Holiday Happenings

It's December here on the ridge! The house is decorated, and the kids are getting ready for Winter break.

Paige standing by the large tree at West Elementary School. 

All three girls, dressed up and matching. Ryann had her Spelling B, and Elena had her Winter Concert tonight. 

Elena singing with the 5th grade 

Spelling B at West Elementary

The Spelling B at West Elementary this year was a little different. Only 3 from 4th and 3 from 5th grade were in this round. Elena is sitting next to a "friend who is a boy", so was more nervous about that then spelling ;)

Spelling away! 

Nervous about making it to the next round?! 

Elena ended up getting 2nd place, her best friend Bell won. Each contestant received an award for participating, which was nice, from Principal Brooks. 

Elena and Bell, the final two . They are both so cute. 

All of the contestants, alternatives, judges, and their principal. 

Family (most of us) Pictures

The girls down by the creek

I love the ones we took up in the woods. We had a great day for pictures, and everyone was in such a fun mood. 

Self-timer picture so I could get in one 

Miss Ryann is not a fan of physical showings of affection, and Elena is quite the opposite, so this was quite funny. Elena attacked her, wanting a hug.

And it looked like so much fun that Paige wanted in as well. 

Walking down the trail hand in hand...this print is hanging in our house right now as it is one of my favorites. 

Trying to get these 3 in the air at the same time was a challenge, but very fun. 

Paige Fall Pictures

This little ham has no problem posing for pictures, but getting her to smile nice is the tricky part haha. I have found that the best tool to get her to smile nice is candy corn. Yes, I bribe all the girls to smile, but in the end, we all win :)

Fishy Face! 

Jumping high like a bunny 

Love the pony tail! 

Ryanns Fall PIctures

Ryann is not one to pose, or want her picture taken, but I got lucky and she agreed to come out with us one beautiful fall day. As long as she can do something she enjoys, like read or sketch, she is happy.

She sure is growing up fast, and is turning into a young lady. Keeping up with her isn't easy but that's life right?!

Fall Pictures- Elena

This year I took the kids school pictures to send out to the family. We had a lot of fun, and it was a great day to play in the woods.

Dixie Lou...Welcome to the family!

Christmas came early for me! Arlen came home one night with a new member for our family, a bull mastiff whom we now know as Dixie. She is very cute and cuddly, but we won't be able to pick her up for very much longer. This breed gets big! I'm a happy girl!

 Her first night at our house, sleeping in a water heater box in our room.

 Playing with Elena.

 I love her face!!

She's a typical puppy, so I can't complain. She usually lets me sleep all night, and in the morning is Arlen isn't home, I get to cuddle with her in bed :) Stay tuned for more pictures of her as she grows into a beast!

Thanksgiving

Grandma and Grandpa Collins were able to fly in for a week to spend Thanksgiving with us. We had lots of fun, and even a little shopping :) Arlen worked on Thanksgiving day, so we delayed our big meal until Saturday, so he could join us. Yummy food, great company, and lots of laughs.

 Elena helping Grandma in the kitchen.

 Floyd and Arlen getting ready to fry our turkey. This was my first fried turkey, and it was so yummy, and moist!

 Peggy and I went Black Friday shopping, at 8am, and this was our haul! We had a great time, but I am done shopping for Christmas at our house!!

 Putting the turkey in the fryer.

 The ladies and their Grandpa, ready to eat!

 A good family picture!

 After dinner we had Elenas birthday. She wasn't excited at all haha

 Cool new game from Grandma for the Wii, along with CDs, clothes, and lots more.

We hope everyone had a great holiday with family and friends. Thank you to all who made our "first" Thanksgiving as a married couple special.

Deer Slayer

Hunting season 2011 has opened, and Brent was the first one out of the gate to shoot something. This is his first year hunting, so he was very excited to have killed something.

 I was next! Although I can't claim I "hunted" this guy down, he did die because of me, so it counts! Driving home from picking up Ryann, with all the girls in my car with me, we hit this big guy. Airbags went off, but no one was hurt. A shaky call to Arlen at work, and he came home to help take care of my mess.

Hunting, this picture was taken the afternoon I shot my little doe.

 A few days after my roadkill came home with us, I shot this little doe, with my bow, from the tall stand. It was a very happy moment when we found my bloody arrow in the ground, as I thought I had missed her! As of yet, my deer are the only meat in the freezer, but the season isn't over yet!!

This was the worst part! I don't mind blood, but the smell of a gut shot almost made me sick :(

Elena is really into hunting this year, but isn't strong enough to pull back a bow, so Arlen took her out during youth shotgun season. Getting up early to sit quietly in the woods is hard, but she had Dad to watch for deer so she would catch a quick nap.

 

 Elena and I, opening day in my double stand. We saw 3 does, but couldn't get a shot at any of them.