Thanksgiving Weekend Blast

We celebrated several events this past weekend...Jeff coming homeThanksgiving with Jeff's family, Blaine's early bday and welcome the snow with a little horseback riding
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and looking forward to the Holidays...they'll be here before we know it!

Weekend Pictures

Here's just a few pictures of us "Vampire Girls" for the big Premiere of New Moon!

The movie brought in $258.8 million worldwide over it's Opening Weekend! Twilight was $384 million worldwide during its entire run in 2008. The movie was fantastic and we all want to see it a 2nd time! The ending wasn't my favorite ending ...it felt RUSHED but left us wanting MORE!

Bitten by Twilight Party

Tonight...seven of my closest girl friends are headed to see New Moon, the movie based on the 2nd book of the Twilight Saga!

I am hosting the Dinner/Movie Party at my house! Here's my table with some of my favorite quotes from the books and pictures from the movie! We are planning on watching Twilight while we eat dinner and cannot wait to see the new movie, New Moon! I've already heard from several people that saw it Premier at Midnight last night and I am told I am in for a real treat!

On the dinner menu for tonight:

• my favorite homemade Alfredo Sauce
• Chicken Fettuccine
• Olive Garden salad and bread sticks
• Misty's Party Punch..those who know Misty will know this will be worth every last drop
• Tracy's Vampire Wine!

Range Riders....meet the Henry's

We are proud NEW members of Range Riders!

Diamond and Henry...Henry is trying to eat the grass...he's such a PIG!

Thanks to Kameron & Jill along with Tammy & Dan for sponsoring us so we could join! The kids are really excited, especially Brooke, because they have an indoor riding arena all winter and the horses get pretty spoiled here too! I loaded up the horses and moved them on Friday and the kids helped me set up our Tack Room and Feed Room. I am pumped to have feed delivered (with Jeff out of town a lot lately)my aching muscles will be so excited to be SPARED the 10 lb feed bags and hay bales!

After all that...I met the girls for a few drinks...

Who doesn't love Elmo?

We have tickets with Crockett & Courtney to see Sesame Street Live tonight! Who doesn't love Elmo, well...ask me tonight...I might be singing it in my sleep!

Boys will have a SURPRISE as they don't know they are going yet...they just are excited to have a PLAY DATE tonight and cannot wait to see their faces light up!

Happy Halloween

I went trick or treating at work today! All our floors dress up and decorate their floor/department with a Theme. My favorite was floor 14, CANDY LAND. You got a candy sack when you walked off the elevator and got to trick or treat down Candy Land. 1st office was "The Sugar Daddy", then "Gum Ball'n Around", M&M Mania, Lots of "Kisses", etc. It was so much fun! I just dressed up in my "devil horns" and leather boots...fits me well, huh!

Brooke had "Hat" day at work and wore her leather jacket and sun glasses that go with her "Rock Star" Hannah Montana Costume!

Here's Blaine is his Fly Fishing Outfit. Don't let his "innocent" look fool you...he tried to hit me with his fishing pole after taking this picture!

Party in the USA

To get in the spirit of things..we let Brooke join some of her friends at Raider High School Cheerleaders Camp. They had 4 hours of fun learning the dance to one of Brooke's favorite Miley Cirus Songs, Party in the USA. Then, during half time, they got to cheer for the crowd! Here she is at the Football game a few weeks ago (She's in the zebra hat).

Candy Corn

Laura's Giving Away one of Cary's Hair Bows. Brooke has several of Cary's bow (she was the one who made Brooke the bow she wore to her first CAMP Trip this summer). Wouldn't this be a great addition to her bows! And my favorite fall candy....Candy Corn!

Check her blog out at:

thehortonfamily.blogspot.com

Do you know Fannie Farmer?

