Putting up the Christmas Tree

 

We have a 13-foot Christmas tree the fills our front room.  We have vaulted ceilings in that room and so the tree is perfect. 

We actually got the tree for free from a family in one of our previous wards.  They lived in a house that was the identical floor plan we were buying.  They were moving into a smaller apartment and no longer had a need for the tree.  They didn’t want to just give it away to anyone, so they asked if we would like it.  Of Course we said yes because this meant that we wouldn’t have to buy one of our own.  When Kenneth went to pick it up, he found it in 6 – yes SIX – pieces.  We didn’t really understand the size until we put it up last year.  it was a chore!!!

This year, instead of trying to put it up with 6-foot ladders, Kenneth brought home some Baker Scaffolding and we set it up in the living room.

 The boys had a great time climbing on and “helping” to fluff and decorate the tree.  It took us about 6 days to get the tree up, fluffed and decorated.  But when we were done – IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!

So was the rest of the house.  Here are just a few pictures of the decorations:

This is the piano and pony wall between the front room and the library.

This is my Nativity Scene.  We saved our Deseret Book points for 2 years to buy this.  I love it and sometimes think I should leave it out all year long to remind us of our Savior’s life and birth.

In our front room, we have planter shelves and very high ceilings.  This allows up to have walls of pictures.  It also is a perfect place to display my Santa Collection. 

   

I really love Christmas with the music, lights, decorations and smiling faces.  The shiny wrappings and beautiful bows, the wreaths and candy canes.  I am grateful that we have all these symbols to remind us of the importance of this time of year and the reason for the celebration.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was nice and quiet.  It was just our immediate family and so we didn’t really have a schedule.  We got up and put the turkey in the oven and then just spent time together until it was time to eat.  I told the boys I wanted to make some turkey name cards and asked it they wanted to help.  Kenny was all for it, so he and I ventured down into my scrapbook room, Kale joining us a few minutes later and here is what we did…

They really enjoyed tracing their hands and cutting out their little turkeys.

It was fun being able to share something I enjoy doing with my boys and we had a great time together.  After they decided they were done, I decided I wanted to try one other thing.  I made a turkey centerpiece that I think turned out pretty darn cute…

Then I spent some time setting the table and getting ready for the meals.

This was the table setting that I used.  The table looked great.  In fact, the boys were afraid to come near it for fear they might mess it up.

The turkey was the best yet.  Kenneth cooked it and he did something to it this year that left it tender and juicy with a flavor that was “to die for”.  I am not a big fan of turkey, but this was some of the best I’ve had.

All in all – It was a great day and being together made it even better.  We missed out family that wasn’t with us, but we really loved being together.

Aviation Nation 2009

Each year, Nellis Air Force Base hosts a public event which allows the general public to come onto the base and view planes and witness fly-bys of many different planes, including the Thunderbirds, the USAF’s ambassador’s in blue.  http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/index.html

This is the second year we have taken the boys and each year they have a great time.  Kenny was so enthralled with the planes and said that he wanted to be a pilot for the Air Force when he grows up.  He wanted to touch each plane, to feel the surface, whether smooth, rough, bullet-marked, etc…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He wandered around wide-eyed, amazed and he seemed to be trying to take it all in and remember it all.  I loved walking with him and observing him as his mind filled with awe and possibilities.  I could see his mind working to formulate an idea of what it must be like to sit in the cockpit of a plane and fly over the world.

We saw current planes (F-16, C-130, etc…)

 

 

 

 

unmanned aircrafts (raptor, predator, and a mockup of the Global hawk)

planes from all of the wars (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korean), 

and aggressor planes (migs, Israeli Kfir (F-21)).

 

 

 

 

 

It is amazing to watch as they fly overhead and see the capabilities they have, the speed, power…

Here are some other pictures that you might enjoy:

Kenny posing in an aggressor’s intake.

Kale posing in an aggressor’s intake.

Kenny holding a grenade launcher.

Kenny waiting for the Thunderbirds air show.

On a more personal note…

As I watched the Thunderbirds fly overhead and looked at all the men and women who serve in our military, working to keep each of us free and safe, I was filled with a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all that they do.  I know that the government is doing all they can to reduce the amount of time and personal presence to protect and limit deaths as they strive to keep the country’s freedom strong, but as I thought about all the men and women who have given their lives and knowing that more will be called upon to give their lives, I am so grateful that I have been blessed with all that I have.

