Christmas Favorites

Thought I would share with you some favorite Christmas gifts. Nicole received an American Girl doll named Nicky and this doll will be retired today. Nicole says she is the doll of the year, for American Girl dolls. As for Brandon he was actually speechless. Brandon really wanted a sliver trumpet and he got his wish. We all had a wonderful Christmas. Guess it's time to wish Everyone a Happy New Year!! Please have a safe and Happy New Year!!

True Spirit of Christmas

I just needed to share this with everyone. I know many people feel the commercial part of the Christmas holiday takes over and children and adults alike don't know the real meaning of the holiday. I have always grown up with Santa and my children do the same, it has been wonderful. But we still have taught the true meaning. As my children have gotten older there may be some questions but I still have taught them when you stop believing it is over. So we ALL believe!! But to my main reason for this posting...................I was wrapping gifts this evening and one gift I wrapped I was explaining to my children that we are not exchanging with the Davis family( we have agreed to spend and afternoon together at the movies and then out to eat as opposed to buying gifts for each other) but I had found something and wanted to get it. My sons reply "We already got the best Christmas present ever from them" (I figured I missed something). I asked what might that be? Brandon said "all we needed was for Conner to get better and he did" ( Conner was in the hospital with an infection which they really weren't sure what it was). He said that is the best gift ever, that Conner is alright. Well, I guess my kids do get it!!!! We make par take in the commercial part but I guess our teachings have sunk in and they do know the true meaning of Christmas!! If this wasn't good enough we have a child that we have kind of taken in. We try to look after him and give support when possible. Anyway he loves his drums and he wanted new sticks but knew that it probably wasn't going to happen. Nicole asked me the other day if we could get him those drum sticks for Christmas, that it would make him so happy. Well as you guessed I found my self in the music store purchasing those sticks, both of my children are so happy and proud that they can give them to him on Christmas Eve. I am really proud of both of my children and there generous giving. This is the true meaning of Christmas!! Merry Christmas Everyone!! P.S. I hope Santa finds ALL of you!

Merry Christmas to All

Just want to wish Everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

The Family

What more can you say................Here is the whole family!!!

Thanksgiving Visit

I know this is a bit late, but better late than never. As promised here are a few pictures of my brothers children during there visit to Pa over Thanksgiving. They are getting so big, Tradd is 4 years old and Cooper is 2 years old and Coleman just turned one.

The High School Concert

Here is Brandon in the high school concert. The band is so much bigger so it was harder to get a good shot of him. This was another good concert they played many popular songs, so he really enjoyed that.

Nicoles 6th Grade Concert

Here is Nicole playing her clarinet during the concert and singing in the chorus. It was a nice concert and she really enjoyed it.

The 8th Grade Concert

Here is Brandon playing his trumpet in the band and then singing in the chorus. This is just one of three Christmas concerts we have enjoyed this past week.

Cute Christmas Video

Just thought I would add a little Christmas to your viewing. Click on the web site http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9608870110 If you don't recognize them, it is Brandon, Nicole, Tradd and Cooper. I will post more later especially of my brothers visit with his family. It was a bit crazy! Enjoy this for now.

School Pictures and Updates

Thought I would share the kids school pictures with everyone. They always seem to turn out good. Nicole is in 6th grade and Brandon is in 8th. He is off to the high school next year. We just got these this week. Lets see an update on the kids and their busy lives. Nicole has joined the decorating committee at school, they decorate for the dances and etc., she is also in girl scouts. Nicole is also in concert band and chorus. Nikki is really enjoying her first year at the middle school. Brandon is still doing marching band, he is competing with the band on Saturday in Delaware (we are all joining them), he is also playing indoor soccer again. Brandon has also been asked to go to County chorus, and joined TSA at school again this year. He signed up for County band and Jazz band. Oh yhea, he will be hunting with Poppy again this year, hopefully he comes home with a deer. Never seems to be a dull moment in there lives, which is good. I am really glad they are so involved in things.

