Stanta Clause Came to Town

This past Sunday Stanta Clause made a stop by the house! I had so much fun this year at the festivities! We had a great turn out most of our friends stopped by to say hi and eat.

Addie and her parents came by for Addie's 1st pictures with Stanta! She was a very happy girl for her 1st introduction to Stanta!
Well almost.....
The super cute family picture with Santa.
Next kid to sit on Stanta's lap Duckie
She loves Santa Clause!!!! No fear from her.... However Goose is not so sure who this strange white bearded man is....

It's ok because when she finally realized that she was not going to be able to go anywhere until Aunt Kay Kay and Teapot got 1000 pictures, she then got a plan....
"Ok so my angry face didn't work let me try this one"
"phew so glad that worked at least now Aunt Kay Kay is between me and that creepy man that somehow knows my name"
Piper, me and Stanta
I love this picture of Duckie!
Family Portrait time....
Ellis is up next...She wants 11 things from Santa! This includes a puppy but like Santa says she is not quite ready for the puppy!

I love these pictures.... The progression of E and Santa

2008

2009
2010
2011

The last 2 people to sit on Santa's lap were Jake and his beautiful fiancee Sarah Elizabeth... What a welcome to our crazy family....

I'll Stand

I was asked, well tricked and deceived, to sing with my cousin Hannah and my Aunt Susan at my Grandma's church today.

We decided to sing "The Stand". I have always loved that particular song when we sing it at church and it has brought tears to my eyes more times then I can count. But in breaking it down and really looking at the words I saw it in a whole new light. As we were reading and rereading the words Susan pointed out that it is the whole story of Christ "YOU stood before creation" "YOU carried the cross for my shame " "So I walk in YOUR salvation". I love when I sing a song and it hits me just how awesome and amazing Christ is how completely unworthy I am for His gift.

I am so thankful that Christ died on the cross for my sins so that my soul now can stand and that my life can declare His glory.

I was so nervous, as you know, I don't like to be in front of anyone talking, let alone singing. But I'm glad we could use our voices to glorify "The ONE Who Gave it All".

Susan and Hannah
Thanks ladies you two gave me the opportunity to sing to our LORD through a microphone and trust me on this, I wouldn't have and will not do it with out you! I love you two more than I can ever express.

Here are the lyrics. They have been my prayer all day, I hope they can give you the same comfort they gave me today to get up on that stage and sing!

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Love,
K-Dub

How to Cook a Turkey

My class is made up of 4 and 5 year olds and they told me how they would cook a turkey. I thought some of you might like to try out one of these recipes this year.

How to Cook a Turkey

First you go to Walmart get a Turkey. Put salt and more turkey and some sugar and vitamins and real vitamins and letters on it. Then put it in a real hot oven for 8 minutes. Take it out and eat it. It will taste like Goldfish!

How to Cook a Turkey

First you have to go to a farm and hide the turkey under your shirt. Put mustard, ketchup, cereal like Capin’ Crunch, and one more ingredient salt and pepper on the top of the turkey. Cook it on the chair that is hot as lava for 108 minutes. Eat it all. It will taste like chicken!

How to Cook a Turkey

First you have to go to a Pumpkin Patch and get a turkey. Take it home and put salt and pepper on it. Cook it on a hot stove for 30 minutes. Then you eat it and it will taste like chicken!

How to Cook a Turkey

Get the turkey from the store. It gets a little bit tricky now. Put ketchup and mustard and tootsie rolls, and then strawberry ice cream on top of the turkey. Take the turkey home. Put it out for a decoration. Then cook it in a microwave for 10 minutes. Then you eat it. The turkey taste like turkey!

How to Cook a Turkey

Get the turkey from outside. Put just salt on it. And cook it in the oven for 10 hours at 30 degrees. Then it dies. Then you eat it. It will taste like turkey!

How to Cook a Turkey

Pluck the feathers then get out the bones. Then put salt and sugar on it. Next put more bones in it. Put it in the microwave for 5 minutes. Then add more salt. Put water in it and boil it. Last you eat it. It will taste yummy and like a pumpkin pie!

How to Cook a Turkey

Get the turkey from a store like Kroger or something. Put ice cream on top. Then cook it in the oven for 20 minutes at burning hot degrees. Then Mom cuts up the turkey. Then we eat the turkey. It tastes like Beer Can Chicken!

How to Cook a Turkey

Go to Target and get a turkey. Cut it in half. Put salt, peppermint, mustard, ketchup and sprinkles on top of it. Put it in the oven for 3 days at 50 degrees. Mimi will carve the turkey unless her sister is still sick cuz then she can’t. Then eat it. It will taste like chicken!

