The Heinecke's

Lil Lady Coyotes Vs South Shelby

2010-03-06T17:54:00.000-08:00

We played South Shelby the other night and here are just a few pic's I took.

Monroe City K of C Tournament

2010-03-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

The girls all played a great game the season is starting to draw to a close and the girls are finally starting to play as a team.

Paris Vs. South Shelby

The Girls proudly display the basketballs they recieve for being in the Monroe City Knights of Columbus Tournament.

Success at Last

2010-03-06T16:25:00.000-08:00

After weeks of trying to get into my blog account and numberous email to gmail I am finally back. I am hoping to post some this week.

Santa Claus Came to Town

2009-12-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

The kids got to see Santa at our 4-H Christmas Program in early December. As you can see they had a wonderful time.

Santa told Alicia that she was on the Naughty list but still had time to redeem herself since it was early in the holiday season.

Aaron's first visit with Santa. After all the others children visited with Santa, Santa asked for Aaron to come back to see him. We have lots of pictures of Santa and Aaron. Santa also told Callie that should her and Nicholas need a sitter he would love to watch little Aaron for them.

The Big Three Weeks

2009-11-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

Aaron was three weeks old yesterday. I can't believe how much he has changed in three short weeks.

One Shot One Kill

2009-11-20T19:01:00.000-08:00

Kelly shot her first deer a 10 point buck, opening morning of deer season, John took the morning off work to go deer hunting. Kelly shot her first buck at 7:38 she wasted no time. I have never seen a child so excited, she showed her kill to everyone around. Of course all of John's friend made a big fuss over her, but I guess they should have since she was the only one who killed anything that morning. One shot one kill is what Nick is always telling her when they are shooting cause you shouldn't waste bullets. It's a good thing it only took one shot because she was using John's gun and she was sore most of the day, but she said it was worth it.

Meet Aaron Casper Pfanner

2009-11-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

I do believe they are smitten with the little man.

On the phone with her Grandma Barb to tell her the news.

I got to be there when Aaron Casper was born it the most awesome incredible thing I have very witnessed in my life. My daughter did great I'm not sure I realized how amazing my daughter truely is until that moment.

The Night Before Aaron

2009-11-20T18:22:00.000-08:00

The night before Mr. Aaron Casper decide to join the world, we took a couple of pictures of his momma's belly becuase she was feeling a little weird. I thought it might be our last chance.

"MOM, I need you to WACK my hair

2009-09-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

This is what I heard first think this morning. Having overslept this is what I heard from my bedroom door at 6:30 this morning. Alicia was up, dressed and was needing some help fixing her hair. There is a couple of pic's of what we came up with, the best I could do on such short notice but she loved it.

Tractor ride

2009-09-16T00:29:00.000-07:00

TJ and Andi never forget anything. Last week they wanted "Shon" to take them for a tractor ride and Uncle John told them the next time they came over they could have one. So TJ kept reminded me that he wanted to go to the tractor. John was gone so Nathan and Guy got the honors. A short ride was all it took and now Andi wants to ride the combine and TJ wants to ride in the big trucks. I guess I know what we will be doing the next time the Belts come over to play.

Miss Andi had to ride first. Nathan couldn't believe how she could talk. Andi was glad to tell us about the Mizzou game and Washington won the game. I didn't know that Washington was a Mizzou player and Steffance is not a player but is Defense. Washington and Steffance won the game according to Andi.

TJ loved the tractor ride and I am sure he will be wanting to go the next time he is over at the house.

MOO's

2009-09-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

TJ and Andi came over to visit while Jessi worked. TJ wanted to go see the Moo's and Andi decided that she had to go along she said her brother couldn't go by his self. Callie and I got a few pictures of them petting Kelly's bottle show calf that she showed last year at the fair.

Mr. Gloves. John put on his gloves so that he could throw corn stalks to the cows and TJ wanted the extra pair on. A little big but they worked.

Roxy

2009-09-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

The kids got a new puppy, an Australia Shepard. John bought it for them and now I get to take it with me everyday. I said yes to the dog as long as I had to have nothing to do with it, that lasted about 12 hours.

Ballgame

2009-06-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

Kelly played ball Thursday night. The girls played great not sure how but they tied I didn't realize in the Chic Division that you could tie but apparently you do whatever the home team wants. Kelly had a pretty good game and got to tryout a few different positions.

Hey Katie! This post is for you.

2009-05-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

Ok Katie I am going to put of some pic's of your son for you to steal if you like or use to get him to tell you about them. Please remind him about what I told him about him being smart and not to repeat everything he heard this weekend. Oh and just so you know they guys didn't point out the "working girls" to him just to JT. So both boys got an education this weekend. Oh and I am not responsible for anything he learned from Darren. Lol's I don't have very many pic's of the kids I was a bad parent.

First Games of the Season

2009-05-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Kelly and Alicia both played their first games of softball on Thursday night. Kelly was on field one and Alicia on field two. with me coaching Kelly's team I didn't get to see any of Alicia's game and of course she was fine with that. When I asked if they won she said "No but I sure had fun." Then she was off to get her first hot dog of the ball season. Kelly had a great game a couple of hits, tagged a girl out who was stealing second and all that. The team had a great game their first win of the season. Of course we have no pictures Callie forgot to take the camera to Alicia's and I forgot the other one to take to Kelly's maybe next time.