Non- Scary Visitors

These three showed up with the little ghoul. Here you see Amy (aka Aunt Amy to Kalista), Amber (aka Mommy or Mommy to be) and Dave (aka Daddy). Thought I would share a non scary photo of our Halloween night.

Unveiling......................

Here are the visiting ghouls! If you didn't guess the little one is Kalista she had fun while she was out trick or treating. Brandon is the butcher. As for Michale Myers if you guessed Uncle Jim...............you were wrong!! That scary ghoul was.............my MOM. Yes you got it my Mom. She did a great job at scaring Brandon and his friend Dustin. But to top it off we have a neighbor who is a prison guard and he was dressed and scaring at his house and came to visit us and when Mom showed up he ran home. We went to his house to tell him who it was because at the time I didn't even know it was my Mom. She walked up and he ran around his house. I think she did a great job!!! Maybe Uncle Jim should have had her in his haunted yard, I think she missed her calling. We had a great time and lots of scary fun!!! Sorry if you missed it, maybe next year!

Halloween Night

Thought I would share some pictures of our yard Halloween night. The kids had a great time putting it together (especially Brandon). We didn't have many trick or treaters but it was fun anyway. Look yet another visitor to the yard.

Who is This????

Michael Myers showed up in the haunted yard tonight. Any idea who this might be???????

Rain and More Rain

Well that is how this weekend started off...........rain and more rain. The football game was played in the heavy downpours. The band didn't wear there uniforms and the brass were the only ones that played. They played the Star Spangled Banner and only stood on the track to do that. Then they were dismissed. We managed to stay until half time but then that was all. The game was really good and Bloomsburg won 33 to 8. It is off to the playoffs. Well it rained Friday and Friday night and Saturday morning until almost noon. The football field was a mess so the band competition was cancelled. Pending the amount of bands that can attend we will have it Tuesday evening. Since the rain had stopped and there was no band competition we headed to Catawissa for the 100th year Halloween parade. It was a nice parade and they had fireworks afterwards, (we didn't stay for them). The streets were packed two and three deep at places. That brings us to today.........after church we had our last club soccer game. The kids played very well and won the game 4 to 2. Now don't think our lives will slow down just yet. We start indoor soccer on Saturday. Well I guess that is all the news from Fernville. Hope everyone had a good weekend, it's back to work tomorrow. Have a good week!

Heres a Scary One

This is my first time at a video, please be patient. I know it is not upright, couldn't get it to turn for some reason. But it is cool. This is the spooky one himself, with one of his favorite masks. The spookier the better! Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!!

Halloween Yard

Here are more pictures of our front yard. At night we see cars stopping out front to check it out. Brandon plans to be part of the yard Halloween night and scare the trick or treater's. The butcher has slimy eye balls and body parts on his tray. I think it looks great!! Can't imagine what the paper boy thinks with changes daily and he comes at dark now. The neighbor kids seem to like it too. Can't wait till Halloween night!!!

New Sidewalk

Here is a picture of our new sidewalk out front. My brother has drew my attention to the fact that I have not shown you an updated shot after posting them tearing it up. Now in my opinion I think he needs to sleep more and less computer. But I love him, so here is the update. Enjoy!!

The Halloween Yard

These are a few things in my front yard. Can you guess which one is real and which isn't. I will add a few more pictures of our yard. Brandon has worked hard at setting it up. We all have been out there at one time or another. He is taking after his Uncle Jim.

Homecoming Parade

Here is Nicole and Kalista waiting for the parade to start. Some of you viewing this may notice and remember the banner in the back ground. This banner was made by the parents when my brother was in the high school band. Yhea that old!!!! Nicole and Kalista did really well gathering candy and other souvenirs at the parade.

Homecoming

Here you are seeing the band parade around the track before the homecoming game on Saturday afternoon. The game was cancelled Friday night due to the rain and played on Sat. This made for a very busy Saturday. They had the homecoming parade in the morning and then a break until 3pm when they had to head for the school to practice with the alumni. Then at 4pm was the parade around the track and the show to follow. They then crowned the king and queen. You will see Brandon in the middle of the middle row.
Here is Brandon marching in the homecoming parade uptown. His first parade, and he liked it.
Here is the band show and a shot of Brandon.

