The next morning Brandon had beheaded the snowman! 

The Snowman

While I was in the basement helping Dave hook up the TV the kids were outside playing. After a bit I realized that I hadn't heard them for awhile. When I went to check on them I found them outside busily building a snowman. They hollered and yelled "DON'T LOOK MOM!!!" Minutes later I was finally allowed to look... this is what I saw. This is what I get for making them watch all those scary movies with me. LOL!!     note the knife stuck in the side of his head and the blood happens to be strawberry syrup... not bad eh?

      Brandon started out shoveling the driveway for me but eventually got sidetracked and started throwing some snowballs... way more fun!! 

What these guys do to the poor cats... sigh...

I looked out the window this morning, I was getting ready to take the dog for a walk and there sat this fox. Right out in the street, right in front of my house. I grabbed my camera to take some pictures which didn't really turn out very well. They usually never do through windows. He was sitting there watching something but I wasn't sure what. Then he took off down the street. I tried to see him through the side window but couldn't. He was over in my neighbors yard so out the door I went. I walked around my hedges slowly to find him sitting under a bush and he was watching a black cat that was all hunched up and nervous. Breakfast... ya think?! Next thing you know the cat took off across the street with the fox following. The cat ran under a big RV and the fox started after him and then changed his mind. He went and sat in front of a tree and just watched me. The pictures aren't that good but you get the idea. He was an absolutley beautiful animal but sure doesn't belong on Benton Way.         

        

Some good food, some good company and some good laughs

         

SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!!

Kayla and Brandon VS Zia

those lovely eyes...

  

Shaw Heights 7th & 8th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert

  Kayla's usual cheerful happy picture in the back of my car prior to her concert.   The 7th and 8th grade Orchestra waiting there turn to play.   Kayla and a classmate got up and asked people to please turn off their cell phones and not talk during the performance. Not a bad speaker in front of an entire bleacher full of people!!   The 7th & 8th grade Orchestra performing. Kayla is made First Violin this year. Pretty cool! I know she's not destined to be a concert violinist but I am so proud of her that she can read music and play the violin as good as she does!! 

  Gee, I almost forgot! One of our last visits to Sterling, we introduced you to our grasshopper friend "Hoppy". On this visit we met up with "Legs"... he helped with the garage sale... he basically stood on the wall at the front of the house and kept an eye or two... actually, I'm not sure how many eyes he had but he watched the shoppers. You'll notice he is all alone in this picture. I just want you all to know it wasn't like he smelled funny or we were scared or anything... he's just more of a loner. Doesn't have many friends... doesn't really want any. He did let me take his picture though. Yeah... not a bad little guy! 

Everybody is resting after all that work.

 Brandon, who worked very hard to earn that El Camino from Grandpa, fell fast asleep with his arms wrapped tightly around his new treasure. Cute huh?  Kayla couldn't take it any more either. The kids and I went to the haunted corn maze the night before and I don't think they have completely recovered from that yet.  Dave and Dad are sitting at the table talking. 

work! work! work!

    

A Trip to Sterling

        We all jumped in the car Saturday morning so Dave could drive us out to Sterling to visit with Dad and help him with his garage sale that he was having. It started Friday and went through noon on Saturday. The weather was absolutely beautiful both days and dad did really well! Once it was all said and done we were able to help him pack up and put away. 

Kayla holding Ethan

  We all went over for a short visit with Heath, Marcelle, Ethan and the dogs and Marcelle got this great picture of Kayla holding Ethan. 

Here's another place we stopped. It had a bit of a drop off by the side of the road but what pretty contrast in colors!