Alicia's First Grade Trip

2009-05-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

The first grade class went to MIZZOU they toured the Entomology and Reptile Musemuns. Alicia loved the snakes and the Hissing Cockroaches. She especially loved it when it was feeding time, it was not tramatic at all for Alicia, she found it quite facinating. Luckily her teacher Miss Huffman had her class very well prepared for what they might see. Alicia has had a wonderful and sucessful school year thanks to being in Miss Huffmans class. Alicia is hoping that Miss Huffman can go to second grade with her and so am I.

Trip after the Trip

2009-05-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

These girls hang together all the time. Kelly, Abbie, Kate (Katelyn) and Sydnee spend a lot of time at our house. Almost every weekend Kelly has a sleepover which sometimes starts on Friday and ends on Sunday. These girls are great friends and have so much fun when they are together plus they clean everything up before they go home. Its pretty easy for John and I to say yes any time they ask to get together. This is just a group of low maintance girls, polite, happy, go to bed early or make little noise, they are just a great group. Anyway, back to the trip after the trip part, after the class trip Rita (Katelyn's mom) and I took them on a nature walk and then shopping. Here are a few of the pictures I took of the girls, actually I have 140+ pictures from the day. These are from the nature walk, Rita and I were to busy at the mall carrying shopping bags that we didn't have time to take pictures.

Kelly's Class Trip

2009-05-03T05:41:00.000-07:00

The 5th grade class went to Jefferson City to the Highway Patrol Musmeum and the Runge Conservation Center it was a blast.

Otto

Mrs. Dunlap, Kate, Kelly, Abbie, Alexis, Dakota and Sydnee

Kelly, Alexis and Sydnee

I call them the Fab Five, Callie calls them the Goof Troop.

D.A.R.E Graduation

2009-04-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

The Fifth Grade had their DARE Graduation today and each recieved a DARE t-shirt, a DARE Lion and several other DARE items.

Here is Kelly recieving her certificate from Deputy Sue the DARE Officer.

Mrs. Dunlap's 5th grade class

The Four Friends; Sydnee, Abbie, Kelly and Katelyn

This is how they really act...all the time.

Wuzzy

2009-04-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Kelly and her favorite lamb Wuzzy and he has a twin sister named Fuzzy. You know Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, or in this case a pair of little Southdown lambs

Wuzzy is a shy little lamb that Kelly pays special attention, she brushes the dirt off of him and talks to him

Alicia say "Wuzzy is palm fed, You know she feeds him out of the palm of her hand." Wuzzy gets extra attention every day. She is hoping that he will grow and that she can show him at the fairs this summer. I'm afraid that he may be on the trailer with all the other lambs even if he doesn't grow out. You show them because they are cute, right?

Kelly, Alicia and the bottle lambs

2009-04-16T21:13:00.001-07:00

The girls took the bottle lambs outside to play. Kelly likes to start her lambs early getting ready for a show. The oldest lamb is the smallest of the three bottle lamb his name is Hoss. Callie had to tube him several time to keep him alive I have never seen a lamb born that was as tiny as this lamb he could walk underneath the little white lamb who was born four days later and was of average size.

Alicia loves her lambs...

Fuzzy faced lambs

2009-04-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

Kelly's little Southdowns Wuzzy is hiding behind Fuzzy and Buzzy. Wuzzy is Kelly's favorite he is smaller than his twin sister and took a bottle for a while.

Here are a few pictures of some of the little lambs we have at home.

Alicia goes "HOME"

2009-03-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Alicia loves the new house and her own room. However she just keep asking John and I if when we are going to go back home. She loves having to go back to do chores. We usually find her on the swingset and not helping do many of the chores.

A Tour of Eckler Acres

2009-03-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Kelly, Abbie and Alicia went to Uncle Harolds to tour the sheep barn for their 4-H project. Kelly called and set up the vist with Uncle Harold with the only request being that he teach them something. Kelly said that she learned that when Uncle Harold is moving sheep you shut up and stay out of the way.

The girls took a list of questions they had compiled and they got an answer to each. Luckily Aunt Mari knew the answers because they all now know that Uncle Harold is one smart Jenny. But so are his children when Alicia asked "How many breeds of sheep are there?" Jessi responded at least two becuase they raise "Southdowns and Oh Shit's."

Uncle Harold had Alicia hold a lamb for him. Little Andi was not impressed with having her picture taken she was having a little Gina moment (morning)and Kelly and Abbie stood like they had never seen sheep before in their lives.

Andi just did not care a thing about having her picture taken. At least she let me take these two before she got hateful about it.

I asked Andi to smile for the picture and I was told "NO, I don't want my picture taken" and she turned around for the picture. Turn the clock back 20 years and I would have swore it was Gina talking.

Cute little Southdowns.

Andi and Johnny.

Their First School Dance

2009-03-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

The Senior Class had a Grade School dance to raise money. It looked as if it was a big sucess when I dropped Alicia, Kelly and the other girls off, the elementary lunch room was full of kids.

Of course Kelly and her friends thought they were way to cool to go until I said that if they went to the dance they could come over to our house to get ready and then of course afterwards they could come for pizza and to spend the night.

The girls posed for a group picture: Alicia, Sydnee, Kelly, Abbie, and Katelyn.

Of course Alicia was the only one brave enought to have her picture taken by herself.