How to Cook a Turkey

Get your turkey from the Rockwall, Texas Target. Put vanilla ice cream and whip cream on the top. Throw it in the oven at 46 degrees for 66 hours. Take it out and eat. Taste like chicken!

How to Cook a Turkey

Go to Costco and get a turkey. Dress the turkey with salt, ‘SLAP YOUR MAMA’ spicy stuff, and pepper. Cook it in the oven at 180 degrees for 20 minutes or so. Take it out and eat it. Taste good like chicken!

How to Cook a Turkey

Get the turkey at the market. Put pepper and hot sauce and pudding on the top. Cook it for 10 min in the oven at 100 degrees. Then eat it. Taste like chicken pie with hot sauce!

How to Cook a Turkey

Get the turkey at the restaurant. Put nothing on it cuz it’s good the way it is. Cook it at home in the oven for 4 hours at HOT and you will have to blow on it. Then you eat it ALL and then you get a treat like Skittles. Taste good and like chicken!

It's Almost Thanksgiving and I am THANKFUL

I am so very thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving!!!

So in no particular order here it goes.

1. I am extremely thankful and blessed to have the family that I do. They make me laugh, they make me cry, , they make me smile, they make me go dancing (and you know I am no good at that....wait a second is that why they make me do that....well poop), they make me eat way to much (ok so maybe that's my fault but they are right there with me and they don't stop me...well I don't stop them either....dang it's a vicious cycle), they make me ride Motorcycles (ok so I beg and plead and threaten and promise to make cinnamon rolls and then they cave in and then they wish they hadn't) they make me love, they make me fish (well actually I think I make them do that), they make me think, and they make me happy!

P.S.- other side of the family this is all I got... So we should really take a picture together sometime...

2. I am thankful for my 12 sweet, adorable, loving, hug-able, cute, precious, kind, and perfectly perfect kids. I am thankful that they tell me they love me daily, give me hugs for doing absolutely nothing, tell me I'm funny even when I'm not, and always smile just when I need it! Even when they produce one of the three P's (pee, poop, puke) I am still thankful for each and every one of them.

3. I am thankful for Piper. She is the cutest 2 year old on the planet. She has my heart in the palm of her hands. I would do absolutely anything for her. I will bail her out of any predicament she gets herself into. Aunt Kay Kay's house is always open for her to run away too or hide from any problem in. I love you Duckie!


4. I am thankful for Emerson. She is the cutest almost 8 month old in the world. She also has my heart in the palm of her hands. I would do absolutely anything for her. Including but not limited to sleepovers, partees (said with a silly accent), getting into trouble together, getting out of trouble together, laughing, cuddling, and whatever else might come along the way. Goose you are a bright shining light in any darkness their might ever be. I love you, Sweet Girl!



5. I am thankful for Chick-fil-A! Not just this time of year but everyday. With their chicken nuggets and waffle fries and sweet tea. Chick-fil-A can make your day better but can never make it worse. Now I would like to take a moment and thank the Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake. It is the best concoction in the universe and I'm not just saying that because it's pink, however that is one of the reasons. It is amazing. If you have not tried I recommend it highly! And if you live a part of this great country that does not have Chick-fil-A you should just move because with out Chick-fil-A you will not know greatness. (end of "ode to Chick-fil-A")


6. I am thankful for the Pilgrims and the Indians. If the Pilgrims hadn't been horribly treated in England for their religious choices they would have never come to America and if the Indians hadn't been kind and helped the Pilgrims grow food and catch fish then the Pilgrims would have died and then I would not have the next 9 days off for Thanksgiving. So thank you Pilgrims and Indians for all you did!



7. I'm thankful for my parents. They love me no matter what and they deal with all my lovely qualities. 'nuf said they know I love them. Plus I don't want to cry or make them cry cuz of my thoughtfulness and my admiration of them. So I will end #7 with what's for dinner I'm hungry?


8. I'm thankful for my "Kindergarten friends". The one that calls me when she's bored or just driving home and no one else answered their phone and the one that I rarely call because I am a horrible friend. I'm so glad we have stayed friends the last 20 years. I am thankful that even though Middle School was rough we made it through with no baggage from each other. I love you two. You girls are the best! I am also thankful this year for the newest addition to the "Kindergarten Club" Miss Addie Mae. She is the cutest, most adorable, sweet, precious, lovely, beautiful 2 week in the world. I know already that this particular Kay Kay will have a small problem telling Addie that she can't have something. I love you precious Addie! You have the two most amazing parents in the world but when you get tired of them my house is always close by.


