Remind You of Anyone?

Mini Golf with Mom & Glenda

Here are some pictures of us playing mini golf while Mom & Glenda came to visit a couple weeks ago.

Pjs

Here are the pajamas I've been working on for the kiddos and the girl's dolls! I have to watch them unwrap them in a couple minutes, so I'll add more comments later...

Sarah's:

Katie's:
J.T.'s:

Christmas with the Mathisons!

Christmas with the Mathisons is always a fun time... Here are some highlights! Just don't ask how our buns are looking or what we spread on them.

Aaren with his new satchel he can use student teaching. He's almost ready to be licensed to go out and corrupt tomorrow's youth!


Loren shows his affection for all Kubotas.


Carrie models 2009's upcoming fashions.


Look! Grandpa can use a digital camera!


Keith caught Grandpa by surprise.


And mom can use her bucket!!

Catching up...

And here is a picture and video from November (so the month doesn't feel left out before I get to the pictures of December! I think this was on the day we had Katie's birthday party.

Here's a video of them!! Watch JT make a run for it!

The Big One Didn't Get Away!

We finally found a good fishing hole, not too far from Mendon in the middle of a farmer's ground. Cute little lake about 1 acre big and far enough from everything there is hardly any cell phone reception! It kind of reminds me of a Bob Ross painting - lots of happy little trees, and the lake is very clean. The whole gang went fishing one Sunday (a few weeks ago, actually - I'm a little behind!) including the nieces and nephew!

I caught the first, but Keith probably caught the most and definitely the biggest! Last fish of the day was a 5 or 6 pound catfish. He was trying to get some crappie on his smallest pole with 4 pound test, so it was quite a surprise for him! It took him about 15-20 minutes to real it in, and even then he had to jump in the water to make sure it got on land!
Sarah has learned how to cast. We went fishing a gain last weekend (though not the succes the other day was) and she has even graduated to a big grown up pole!We brought lots of fishies home that weekend and cleaned them. We ate them up last night. Yum.

4th of July

(Yes, this is a little late, but Shhh!)

For the Fourth of July, we didn't do too much - we drove to a nearby town and I accompanied some vocalists from Quincy Community Theatre. A little dissapointed I only had 24 hours to learn a dozen songs. Didn't do that great of a job. Oh well! Afterwards, we went to Reed & Amberley's and we lit of some fireworks. It was lots of fun. Ruthie did not come with us, because we discovered (thanks to our neighbors) she does not like miscellaneous loud bangs! We had many kinds - I think the green bamboo was my favorite. The girls Also had Sparklers! Their family all looked so cute in their matching outfits. Very patriotic!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, in case I don't get a chance to tell you! We are going to have a big dinner at Keith's sister's house. Keith's mom & step-dad are coming to IL as well, so it will be nice to spend time with them as well. We won't be going to MN since we were just up there for my grandmother's funeral. Though it was for a sad reason, we got to visit with a lot of family and visit my friends, Stacy & Loni! :-)

We found out we are getting countertops installed December 6th. We've got a little bit of work before then, mostly just getting the plumbing ready and finish painting. Keith installed my range on Saturday. I made my first baked good - a super delicious apple spice cake with caramel swirl buttercream frosting. It was YUMMY. But apparently, not good enough to win our office's silly baking contest - by the way, hamballs & scalloped potatoes won. (Mom, your scalloped potatoes are better!!!). I think the whole contest was not fair due to the whole weight watcher crew around here!!! Anyway, I baked. It took me forever to find out where I put stuff (when I packed to move, I just shoved crap in boxes and hauled it upstairs...), but I did it. :-)

Sarah's Birthday

It was our niece's birthday a week or so ago. We got to go bowling with all of Sarah's friends Saturday morning - Katie was so cute to watch dance after she'd roll the ball.

And then we had a fun supper on Sunday night, complete with "Chicken ala Sewer" and S'mores. Yumm!

Mark Twain Riverboat

Melvin & Francis (Keith's dad & step-mom) came up from southern IL to visit us last week. Friday night we went on a dinner cruise in Hannibal, MO and had a very fun time and yummy food!

Amberley, Reed & the kids had lots of fun, too - and JT looked adorable in his tie. The women on the boat couldn't get enough of him!