Ok so she does love to pose for the camera....

And this is when the trouble started......

The girls seem to have had a good time at the dance and a little after midnight I yelled for them to get to bed or at least quiet down so the rest of us could get some sleep.

MACC Cheer the last Hooray!!!

2009-03-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

We attended the last home game for the Greyhounds. Alicia believes that when she goes up she is going to be a MACC Cheerleader. All the girls posed with her

Brave or just CRAZY

2009-03-07T03:53:00.000-08:00

Thursday Heath called and wanted to know what I was doing Friday and asked if I would be able to watch the boys, I really wasn't worried about watching the boys until later in the evening Katie calls and asks if I was really sure about watching all four boys. Of course then my brain kicked into overtime wondering what I had gotten my self into. Heath brought the boys to Kelly's basketball game and we all set and enjoyed the game.

Ryan is sharing his popcorn with Quin. Quin and Connor are all about the popcorn.

She shoots....

We had a good time watching the basketball game. Paris won. After the game we were off to Subway to grab supper to take home. Thank God for Corbin and Kelly, Kelly carried Quin everywhere and Corbin knew what kind of sandwich everyone ate, all Connor could tell me is that he got ranch on his. We got the sandwiches and headed back to the house. I learned that Kelly and Corbin are nerds of sorts we didn't discuss the game they discussed their favorite authors and books.

Kelly calls Quin her little man.

J.T. and Corbin had trouble eating because they were into wathing Tv.

Thank goodness for an extra large table.

Apparently Connor is used to posing for pictures!!!

Corby and J.T. can finally have a bite to eat its commerical time.

My only pic of Preston he didn't want his picture taken.

Paris Vs. Shelbina

2009-02-21T21:53:00.000-08:00

The 5th grade Paris girls played Shelbina in the Championship game at Clarence. Kelly watched Shelbina warming up and then asked "Isn't that Jason's sister coaching the other team?"

Sorry my pic is a little fuzzy.

Paris took 1st and Shelbina took second. Each team member recieved a T-shirt and a medal, it was a great tournament to attend.

Paris Vs. Knox

2009-02-18T22:26:00.000-08:00

The fifth grade girls win again.

Jessi, Andi and TJ came to the game to watch Kelly again.

Miss Andi is so grown up she is three going on thirty.

TJ is a very busy boy. It's no wonder that Jessi is tired.

Alicia, Andi and Kelly pose for the camera.

Paris Vs. Macon

2009-02-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

The girls played Macon in the first round of the Clarence tournament, they won by 2 points.

Kelly had her very own cheering section, Jessi, Travis, TJ and Andi came to the game. A friend ask Andi if it was Andi like Raggedy Ann and Andy and she said "No, it Andi like Andi Re Belt." They said it was easy to tell that she was kin to my girls.

TJ watched quite a bit of the game but when half time came he was all about the popcorn.

Champions

2009-02-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

The fifth grade girls took first place Sunday at the Sturgeon Tournament.

MACC Lil' Cheerleaders

2009-02-16T19:49:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day the MACC Cheerleaders held a Cheer camp for area girls, of course all three of my girls attended. There was also a couple of other girls from Paris that went. Here are Aly, Callie, Kelly, Hannah and Alcicia. The girls spent the morning learning a routine and then they all got to cheer at half time of the boys games.

More Cheer

2009-02-14T23:59:00.000-08:00

What a show off......

Alicia is visiting with her friend Hannah, they are in the same class at school.

Kelly acting all BIG with her friends that went to the MAC game with her.

Alicia believes that she is all that and a Big bag of chips...

Kelly's Photography Project

2009-02-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

Kelly has her own little camera and loves taing pictures. Here are a few of the ones she has taken.

Kelly's horse Nugget.

Pirate the lamb.

B744-2

Pigglets.

This Little Piggy

2009-02-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the pictures of Alicia's pigs.

We are in the New House

2009-01-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

We started staying at the new house Saturday. Alicia likes her new house but asked "Are we ever going back home." We aren't completely moved, but if you find your self out our way call us and stop by. You have to call our cell the phone company was to have the phone conected last week and we are still waiting. I am also only checking emails every two or three days as that has yet to be moved because but they said Maybe this week. So come by and see us while the house is still clean.....

Russ is moving out...

2009-01-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

and we are moving in!!! Russ is finishing up on the house, all that is really left to do is for the counters to be installed and they are to be delivered tomorrow. Russ asked how soon we were moving in and we told him just as soon as he moves out. He is planning on finishing up on Thursday or Friday. Russ, Roy, Joe and Dane have been wonderful. I thought building was going to be a horrible nightmare but with Russ and Roy as the contracter it has actually been pretty painless for me.

Funny Man Joe is packing things up this was probably his last day to work at the house. This last week the girls and I would go to the house and go in the basement door and we could hear someone singing upstairs it was Joe, we never could catch him dancing but the guys said that he could put on quite a show. Joe would draw cartoon characters on the plastic covering the windows and on the moisture barrier wrap. The girls loved going to the house and looking for Joe's drawings. Under the siding there is a lot of art work, Joe drew pictures during the day and the girls would draw pictures at night.

The girls started moving a few days ago everytime we would go to the house they would take something. First it was shampoo, soap and towels then it was a few clothes and some shoes then it was the Barbies.