9. I'm thankful for my friends that have come into my life since. You guys have gotten me through alot and I hope I have helped you out too. I am so thankful for all you have done for me. The trips to Chiloso, City Craft, Chick-fil-A, or for all of the Fudge you have made me. Each one of you mean so much to me and I can not even begin to thank you.

10. I am thankful for snow. Not that I see it very often but I do love it. It's pretty, and cold, and shiny, and you can't eat it when it's yellow (you know for the obvious reasons) It truly is my favorite form of precipitation. I wish I saw more of it. I love to ski in it and walk through, I don't like to sit in it cuz then I get all wet and cold. But I really do love the stuff.

11. I am thankful forBambi! No not the movie that dumb thing makes my cry like a baby every time, yes I know Bambi's mom dies and yes I know Bambi's dad dies. And yes I know their is a fire in the forest. But come on they are so cute. Little Thumper "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all". (oops SPOILER ALERT--sorry that probably should have before all that last part.) Ok back to what I am actually thankful for-- DEER-- more specifically the venison that we get from deer. I apologize if you have something against the killing of innocent creatures. Wait come to think of it no I am not. Deer is yummy and I like it! I like back strap and the beef jerky my dad made the other night. Well it's not beef jerky it's venison jerky but that just sounds stupid. So I shall now call it Beef Jerky on A STEEEEK. If you don't understand that joke then you're not my dad, Uncle Donnie or my cousin Jake so ask one of them and they will tell you or they won't it's really up to them!

12. I am thankful for The Princess Bride! I'm thankful for the lines like "AS YOU WISH" and "My name is Indigo Montoya you killed my father prepare to die" and "Inconceivable" and "Anybody want a peanut" and "Marwige, Marwige is what bwings us togever today" and "Wesley what about the ROUS's. Rodents of Unusual Size I don't believe they exist." Oh so many lines. If you like it too come over and we can watch it and say every line together! (on a side note- I am also thankful for Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail..."Bloody big rabbit")

13. I am thankful for the people in the military. I am thankful for every one of the men and women in the Armed Forces. Thank you for all that you do to keep us safe back at home. Come home safe!
I know a lot of people who have served and who are serving. I cannot think of any "job" that I am more thankful to then that one. To all those in my family, my friends, guys I went to high school, and all of the men and women that stood up last weekend in church, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Since Veteran's Day was this month and I don't think I have ever told him this before.... I want to say a special thank you to my cousin Zane for the 4 years he spent in the Air Force. We had a lot of good times when you were stationed in Abilene! Thank you for taking 4 years out of your life to help protect our country!

14. I am most of all thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With out Him I am nothing. With Him I can do everything!

The Mesquite Championship Rodeo

Friday night we went to the rodeo!! If you know me in the least bit you know my obsession with cowboys. I don't know what it is... the boots, the Wranglers, the hats... Who knows but I like 'em!!!

I convinced the parental unit to go with me because I hear when you go by yourself and sitt there staring that is called stalking!!! Anyways so back to the story.....

The Mesquite Championship Rodeo is my favorite rodeo!!! And yes I have been to more than one...The Mesquite Rodeo has changed a little since the last time I have been there. If you have been you know during the prayer (which is AMAZING that they still pray out loud to our Heavenly Father, another reason I love Cowboys) ok so during the prayer the announcer always said "and when we all reach that great pasture in the sky..." they don't say that anymore and I'm not going to lie I missed it. They also no longer do the huge grand entry parade thing. But other then those few details it is still the same great rodeo.

First up were the Bareback Riding
The picture is blurry because all this happen in less then 8 seconds and the horse is bucking and the cowboy is spurring and I can't hold a camera still and take a picture all while looking at the cowboys!



This is steer wrestling! No steer was hurt during this event however a cowboy had little mishap with a horn... let's just say that his shirt will never be the same and the gash on his back will heal nicely! I love this event!!!

Up next team roping... I like to pretend this is super easy and I could totally get out there and lasso a calf. But we all know somehow if I even managed to get the calf with the rope I would then be pulled over the top of the horse and plummet to the ground face first. So I will stick to watching for now. Oh and please do ask my dad about the question I asked him. It had to with the header and heeler and me being a little ditsy....

Up next the calf scramble kids 3-12 can participate. All of them run after two calves and try to grab the ribbon off their tails. Seriously funny and super cute. The winners get 20 bucks and a t-shirt. But I think the real winners are the people still sitting in the stands watching the madness of hundreds of kids running after two scared and possibly terrified calves.

