Thunder Up!

Owen got to be a part of an awesome opportunity a few weeks back.  He was asked to join his friend's basketball team at the Thunder game.  The boys got to go down on the court/sideline during the National Anthem and Player Introductions and Warm-Up.  Owen was so excited and a little nervous to go all the way down on the court without Mom or Dad.  But, he was on his very best behavior and was in awe the entire time.  The icing on the cake was getting "fist bumps" from several of the players before the game started!  It made me smile to see those super tall guys squat down to say hello to him.  So much fun!  Go Thunder!!!

The Firebirds are Back!

Harper's basketball season started back up in mid-December.  We were so excited to see the Firebirds back in action!  It is amazing how much they have improved...just by getting older.  Harper was really excited about being back in the game and is really trying hard to score some baskets this year!

{The coolest thing about this league is that both teams pray before each game!}

Little Willie's Triple Dog Dare

On Saturday, we participated in our very first Stair Climb ever!  Richard, Harper and I formed our Relay Team.  It was only 7 degrees that morning, so we were very excited that this race was inside.  There were three legs to the relay and Owen came along to cheer us on!  I went first...up and down 21 flights.  Richard was next...up and down 31 flights.  And Harper brought us home...16 flights up and down!   I decided this after I thought I was going to die...at flight 3 of my climb!  This was definitely the hardest "race" I have ever done.  Even harder than the marathon!  The stairways were hot, no air moving and my lungs were on fire!  When it came time for the third leg, I decided that I would go with Harper...just to giver her motivation to finish.  However, I wasn't prepared for 16 more flights and she was!  She did awesome.  At the top of her building...I stopped to get a drink of water and she kept on going...I had to sprint to catch up.  It was a very different race, but we had an absolute blast!!!

Christmas Dance!

This year, Harper's dance studio opted not to do a Christmas Recital.  Instead, the company teams went around to different nursing homes to do a few routines for the residents.  It was really neat to see the girls all dressed up and their practiced paid off.  But the coolest thing of all was seeing the look on the residents' faces.  Smiles from ear to ear!!!

Thanksgiving Celebrations

Thanksgiving has to be one of my most favorite holidays...other than Christmas of course!  I love Thanksgiving because it centers around spending time with family, usually hanging out at the farm and my favorite hobby...eating!
Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, we headed over to my parents to spend Thanksgiving with them and my sister.  Richard fried up his famous turkey and we made all of the fixin's to go along with it.  As usual, we made way too much food...but it made for good leftovers.  The kids were very excited to get to play with Hazen and were even more excited to wear their fun turkey shirts that Grandma made them.

Thanksgiving morning, we bundled up and headed to the Turkey Tracks race.  It was much colder this year, but all of the kids had Turkey Hats to keep their ears warm!!!  It was so much fun and is turning in to a really cool tradition.

After the race, we cleaned up and headed to the farm.  We spent time eating and visiting, but also spent plenty of time at my parent's new house/barn playing and riding the four-wheeler.  I just love to watch Owen out there.  He is definitely in his element at the farm!

Open House

In November,, we had Open House Night at the kids' school.  Harper's was extra special this year, because the 3rd grade performs a Wax Museum.  They selected famous Oklahomans and Harper chose Woody Guthrie.  We spent a week or two, at home, researching Woody and writing a report about him.  I learned that Woody Guthrie was not the most upright citizen and had quite a few vices...therefore, I was selective in the info that I gave Harper!  She wrote a fairly lengthy speech, memorized and gathered her costume. 
On Open House night, she stood by her desk (in the library) with an "on" button.  Everytime someone would walk by and push the button, she started her speech.  She did awesome!  I couldn't believe that she could remember the entire thing!  In fact, Owen even had some of it memorized.

During Open House, Owen also took us to his class.  It was so much fun to see him...in his element.  He was proud to show off artwork at his desk and hanging up around the room.  Of course, the famous piece of artwork that I showed in a previous post was displayed "loud and proud"!!!

Veteran's Day Assembly

This year Veteran's Day was extra special, because Harper and the 3rd grade put on the assembly at her school.  She was so excited that she talked about it for weeks.  She had her lines and songs memorized in no time.  She was even more excited when she got a picture from Gramps of him in the Army.  Her music teacher included this in the slide show of the veterans.  So proud of my patriotic girl!

Check out that tall girl singing in the back! Can you tell when she spotted me taking a picture of her? :)

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween seemed a little more hurried this year.  I guess it just snuck up on us!  But we were able to do our usual, fun Halloween activities.

We started the week decorating and carving pumpkins!  Harper and Owen both decided to paint and decorate their pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.  But when it came to the big carving pumpkins...Richard and I lent a hand.  Both kids went with designs from a carving book and I think they turned out super awesome!

A few nights before Halloween, Owen and I attended the Mummy & Son Masquerade Party at our Community Center.  I had a hard time scrounging up an outfit to match Owen...so I just went as a 50's girl.  We met up with a bunch of Owen's friends and he was so excited.  He even got 2nd place in the Costume Contest.  They played games, gathered candy and even got their faces painted.  It was a great time...just Owen and I...we don't get to do that very often.

On Halloween day, both kids had parties at school.  One thing I love about being in administration and not teaching is that I get to sneak away to go to their parties.  It was so much fun to see Owen interacting with his friends.  At his party, his class sang several songs for us and recited a poem.  So cute!  Harper's party was really fun too.  They didn't get to wear their costumes, but they did get to wear their PJ's.  So much fun!

I even got to dress up!  Our school has a huge costume contest and the faculty even participate.  The administrative team went as Duck Dynasty!

Later that night, we headed back up the high school for "Halloween in the Halls."  Our students were lined up and down the halls handing out candy to all the little kids.  It was so much fun to see everyone in their costumes.  Hazen, our little sock monkey, even joined in the fun!  Cool thing about all of the costumes...my Mom made all of them!  We had to get a picture of that for the scrapbook.  After the school we went with a few of our friends around the neighborhood to get even MORE candy!