Today Baumgartners delivered furniture so this weekend we are moving, at least the furniture we are taking from this house and our clothes. Thankfully we can move a little at a time. Kelly asked her Dad when the mattresses would be delievered and he told her she wasn't getting a new mattress cause hers is less than a year old and she said I know I'm not getting a new one but when are you delivering the one I have. She tried to schedule delivery for today but he was already booked.

14 Little Pigs

2009-01-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

Rose still has 14 babies. Its hard to believe that all 14 have survived this far. Alicia is a little concerned that the little runt may not be getting enough to eat and might need a bottle. We told her that as soon as we start creep feeding them the big pigs won't each so much milk and the little runt will get more. Alicia's solution is that if she can't bottle feed the runt then she should take the biggest pig to feed so the runt can get more milk from his mother. Seems to me that Alicia just want to bottle feed a pig.

Check out the little pig the second on the right and you will see why Alicia thinks it needs more to eat. The little runt is only about half the size of the others.

House update

2009-01-18T19:32:00.000-08:00

John was teaching the girls how to lock the door. Now they think everytime we are at the house they should be the ones to unlock or lock the door. Alicia's turn didn't take long John was a little fustrated when she was having trouble, yet she stood and told him how it should be done.

Kelly was successful at unlocking and locking the door, she is a lot better at taking directions than Alicla. Because Alicia knows everything and if you don't think so just ask her.

We have carpet. Here is Alicia laying on the carpet. As of yesterday it is installed. We haven't taken any new pictures at the house in the last two days because we have been cleaning woodwork and vacuuming carpets. Kelly is planning on taking pictures tomorrow while she is home.

Not Much Longer.....

2009-01-18T16:58:00.000-08:00

The counter tops are to be install on Monday. I am hoping that they are ready like we were told. The furniture will be delivered on Tuesday and the girls have already started moving. Kelly took shoes, books and bath towels, Alicia took just took bath towels and a sign that says "Me Me Me it all about ME." Of course I have started moving I have Pepsi in the frig. Tomorrow we are planning on moving some more things. Hopefully by this weekend we will be living there.

Their Everywhere

2009-01-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

Here are a few/lot more pictures of the little pigs.

Nicholas and his "Cheerdear"

2009-01-18T04:44:00.000-08:00

Rose Chloe has Piglets

2009-01-18T03:36:00.000-08:00

J.T. was forced to do the chores yesterday, he left to feed and water the sheep and Alicia's gilt and was back in record time. He came to the house all out of breath yelling we have a pig on the ground. Alicia's gilt Rose Chloe had started pigging and we hadn't moved her to the house. So John, J.T., Kelly and I moved Rose to the lambing barn where it wouldn't be so cold.

This is a picture of a couple of the pigs she had. These were the sleepy ones.

Here is the rest of the pigs. These were the hungry ones.

So have you counted to see how many pigs this gilt has given birth too? There is a total of 14 pigs and at 5:30 this morning she still had all 14. The only pig with a name so far is the red pig with black spots and his name is Arnold, he was the little pig that rode to the house in John's truck so that he could get warm. Alicia left to go watch Callie cheer and hasn't seen her whole litter of pigs. Mom got to stay home and keep check on Rose and her piglets.

Alicia got this gilt as a small pig from Grandpa Elra last spring. Rose has been well fed and is a very large gilt. Rose was to have been breakfast, lunch, and dinner but Alicia wanted to have baby pigs. Rose is a 4-H project so Jacquie and Dennis Stuart help to find Rose a husband and John being a wonder father (SUCKER, Alicia asks and John does) bought Mr. Pig. So Mr. and Rose Chloe Pig have a family.

Dennis was concerned that the boar would be to big for Rose. We got the boar home and we were concerned because Rose was bigger than the boar. This boar weighed in at a hefty 350lbs and Rose was bigger. Alicia keeps her animals well fed. Apparently Mr. Pig was just right because 4 months later we have little piggys.

Here is a couple of more pictures I took when I went to check them early this morning.

House

2009-01-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

Well we are still hoping to be in the house sometime next week however we are probably just dreaming. It seems have the counter stove top was broke when it arrived and when they decided to go ahead and install the double ovens they we messed up also. However Roy believes they may still be able to get them this week.

How much LONGER?

2009-01-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

We are getting pretty excited about getting to move. We are hoping to start moving next weekend the only thing that might hold us up is that the countertops did not arrive like they were suspose to (counter tops are setting in Decatur) but it seems as that may only delays are move by a couple of days. (No Mom, I did not yell and scream I didn't have to our contractor was right on top of it) We really haven't started packing since we don't have to be out of are old house,Thank God. I can't imagine building, having a timeline to move plus doing everyday things.

Alicia brought me down stairs to look at what they had done in her room and the bathroom. She was really impressed with the shower doors until I said "oh my if someone comes into the bathroom while your in the shower they will see your little fat naked body." She made quit a face and then realizes that no one but Kelly should be in her bathroom because Kelly is the only one she has to share with.

Kelly poses for a picture in the doorway leading into her room.

John and J.T. checking out the furnace.

Alicia poses with the kitchen cabinets. I didn't take the camera with me the last time we were at the house. More work has been done since these pictures were taken.

Cheerleading and the Hippo

2009-01-11T06:19:00.000-08:00

Here are the latest Cheer pictures. Of course we always have to take pictures and its starting to look like we use the same one over and over.