It was a blessing for me to be able to attend Aviation Nation this year.  I am reminded that so much is done for me by others that I fail to remember and recognize often enough.  I am challenging myself to REMEMBER and show my appreciation each chance I get.

Halloween for the Boys (Part 3)

On Friday the 30th, we had the ward’s annual chili cook-off and Trunk-r-Treat.  Kenneth decided that he wanted to make a chili to enter in the contest.  So he opened the fridge to see what we had (not much).  He ended up using 5 cans of Hormel Chili, added hot dogs and ground beef seasoned with onions and garlic and called it “Chili Dog Chili”.  He won third place.  Can you believe it?

Kenny decided that he didn’t want to wear the wig again, so we spray-painted his hair black and put some makeup on his face – to make him look dead – and called him a goth vampire.

He actually looked pretty great with black hair. It suited him well.

This picture was taken after he had been out and about for several hours.  He had eaten several pieces of candy and a sucker – thus the orange around his lips and the worn off makeup.

After the trunk-r-treat, we drove up to the outlook for the city and took some pics and enjoyed the view.  Check out the pictures taken by Kale, Mom and Dad.

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Kenneth decided since it was Halloween and he could get away with almost anything, to cut his hair and give himself a mo-hawk. 

He also cut his beard so that he had mutton chops and a split goatee.  He looked like a UFC Fighter.

We had a great time and enjoyed spending the evening together as a family.  They boys collected quite the stash of candy and should be set until next year.  They went around 3-4 times and got lots of compliments on their costumes and as always, were quite the hit with the ladies. 
For Halloween night, we holed up in the “Theatre Room” and watched movie, enjoyed teriyaki beef for dinner and then went to bed.

Halloween for the Boys (Part 2)

In Nevada, the 30th of October is Nevada Day – it is the day Nevada became a state- and therefore it is a holiday and so the boys had the day off from school.  SO, on Thursday the 29th, they had their Halloween parties and got to dress up.

Kenny was a GOTH Rocker named Darth Diamond.  Kale was a Wizard.

They seemed to like their costumes and were excited to share them with their friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kale’s Costume started out as a girls witches costume that we converted into a wizard’s outfit.  We added dragon charms on the front and the hat and an iron-on decorative cross on the back.  We hortened the sleeves and cut off 8 inches from the bottom.  He looked great!!  He did look a bit “girly” though so we added some dark eye makeup and that did the trick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the shoes.  This is what the costume was based on.  He was a little unsure of the wig, but after we got it on… He was ready to go along with the costume.  We painted his fingernails black and used black eyeliner and lipstick.  He looked great!!!

Halloween for the Boys (Part 1)

Kale’s school had a Halloween Sing-along on the Wednesday before Halloween.  Following are the videos of the songs that they sang. 

Kale's First Class Song - Pumpkin, Pumpkin

Kale's Second Song - 5 Little Skeletons

Kale's Third Song - 5 Little Pumpkins

Kale's Fourth Song - Scarerow Song

You’ll have to forgive us for the poor quality; our good camcorder was not charged and I we had to use the “small” camera.  Also, the room had poor lighting and thus, poor quality pictures.  But you get the gist and should be able to enjoy the songs.

Unemployment for Mom…

I have to admit, I never thought I would be in the position.  I was laid of on September 11, 2009.  The construction department had come to the conclusion of all its current projects and didn’t foresee any of their future projects starting anytime soon, so there was no longer a need for me.  The controller will be able to do all that I was doing plus here own work.

I had the most amazing feeling of peace rush through my body as I was told that I no longer have a job.  Although it was a shock and I did shed a few tears of “fear”, but I knew instantly that Heavenly Father had something planned for me and it would be better all around.

It has been three weeks and I still don’t have a job, but I have received a conditional offer with a private company here in town that is a remarkable offer.  There was a pay raise, amazing benefits, closer commute, stability and company growth… Who could ask for more.  The only drawback is the need to obtain a security clearance from the government. 

It is a mound of paperwork, a personal interview, a polygraph test and then…waiting.  I am scheduled for my personal interview in a few days and hopefully by the end of October, I will be scheduled for the polygraph.  Then we are hoping to hear something before the end of the year so that no later than January, I can be working permanently.