(picture of their homework assignment...I love it)

What an exciting post..or for my stomach it sure is! I was helping an 8 year old with her homework (I work for her mom and was really just trying to make my afternoon go by faster - wore out by work today). And guess what, part of her homework was to tell the story about the book they read in the Library today at school. Well, it made my day so I had to pass it along. Do you know who Fannie Farmer is? Well, the kids read the book called 'Fannie in the Kitchen' by Deborah Hopkinson. It's the story of Fannie Farmer who invented the modern recipe for NO-BAKE COOKIES and created one of the first and best loved American cookbooks!

If you've never made these delicious cookies....eat your heart out and get after it!

1 stick butter
2 c. sugar
2 T. coca
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. milk
1 c. peanut butter
3 c. oats
Place 1st 5 ingredients in large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat for 3 minutes (don't overcook). Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until melted. Then add oats and stir. Place wax paper on cookie sheets and spoon batter onto paper. Let cookies cool and enjoy!

Blaine's 1st Game

Here's a few T-Ball pictures from our first game. Blaine got to hit twice and run the bases. He wants to play everyday now!

New Sport

We have a new sport in our home, it's called T-Ball. Blaine's had two practices so far and loves the game. He will play in his first game on Saturday at 12:00. He has a few friends on his team and his favorite part...running the bases. Before he bats, he does a few practice swings and then "eyes" the outfield before he hits.

Saturday Game is at 12:00

Hillside YMCA (between Georgia and Western on Hillside)

Growing Up

Just a small but BIG deal in my household this week! A few birthdays, wedding reception, bonfire cookout but we had a few hours to spare yesterday afternoon and we rearranged Brooke's room a little bit to give her a "hair" station with her antique Vanity Dresser and Mirror. We moved her old toy box out (antique cedar chest) and put it in Blaines's Room at the end of his bed. This gave us a free wall to move her dresser over and her Vanity along her long wall next to her closet. Everything just fit perfectly and we moved all her hair stuff out of the bathroom! Since her vanity has four drawers she now has some organization!

• Nails/Makeup Drawer
• Bow and Headband Drawer
• Brushes and Combs Drawer
• Curling Iron, Crimping Iron and Hair Dryer Drawer

She is BIG Stuff now and fixed her own hair this morning! She put it in a ponytail, crimped it and then left her bangs out long and crimped those. It took her about 15 minutes. What a great morning it was to see her so happy, independent and doing something she loves all by her BIG self!

By the way, the antique Vanity was in my garage since my realtor thought it was "too much" in her room. So by moving OUT the toy box it really gave us some extra room. I considered getting rid of this piece but couldn't part w/ it. It was a freebie from my best friend, Shara, in Granbury and was her great-grandmothers. It needed to be refinished and was a challenge I wanted to take! Over the years I've collected a few family and friend pieces that I love because now they are a part of me!

• Aunt Connie's old Kitchen Table. I can still remember icing cookies and eating Chocolate Malts there. I've painted and distressed it black..it's really awesome.
• Jeff's Grandparent's Hutch. It was a wedding present to each other over 57 years ago. I recently painted and distressed this piece red/black and decoupaged with black/white paper on the shelves. It's one of my favorite pieces.
• Cedar chest which was Joe & Ann Gear's mothers' (we lived in her house when we first moved to Fort Worth). I bought this piece and refinished it for $20. She wants it back if I ever get rid of it...which won't happen because I love it!
• Brooke's Twin Antique Bed. This was nothing but a pile of rust when Mom gave it to me. Someone left it out by WD's shop in Springtown. It was my first piece of furniture to refinish and I remember it well because I was 6 months pregnant with Brooke when I finished it! It's very special to me because it was my first for my first child! I think about getting Brooke a bigger bed..but I can't part with this!