Saddle Bronc is next this not as fun because they are just holding on to a rope like thing, sitting in a saddle. Now I am pretty sure that is what every Cowboy does. Even I can do that! Yes I know that these are horses that are trying to buck them off... I still think it's kinda a sissy sport! (Wait Poppy is this what Corey used to do??? oops!)

Next up is Tie-Down Roping.... Really cool watching the horses doin' their thing!!! Again no cattle was harmed during this event and no cowboy this time!!!

The second to last event...my all time least favorite event... Barrel Racing. That is all not more comments.

UP NEXT MY FAVORITE EVENT!!!!!

BULL RIDING!!!!!! That's all I have to say. I love the bull riders. I love the bulls. I love the sport!!! and yes I know I need to get a life.....
I have always had the up most respect for bull fighters. They protect the bull riders from getting trampled by the really big bulls. So anyways if you are reading this and are now or have ever been a bull fighter, thank you and you might be a little stupid cuz those bulls are huge!!! Be careful out there!!!

So these are the "Pickup Men" they are the ones that get the runaway cows and horses and help the cowboys get off of the back the horses during bareback and saddle bronc events. FYI dude in the black hat super cute!

And lastly.......
The parents!! I LOVE them! I think I'll keep 'em!
All of us together at the rodeo. Can you tell I'm not the only one who loves the rodeo I come by it honestly. Poppy the Cowboy. I think secretly he IS a cowboy! oh wait he used to bail hay maybe it's not that big of a secret.

Me and Poppy!!!! See told you we love the Rodeo!!! oh yeah and I love him too!!!!

These are some of the lyrics to a Justin McBride song that always reminds me of Poppy... Let me know if you think the same thing... or if you don't that's ok too, but you would be wrong!
PS- Justin McBride was a Professional Bull Rider. Little known fact he was my first Professional Bull Rider crush! Also little known fact I saw him for the first time at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo many many years ago. He has since won the World Championship and retired at the ripe 'ol age of like 30!

"Cowboy 'Til I Die"

You can take away my pickup
Put me in a black sedan
Hang up my hat, spurs, and boots
Ditch my Copenhagen can
Put me in a high-rise office make
Me wear a suit and tie
But I'll be a cowboy 'til the day I die

Unless you're one of us you'll never understand
Cowboy ain't just what I do
It's who I am, It's how I think
It's what I feel, It's the way of life I love
And no it ain't like I had a choice it's in my blood


Thanks for listening to my love of the Rodeo!

Love,
K-Dub

Memorial Day Weekend.....

Let's start this off by thanking all of those who have served in the Military, many of whom have lost their lives, so that we can live freely in this country. My thanks will never be enough but that's all I can say so
Thank You!!!


Here goes my weekend and the week that followed....
(it's long, I apologize now)
On Friday I started by going to one of my favorite places City Craft !!!
After I went to Carrie's house for a Craft Day. I continued making my duvet cover that I started the weekend before. I finished the front of it before having to stop. I had to stop working on Friday (A) because I ran out of materials (since I was Carrie's and didn't bring everything over) (B) I was going to Ellis ballet recital rehearsal. (on a side note- they were super cute and adorable. After sitting outside the studio for months I finally was able to see what they had been working on!!! All of their hard work paid off they did a great job)

(C) After the recital I met Sarah at J.C. Penny's where she bought a swimsuit. I bought a purse. I love it!!

(Sarah picked it out, I would not have but that one of the many reasons why she is my friend, she knows what I like even when I wrinkle my nose and tell her "REALLY" she says "yes" and then I buy it and love it and will never buy another purse again) (ok that was a complete and total lie, I will probably buy another purse tomorrow, but it's a sickness and I can't help, at least that's what I tell my dad, he doesn't believe me either)

Saturday began with me trying to finish my duvet cover. I worked on it ALL day. I had to stop and go to church. Awesome sermon by our Teaching Pastor Todd Phillips here is the link to the sermon. Super good!!!! I have heard the story a million times but I love learning new things about Christ calming the storm.

When I got home I finished it!!!!!

It is a pattern out of the new Joel Dewberry book. I used his fabrics as well (all but 2 are his, the others are from JoAnn's) You can find his line at City Craft (have I mentioned I love that store!) After I put it on my bed I realized I really needed to paint my bedroom and declutter it. Then I slept. I was tired. I used my new duvet cover it was so warm and cozy!!!
(Sorry it's blurry more pictures to come)

Here's another picture. I just can't believe I finished that big of project.