Alicia made the Cheerleaders laugh when she did her impression of a Hippo. Her mouth is as big as a hippos and with her appetite she better be careful or her butt might get that big also.

The Ref at MACC

2009-01-10T22:38:00.000-08:00

I took a few pictures of the referee at the basketball game (not the best quality). Jared worked the basketaball game that Callie cheered. As we are getting to the school J.T. says "well Grandma was right there sits a truck with a trailer hooked to it." Kelly was having trouble trying to remember who Jared was until we got inside and she knew instantly which of the three refs that he was becuase she remembered seeing him at the state fair trimming sheep.

As a ref Jared is pretty darn tough, on the court he isn't that shy little kid the Jarboe/Dunn really comes out in him. Would sort of remind you of Granny cause he is pretty much no nonsence. Alicia and I was coloring (not really into the ballgame) and a techinical was called. So of course I had to ask Callie what happened and she said "Jared doesn't mess around, that player should have kept his mouth shut and not talked back to him."

In the House and on the Walls

2009-01-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

Roy has started hanging cabinets, Russ was hanging the doors, Dane was nailing trim and Funny Man Joe was playing with fire he was cleaning the yard and burning trash.

We just realize that we messed up big, the microwave is going to be up to high for Alicia. She informed us that it would be ok that she could use the step stool. We also realized with the tall cabinets there is no way I will be able to reach the top shelf.

This is J.T.'s room, I really thought it should be my office but well, J.T. thought he should have a room in the new house.

Alicia was showing off the doors. She liked the white door going into the storage room.

This is the door way to Alicia's room and into the storage room.

Ain't she pretty

2009-01-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

Kelly loves having her picture taken at the new house.

The Cabinets are in the House

2009-01-02T14:21:00.000-08:00

The Cabinets were delivered this morning!!! Bathroom and kitchen. They were being delievered while we were meeting with the lighting company because we recieved the wrong lights for the upstairs. Which luckily is not going to throw everything off track now they will be able install the cabinets while waiting on the lights.

The girls are loving going to the house each night. The lights and fans in their rooms work. Everytime something come to be installed in the girls room or their bathroom it seems to be installed first. The contractors seem to like watching the girls get so excited, when Dane installed Alicia's light switch she was more excited over her lights working than she was Christmas morning. Today Russ finished the tile in their bathroom so they are in heaven. Kelly and Alicia can hardly stand that there are three large boxes in Alicia's room and they can see in them, they know it is all for the bathroom but can't wait to see it. Roy and Russ still believe they will have us in by Jan 17th.

This is the light that will be out between the garage doors and at the front and side door.

Here is the hardwood flooring Roy installed in the kitchen and dinning area. The girls and I love it and John hates it all he keeps telling us is that our feet will be cold walking on the hardwood.

This is the tile I have in all four bathrooms and as you walk in the house from the garage into my office/wash area. In this picture it doesn't look so great, Russ had just been working on it and had just scrubbed off the excess grout. It will look better later when completely finished.

To Grandma's House We Went

2008-12-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

We headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house as soon as the morning chores were done. The kids were excited to be heading to Middletown but a little disappointed that some of their cousin weren't going to be able to spend the day with them. Callie was very disappointed that Connor and Corby weren't going to be there because we had their names for Christmas and she personally picked out their gifts. For Connor she choose horses and also a truck and trailer, she done this knowing that Connor loves horses and she was hoping to make him like her a little better since he tells her he hates her at every 4-H meeting that he hates her, when all else fails try a bribe. For Corbin she picked a t-shirt with saying some smart comment on it because she thinks he is a lot like his father and would enjoy it. So she is hoping that both boys enjoyed their gifts.

I wasn't quick enough with the camera Grandma had been rocking Alicia. I thought Alicia was getting a little big to be on Grandmas lap only to be told by both of them that she's not to big yet.

Alicia loved her gifts that she got at Grandma and Grandpas. She recieved Horton hears a Who, she loves it its was the second one of the season and she is not sure she is going to return it for another movie. She also recieved books and has already read all of them because as she saids "they are just awsome". Even with all her difficulty she still loves reading.

Kelly and Alicia are helping Aunt Donna pass out the gifts from under the tree.

Callie and Nicholas snuggling on the couch, I believe they were wanting to take a nap apparently they stayed up late waiting on Santa to hurry up and then the little girls were out of bed extra early. 5am was a little eary for all of us. We had planned on getting up early since Callie and Nicholas needed to be at his parents to watch his siblings open gifts also but we hadn't planned on being up quite that early.

Heather and Kole and of course Grandpa Howard was always close by no matter who was holding little Kole, reminds me of when his kids were babies.

Nancy and Grandbaby Kole.

Grandma and Grandpa have a lot of Sassy little women and here are three of the most sassy. When these three are on the same team its like gang warfare, just get out of the way because they play to win and don't mind blood shed.

Audrey had just finished telling a "beaver" story. She always has a new facinating story each time the family gathers, apparently hospital work is never boring for the Doctor.

Kyle was getting personal with Pictionary Man. However Alicia had everone stumped with her version of a Surfer Dude, it was very well drawn it was just that her cousins had their minds in the gutter.

Aren't they B E A utiful?

The Cousin were playing Uno and being roudy if you can believe that.