Labor Day, A Fun & Full Weekend

Brooke's Catfish

Blaine at Palo Duro CanyonJosh & Breanna on top of a huge scary ROCK
Lorie, Brooke & BreannaBrilee at the Park

It was so nice getting to spend time with Josh & Lorie this weekend and the girls. You forget what having a baby is like...Brilee is independent and ventures out on her own, you just love watching her. She loves stuffed animals and the cutest thing was her putting them ALL in Blaine's little truck and rolling it all over the house. You miss these cute little moments when they are gone! Blaine and Breanna played so great together, their imaginations were just going crazy and such a joy to watch. Palo Duro Canyon for the kids was so much fun and they enjoyed Papa going along for the Jeep Ride. We had a cookout Sunday at Nanny & Papa's with Jill and Jerilynn's family too. Brooke and Cutter disappeared the whole time, they make a cute fishing team! Brooke stayed fishing from 1:30 to about 6:30, stopping long enough to eat and then back again! She doesn't get this from me?

Can anyone say "DOG RUN"

Well...I thought my week would get better but it ended with a BANG.

1) After researching my mortgage company because my 8/5 draft never came through - they just closed their doors. No warning, no letter, NOTHING. So, I receive a letter in the mail today with the new company taking over showing my payments begin 9/1 , HELLO that's like tomorrow (get right on that). I went on the old company's web to view my payment history and they show me paid through so not sure who paid my August house payment but THANK YOU, I guess?

2) I am still w/o a phone! My beautiful, can't live without you, Blackberry was used as a chew toy last week. Yes, CHEW TOY! My adorable, well trained, 6 month old, soon to die PUPPY used my phone as a chew toy. It was lying on my bed when I went to wash my face, later found face down in the living room and drenched in dog slobber. The screen was bit in two and it still blinks from time to time (not sure since the battery is DEAD) but it blinks in the night? Now that is scary...

So, Jeff will be buiding a DOG RUN soon! My replacement phone has been back ordered, who knows when I'll be reconnected to the real "technology" world again. So, if you are calling, FB or texting me, I am sadly nowhere near getting any of that?

2nd Grade here she comes

We have the best teacher, Mrs. Browder. She was a special Ed teacher for 19 years and new to Arden Road and CISD. We are really excited. She sent home a letter telling us all about her and her family asking for us to do the same. I love that....just makes you feel special! Brooke ran into class and hugged her with little brother following along helping carry school supplies. We have had a blessed week so far and looking forward to 2nd Grade!
Brooke was playing "chase" on the playground and ran into a pole. It knocked one of her teeth lose so last night...the tooth fairy came to visit us as she PULLED it out. The nurse must love her because she was there last year 3 times for pulling out her teeth at school. So now she has 3 teeth missing on top in the front. It goes "no tooth, tooth, no tooth, no tooth, tooth....Girl is going to need SPACERS and BRACES in a few years...not looking forward to that but she is!
Our sweet neighbor, Isaac, started Kindergarten at Arden Road. He got Mrs. Stary who was Brooke's teacher last year. Blaine wanted to go give him a HUG to wish him good luck! He loves to give his friends hugs...I love that about him!

Here's Brooke and her horse, Diamond! Mom and Aunt Connie were going to come out and watch Brooke practice while they were in town for a few days (after seeing ELVIS) but we were rained out for a few days. She's been working really hard, four days a week. So, I decided I would post this so you can all see her run the barrels! She loves SPEED!

VID 00039-20090822-1551.3GP

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Baby got "Back"

I have been working out almost everyday at lunch for a year. I have slipped to only 2 days a week lately. It's just hard to keep up and I am so BORED with workout. Today we are supposed to start our 3rd Circuit Training Routine - designed by our personal trainer who is a guy and they just have different bodies and all these lunges, squats, lunges, squats have given me J-Lo Syndrome! My jeans are even tight...I've gained 7 lbs all in my rear! BABY GOT BACK! So, after putting on my jeans to ride this weekend and having to do special "stretch out my jeans" excercises - I am determined to just be better! I want firm but lean muscle and I am not getting that at what I am doing!

