Thanksgiving done and gone.

Gosh, Thanksgiving week went by so fast.  My dad or Grandpa McKee and Grandma Roberta were here for about 3 days.  We had a nice meal.  We went to the park and Kohl's on Friday.  Koty should off his moves at the skate park and Courtney looked for some jeans at Kohl's.  Shelby and Lacey fed the geese and play on the playground equipment.  It was a nice time.
Saturday we did nothing.  Sunday we did nothing.  It was fun to do nothing.  We thought about digging out the Christmas stuff but haven't yet.  I did get all the fall stuff put away.
I worked some today then went to lunch with Larry.  Today he found out that he has to go to Wyoming next week for work.  He gets to come home on the 14th I guess.
I've started reading Twilight.  Not sure if I like it yet but Kristin says it's a great book.  I'm still not done with Averie's crocheted blanket.  Work on it a little everyday.  I need to get it done before it's summer time and she doesn't need it.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Grandpa Smith came up.  Grandpa McKee and Roberta came out from Illinois.  Courtney's boyfriend, Dwayne, came over.  It was uneventful.  Larry fried the turkey.  I cooked the potatoes, stuffing, corn and rolls.  It wasn't even rushed cause we had everything ready ahead of time.

The arrival of our first granddaughter

This week has been a whirlwind.  Averie Marie Watson was born November 12, 2009 at 6:43 pm.  She was 8lbs 1 oz and 20 inches long.  Courtney arrived at the hospital at 7:40 am.  She was dialated to a 2.  They started pitosun which starts labor.  Soon she was having alot of contractions.  They broke her water and went from a 2.5 to 8 in an hour. By 3pm she was pushing.   She pushed for 3 hours and finally the doctor said she would try using a vaccuum (which is like a little suction cup) to help pull the baby out.  The doctor discovered that the baby was face up and that is why Courtney was having a hard time pushing her out.  Luckily the vaccuum worked and out came Averie.  She was a perfect but big baby.  Averie had a slight temperature but after getting a good rub down under the warming lights it dropped to normal.  She had an APGAR of 9 which is awesome.  I got to take Averie to the nursery for her first bath.  She didn't like that very well.  By 10pm baby and new mommy was in their new room where they would be for the next 3 days.  They thought they would get to go home on Saturday but Averie became a little jaundice so the doctor said she had to stay an extra day.  She spent all night until the bili-lite.  Sunday she was better and they were released.  It's been a week now and everyone is settling in nicely.  Averie is a very good baby.  She is alert and likes to look around.  She doesn't sleep constantly.  She is perfect.  I love spending grandma time with her.

This weekend

This weekend i had my first pet sitting job through Sam's business.  I took care of Sam's animals and one of her client's dogs.  Of course we had our first freezing rain, fog winter storm.  It was so cold.  The animals were all great.  I came home full of hair and had to change.  It would be nice if I could get some more "jobs" from Sam.  I hope her business picks up and she can give me some regular work.

Just seeing how this works

August was exciting

School started, supply shopping and first day of school outfit shopping. Float is Black Forest parade for Girl Scouts. Phoebe attacked by Rosie- $150 vet bill. Lacey's been home sick from school already with allergy symptoms. Head room parent meeting. Bunco at Kristin's, rode down with Cathy and Sam. Kid's visited Grandpa Smith for the weekend. Gracie to the vet for vaccine. Started volunteering at the school for the girls' teachers. School pictures. Garden Club member appreciation lunch. Visit to the eye specialist-nevus has not changed so I don't have to go back. Worked some. Back at Pikes Peak Therapuetic Riding Center on Mondays and Wednesday. Weeded some of the garden and picked some squash, zucchini and onion. Till some ground and transplanted bearded irises by the driveway. Busy Busy Busy that's August.

Black Forest Parade and Festival

This year the Girl Scout troops had a float. The girls painted the banners and tied silver ribbon on the float. The title of the float was "Make New Friends". They sang Make new friends but keep the old...song. I'm still waiting to see if we won an award. The festival was kinda boring. The church had a yard sale and after 2 they had fill a bag for $1. We went back twice and filled two bags.

