Today...

my family is vegging out.  We're watching movies.  So far, we've seen "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter", "Blackhawk Down", "Lockout", and we still have to watch "The Raven".  I spent a short amount of time during one of the movies crocheting three coasters for the new table.  I used Simply Soft yarn in Autumn Red and a size F crochet hook.  The coasters are simple.  Chain 22, hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across.  Chain 2, turn, hdc in each st across.  Repeat this for 12 rows total.  Then, sc around the entire edge of the coaster, putting 3 sc in each corner.  That's it.  I would have done a fourth coaster but I ran out of yarn.

Thursday (Thanksgiving)...

We had a lot of family at our house for Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was wonderful!

As soon as they left, the kids started in with their usual arguing and fighting.  But, this time, they were playing, for the most part.  Luckily.

 Big C hiding from Small T.  

 Big C and Small T getting some licks in, after Small T bombarded him with rolls of toliet paper.

 Medium J getting in on the act, and being walloped by Big C.  Small T is walking away after getting a few licks in herself.

 Then I was rewarded by an unexpected gift.  A package of photos that my ex-husband found.

It included my graduation photos (from high school).

I can't believe how young I looked.

I also found this great bit of black mail.

A photo that included my four younger sisters.

I've already started the black mail process.  Ha!

Thursday evening, we hit the 8 pm sale at Wal-Mart.  Big Daddy, Big C, Small T and I went.  It was Small T's first year of going shopping on Black Friday.  We got everything we went there for and spent $167.64 which was well under my allotted budget.  Here's what we got:

4 pairs of Wrangler Jeans at $9.50 each

2 pairs of Rustler Jeans at $6 each

undershirts for $8

boxers for $8

17 movies at $1.96 each

5 TV series boxed sets at $9.96 each

and four 20 ounce soda's at $1.58 each for the thirsty shoppers

Overall, we saved $107.84 on our purchases.

Job well done!  And worth the chaos!

Wednesday...

Tuesday night, we had some company arrive for a short stay.  They were all gone by 10:30 the next morning.

 Rose and Baby E (Rose is Baby E's mom and is standing next to the wall behind Grandma, my mom, and Baby E is sitting on my sister Dea's lap) and Grandma and my sister Lea and her friend Sis.  Wednesday morning, my sister Dea arrived for a quick visit before work.  Baby E is shown here opening her Christmas present since they won't see her before the holiday.  She got a teddy bear that sings the Army song (since her dad, my nephew, is in the army) and she did not like it.  She's shown pushing the bear back to Grandma.

 Baby E loves to have her photo taken and every time my flash would go off, she would turn to me and smile.  LOL

 Big Daddy was finishing the thawing process of the two twenty pound turkey's in my bath tub.  Hmmm...

I'm happy to say, it worked.  He had both turkey's thawed and cooked in record time.  We do all our cooking that's possible the day before the holiday.  In fact, we cooked 2 turkey's, 2 bone-in ham's, 144 dinner rolls (the kind that need to rise), 4 pumpkin pies, 24 hour salad, and a jello cake.  That left the mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, stuffing, and vegetable for the next day, which was Thanksgiving.

 Wednesday, while I was out and about running a few quick errands, Small T needed to stop at the greenhouse and water her poinsetta's.

 They are growing well.  And starting to turn red too.  They will be ready in about 2 weeks time.

 Small T also wanted to try out a recipe for the holiday dinner.  She made a Coca-Cola Cake.  It was something new to us.

Here's the finished product.  I'm happy to report that it was GREAT!  And I detest chocolate cake.

The link to the cake can be found here http://mayflaum.com/2011/06/08/the-chocolate-cola-cake/.

The "Table"

When I came home from school Tuesday, this is what I found.  I knew that Big Daddy was making me a table to go in the corner section of the sectional couch (where we don't have the middle seat at anymore because we don't like it).  The table is fabulous!  Much better than I ever expected!  I mean...he's good with woodworking, but still...this looks professional.  Plus it fits in the corner area wonderfully.  I've exclaimed over it many times since it's been put there and I know he has appreciated how much I like it.  Thanks a lot for the terrific table Big Daddy!

What's Been Happening....

Here's an update of what's been happening in my neck of the woods since my last post.

 The Senior Class at school put on a great Veteran's Day Assembly.

Big C recited a poem.

 A photo from the photo shoot I did of Small T and a friend that's moving.

This is Small T.

 And this is Small T and her friend.

 Last Sunday, I sat down and made this Conehat.  It's a free pattern and can be found here http://allcraftsblogs.com/crochet_hat_patterns/cone_hat_for_all_sizes/cone_hat_for_all_sizes_pattern.html .

I used some Simply Soft yarn that I had on hand.  I do not know the color name though.  I also didn't put the tassel on the end.  Just because I didn't want to.  No other reason.

 Tuesday, the 13th, was Big C's 18th birthday.

 I couldn't believe it.  He blew out all 18 candles in one breath!  I hope he gets his wish!

 Friday, I got my hair done.

I really needed it.

 I also started the Stained Glass Afghan on Friday.

The pattern can be found here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stained-glass-afghan-2-archived .

I'm using up my scrap yarn for this project.  All of it Red Heart Super Saver.

 Friday night was "Meet the Wildcats". 

It's the opening ceremony for the High School Basketball Teams.

Small T is a cheerleader.

She's the one with her pom-pom's in the air.

 I really wish this photo had turned out.

But I think you can see the idea behind it.

Big C is the only senior boy on the basketball team.

They start out announcing the team from the lowest grade to the highest grade.

So...when it was Big C's turn....the announcer says in his best WWE announcer's voice....and the lone senior is Chance Whitney.....and Big C steps forward and raises his arms in the air....and the crowd roars!!!!!

It was soooooooo exciting! I love it!

 So, the boys divided into two teams and scrimmaged against each other for the crowd.

Big C was one the white team.

He started the game.

 Here's Big C guarding Quade.

And all four senior's participating in Basketball and Cheer.....Chelsea, Rebecca, Chance and Katie.

A man and his entourage.  LOL  Just kidding.

Stocking

My sister, Lea, needed another Christmas stocking this year.  I can't believe this.  She needed 10 for her clan last year.  Oh well.  I'm more than happy to oblige and I finished this up yesterday.  So...this stocking is for Anna.  She loves the color purple.  Therefore, it's Amethyst and Black....Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  As always, I used this pattern http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com/free-crochet-Christmas-patterns.html .  I'm sorry it's not coming up as a link.  I'm not sure why.  Just select and paste to your browser.  It will work that way too.

Sunset

Friday night's sunset while on our short road trip.

A photo just can't do it justice!