Christmas Blast from the Past

I was sorting through the computer the other day and came across these Christmas pictures taken in 1971.  I was pretty excited because pictures of my childhood before the flood are really rare.  These are so precious I just had to share.

My cute parents and me.  I believe this was shortly after my dad returned from Vietnam.  Our first Christmas together as a family. (I was born while he was there.) 

With my Grandpa & Grandma McNee and cousin Barry. 

Even though I was 2 years old in these pictures and have no memory of it I am positive it was an awesome Christmas! (Just look at the smile on my face.)

The Haircut

Kelsee has been growing her hair out for quite awhile now.  I honestly don't remember when she last had it even trimmed.  So after the big fight on Sunday morning.  I tried two different cute styles on her and she hated them both.

 It was agreed upon if I let her take the second one out she would trim her hair six inches. (I really did not take off six inches.) It looks like alot though!! She was a great sport about it and her hair looks so much better.

We did not take a before picture but here is the after........

The Gingerbread House Experience

Kelsee came home a two weeks ago with a gallon ziplock bag of gingerbread dough and patterns.  We were to make and bake the pieces for a gingerbread house.  I had never done this before and was excited to tackle the project.  The dough was done so figured I had the easy part...Boy was I wrong!!  After two frustrating hours and a trashed kitchen I finally pulled off what I hoped would work.  Making extra just in case.

Other than I somehow made the sides of the house too small her house turned out really cute.  I went ot help her decorate it leaving in the middle process to help Karlie with hers, then returning to help her finish it.

Karlie's only lasted long enough for me to get this picture!!  She thought it was way YUMMY!!

The houses turned out great and are truly my kids creations.  The frustrations with cooking the gingerbread was totally worth it. 

The only thing I really found interesting is that with both kids I had to keep them focused to get them to work and finish it. I don't know if that is the little control freak in me or just my children. I noticed last week I had to keep Kody really focused to finish all his homework from when he was in Reno. Maybe it was just all the excitement  of the Christmas season....

National Junior Olympics

Kody hopped on a plane Friday morning for Reno.  Me being a worrier, you can imagine how my day went.  Luckily he called me when they arrived and made it onto the hotel shuttle.  He did fine and sounded like he had a great time.  It snowed the whole time they were there.

The race had to be delayed an hour and since it was held at a National Park they did not plow the course.   It looks so cold. 

Despite the coldness and the battle wounds he endured, he ran really well.  Out of 200 racers he took 39th.  The first one from his team to cross the finish line.  Of course his reaction was he missed being All American by 14 spots, but was in the Honorable Mention group. Dennis and I were so excited when we pulled up the results online.

We wished we could of been there but are glad he got such a great experience!

Karlie's 1st Award

Karlie was surprised when her name was called at the assembly to get an award. She immediately looked around to see if we were there.  Luckily, this time I was able to keep this from all the kids.  She received it for good behavior.  She was so cute so had to wear it all day.   I had to sew the medal back on that night because it had fallen off the ribbon.

Congratulations Karlie!!

Thanksgiving Week in Idaho

Imagine packing 2 adults, 4 kids, a dog and stuff for a weeks journey in a mini-van.  Then spending 12 hours in this packed vehicle driving one way and then back.  Several tanks of gas, food, 2 nights in a motel, a few fights and even fewer bathroom breaks........ but Spending time with family and friends was PRICELESS!!
We drove late into the night to get there and luckily we did because the next day it snowed....and snowed.

We enjoyed our week in Idaho.  Juggling time between families, trying to see friends and even attending a funeral.  We had to go to DI to buy Den dress clothes and shoes to attend (all for under $20). That was quite the experience.  My sweet friend made us appointment to get our hair done.  It was nice to sit next to each other, try to catch up and get pampered all at the same time.  It was so fun, we wondered why we had not done this before.  She also got me a killer deal.

The before                                                    

and the after......

So what do you think?? My siblings were shocked.  I no longer have what they call the 80's hair. 

Thanks Katie!!

                           We took the kids bowling. Check out the leg!!

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Enjoyed hanging out with family.

Kelsee found a new love..TWILIGHT! She watched the movie at grandmas and is now seriously addicted.  She is furiously reading the book and cannot wait to go and see New Moon. It is all she talks about!  

Thanksgiving day was spent at the Goulds.  The girls were so horrible getting ready (they could not find anything). My dad thought it was all so funny! Anyway to make a long story short I forgot the camera and my cell phone.  So unfortunately, we have no pictures. It was such a nice day I would of loved to have had some.

 The time went by all too fast.

I am thankful we had the opportunity to visit family and good friends and hopefully

 it will hold me till the next time.

I am also very thankful for the quality time I got to spend with my sweet husband and wonderful kids.  Being away from the computer and such really was a great thing!!

