First we, then we, now we are....

O.K. you all know me and blogger don't communicate well---and i don't know how to move pictures to be in the order I wanted.  Soooo this is a "then we" had Halloween shot.  Sammi and Jax went to  Bailey's Halloween party.  Sammi was Hermione Granger and Jackson was a "Chic Magnet".

"Then we" asked Mr. Buster if I could get a picture of him and Carter---Dylan, Detton, and Dracula liked the idea so much they jumped in.

This is Courtney and Heather on Halloween.  When I left town they were both still prego.  I only left two days ago.  Heather had her baby yesterday the 4th and Courtney is having Anistynn today (the 5th) after being in labor all day yesterday and going in last night late.  I made Courtney pinkie swear she would wait till 11-11-11, she is in big trouble with me--not Courtney, but Anistynn, impatient little girlie. She better love me the best!  I had just published this blog post when Matt texted that Anistynn is here, safe and sound.  7lbs. 13 oz. 19 1/2 inches long.  Can't wait to see her.

Zoe found that one of the wild kittens under our bushes isn't so very "wild".  She really hates that we won't let it live in the house.  But she can bring it in to "play" with it.  I found these pictures plus about 40 more of "wild kitty" when I downloaded the camera card!

Really---I'm thinking of you kitty.  Your life would be one of harassment if I let you live with us.  We also have had trouble since the weather turned cold with our pantry to garage door staying shut.  Why do I tell you this?  Because we came home the other day after being gone a couple of hours to find it open.  When we walked in a white streak of a "truly wild kitten" went through the kitchen and downstairs.  We have the "truly wild kitten" trapped in the playroom/laundry room but have been unable to catch it for FOUR DAYS and counting.  I have found poop to clean up.  I hear it, and occasionally see the streak when I walk in to do laundry, but we can't catch the dumb thing "truly wild kitty"!  I wish Steve Irwin was still alive.

This picture is under the "now we are" section!!  Michael and I are in San Diego.  I took this Picture Thursday, the day we got here.  Our view from the hotel room is awesome.  I love watching the navy boats go in to port, and all the activity in the Marina.  Yesterday RAINED and was so windy.  Coastal storm according to the news.  Brenda says California only gets storms when Michael and I come-yippee.

This belongs under the "first we" category.  Before Halloween or San Diego, I went with Zoe on her walking field trip to the fire station.  Not traumatic like Sierra's Kindergarten fire station field trip, thank heavens!  Just one more reason Royal is better than Othello!  Here she is with Miyah Lee.

In the obstacle course.

Team work

Mrs. Ziegler's cute class.

This is "then we" let Sierra have a Halloween party.  25 of her "closest" friends partied it up at our house.  Fun kiddos.

More dim pictures to drive my sister Brenda insane.  Your welcome Trevor!

Wait, hold on, before the Halloween party we went to Burke's pumpkin patch.  The Burke's have 3 daughters, Reese is in Sierra's class, Sydney is in Zoe's class, and Jessie is in Carter's class.  The family does this pumpkin patch for the girls---they help with the work, and then the 3 sisters get to keep the money--Zoe would like Michael and I to run a business and give her the money--she completely disregards the Burke girls have spent months weeding, watering, and working.  Just hand over the cash. 

Jonathon Burke getting ready to shoot the pumpkin cannon off.  Carter doesn't need the money, just the cannon!

Our kids and Reese Burke(scarecrow)

Jackson had his last game on Halloween night.  We were winning by enough, so Coach Allred told Coach Whittiker to get the ball down close, then give Jackson the ball and let him make the touchdown.  Well the boys got the ball to the one yard line and something happened on the snap and we fumbled in the end zone, but luckily a Royal Knight lept on it for the touchdown.  So then Coach Allred yelled down to give Jax the hand off for a two point conversion, instead of kicking.  I wonder what the refs and other team thought of us going for two at that point?! Michael and others swear that Jackson broke the plane and had the 2 pt. conversion but the refs determined he didn't.  As an added bonus he got tackled hard---HE WAS SO EXCITED!!  The boy loved it.  I love that our coaches have worked all year to let him play, yet keep him protected. However; when it came to the end of the season, and the game was well in hand, they took the opportunity to give him the ball.  I, of course, missed all that since I took my 3 little ones trick or treating.  I figured since they had sat through 4 to 5 games a WEEK since the beginning of September, and I mean literally 4 & sometimes 5 games a week with Sammi's volleyball and Jackson's football schedule, they deserved a break on Halloween. Really it would be cruel and inhumane treatment for them to miss trick or treating.  The little kids have been pretty good sports about their big siblings sports.  The traveling to away games hasn't been torture--maybe the Noftle's are growing up.  Or maybe the new car is roomier than the Golden Terd and everyone is just enjoying the comfort and space!  By the way Sammi has named the new car the "Silver Bullet".  Don't feel too bad for the GT though.  We intend to sell it, but not until we get the Green car going.  Then the GT will get it's well deserved rest, with a nice family who lives on a farm.....

Ryan and Michael doing the "broadcast" for Royal Football.  Every Friday night.  We had to miss our first playoff game last night.  So Michael and I listened to the broadcast in our hotel room.  The game was ugly and we squeaked out a win.  I'm so glad---for the team first, Jax second, and the coaches who work so hard.  Plus my Michael was literally getting sick at the thought of the season ending.

Good natured Aftyn and her family attended all of Jackson and Sammi's home games this year.  Usually with smiles on their faces too!

Sammi started out her high school freshman season on C squad.  After about 3 games she and Robin got moved to the JV squad.  Tough year for volleyball though.  Only won a couple of games.  Our girls sports need some TLC in Royal.

Sammi is a great player though.  She serves well and dives all over the place to get the ball up to the setter.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....

                                                This little boy got his Driver's license!! 
It took two written tests, and 3 drives but he did it!  The reason I put down how many times it took for him to pass the tests is that someday his kids will struggle with that too.  I don't want him telling them "when I was 16 I took the test once and was done with it".  No sir, let this blog stand as a witness for my future grandchildren!!  Now, please consider this your public warning!! New teenage driver on the roads in Royal.    Sammi and Jax have enjoyed his license very much.  No more LONG walks to the seminary building in the mornings. And, since Sammi is done with volleyball , she hasn't even had to beg Jax to run her home after school before Football practice starts---imagine that!!  I'm excited to have an errand boy, but I never thought considering Jackson's health that I could worry MORE about him.  Turns out I can!

Sierra, Carter, and Zoe Halloween 2011.