I discovered this book and let me mention..he has a studio in Manhattan. HELLO just another "sign" I needed. For four years I've been wanting to visit New York. My sister-in-law has been 5 times! I worked with some ladies in Fort Worth who took a girls trip every few years...wouldn't that just be a BLAST! David Kirsch has a new book out that is just what I am looking for, A new ASSITUDE! . Check out his website - he even has a blog I am going to follow!

Confession - I could also use a distraction from starting the Twilight Saga for a third time. It's all I read these days..so my goal is to focus on my body with David's help from his book! Nutrician + Workout = Wellness

Challenge - See how you can change by Nov. 20th (just a random date I picked out of my mind...ha)

http://www.davidkirschwellness.com/

Vacation Comes to an End

Well, it took me a few hours to catch up in the BLOG & Facebook world upon my return from Red River. Glad to see everyone is enjoying their summer too!

We took the kids to Red River, NM this past week and had a wonderful time (minus car trouble and kids getting sick) but it was still such a relaxing trip that we all needed. We will miss the beautiful scenery and on horseback was just as amazing. I felt like I was on a movie set!

We stayed at a Condo called Caribel. Highly recommended on the bottom floor with the pond view. The balcony opens up just steps from the pond with picnic tables, outdoor grill and seating around the pond to fish or just relax. Here's a view from our Balcony. It's a private pond with playground, horseshoes and volley ball with a creek that surrounds the place. They stock the pond every Tuesday so we were able to see trout swimmnig around, they are a beautiful fish (if a fish was actually beautiful). Brooke caught one of the biggest ones yet so Jeff was pretty proud of that!

View from our Balcony.

Kids had their own room with a TV and Fridge. They felt pretty cool to have the fridge stocked with their own drinks and snacks!

Here's the Rainbow Trout! It's a keeper.....

Brooke walking across the creek. My dare devil!

Blaine throwing a horse shoe for the first time and the next one is after he got a RINGER! He was pretty excited and jumped for joy!
Few random pics from the horseback riding and Cowboy Supper with Michael Martin Murphy. His daughter, 19 year old Sarah, will be attending WT next year. She is a great "cowgirl" poet!

Sending a shout out to my sweet friend Amy and her very talented daughter! Way to go, Beth Tucker, for winning State in Abilene yesterday in Team Pinning! Good Luck tomorrow in the barrels, we know you and Pill will do great!

Camp Camp Camp

Brooke will be finished with her SECOND Camp today at 11:00. I cannot wait to see what all she has learned at the WT Basketball Camp!

HIDDEN FALLS CAMP 2009 -

GROUP PICTURE - HAY RIDE - FUN ACTIVITIES - HIKING - HORSEBACK RIDING - SWIMMING -

LEARNING ABOUT GOD'S WORK - SINGING

I have to admit...

When Brooke begged me for these at the Grocery store, I thought to myself, how can they turn a cookie into a straw? I have to admit...they are pretty good. Doesn't really taste like an Oreo Cookie but it's a great way to drink the leftover milk in your cereal bowl with a little "manners".

We went to Lou Lou's house and as soon as Blaine disappears....we know he must be upstairs! There is something he finds fascinating with her lipstick! Its every time we visit too....

SONIC

OK, Jerilynn made me start thinking of Chick-Fil-A....so food is on the brain!

I heard on the radio that Amarillo Area Sonic's are having Customer Appreciation Day! It kicks off on Friday night at 6:00 for $.99 SHAKES (The strawberry is wonderful) and ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR on Saturday with hamburgers only $.99. So...if you love Sonic drinks, food or ice cream....it's a great weekend to drive in!

Jer - go get your Dr. Pepper!

Camp Week

We dropped Brooke off at Hidden Falls Camp last night! She was so excited! Her camp counselor, Allison, asked "What is the first thing you want to do, swim or ride horses"? I'll give you one guess at her decision!
They have a full week of activities planned that ends with a rodeo on Friday evening at 6:30. We will eat around the campfire before leaving. The camp overlooks the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon!

You can send her an email by putting BROOKE HENRY in the subject line of the email to: hfr@midplains.coop.