Yet, another shot of the band show homecoming night. I do have to admit Brandon looks good in that uniform, a real natural. Bloomsburg beat Lewisburg with a score of 47 to 20. Go Panthers!!!!

Back to the Grind

Well fair week is over and it was back to work. We had another busy week, between soccer and band and football games we keep pretty busy. The kids had picture day this week, I have to say they both looked GREAT! I will share them when they come back. Updates............I am loving my job at the high school. The kids got there progress reports today and they both are doing wonderful. Looks like both on honor roll maybe even distinguished honors. They really are great kids, they come home and do there homework right away without even being told. We played Central in football tonight and beat them 42 to 6. Must say the band looked really good too. We have to close of the camper for the season this weekend. It is hard since the weather has been so nice and warm. Well I guess that is all for now. Next week is a football game and a band competition. Always keep smiling!!!!

Nothing but Garbage Left

I had to go to the fair on Sunday morning to pick up our entries. I thought I would take some pictures of the midway the day after. As you can see it is starting to look empty. Today (Monday) they cleaned up all the garbage and it looks a lot better. It is sad to see it go but next year will be even better!! My brother and his family will be coming for fair week, I can't wait to take the kids and Scott is really looking forward to fair.

Across the Fairgrounds

Just had to share this photo with you. We were in the grandstand section C row 13, watching the demo when Mom called and was waving to us. They were on the other side of the track and I was able zoom in on them. If you click on the picture you will get a better view. What an awesome camera!!

The Demo

This year we took the kids to the demo at noon on Saturday. The main reason for going was that Keith had a car in the demo. Here you will see Keith entering for the first heat. Then the smashing and bashing!!! Yes that is Keith on the stage collecting his trophy for winning the first heat. Hooray!!!! Then it was on the finals he did really good but didn't win, but at least he got that far! The last picture is of Keith with his car at the final. Good Job Keith!!

Final Day of the Fair

Here is a picture of Vern, Nancy, Mom, Dad, Brandon and Nicole, the last day of the fair. We had the pleasure of enjoying the Sherwoods company and they shared there grandchildren (Megan and Sophie) too. It was really nice to see Stacy and Brad (Nancy's son and daughter-in-law) and their children. We actually got to see them twice this week and join them at the fair. Megans favorite place at the fair was the kiddie rides especially the carousel and the elephants. We were very lucky to spend time with Nancy's daughter Stephanie, who had came home for a visit from China. She surprised everyone here on Sunday when her and her husband came up with Vern and Nancy. But we did get another day with her on Saturday before she had to head back. The middle picture is of Chris working at Heaps Diner Stand at the fair. He took vacation from Kawneer and worked at the fair all week. It was nice he didn't have to sleep in the afternoons and could walk around with us each night. The final picture is Brandon's favorite mini donuts, actually they have become a family favorite. Right Dad..................

This says it All

Here Brandon is resting on a bench under a tree at gate 5. Today was more like fair weather. Thursday evening we had some wind and a T-storm went through. It was enough to clear the grounds early. Today was a bit breezy but the sun was nice and an enjoyable day. We did only spend a few hours at the fair today because we had to go to the football game. That is some sad news we lost our first game to Mt Carmel tonight. But we will hold our heads high and be back next week to take another win!! Only one more day of fair.

Familiar Faces at the Fair

Here is a picture of Hewlett's stand at the fair. You all must know that I spoke to my brother and his request for a picture was of Geri Hewlett. So here you go Scott! She looks good for almost the end of the week. The other photo is of Mays BBQ, that is always another favorite of all of us. Another good day at the fair!!

George

Here are pictures of "George in the Can". George always dresses up in something and moves around in his can. He acts like he isn't real and then moves and startles people. This year he was the pirate. The kids always have there pictures taken with George every year, I then send it to him in his Christmas card. We even have pictures of the kids in their buggy with George. The fair brings out the best in everybody!