Sunday morning I woke up and started making my list for the day, while eating Eggo's. I'm on a waffle kick, just love'em. The list went something like this

• move books
• take down K's
  
• go to storage
• clean bedroom
• clean office
• clean bathroom
• make pillowcases (had to wait until after I went to Hobby Lobby)
• go to Hobby Lobby (I love that they are closed on Sunday but that really messes with my needing fabric on Sunday thing)
  
• make pillow
• go to the grocery store
• go to Kohl's ( I had $20 Kohl's cash)
  
• go to Home Depot and get paint

and last and certainly least

• clean out my car

Well for some reason, in a weak moment, I decided to go ahead and clean out the car. (did I mention it was a weak, very weak moment) I can't remember the last time I cleaned the inside of my car. But I found remnants from about 2 years ago ( I know disgusting, don't tell my dad please) Ok so it took an hour and 3 squished skittles remain but it looks good!!! but don't take my word for it look and see

It looks fantastic

Let's just say "ewww" was the word I continually repeated!!!!

-here's another side note- a couple of weeks ago it was pouring down rain, I couldn't find an umbrella anywhere. When I cleaned out my car I found 2 and one of them was a golf umbrella (REALLY!!!)

Back to my weekend, after I cleaned and vacuumed out my car I went to check on my parents in the back yard. Somehow I got roped into staining this

The bridge my dad and I made for my mom for Mother's Day (a post about this to come later).

Then I heard my mom ask my dad to help her take down some ivy. All she asked was to take down the ivy. That's it she just wanted the ivy off the wall. What my dad heard was can you please take down the ivy on both sides of the wall, completely take out the Asian Jasmine that's around the tree and remove all of the other plants on that side of the wall and cut down and take out the wooden fence thingy (do you like my technical term) and then mulch all of it. (I put out the mulch just wanted to get props for doing something outside, it was hot) Now I will say it looks SOOOOOO much better then before but really Poppy she just asked you to help take down the ivy. (this took him two days and 3 trips to Home Depot all to remove a little wall of ivy)

Later on Sunday I got the whim to start removing things from my bedroom. I moved all of my books to the hall bookshelf.

Took down my Ks. and other decorations.

On Monday I cleaned and went to Home Depot to get paint. I took in a piece of fabric hoping my favorite paint mixer man would be there. His name is Floyd (he is probably younger then me, I just love his name it so does NOT fit him. His arms are completely tattooed and he is the biggest flirt ever, but alas he's married, yes I know my Home Depot paint mixer man well) Floyd was not there sadly, probably hanging out with his wife, sheesh!! I needed him like really bad I got stuck with an old dude who kept complaining that it was really hard to get the fabric to match a color, blah blah blah. I really needed Floyd. Old man finally mixed my paint but had to stop in the middle for smoke break, REALLY. Who smokes anymore, I really didn't like this guy at all can you tell. Mario the 2nd best paint guy finished it for me. He tried to match the color but it wasn't perfect, like I ever need paint to be perfect. Mario was nice and said I could bring it back if I didn't like and he would try and fix it. But I really, really missed Floyd.

On Tuesday I babysat 2 super sweet boys.

On Wednesday I painted, even if Floyd didn't mix my paint it still worked.
This is what I needed to cover up

I painted 1 coat and decided it needed 2 and I decided I needed to touch up the trim so off to Home Depot again. This time Floyd was there, like a knight in an orange apron, he mixed my 2nd gallon of paint. I told him I needed white shiny paint for my trim, he knew exactly what I was talking about. It's like he can read my mind or at least understand my, I should really dye my hair blonde so noone has to wonder, brain. I went to look at rugs and when I came back Floyd had disappeared and sadly Mario was there. Floyd had not mixed my white shiny paint yet. This made me a little sad, maybe our paint connection wasn't really there, so Mario said he would take care of it. He walked away and out of the corner of my in walked Floyd, seriously a knight in orange apron. He hadn't mixed my white shiny paint yet because he wanted to check and make sure my trim wasn't oil based, like I had any idea on that one, but I told him I had painted it in the last 10 years so I was pretty sure it was water based. But Floyd told me how to check and see (did I do that before I painted, nope) See what I mean Floyd is so nice, I bet smelly old smokey guy wouldn't have even checked. Well Floyd mixed my paint and I left Home Depot.

Until next time my Paint Mixer Man.

(just so you are not concerned with my obsession with Floyd, I do not actually stock him or anything, we are not even friends on facebook!!!)

So I went home and put another layer on (this is lyrics to a song but I can't figure out which one) I then waited rather impatiently for it to dry.
Then moved everything back in.

Here's the finished look


Wow ok so that has been my week so far. It's been busy and productive!!!

Now I will end by saying my Rangers just won!!!! and the Mavs are tied at the half!!!!! Come on Mavs I am pulling for you.

I love you all!!!
Kaitibeth