Bringing home Pappy's truck

Last Saturday Dale finally took time out of his busy work schedule to go get my father's truck and bring it to our house.  Our first stop was Wal-Mart for a new battery.  Brady had already removed the old battery a couple weeks before.  It took a few tries to get the truck started.

As we headed down the road from my parent's house with me following behind Dale and Brady in the truck, I was overcome with emotion.  It just felt like my father in that truck.  So many memories.  I'm sure Dad was tickled that we were finally taking the truck home.  He loved that truck.  We stopped to fill up with gas and then headed South on  Rt. 15.  Soon after Dale got the truck going 65 mph, it started loosing power and slowing down.  We ended up driving on the side of the road with our four way flashers on.  The truck would then resume power only to loose it again.  I was never so glad to pull into our driveway, home safe!  We knew there was a fuel leak and other problems from the truck sitting so many months without being driven.  Dale and Brady temporarily fixed the fuel leak, until we can get the truck into the garage next week.  Dale is anxious to have a smaller vehicle to drive to and from work instead of our 15 passenger van.  Once Brady learns to drive, he'll get to use the truck as well.

My daughter the actress!

Kassie was in the fall play at school, and last week was in the spring musical.  She wishes she would have caught the acting bug before her senior year, but better late than never!  Kassie played Miss Lynch the stern teacher in the musical Grease.  Brady saw excerpts at school and had nothing but high praises for his sister.  Brady doesn't dish out compliments to his siblings on a regular basis, so I knew she must have been good!  We loved watching her on stage!  I was teasing her about having to fight off the paparazzi taking her to and from the school for each performance!

 Here she is after her performance still with stage make up and the gray look to her hair.  Wish I could have photographed her in her stage dress, but no pictures were allowed.  She wore her hair up in a bun... reminded us all of Nana!

Perhaps college will bring more drama opportunities for Kassie.  I sure hope so!

Kaden's first dental visit

I had dental appointments set up for Kassie and I last week.  The night before Kassie informed me she wouldn't be able to make the appointment because of the high school musical excerpts.  I called the dental office and it was suggested that Kaden take her place.  He was a bit nervous, but Cheryl soon put him at ease.  Kaden even told her the story of how a stink bug got on his toothbrush, that's why he hasn't been able to brush!  LOL!  Cheryl and I actually grew up together, although she's a bit older.  She lived two houses down from us.

Kaden was doing so well, Cheryl also gave him a fluoride treatment.  On our way out he was told he could have two prizes!  Going to the dentist isn't such a bad deal after all!

Learning something new

A few weeks ago I started taking a crochet class at the local school on Tuesday evenings.  I've had the most fun making these simple crochet beaded bracelets!  I found the patteren on line and was tickled to show my crochet classmates.

My first project was a neck warmer with a crocheted flower as the button.  I then moved on to a dish cloth, which I messed up on, so I made another one to try and get it right the second time around!  I'm currently making Dale an afghan and have plans to do a beaded necklace too.  I'll post pictures if they turn out half decent!  Who knew crocheting could be so much fun? 

No Utensil Dining

Once a month the Young Men and Young Women of our church have a combined activity.  This month the youth selected to have "no utensil dining" as their activity, and I was in charge.  Kassie insisted we have chicken alfredo, something a little messy.  (She ended up not being able to attend because of pracitce for the school musical.)  I found a recipe and tested it at home.  It got the thumbs up, so I made an extra large batch for our meal at the church.

Avery

The youth had the option of wearing gloves, but most did not.  A few used their carrots as utensils, which is why I chose that as our vegetable.

Ashton

Brady

Avery

Following the main course we had a Jello eating contest.  This time, not only were no utensils allowed, but no hands as well.  Avery went up against Bryson and lost.  Ashton tied her competitor and Brady was the overall winner.  That got the most laughs!  I'm afraid they'll want to do it again next year!

Getting rid of what's left

My three brothers and I were scheduled to meet at Mom and Dad's house this past Saturday morning.  I wasn't sure I would be able to make it.  I've been sick with a sore throat and an on again, off again fever for four days.  Saturday morning came and I thought I could handle it, so I went.  Brady came with me.  Mike and Tim worked on getting the rest of the garage attic cleaned out.

                                                                               Tim.

                              Dave worked on gathering items from the garage to be put in the garbage.

 My nephew CJ occupied some of his time with my iPod while I went through papers and keepsakes left in the kitchen.

 I thought my Sister-in-laws might like this picture of their husbands pushing Dad's truck back over to the driveway!  LOL!

 Brady was steering.

Brady behind the wheel of his soon to be main form of transportation.

I still need to go back and shampoo the carpet of the house and any other last minute cleaning.  Mike hopes to have the house on the market by the end of the month.  Seeing my childhood home empty, and thoughts of it sold to someone else can be very emotional.  I just keep telling myself, "Mom and Dad are elsewhere preparing our family mansion.  We are trading this one in for one far superior.  It's all good.  We will be together again."

My Baby is FIVE!

Kaden turned five in early February.  He requested "snowflake cupcakes" for his pre-school birthday snack.  We made sure to have plenty for us at home too!

Kaden had been talking about RC, the remote control car from Toy Story 3.  We saw it in Wal-Mart before Christmas, but it was a little too pricey.  Lucky for us, Kaden's birthday falls after Christmas and we were able to get RC at half price!  For Kaden's birthday meal, he chose his favorite pizza joint... Infinito's!  YUM!  Happy Birthday Kaden!