 

May

May started out very cold. It's taken till the end to warm up. Mother's day weekend the Daisy troop went camping at Hamp Hut. We arrived Saturday afternoon. We cooked hotdogs and marshmallows on the camp fire. We made S'mores, too. The girls played and explored the surroundings. We talked about safety and wild animals. When it got dark the girls played inside the cabin while the moms hung out by the fire and chatted. We managed to get everyone settled and asleep by 11:30 or so. In the morning the girls actually slept in until 7:30 or so which surprised me. We cooked pancakes, bacon and sausage on the camp fire. We sang some songs and made some swaps. The swaps were marshmallows on a stick, bed bug on a bed roll and a bumblebee. The girls really didn't want to sit and make swaps but we did anyway. They really didn't want to learn new songs but we did anyway. lol! Sunday we went on a hike and had lunch on the trail. We got rained on a little but it was nice. We got out of there Sunday on Mother's day around 3. It was a long day. When the girls and I got home Larry had a steak dinner going and a present. It was a tractor sprinkler for my garden and what I"ve wanted for a long time. Perfect gift.
The month of May has been crazy with year end school stuff, girl scout stuff, fire dept stuff and Courtney's stuff. I've had meetings at least twice a week in the evenings. Larry's had meeting 2-3 times a week. He was promoted to Captain at the fire dept. so that puts more time and responsibility on him. He's also been working in Denver which makes for long days.

Lacey's Birthday

Lacey had a great birthday. We had lots of snow and ice so the kids had a snow day. Lacey got to open all her presents when everyone got up. She got barbie clothes from Koty, princess polly pocket and a magic suprise toy that melted in water and a cat popped out, a daisy hoodie from mommy and daddy and the best toy every--a pink nintendo ds with barbie horse game.
We braved the snow storm and went to the mall. Lacey had received a free animal coupon from build a bear so we went their and she picked out the Black Lab. She named her Rosie. We had lunch at the mall, too. We stopped at Kmart and the girls picked out a leotard for gymnastics. After being in the mall for a couple of hours we headed to the excursion to discover the snowfall had gotten worse. It was think, heavy and wet. We had to pick up Lacey's birthday cake at Walmart and when we got there it was sunshining and blue sky. Of course that didn't last long. We made it home, had cake and Larry and the kids headed outside for "sledding". Of course, our sledding is pulling a sled behind the 4-wheeler. They had a blast. Lacey's birthday was alot of fun. Her friend birthday party is at Aerials Gymnastics on Sunday the 19th. She can't wait.

March was a lion!

March is almost over thank goodness. It was terrible. I saw an allergist for my chronic sinus problems. I was tested...poke in the back and arms numerous times. The test came back negative and I am not allergic to anything. The Dr. thinks I may have a bad, deep imbedded sinus infection. He gave me 2 different nose sprays and an antibiotic. I have to go back in a few weeks.
Dakota became very sick. He had a high fever and cough. I took him to the Dr. the second day of high fever. He tested positive for Influenza A. They gave him a flu medicine and he was better in about 5 days. That Sunday he was feeling pretty good so all the kids went out to jump on the trampoline. After about 10 minutes I heard Dakota at the door crying and yelling "Mom". All I saw was blood when I got to him. He did a front flip and hit his lip on his knee. There was a pretty good sized chunk of his lip hanging out so Larry took him to the fire dept. to have him checked. The medic there suggested the ER to get him some stitches. We spent 4 hours at the ER and he ended up with 3 stitches and a huge fat lip.
That next weekend it was really nice so we headed to the park. Lacey didn't want to play and Shelby complained about her ear hurting. She was crying because it hurt so bad. I decided to take her to the Urgent Care to make sure there was nothing in her ear. The Dr. said she had a viral infection. He checked Lacey's ears too but said hers were clear.
The next few days Lacey had the fever and stuffy head. I waited a couple of days and then took her to the Dr. She had a ear infection and a throat infection but not strep. She's now on medicine for that.
Larry is finally home for good from Casper. But this week he is working nights. He felt bad yesterday and now has a bad cold. The funny thing about all this sickness is that everyone but me had a flu shot in October.
Larry was also told that his hours were being cut to 32 per week. That is a pretty good hit for pay. I will have to try and make it up with my job. Larry at the fire station will make up some money too. We are in the process of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. It's an eye opening experience. We spend way to much on "stuff". We are tracking our spending for a month then preparing a budget to follow. We are hoping to save for a big family vacation and home updates.
I have created a family tree for my family and Larry's. I have tracked both families back to 1500's in England and Ireland. Very interesting and fun.

March has started out hard.

Last week I took all 3 kids to the doctor. Koty tested positive for Influenza A, Lacey has allergies and needs to see an allergist, Shelby doesn't have a bladder infection this time but needs to make sure she doesn't come in contact with harsh soaps. We are all getting over our illnesses then yesterday Koty busted his lip open trying to do a front flip. Knee versus lip. Larry took him to the fire station and the medic suggested he needed stitches and to take him to the hospital. He got about 3-4 stitches and a huge fat lip. He did go to school today so hopefully he's not in to much pain.
I have to take Courtney to the DMV for a hearing to see if she can get a probationary license to use for work.
Larry has been in Casper Wyoming for 6 weeks just being home on the weekends. It's been very hard on everyone. I never knew how much I rely on him for help.

