Time for more news... long post!

Well its been really busy with the usual. Thankfully no great big surprises.

Parker started out with needing 2 teeth pulled

only to end up with 4 gone! Luckily he didn't mind losing the extra teeth! Just let the ToothFairy know to leave more $$!

We went camping in LaJunta so the kids could see Old Bents Fort and experience life on the prairie back in the 1800's. But we started out with the cabin we stayed in at the local KOA for this adventure. Talk about being pleasantly surprised! Heated, large enough to chase a kid in, and comfortable. All for $68 a night. The kids played puttputt, played on the playground and in the summer there is a pool. Not bad.
Two rooms of minimal luxury which is what we were looking for. This was where David and I stayed which is the front room. It had a desk, chair and bed side table.

This was the kids room. All 5 slept in here in two bunks with the dogs running from room to room.




Bents Fort.... is sitting where the US/Mexico border used to be. So there was a lot of trading done at this fort among the Indians, Mexican's and American's. This fort sits on the Santa Fe trail.

The Mercantile. As much as we enjoyed learning about the fort and the surrounding area I think the highlight of the trip was going to the local Walmart. By the way the kids acted you'd have thought they had never been in one before.

Thanksgiving was great. Family and friends attended. The tree was decorated and "The Night Before Christmas" was the story of the evening as the kiddo's read along with Santa. Our shopping is done, wrapped and under the tree. We're doing mostly a Family Christmas this year with necessities and a few "I want". I'm anxious to see how the kids react to this type of Christmas. It will be very different from what they are used to but one I hope they remember with fondness. They still need to do their rooms and eliminate toys they no longer play with. We'll be making a run to one of the shelters with these items.

Knitting is still on going, ever on going. Requests made for gloves, socks, etc. not enough time in the day to do it all. I have "things" I'd love to do this coming year for myself, as all I personally have to show for years of knitting are lots of socks and a couple of scarves. So the remainder of this year and the coming year are going to be my year to try out new patterns, new yarns and new styles! I'm excited. I already have a outer sweater in mind for myself along with some other items. Now to finish my holiday knitting....

Santa was fantastic as usual. We took the family over to Santa's cabin again this year to see Santa.

Pictures in the sleigh are a must. Boy was it cold!

Who's coming!?

SANTA!

Sleigh and reindeer parked around the corner, Santa walks to the cabin so as to not disrupt the traffic flow of Old Colorado City.

Being first in line definitely has its advantages!

First in line and First picture with Santa!

Also accompanying us was Jacque, Aimee and Miss Abby (3 y.o.) who was afraid of Santa last year, but rallied this year and took the cabin by storm with her presence of determination to succeed. She climbed up on his lap and told him what she wanted for Christmas and recieved her candy cane. We're all so proud of her.

Of course after Santa is the usual stop at the rocky mountain chocolate factory for hot chocolate and other treats! This year we skipped the usual chocolate yummies for just the hot chocolate. It was so cold out and we needed the inner warmth!

Jacque was kind enough to once again do haircuts for this group. I love her style and of course being that she comes to the house is a big help. So 9 haircuts later all were stylin with gorgeous new hair styles. Mom gets her's done at Knitting group.
We've already headed into our round of birthdays with Elizabeth's on November 30th! Happy 8th Birthday grand-baby! Jake turned a big 8 as well on November 14th! Papa's on December 8th, Grammie and Max on December 15th.
Our new grand-kitty. Miss Yoa (pronounced like Yoda without the "d") is just precious but not feeling well at the moment. Kaitlyn took her to the vet yesterday and discovered that her tummy is in need of some different food. Other than that she recieved a glowing report and is just filled with energy!

Our weather is windy and cold with a nice day thrown in here and there. No snow. So we're having trouble deciding if it really is the season or not. Actually we're kind of missing it. The kids want to sled and build snowmen and I frankly wouldn't mind a day of the white stuff myself!