Derick's Family History Project

Derick was assigned a family history report and we had alot of fun doing it. First of all I am thankful for all of the family members who do genealogy work, because that sure made this not only easy but the teacher was totally impressed at how far we can go back on both sides. So my dad sent us a whole file of names and dates which was amazing!!! (thanks dad!) So here are some pic's. Sadly I don't have any pic's of James' side and since Derick did this the night before it was due (shocker) we didn't have time to get some.
We broke off a branch on a tree and with my cricut cut apples. On each apple he wrote family member's names and tied them onto the branch. I thought it was very clever. We then put the subtitle as "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree"

Train Ride

During Thanksgiving we were up by yosemite and went on a steam engine train. I especially did this because Brett is obsessed with trains right now. However we all enjoyed it with the whole family. Luckily it was nice weather so that made it even better.



Brett got a train in the gift shop and tried it out on the tracks.





At the stop filling it up with water.

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

We went to our friends ranch for Thanksgiving. It was just our family the first few days and then a "whole lot of Grays" came up for a few days. We had so much fun and it was so relaxing. The kids love to go fishing, swinging, playing horseshoes and so much more.

Oops. . . . . . my bad!

Remember my post awhile back when I did a makeover on James office. Well let me tell you about what I did:
Right after that we went on a cruise (ill post pic's later) when we got back and would go in James office it smelled weird. We looked behind his desk in his closet trying to figure out what it was. I'm not gonna lie it was a "funky" smell and my money was on a rotting sippy cup of milk hidden somewhere. Well one night I was in his office and I had only socks on and I stepped behind his chair to close his blinds, BINGO it was soaking wet. I immediately got a hold of someone to come out. So the next day he cut a small hole in the wall and found out which pipe was leaking. It was our shower drain from our master bedroom right above. He then said that he would have to keep cutting away the wall to determine where the leak was. Well as I stood back and looked at the pipe I followed it up and it matched exactly where I had screwed in an anchor for a shelf I put up. Yeah I drilled into the pipe!!! Luckily we were able to dry everything out so we didn't have to replace carpet or padding. However we did have to fix the pipe, drywall, retexture, molding and paint, (when I say WE I mean HIM) Anyways I'm glad it is all done and I learned to check with a nail before pulling out the drill.
The funny thing is if I'm hanging something I hate using the drill and using anchors. I'll usually shortcut it with nails and just hope it doesn't fall down on someone. The only time I do it the correct way and this happens.


Kaitlyn letting you all know how gross it smelt.

Goodbye Jake

So last month after alot of thought we decided to get rid of our golden retriever Jake. We got him when he was 6 weeks old and was just so cute. However he got big real fast and didn't realize all the work there is to a puppy. Jake was constantly jumping and knocking the kids down, biting everything, tearing up everything. Brett would unlock the back sliding door and Jake would be standing there waiting and right when it was open far enough he would barrel in, muddy paws and all. I literally had 2 toddlers and I was frustrated.

I didn't want to take the time, money or effort in working with him every day and training him and since he was only 8 months old we knew he would be in this puppy stage for awhile and . . . well I was just not loving it. So I put out an ad and a young man called to come out and see him. So him and his girlfriend came out and they fell in love with Jake. He is such a beautiful dog and this guy had been looking for quite awhile. So he took him to the vet to make sure he was healthy and then Jake was gone. When he left we all cried for awhile but then realized how nice it was to play outside and not worry about Jake. Our kids have wanted a dog FOREVER and we gave it a go, I think later if we decide to try it again we will get an older golden retriever, as for now there are NO plans for another dog. Live and learn right? Well I'm just glad I lived through it and I learned that puppies are alot more work then you think.
Here are some pic's of the day he left and his new adorable owners!!!

Broncos VS Raiders

We had our friends the Bayers, over for the Raider Bronco game (since they are diehard Raiders fans, uhhhh) It was so much fun and even better since the Broncos won!!! fun night.

Mr. Brett. . . at it again!

As i was cleaning down stairs I realized it was pretty quiet downstairs where Brett was. I was instantly suspicious and rightly so because Mr. Brett had climbed up on the island and found the halloween makeup. The funny thing is I used the red on his face for the clown and that is all he touched. With 12 other colors he stuck with the red, and it was only on him not on the counter. crazy kid!!!




Here is one of him earlier climbing up to get the candy corn. I love how he poses and smiles instead of feeling remorseful.