Ft Worth Weekend

We had the best time this weekend at our friend's Jon & Schel's house. They had a Pumpkin carving party. Anyone over age 13 could enter their pumpkin to try to win first place. Apparently the child's age is not voted for, as the tears of the "loosers" is too much for the adults to handle. The kids dressed in their halloween costumes and had tons of fun creating their jack-o-lanterns, eating candy, and playing.
Here is big boy of the house, Christian, and Evan showing off their jack-o-lanterns.
Andie and her Belle jack-o-lantern.
The winner. Pretty cool, huh?
How cool is Zorro? This is Schel's creation and since she was the hostess, she named herself ineligible to be voted on.
Andie really wanted to take our picture - not bad.

Jon has season tickets to the Dallas Cowboys. So he and Trey went to the game Sunday afternoon. Schel and I hung out at their house with the kiddos. It was a much needed vacation. Thanks Jon & Schel!

Andie with Sandy

Andie has loved horses for a long time. I don't know if she loved the fairy tale idea or the reality of them, or both. But we decided to find out. We are letting her take horse back riding lessons. Here she is with the horse she will take lessons with, Sandy.

First, she gets Sandy from the stables and guides her by rope to the grooming area. She brushes her body and hair, and places the blanket and saddle on her at the start of each lesson. Then she guides Sandy to the mounting block so she can ride her. Andie took to it like she has been riding for years. It was amazing to watch! Terrifying as well! Andie just had a joyful glow around her as she rode for the first time. At first the horse would go where Andie told it to, but Sandy started to get stubborn. Andie didn't mind, she got stubborn right back and didn't take no for an answer. Andie got Sandy to go where she wanted her to - that day's challenge was over a bridge.

Love that my girl loved it, curious to see how future lessons will go.

Beauty Salon

I am 8 weeks past due having my hair done, and I still haven't been able to get an appointment. But I found a great girl, who is sweet, and pays great attention to detail to do my hair this morning. My roots are still gray, but I've never felt more beautiful.
Love my girl!

House Progress

Our house had a productive day today. The roof was completed and we met with several of the subs that are getting ready to start. Trey got busy creating a beam for the front porch. He is using an oak tree off his grandfather's place that died a few years ago. It was a beautiful tree when alive - Trey has great memories playing around it. And now it will begin it's new form as a key piece of our front porch. Pictured are the kids watching Trey turn the trunk of the tree into a beam.
Here is Trey with the chain saw in action. Notice the cows in the background - they weren't sure what to think.
Blurry picture - but I loved how the boys were mesmerized watching Trey with the chain saw.
Trey's cousin is the contractor, who hired another cousin to make our cabinets, and he also hired another cousin and his son to install our air conditioner. Another cousin will install the counter tops. Trey's dad serves as our "straw boss" and since heavy machinery is involved, payment is not necessary. "If you order one bean you get the whole burrito" -- Trey Joseph Guffey circa 2009. (Trey took over the post on this section)
Here is the house as of today. The beam that Trey is creating will replace the temporary bracing that is making the cross shape in the middle.

"The customer's are gonna love this..."

I gave Andie Crayola Color Wonder Finger paints today. She was sitting on one side of the bar painting while I was on the other side baking in the kitchen. I could hear her sounding pleased with herself. When I listened closer, I heard her say,"The customer's are gonna love this!" I said "What are you doing Andie?" She let me know that she had made many beautiful paintings. (I only pictured 1/3 of her collection) And she needed them hung in the pharmacy so all the people could see them. She went on to say I could use tape or tacks to hang them, and that I needed to hang them neatly so the people will like them....oh how my Andie makes me smile.

Kindergarten!

Evan's day starts off with the playground. We drop off and pick up here. I think this is such a wonderful idea. The kids run and play, keeping them very distracted while mommy and daddy leave.

This picture was taken on the drive home on Friday. Kindergarten is tiring stuff! Dean is sleeping, too.

I need someone to tell me how to arrange my pictures. I enter them, then they appear in a random order. Like, this picture should be last.....

Me and my big boy. So proud of this boy! He is very ready for Kindergarten! I love the smile he wears around taking on this new challenge.

Dean meant to be hugging Evan, too. But the playground is too much fun!

Love this picture. This is taken on the steps of our rent house. We call it the "Bungalow". Evan has his Star Wars back pack and lunch box. It's sure to be a great day!

Framing

This is our view off the front porch. The dirt road will become a caliche road when the house is done. There are beautiful sunsets behind this hill. The view made it clear to us that this was just the place for the house. The Texas Rangers Company E had a campsite on our ranch to protect frontier settlers against indian attacks in the 1800's. This oak tree is 150 to 200 years old. Maybe they enjoyed its shade.

Side view of the house. The large oak trees on the other side is the site of our engagement.

Framing in action. I can't ever stay around long to watch when the framers are up that high.....my nerves can't handle it.