Christmas Special? You Decide......

2008-12-25T21:51:00.000-08:00

Callie and his parents must be so proud. Nick got this little beane for Christmas and his ribbon.

Christmas Angels??

2008-12-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Program at church was wonderful the girls and Nicholas all took part, J.T. choose to set with his mommy and not be in the play this year.

Alicia was the "Head Angel" again this year.

Nicholas will never be mistaken for an Angel, however he was kind enough to be a shepard when Callie called him and ask him to help out. Like he really had a choice.

Alicia

2008-12-17T06:44:00.000-08:00

In years to come Alicia is will NOT find this tidbit funny. We were wondering around Wal-Mart trying to Christmas shop, we walked by the movies and she says "Oh I want that movie, Horton hears a Whore." Needless to say we all laughed at her. I am sure that Santa will be bringing her the movie Horton hears a Who. We will also be working on her reading skills over Christmas break.

Tooth Fairy Update

2008-12-07T05:08:00.000-08:00

Last night Alicia informed me that the Tooth Fairy STILL had not stopped by to pick up the last tooth that she lost. Everyone who knows Alicia knows she spends way to much time thinking she informed me very sarcastically "Oh, she is probably having trouble getting the money together and that is why she hasn't stopped by yet with my two dollars."
Alicia will be very happy this morning to see that the Tooth Fairy finally scrapped together the necessary cash to pick up the tooth.

All I want for Christmas.............

2008-12-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

Since Thanksgiving Alicia has lost three teeth. When the Tooth Fairy stopped an picked up the first two teeth Alicia was not impressed with the four dollars. She took the money and counted it and then says to her dad and me "so this means a tooth is ONLY WORTH two dollars".

Ready to go...

2008-12-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

Alicia was dress up and ready to go to the Elementary Christmas Program. Of course there is no picture of Kelly being ready to go as now that she is all grown up.

Evening Sky

2008-12-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures we took on the way to the new house. The sky was awesome is looked as if there was a huge fire.

First Snow

2008-11-30T06:51:00.000-08:00

The First Winters Snow

Last night on the way to watch the MACC Greyhounds the weather was horrible and not much better on the ride home. All Alicia could says was "I think we're going to have snow for Christmas." Apparently she believes the snow is here to stay.

Cheering the Cheerleader

2008-11-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

We were back to Moberly last night to Cheer the Cheerleaders. Of course Nicholas is always quick to let us know that he is only there to cheer one Cheerleader.

The Grey Hound Mascot MaJiC was playing with the kids, the girls love watching MaJiC dance and shake a tail.

Here Callie is sharing her soda with MaJic.

Nicholas was getting a look from Callie. I don't believe that Nicholas and J.T. will be allowed to set together at the next game. J.T. just kept trying to get Nicholas in trouble with Callie and I believe it was working. By now you would think that Callie would know not to believe anything her brother says.

Alicia is keeping her self busy. Her and Kelly take there colorbooks in case they get tired of watching the game.

Here Alicia is crying for a hotdog the poor starving baby couldn't believe that no one was willing to walk to the concession stand with her.

4-H Community Service Project

2008-11-25T23:24:00.000-08:00

Some of the girls from 4-H met at the extension office one morning to make Thanksgiving cards for members of the club to hand out for Thanksgiving at area Nursing/Residential Facilities. These girls have a great time doing this, they are all good friends and enjoy each other company. They also use the time to bash poor Darrin. Alicia told Mary that they (meanng the girls makeing cards) are Princess Special and Darrin is just pecial. These girls think/know that Darrin is somegthing else. The whole time they are bashing Darrin they are asking Mary if he will help them when they work the concession stand and be their popcorn guy.

Here is Mary is showing the correct way to stamp the cards. They formed an assembly line and whipped through 100 cards in about 2 hours.

Kelly was the first stamping the cards Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Turkey Day.

Abbie was stamping the leaves on the corner of the cards.

Here Betsy is stamping the inside of the cards.

Alicia is coloring the leaves on the cards. She really wants to stamp but is not quite big enough to tackle that yet.

Shari is watching the girls stamp while Alicia colors leaves.

Shari's break doesn't last long as Alicia believes that it is her job to be Shari's boss.

Mary is taking the stamps from the girls so that she can clean and put them away.

Mary is showing Betsy that there are ways to fix the cards that the girls thought they had messed up and wouldn't be able to use.

J.T.'s Car

2008-11-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

As most of you have already heard J.T. had an accident the other night and totaled out his car. Apparently his guardian Angel was watching over him and he walked away without a scratch. Thank God he always wears his seat belt. He swerved to miss a deer hit loose gravel over corrected and landed on a big rock in a creek. Luckily the Shatzer boy was on his way home and seen the car lights down in the creek, he kept the car from tipping over onto its side in the water so that J.T. could climb out.

The car really doesn't look bad from the pictures most of the damage in on the underneath of the car. The windshield is broken and the sunroof no longer closes but that is due to both airbags being deployed. The night of the accident it looked as if the car had been picked up and placed on the rock. To remove the car they had to put straps around it and use a boom to pick it up out of the creek there was no way to drag it out. I have no idea as to why the car seemed to stop on this rock only feet from hitting the far bank or feet from the large concrete culvert.

Now I'm the one with nothing to drive. Hopefully this next week John will find him a truck and I can have mine back.

