayden wants "this" one.

Rachel combs the wool.

Sarah weaves a rug.

Hayden goes for a ride.


We are enjoying our second week out of school for Christmas break, so today, after breakfast, I told the kids they were going to have a surprise. I took them to the museum. They love going to the museum, whether it's the Smithsonian or the PPHM. They were very excited. They learned a lot about the Texas Panhandle and enjoyed looking at all the exhibits. We all especially enjoyed the Santa Fe Collection. They have a huge collection of tapestries on display. They even had tables set up with instructions for kids on weaving. Sarah wanted to stay there and weave a rug until she found out you couldn't take it with you.

We watched videos on how to skin a buffalo, how to plant cotton and the oil boom. It was very interesting. Especially the buffalo video. Sarah was the only one that could stomach it. Then, she came and told me how the pulled the stomach out and washed it in the river... Yuck!

We had a fun time and will go back again soon.

Celebrating Christmas

Friday, December 26, 2008

Merry Christmas from Lubbock, Texas



It has been wonderful to be so close to family. Our kids have asked, "how many Christmases are we going to have?". We had my dad come visit and then my entire side of the family came to our house last Sunday. Tuesday, we left for Lubbock and are spending Christmas with John's family. I will share more pictures later, but just wanted to give you an idea of what we do in Texas to celebrate Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve service and then had a very busy Christmas morning with 8 kids, 8 adults and 3 dogs. We had a fabulous traditional ham dinner and for dessert, the family went to shoot guns. Well, that's what we do here. We shoot things. I did learn to shoot a gun when I was about 10. I didn't go on this adventure, but probably will next time. So, that's how we celebrated Christmas here in Lubbock, Texas!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Small Town Christmas

Emma & Rachel enjoy a Dublin Dr. Pepper

A very Merry Christmas!


Snowball drop

Friends



Town Square Tree lighting

We went to the annual tree lighting on the square in Canyon. They had local groups sing Christmas carols and then they lit the tree. After the tree lighting, they drop "snowballs" from the top of the court house. They are actually ping pong balls with local store offers/discounts written on them. Everyone runs to the courthouse to gather the falling "snowballs". The kids had a great time. We went to the Rock'n Roll soda shoppe after the festivities and enjoyed a Dublin Dr. Pepper.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Christmas Lights!


This is the first year that we have put up Christmas lights on our house. Usually, we have some lighted garland around our door, but that's about it. This year, we were able to put our tree exactly where we wanted it and put up Christmas lights. John did a great job! I got all the decorations up inside and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. As a matter of fact, it snowed here today. Texas snow that is...snow and blow all morning, nothing stuck and this afternoon, the sun is out. Much different than Ohio! And did I mention it was 70 degrees yesterday? What they say about Texas weather is true. If you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it is sure to change.

"Make Me A Cowboy"







Saturday night, we went to Claude, TX to a remodeled old theatre to see a local play. "Make Me A Cowboy" was full of local talent and included singing, cowboy poetry and audience participation. We had a great time. Now Hayden really wants to be a cowboy.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Thanksgiving in Dallas

We went to Dallas for Thanksgiving and celebrated with John's family. We had a great time. We had great food, played games, watched movies and just relaxed. Brace yourself, I didn't even go shopping on Black Friday! I did go to Costco on Saturday with Carol. I love going to Costco; they have great stuff. We love being this close to family. It only took us 6.5 hours to get there. I know some of you probably think that is crazy, but after living 2 days away, this is close!


Rachel, Hayden, Sarah & Clancy (Kate was reading Twilight)


Hayden & Rachel climbed that tree every time they went outside.




A little peace and quiet (10 people and 2 more dogs inside)


"Chef" Jordan treated us to a great meal

Rock Band!

Thanksgiving in Memphis, Texas (not TN)

Future Cotton Queen?
Dad's Bread Pudding- aka Perini's famous bread pudding

Hayden thought the cotton was cool.



Train wreck just outside of Lelia Lake- where I lived in High School


Lily loves to visit PaBob; he drops bacon.




We celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family a couple of weeks ago. We all went to my cousins house in Memphis for the day. I'm including just a few pictures from the day.

Kate's Christmas Choir Concert


7th & 8th grade boys and girls choirs

Kate (center) and a couple of her friends.

Santa even came
Our little Kate is growing up.