Cookie Booths

The Daisy Troop had their first cookie booths this past weekend. Sat. the 14th was very cold but they stood out there and sold cookies. They were very good sports and so were the parents. Our troop was at Diamond Shamrock gas station from 10-1 and it was 15 degrees. They sold 74 boxes. It was great. Sunday the 15th we were at Big R from 1:30-5. We got to be inside their entryway so it was much warmer. One of the girls that was scheduled was sick with fever so Shelby and Larry went along so we were able to continue with the booth. The booth rules state that there must be at least 2 scouts and 2 parents. So it was a family ordeal and turned out to be fun. The troop sold 95 boxes that day. We will definitely pick that spot again. We have 2 more booth to conduct, one next weekend the 21st and one March 8. The Brownie troop will be doing theirs this month too. Shelby has one on March 8th also but at a different time. Daddy is going with her so she can get a Daddy and me patch for the booth sales. Both troops want to make alot of money because we are planning on going camping. The girls really want to go camping, even the little ones. I can't wait.

January

Wow, January is gone already. It was busy. Courtney celebrated hers with friends. Mine was nice. The family took me to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Shelby's birthday was dinner at McDonald's. Grandpa came up for that one. Shelby had her party with friends at skate city on Sunday, Feb.1st. We were unsure if she would be able to go because Saturday night she had a 102 fever. Sunday, the day of the party, she woke up with a 102 again. She was so upset. She thought she was not going to be able to go. But we filled her full of Advil and Tylenol and she made it through the party just fine. Monday she woke up with a 102 again. Took her to the doctor and she had strep throat. Last week I had to take Lacey to the doctor and she had strep also. Now they are both on meds and doing fine. Shelby goes back to school tomorrow. I volunteer in their classes on Wednesdays and they love having me there.
We've been selling girl scout cookies all month. I get to pick up the troops cookies next Monday. Hopefully all the cases will fit in the Excursion. Shelby and Lacey went door to door in our neighborhood. It was their first time doing that. They had a blast and wore me out. The sold 54 boxes each.
I started back at the riding center last Friday. It good to be "back in the barn" and helping. Friday's riders are little kids and they are so cute. I think I'm going to have fun this session. Oh, I won a winter getaway at the Volunteer social. It's a 2 night stay at a bed and breakfast in Twin Lakes and 2 all day lift tickets to Ski Cooper. I called Larry when I won. I asked him if he wanted to go. I knew he wouldn't want to because he doesn't ski, so I called my best friend Kristin and she's going to go with me in March. I can't wait.
Larry left for Wyoming yesteday. He will be gone till Friday back home for the weeken then back to Wyoming during the week. He's supposed to be up there until March. I'm so lost with him gone. It's like I can't function without him. My routine and schedule is all messed up. I forget school things and appointments. I'm just a wreck.
Hopefully it will get better.
I hope February is a great month. I have to plan my garden and get everything ready for seed starting. I can't wait.

Crazy busy times

2009 has started out to be very busy. We've had 2 birthdays and 1 more next week. The girls have started selling Girl Scout cookies. Yesterday we went door to door in our neighborhood. The girls had fun and got the hang of it pretty quick. I thought it was to windy. The wind made my ears hurt. But today is around 60 so I'm sure Shelby will want to knock on some more doors when she gets home from school. Lacey stayed home from school today. She has a 100-101 fever and sore throat. Courtney is still working at Lowe's but we have to take her back and forth. It puts alot of strain on our schedules. It seems to take alot of time out of my day. Also, I have to take her to find a 2nd job, take her to attorney appointments and make sure she is calling to get things lined up. She is so unmotivated and I'm afraid she is going to end up in jail.
Everyone else is doing great. Larry has been working from home alot which I like. He applied for a virtual job within the company but hasn't heard yet. He goes to the fire station every Tuesday. He's been on 2 structure fires in the last couple of months. He loves those fire calls. I'm still selling Avon and doing pretty good with that. I have about 20 regular customers. The Pampered Chef thing is going kind of slow. I need to make some calls and get some shows scheduled. I start back with the riding center on Jan. 30th. I'm looking forward to being back out there. Koty is better now that they have rearranged his schedule at school. He seems less stressed. He helps out at home and behaving. Shelby is doing great in school. She is in an advanced math class that she loves. Her report is pretty much A's. Lacey is loving school but doesn't want to practice her sight words. She wants to read but doesn't want to take the time to learn the letters, sounds and words.
I've decided to trace my family history and Larry's also. I've been researching geneology. It's very interesting and we are hoping to get a subscription to Ancestry.com so we can post our family tree. It's so exciting. I've have some information from my mom and her search. It goes back to my great great grandfather who lived in the early 1800. Can't wait to find out more.