Radio the water boy

2008-11-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night basketball game. Paris vs Holy Rosary, not really sure of the score cause the little girls and I went to the game to watch the Holy Rosary water boy. Corbin asked Shelby D if I was coming to the game, so they called and when I heard Corby say "tell Aunt Diana that I'm the water boy" I decided that I would head into town to watch the opposing teams water boy in action. Only once did he drop the bottles but he was quick to recover. Kelly, Alicia and I had a great time visiting with Katie and the boys. So if you ever get a call from the water boy I highly recommend that you go watch him in action.

National Holiday?

2008-11-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

Deer season is upon us once again. J.T. got a 10 point late Saturday afternoon it dressed out at about 150 pounds. He has also been making money skinning out deer. Thanks to Kelly we have a couple of pictures to show.

We have ceilings!!!

2008-11-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

No pictures of the house today. Its almost dark by the time the guys are done working at the house. Today the drywall guys arrived and now the drywall in on the ceiling in the upstairs. John and I also went to Hannibal this morning to pick out carpet and tile and hardwood flooring. It was all pretty painless, it was my job to pick out the hardwood and to pretty much to agree with everything else. Which I did, really I did... it was just lucky for John he had been listening when I had been telling him what I wanted in the basement.

I really am only updating the blog because we all gave Gina such a hard time about hers and now she is updating frequently so I don't want to be the one come Thanksgiving that is being called a slacker.

Another House Update

2008-11-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

The house is coming along nicely. Roy and Rusty Goodhart and their guys are doing an amazing job. I can't wait until they get it finished. I know we are going to love the house and all the room. The girls love going up to the house site especially after finding that someone had drawn smiley faces on the plastic covering the windows. We go every night just to see if the guys have drawn on anything else. The girls have now drawn all over almost everything. They have even traced over where Rusty has marked where he will be installing the outlets. Who knows we may have more outlets than we planned.
Here are pictures that Callie took just a couple of days ago, not much has changed, Roy is working on the plumbing and Rusty is pulling wires everywhere. Hopefully next week they will be ready for the drywall people to come in and get started.

This is the view from the patio, hopefully by this weekend the dirt piles will be gone.

This is the view from my deck I can't wait until I can set on my deck and drink coffee in the mornings.

1st Grade Halloween Party

2008-11-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

The first grade Halloween Party was great fun... at least for the kids. The room Mom's did a wonderful job providing games and keep the kids entertained during the party.

Alicia and Katlynn had a great time playing with the balloons.

The kids enjoyed blowing up the balloons but enjoyed popping them even more.

Alicia really enjoyed the snacks, but as everyone knows Alicia is all about the food.

Delaney is enjoying her cupcake.

Kaylee made an adorable little witch.

MACC CHEER

2008-11-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Go Greyhounds!

Callie has just started cheering for the Greynhounds. Kelly, Alicia and I met Nicholas in Moberly Halloween night to watch her cheer. I not really sure who won the game. We were there to cheer the Cheerleaders not watch the game. We had so much that Alicia and I went to the game again the next night. We got there a little earlier than we planned because Alicia said that we could be late as long and we got there before Nicholas and we wouldn't be in trouble only he would.

Callie sold Alicia raffle tickets for the two of them and they won! Alicia thought it was great until I told her it was only fair for her and Callie to share the money, of course Alicia did not want to andI told her that fair is fair. Remember that a small child will use your own words against you when given the chance. Alicia's response to me telling her that fair is fair is that you always tell me that lifes not fair. Nicholas laughed and thought Alicia should be allowed to keep all the money. Poor little Alicia had to split the money, it almost killed her when I made her count out her share and give Callies share to Nicholas.

Here is our cheerleader she was smiling at Nicholas, he wasn't in trouble for long for being the last one to arrive to watch her cheer.

Halloween

2008-11-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Halloween Parade

The kids attended the Halloween Parade that is held every year. Kelly was/is a little witch for Halloween. The weather was so warm that she took off her cape. She was colorful little witch.

Here is my little Scarecrow isn't she cute. I didn't get many Halloween pic's this year. We trick or treated right after school so that we could head to Moberly to watch Callie cheer.

4-H Sunday

2008-10-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

To kick off National 4-H Week the Mark Twain 4-H Club attended and helped with the Sunday morning worship service at Florida.

House Update

2008-10-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

The house is coming along slowly. Not because of the contractors but the weather. Roy and Rusty Goodhart have been wonderful about being here and working. For the hours worked it is actually coming along nicely. I am just a little (whole lot) impatient. It looks like it will be the end of the year or the first part of January before we are ready to move in.

Alicia is playing where they will be pouring concrete next week in front of the garage.

Kelly and her friend Katelyn playing at the new house.

Kelly and Katelyn in front of the door leading to the deck.

4-H Hayride

2008-10-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

The 4-H Hayride was hosted by Chuck and Tammy Mason and was a HUGE success. I know this because at 2 am Alicia had to climb in bed with me because she was having nightmares of a man chasing her with a chainsaw. Thanks Matt. The girls had so much fun that they can't wait until next year to see what Chuck and Matt come up with.

The Mark Twain 4-H Club

CHILDREN OF THE CORN

Landon, Brian, Britany, McKenzie, Madison,Logan and Alicia and Logan's little brother.