Running Regionals

Late Friday night we made the 5 hour drive in rainy and snowy weather to Spokane.  We arrived at the motel at midnight.  Kody ran the next morning.   It was a beautiful day with one exception..the wind, which was so cold and blowing hard.  This did not stop Kody.  He took 16th and now is qualified to run in the National Jr. Oympics is Reno.  Which is exciting.  Now we just have to figure out how to pay for it!!

Thankfully, Marcus will be going with him.

 

Tay's Visit and More Running

We were so excited when Tayler (my little sister) informed us she would like to fly in for a visit.  It was a great week we tried hard to enjoy every minute. She was a great help with the girls. We went up to the Tulalip Outlet Mall (1 1/2 hours away) and shopped until we dropped. We went to the temple and then to "The Cheesecake Factory" in Bellevue.  I really like that place.  It is a good thing we don't have one closer.  We then did more shopping.  I watched more movie this past week than I have in 6 months.  It was really fun to just hang out with her and just enjoy the moment. 

Wednesday night the Federal Way Track Club coach called and wanted Kody to join his team.  Kody then had a decision to make basketball or running.  Late Friday he finally made the call and decided to run.  So Saturday morning we got up early and got ready to go to Seattle to watch him run in the Jr. Olympics.  Dennis had to work and so we waited for him.  He got home a little late and though we hurried, unfortunately we got there just after he had finished the race in 15th place.  (Kody rode up with a friend and his dad). The good news is now he gets to run in the Regional Meet in Spokane on this coming Saturday. 

The week ended early Sunday morning when we had to get up at 3:00 am to get Tay to the airport.  Even though I was soooo tired that morning I was really sad to see her leave and can't wait until she visits again!!

State Cross Country

Saturday was the State Cross Country Meet held in Pasco, a four hour drive.  The team left Friday morning.  We decided to save money and make the drive there and back on Saturday.  Kody ran a good race.  He took 79th out of 143 runners.  It sounds weird but that is the top in all the state.  He had a great time.  The team was hoping the pass would be closed so they could spend another night. 

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The state qualifying sophomores.

Kelly and Kelly.  In the newspaper this week he was identified as Kelly this week. 

He had a really great cross country season.

Halloween Pictures

The kids were pretty cute and excited this year.  Kody was so sweet to take them Trick or Treating.  He of course had some friends go with him and they were also dressed cute.

                        

My girly girl actually looks like a boy! At the Autumnfest on Friday none of  her friends knew who she was.  The boy whom she likes really did a double take when she spoke to him.  It was pretty funny!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                

The scary Vampire!

The Glamorous Hannah Montana.

Last minute Zoro.  With a skirt and a cape!!

 

Kelsee thought she looked so scary in this picture.  The funny thing is she loved it and laughed so hard!!

On to State!!

Last year at the District Cross Country Meet Kody collapsed at the finish line.  So this year I prayed that he would have the strength and endurance to finish the race and be happy with what he had done. 

 At the start..he is on the far left.

Just over the 2 mile mark.  Side by side with teammate and good friend Marcus.

Do you ever notice that your prayers get answered specifically? He crossed the finish line in 34th qualifying for State indiviudally and still standing. His time was great!! My prayers were answered. We then watched him walk through the line, wobbling and getting whiter all the time. Luckily, we were right there at the opening and he collapsed in his dad's arms. It took both of us to keep him moving and get him back to the team tent. He then got sick just like last year. I did not like it at all. It was neat to watch the care and concern of his other teammates.

 I was amazed though how quick he recovered when they announced that they had qualified for State as a team.

They took the last qualifying spot and lost to the 7th place team by only 1 point.  It was a good surprise for all.  They were the most excited team on the podium.

Kody and the Coach!!




 
 
 

Individual Qualifiers.  Kody was one of three on the team.

Very happy teammates and good friends!

I had to add this picture because I thought it was so cute!!

Todays Award Goes To....

KAYLA!   Her teacher commented on how she always does her best work in everything.  She is loving 5th grade and being on the leadership team.                                         

When she left this morning there was no scarf.  It is cute.  I really like the look!! Congrats Kay!!

Running On To Districts

It was cross country sub-district meet on Saturday.  The top 30 runners moved on to districts.  Kody ran really well.  He took 12th overall and came in with a new personal record at 16:56.  His goal was to get under 17 minutes.  He looked good the whole race.  The team had 4 runners in the top 30 and they were able to move on to districts as a team.  It is pretty exciting.  Last year at districts Kody collapsed at the finish line.  Pray that he can stay healthy and run a good race.  He has worked really hard! 

I did not do very good on the picture.  He came up really fast as we got to that point.  Then I get so excited I forget to snap a picture. 

Karlie forgot her jacket so dad was nice enough to loan her his!!