At the movies

Tuesday night we had a family night out at the movies. It was Aubree's first time at the theater. She sat really good the first 45 minutes. After that we had to let her eat some candy to sit still. Alvin and the Chipmonks was the movie. Both girls really seem to like it. It is hard to beat the O'Neill movie theater. I think we probably spent a total of $25 which includes admission, pop, popcorn, and candy for a family of 4 & it is a movie that was just released. The picture is a little on the dark side but it is a cut out of Whitney Houston and Jenae is trying to pose like her. In the theater there are a bunch of cut outs of actors and actresses from the 80's. It was a fun night.

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My little Taylor Swift! Jenae is a huge Taylor Swift fan. She know all her songs and loves to sing along on her karaoke machine. They finally got our roads opened up. Ben, Hope & Trey were able to go home after being snowed in at Chip &Marilyn's house since Christmas Eve. I was not able to go to work today. I am hoping tomorrow I can make it in. I have not been to work since last Tuesday. I have enjoyed my time at home with the girls and Kyle. It has been a very relaxing week.

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Blizzard of 2009

Well we have been pretty much snowed in over Christmas. Thankfully Chip and Marilyn live not very far down the road so with Chip blading the driveways and the road between our two houses we have been able to make it over to their house everyday of the blizzard. We spent Christmas Eve, Christmas day and now we are back over here tonight to hang out and play games. Hope and Ben have been snowed in at Chip and Marilyn's since Christmas Eve. They tried to go home today but only made it about a mile before turning around and heading home. Some places the drifts are over 6 foot tall. Kyle and the girls and I went out for a little walk in the pastures this afternoon to get some fresh air.
I will try to post some pictures of the blizzard tomorrow.
I hope everyone is keeping warm!

Here is a picture of the girls opening their gifts at our house Christmas Eve Morning.

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With the snow storm heading our way we thought it would be good for the girls to get some fresh air before we were house bound. We took the girls for a sled ride then out to the creek that runs behind our house. Aubree did not care much for the sled riding, but Jenae really seem to enjoy it. I liked this picture with the horses in the back ground.

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The girls are excited for Christmas. It was very important to them to get their fingernails painted before the celebrations begin. It went well until Aubree picked up the open bottle of nail polish and tipped it upside down. I was very happy that I had put down an old blanket before we started! Thankfully what spilled stayed on the blanket and not on the carpet.

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Jenae with a branch covered with ice. With that much ice on the branches I am fully expecting for the electricity to go out. My sister that lives near Atkinson lost her power this afternoon already.

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Jenae helping Aubree into the house.

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Weekend

We had a nice quite weekend before Christmas. The only thing we had going on was Jenae's school Christmas program. It was a lot of fun and Jenae did really well. I was the proud Mom in the front row trying to juggle 3 cameras. I am sure as the years go by I will not be quite so enthusiastic. The rest of the weekend we stayed close to home doing final Christmas preparations. Chip and Jenae saddled up and went for a ride. Jenae did good on Speedstir. I think they are going to be a good pair.

Baking Weekend

This past weekend we held our annual cookie baking weekend at my house. My Mom, Sisters and my Brother's Wife all came with the kids to my house for the weekend. It was chaotic at times but it was fun. Danielle left her youngest little boy home to have some Daddy time but we still had 7 kids ranging in age from 5 to 5 months. (2-5 year olds, 1-3 year old, 2-2 year olds and 2-5 month olds.) We decorated sugar cookies and made 3 other kinds of cookies. We also made a lot of candies. My Mom like making the candy molds (chocolate covered cherries, turtles, etc) but they are so time consuming that in the end when we go to divide them up you do not end up with very many. Next year we are thinking of doing more things that can be made in larger quantities. My wonderful husband was a saint and did well with being invaded with my family. He is a good sport when it comes to this kind of stuff. I am lucky to have him!!

Yesterday Kyle had to help a guy move cattle about 20 miles. It would not have been a big deal except the temp barley got above 0 and the wind chill was 20 below 0. There was a north wind and they move the cattle north. Today he and Aubree are taking Rambo to the Vet in Grand Island. He has an abscess in his hoof that needs to be check out. It should be a good father/daughter outing.

I have been busy getting ready for Christmas. I am actually feeling pretty good about my Christmas preparations. After last weekend my baking is done. I am hoping to finish up my Christmas cards this week. The cards are in the addressed envelopes so as soon as Kyle gets the letter done they will be in mail. I am hoping to wrap presents while Jenae is at school tomorrow. This is the most prepared I have been in a long time -- maybe ever. I am hoping to be super prepared so I can relax during the holidays and just enjoy them!!! What I am thinking...relax during the holidays!!!

Friday is Jenae's school program. She has been busy singing around the house getting ready. Her teacher is counting on her to carry the class because she has a lot of shy kids in her class. My little Taylor Swift wannabe should be in her element Friday night :-)

Jenae riding Speedster.

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Jenae trying out the newest addition to the Whitaker Ranch. Speedster was Hope's horse in high school. We are happy to have him back!

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Aubree trying out Speedster. Halie

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Jenae, Aubree, & Trey
Halie

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Aubree giving Trey some love.

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Halie

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I finally had a chance to add some pictures from the past week. It really got cold here today. It feels like winter has arrived!
Halie

Thanksgiving

Time is really getting away from me! Sorry I have not posted anything for a while.
Thursday we went to Kyle's Aunt and Uncle's house for Thanksgiving. They live in Dunning. It was a nice time. It is always fun to see everyone.
Friday I had to work. I did get up early and do some early bird shopping in O'Neill before work. I am feeling pretty good about my Christmas shopping. I still need to get a few things yet. Kyle went to practice at Wakefields in the afternoon. Jenae and Aubree got to have some good quality Grandpa and Grammy time.
Saturday Jenae and I woke up with the stomach flu. We were supposed to go to Kyle's Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving on Marilyn's side of the family. Instead we stayed home from another Thanksgiving. We missed Thanksgiving with my Grandma the week before because the girls were running fevers. Hopefully we will get all of the sickness out of the way before Christmas.
Sunday we put up our tree. The girls had a good time putting it up. My computer battery is about to die so I am going to post this for now. I will try to get pictures posted tomorrow.