Nikki, Callie, Chance, Mike, and John

Britany, Kelly and Abbie

Darren helps the younger members roast dogs.

Kelly and Alicia set quietly and listens as Callie leads the meeting.

Jacquie preforms the the Office induction ceremony and lights the candles of Co-Presidents Mike and Callie.

House Update

2008-09-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

The guys have made a lot of progress in the few days we have experienced sunshine. The garage is ready for the concrete floor. They put down the sub-floor and have started on the outer walls for the upstairs.

The House

2008-09-11T04:04:00.000-07:00

We are finally building! Finally a house with more than one bathroom for the six of us to share. This means I can sleep later in the morning instead of having to be the first one out of bed so I can get a shower or at least a hot shower.

The house was to be finished and we were to have been moved in before school started but because of all the rain Roy and Rusty (Goodhart Construction) couldn't get anything done.

Kelly and Alicia love playing on the huge piles of dirt. Kelly think the mounds of dirt would make an awesome gocart track.

Marion County Fair

2008-07-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Girls and I went to watch the Marion County Sheep show or actually the girls and I took Callie to watch Nicholas.

Becky and Nicholas

Nicholas again....

And Again....For some reason Nicholas seems to be the only thing she can take pictures of

Callie showed one of Becky's lambs for her at the Marion County Fair.

Nicholas and Becky showing market lambs.

Nicholas showing his lamb.

Monroe County Bucket Calf Show

2008-07-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

Kelly and her calf K-1 A.K.A. Ribeye took top honors at the fair. The won Champion Bucket Calf sponsored by Monroe County Fair Board. Kelly got a really cool plaque. Here are several pictures of her showing her calf. Kelly's calf was the twin sister to the calf to A-1 Steak Sauce that her BFF Abbie showed.

Alicia finds herself a comfortable place to set while waiting on Kelly and Abbie to show their twin heifer calves. Earlier Alicia had been laying on the calf.

J.T. is showing his steer in the heavy weight class, his steer weighed in at a hefty 1410. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Turner bought J.T.'s steer at the sale, this was the 50th steer that the Turner family has bought from a Youth Fair.

The Clover Kid Show

2008-07-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

Alicia showed her lamb Dolly and her goat Lilly at the Clover kid show.
Dolly is the "Proud Champion" as Alicia calls her. Dolly is a poor little bottle lamb that will probably never grow out to by anything but Alicia's favorite friend. Alicia still gives Dolly a bottle from time to time just so Dolly won't forget her.

Lilly is a little goat, she is out of a set of triplets. Alicia just likes her because she looks like her goat Billy Tomus.

Dolly and Lilly weren't the only things to be washed. Callie got to wash Alicia off with the hose, Alicia slipped and fell right in the mud.

Australia Photos

2008-07-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Here are more pictures its only a few of the almost 2000 pictures Callie took while in Australia.

Callie's Home from Australia

2008-07-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

Callie got home from Australia last night. She had a wonderful time but getting home was a bit of a challenge. They spent several hours in the the airport due to the flight being delayed before being taken to a motel for a few hours of rest before flying out the next morning.

While at the Airport in St. Louis Alicia and Kelly got the fright of their lives along with a couple of wet willies, when this man ran up and grabbed them. It was Uncle Harold his flight from DC landed about the same time as Callies.

Monroe City Fair

2008-07-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

J.T., Kelly and Alicia attended the Monroe City Fair. The Francis Gang was to meet us there but being a bunch of losers (according to Tony) they didn't make it to show lambs. However the kids had a great time visiting with their Sheep Friends. Alicia was glad to see Becky & Glen at the fair. But Poor Glen was being bossed by both girls, lucky for Alicia, Becky already has him well trained. We took gobs of photos at the fair here are a few of them. Kelly and Becky laughed through most of the show.

Alicia had been helping but she got hot and needed a break. She didn't even last through one lamb.

Kelly showing a junior ewe lamb.

JT showing a market lamb.

Becky helping Kelly showing a lamb.

Heath, Connor and Quin showed up to watch the sheep show. Alicia was busy running to the concession stand for ice pops. The guys at the concession stand say that she was their best customer.

Lewis County Fair

2008-07-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

J.T., Kelly, Alicia, and of course Abbie all attended and showed sheep at the Lewis County Fair. The kids had a great time and so did I. There was very little fighting and they all did a great job showing even Alicia. We followed the Francis Gang and Yes Tony, I was a little concerned when the black top turned to gravel.

The Sheep Showing Girls of Mark Twain posing for a picture.

Here Alicia is wrestling with Butterball, they told the kids it was ok to show with the halters on and Alicia is having trouble holding her lamb and the halter both. Butterball is pretty calm she like people cause she always thinks she is going to be fed. Alicia says that Uncle Harold is right she likes her sheep to look like her, healthy.

Alicia could answer all of Bobby Spoonsters questions "What does Butterball like to eat?" Corn. "Why do you call her Butterball?" Cause she is really really round.

Callie's Graduation

2008-05-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah! It's Graduation.

Callie on her way to graduate.

Aren't they Beautiful

Callie spent the rest of the day with family and friends.

Looks like the Gangs all Here

Little Andi was the life of the party.

T.J. 's not much into the party life.

The Cousins. Gina, Lizard, Jessi and Kyle

Grandpa and Grandma

Jason even stopped by before leaving for more training.